**Update**

Thanks for that info, Pattilyn.  I'm glad to hear Dr. Ferguson was worth the trip!  I'm actually looking forward to the visit.  Maybe she'll give me some new insights. As for her fee, I'm sure it's worth it for three hours!  I'll be able to submit a claim to my insurance anyway, so maybe they'll pay at least a portion.  I only thought I could speed things up by going to a doc I already have seen.  But, realistically, two weeks is not very long.  Plus, i can't get in to see my primary care doc for pre-op testing for a month!!   I guess patience is important in this process, as much as I'd like to jump in and start losing today!  LOL

I am not saying that her fee is not worth her time, I am just saying I am not willing to pay it.  It is a matter of principle for me.  I am already dealing with choosing this doctor knowing that I would have to pay a out of pocket fee.  Also, I was never told that I had to go to this doctor exclusively.   I was told that I have to pay my out of pocket fee and that included my program fee, nothing about you have to see our person for psych evaluation.  I am really just getting frustrated with the whole situation.  I honestly do not know what I am going to do next.  As for patience, I have had alot of it, but when I am on a timelime of losing weight or getting a shunt in my head, I want things done fast.

I understand, Eli.  I was actually responding to Pattilyn's comment.  I didn't mean to come across like I was questioning you.  I had said earlier that I was annoyed at being told I had to use Dr. Ferguson (when I'm already a patient of Dr. Marcil).  After Pattilyn posted, I was just happy to hear that she felt the appointment was worthwhile   You have very good reasons for feeling the way you do.  I was certainly not questioning them.

I am sorry, I was ver short fused yesterday.  Sorry,

We all understand where you are coming from Eli, so don't worry about it!  This type of situation can be very flustrating, not to mention stressful - first of all, just making the discision to have WLS; then deciding on which type would be best for us, after hearing so many different stories (good and bad); next, choosing a doctor - hearing the same different stories, plus receiving conflicting information, plus worrying about how we're going to pay for all this!  And then wanting it done yesterday.  It can all work on our nerves. Just think about the the rainbow at the end of path!

Great advice for ALL of us!!

Hi Jen,

If you have a long-term psychotherapeutic alliance with another psychologist, we may be able to honor it. Call me to discuss what we'll need from your doc. 407.303.4574.

HTH,

Kristen

Morning Jen! Glad the information was helpful!  I'm waiting on the call from the nurse for the assessment on what I have to do next.  Hopefully I won't need any other pre-op tests, just meet with Dr. Kim, the nutritionists and exercise guru (can't think of the proper term right at this time :) And speaking about being confused - Dr. Ferguson brought up the option of having a the gastric sleeve rather than the lap-band - thinking it might be a better choice for me  .  It does seem interesting - no by-pass, nothing foreign in my body, eventually able to eat most things (just small amounts).  But...they do actually remove part of your stomach - that's cutting and stapling - not sure I'm up for that.  Supposedly the part of the stomach that's removed is the part that produces the hunger pain.  And, the part that's left is tougher so tends not to stretch out bigger.  Both of those sounds desirable. Just when I think I've made my decision I'm given something else to think about!  And, like you said, I want this to happen now! Take care!

Dr. Kim's office mentioned this procedure to me also (sleeve gastrectomy). The way I understood it was that this procedure has not been FDA approved here in the US. It is being done in Europe. You insurance would never approve a procedure that was not FDA approved. Ali