what??? You mean I'm still not 'in'?

Ok, so I received the highly anticipated letter.  But after some reading through the forums, I gather that doesn't mean that I am acutally accepted yet? The surgeon can still deny you once you meet with him?  So I wait 3 months for the letter, 6+ more months to meet and find out I may not be 'in'?

Am I getting this straight? 

 From what I understand, we can be denied at any point in the process by any number of people but they don't necessarily kick us out altogether. They may ask us to lose a few extra pounds or to seek counselling, etc before getting back in line, so to speak. 

I've only heard a couple of people mention that they were denied for a time until they did something specific and then went on to the surgery anyway.

Hope this helps!

Im so with you on this..I thought the letter meant I met the criteria and I was accepted and now just had to wait my turn. Because my doctor had to fill out a questionnaire I thought that answered most of their questions?? But, from my understanding on here, there still is a chance one could be rejected. Which when you think of it, makes sense if you have health issues or not in the weight range they are wanting. (not that it doesnt take the wind out of your sails!)  Waiting all that time for appoints etc only to be denied would be heartbreaking..

I was accepted but had to quit smoking for 2 months before they would do the surgery. I quit Nov 16th and went for surgey the following Jan 17th. I never once thought that I was off the list during this time, it just meant that I had to be as healthy as I could for the doctors to do their job sucessfully.

I personally think that the surgeons want to know that you've made attempts in the past to lose weight with diet and exercise.  Some people have done little of either before entering this program and the surgeons need to know you're cabable of doing both.  That is the reason they may ask you to lose some pounds before they move you forward in the program.    And don't gain any weight between the time that  you receive your letter of acceptance until your consult with the surgeon, because you may be asked to lose it before moving forward.  I gained 10 pounds and was told I had to lose it before my meeting with the NUT.  Thankfully I did....I'm not sure what would have happened if I didn't. 

Please don't worry too much. If you got the letter, then they already believe that you meet the criteria. The surgeon(s) just wants to meet you themselves before they give the official thumbs up. You then also have to see their Psychologist and get her thumbs up. Basically, they are looking for any previously undiagnosed problems. I haven't heard of anyone being turned down by the psychologist yet, and I have only heard of people being delayed by the surgeon, so that they can stop smoking or lose a little weight.

It is a crazy waiting game, but it is worth it in the end. So hang in there!

Tanya

Thanks for the positive support ladies!  You guys are the best!!!