They won't schedule me...

Thanks Heather.  I think I have her email address in my binder.  I am going to wait and see what my case worker with my insurance co finds out before I contact her though.  I got the feeling from talking with the case manager that she knows the folks at the office pretty well, so I am hoping she will be able to find out what is going on since she already has a rapport.

I know what you mean by the 5:00 support group time.  I could not make the last meeting because I had to get my granddaughter off the school bus at 4:00 and wait for her mom to get home.  I live in Forest Hill which means I need an hour to make it to Bayview and that is if 95 is not backed up.  I am planning to be at  the next meeting.  Hope to see you there! 
P.S. -  I am so sorry for your frustration.  It is hard to be so close and still not have a surgery date.  I am going through all the steps now and should be ready to file for my insurance approval in about a week.  I have an Upper Endoscopy scheduled for Thursday.  Pam

Good luck with your endoscopy!  I was soooo terrified of having that done (and it was non-negotiable since I have a history of ulcers) and it turned out to be a piece of cake.  The nurse anesthetist I had, Henry, was hilarious.  Now I get to be freaked out about having my wisdom teeth out.  I've needed to have it done for years, but my dentist really wants me to do it before I have WLS and can't take NSAIDs any more.

I posted about this on the main RNY board and some well-meaning ladies who don't live in Baltimore suggested that I just leave work at my regular time and get to the support group late.  Ha!  I totally would if it would actually work out that way, but I work in Hunt Valley.  I'd be seriously lucky to make it there by 6 if I leave here at 5.  Hell, even if I leave here at 4, I'll be lucky to not be late getting there, depending on how awful traffic is that day.

As i live and work in HV myself you are not lying about the time.  I was wondering if you could go to support group at greenspring--I think they still have an office over there and it sure is alot closer.  I used to go to Bayview for wieght mgmnt group but they moved the office (this is 10 years ago so I may be way off here)  As for scheduling, it will happen.  Anxiety is part of teh deal.  You feel like you may back out.  If your are serious don't let this delay bother you.  I was scheduled 6 yrs ago and backed out and I finally just did it in july.  Good luck to you!!

I am really sorry that you have to deal with all of this!  You may want to get in touch with Dr. Steele herself and not just talk to Erica.  If not, then I agree with Heather; try to contact Christine Walsh directly. When I had my first consult with Dr. Steele back in February, I was told that she would like for me to lose 15-20 lbs (but it wasn't mandatory) and that I had to attend 6 diet/nutrition classes and 2 support groups on top of the psych consult and nutrition counseling. The support groups were a bit of a pain because of the time; my husband and I both had to get off early from work to make it.  They were worth the effort though.  I am a little bummed though because I got my approval from my insurance company about 1 week before Dr. Steele got it and when they finally got it, they scheduled me for January 26th.  I can't believe I have to wait so long!  I am thankful to be approved at all.