Getting discouraged...is this normal?

Right now I'm feeling discouraged, I don't feel like I'm making any progress in my approval.  Six weeks ago Dr. G's office called and told me that I needed to get a referral for my pysch evaluation.  I called my PCPs office and talked to the lady that did referrals and gave her all of the information.  Two weeks later I was in for my monthly weigh in and they still hadn't gotten a call back from the shrink.  A MONTH later I went back and they still haven't been able to make contact with the shrink's office.  I finally told the referral lady that I don't care who they can get me a referral to, I just want to go and get it done!  I had called my case worker because I had a question and I've gotten no response from her....that's discouraging!  I love this forum but I have to say with my lack of progress I'm feeling jealous of everyone that is getting to join the loosers bench.  I feel like it's never going to happen for me.  Honestly, with the lack of progress that I feel like I'm making on this journey I feel like my diet has just about fallen by the wayside.  I'm doing Atkins as my physician supervisied diet but I KNOW I'm not staying under my 20 grams of carbs a day.  This past week I was eating fruit like it was going out of style.  Is this jealous and discouraged feeling normal?

Kath - i certainly think your feelings are normal at this point.  This journey is fraught with discouragement and jealousy.  Unfortunately, we "ALL" have to go through some sort of HELL to get what we want.   Are there any of Dr. Gorospe's patients out there that might be able to direct Kath?  I know we have a lot of them, I just do not know the office staff to tell you who to jump up and down on.  Or is it the PCP's office?  Either way - ask for the Office manager or the Supervisor in charge of the referral person.  Nicely - ask what else you can do to get this process moving.  It should NEVER take 6 weeks to get a referral out.  It's a good thing it wasn't a cardiac referral!  But it just as likely COULD be for an obese patient trying to get healthy! Hang in there Kath and keep coming here for your support.  Anything you do now is going to help you get where you need to go.  It is HARD and it is worth every bit of effort in the end.   Let us know what we can do to help you further.... 

Ruth,     Thank you SO much for your reply.  I don't think it's my PCPs office that is dropping the ball.  Apparently all my PCP needs to find out is if this Psych is in network or out, apparently she isn't listed anyplace my doctor's office can find.  Like I told the referral lady at my PCPs office, I don't care if it's with her anymore, just find someone who can administer the test.  I am being very patient with the office staff, since I KNOW what it's like not to be able to finish your job while you are waiting on somone else I can totally relate.  I hope some of Dr. G's patients reply, maybe it's just my case worker, I don't really think it's the whole office that has a problem with returning calls.    I also think part of my problem is just me :P  My oldest turns 18 tomorrow and is moving out in a few weeks, I think that i****ting me hard too.  When my 13 year old moves out I think it will be better, but my first baby leaving just doesn't seem right.

 

kat

Kath, I think we're all anxious pre-op to have our surgeries as soon as possible. It's such a big decision to make and then once it's made, we all want it to happen yesterday. I'd suggest calling those that are responsible for getting the referral done at least a couple of times per week and nicely inquiring about your referral status. If that doesn't get it done, then I'd start calling more frequently and then ask to speak with the office manager. Good Luck! I'll keep you in my prayers.

Getting the run around is always frustrating!  Please stay on your pre-op diet.  Any weight you lose before hand will make the surgery easier and safer.  Just think about he changes you have already made.  What would you have chosen to eat when frustrated before?  Almost certainly it would not have been fruit!  Start calling frequently and always be polite.  Make it easier to get you scheduled than to keep ignoring you.  Good luck!