Almost there!!!

Hey everyone, I just wanted to tell ya that today was my second to last visit on my supervised diet. On 3/6 I will have my last appt. and I will also sum up with Dr. Hadi that day, so he can recommend me for surgery!!! I'm so excited, I can hardly wait. I have an appt. with my pcp, this month so I can ask for a letter of medical ness, which I'm really nervous about asking for, I only switched to this pcp recenly and I have had one visit with her! How can I ask her for this letter? What should I ask her to write? Will she do it? I'm starting to freak myself out. lol, I'm just a basket case today. Jacqueline

Hi Jacqueline, I understand how you are feeling. I'm a complete basket case myself these days. I can tell you, if your PCP is really wanting to help you and sees that the surgery is indeed medically necessary, I don't see why he/she would not write a letter of medical necessity. If she questions you, tell her about all the tests you've under went, the surgeon you've been consulting with, the nutritionist, etc. When I decided to forge ahead with my decision to have WLS, I knew I needed the 6 month dr. supervised diet; however, I didn't have a PCP I saw regularly. So my very first visit with my PCP included the discussion to have WLS and the fact that I would need a letter of medical necessity. She said no problem and I started my 6 mo. diet that day. It took some nerve to actually make the phone call and set up an appointment and then actually showing up. The nurses questioned me about my weight and all the things I've tried. I got emotional...started to choke up while talking about my life and how my weight affects me. I think that was the hardest. To actually hear yourself say the words; it was very hard but also liberating. It did take my PCP's office a couple of weeks and phone calls to get the letter of medical necessity to my program coordinator. So make sure they know you need it sent immediately to expedite things with your surgeon's office. Sorry, I rambled through your answer! Good luck. You're almost there!! *hugs* April

sweetie, I am saving a seat on the loser's bench on each side of me for you and April. I can't wait until you too get your dates. I haven't even questioned "what have I done to myself" as others have said. I thank God and my surgeon for allowing me to have this surgery. I tell everyone. Don't freak out now. Jacqueline, I know you will be fine and I know you won't be nervous when you do have your surgery. You made the first step to be "born" again. Just remember the entire state of TN will be thinking or praying for you. I know I will be. You will love looking into a mirrow when the weight starts just falling off. Some people don't recognize me now, they aren't used to seeing me on my feet and now in an electric wheelchair, and I have lost a lot already in my face and stomach. With my Kathy's

you're gonna have to post some updated pics to show us of your progress!!! It's one of my favorite things to do here..look at before and after pics.

I will, I love to look to look at the before and afters too! It's amazing how different people look! Thank you you and Kathy for your words of encouragement. I was kind of upset today, I tried to make my appt with Christian ( the np at Vanderbilt that now does the clearance for surgery's) for after my appt with Dr. Hadi so I can have that appt shortly after, and they won't let me!!! It was very frustrating, don't they understand that people want to have this done asap, even more so after waiting through the six month diet!!! Errrrr! Jacqueline