18 down and 18 more to go

I'm halfway there. By insurance I am required to lose 10% of my weight which would be 36 pounds. Well I've lost 18 with 18 more to go. I go to a seminar this Tuesday at Centennial with Dr. Houston.....I can't wait! Then the following Monday I am having my psych evaluation. I'm getting there slowly but surely. I am learning so much from all of you. Thanks for all of your support! Hugs, Melissa

Way to go Melissa! I know you'll make it. Susan

awesome!! Way to go Melissa! Are you having your psych eval at the Evelyn Frye Center? I went to a seminar last week with a friend considering surgery. Dr. Houston was the presenter... he is also my surgeon. Anyways, my friend thought Dr. Houston was REALLY funny..... I told her.. you just wait until you get one on one with him He's not that bad, I promise April

Yes April I will be having it there. I'm sort of nervous about someone picking my brain for 3 hours but as long as they tell me I'm not crazy I suppose it will be worth every minute. I can't wait to see Dr. Houston in person and listen to his presentation. I've already heard Dr. Olsen's aspects of the surgery and would like to hear Dr. Houston's before deciding on which surgeon gets to rearrange my insides. I'm leaning more toward Houston because so many people such as you, Melinda and Kym love him. I've never met anyone on these boards that has used Olsen, so I don't know anything about him other than what I learned at the seminar. But if I do choose Houston I think he should pay you all comission....LOL.

hahaha... commission... I should tell him that next time I see him! That would be some pretty good commission b/c his bill is $7000! At least that is what was sent to my house (insurance covered) Don't be nervous about the psych eval. It is harmless! I'm sure you've already filled out the 18 page questionaire?? Once you're in the office, they'll give you these two tests to take that continuously ask you if you are contemplating suicide or if you hate life.. these questions will be asked in a hundred different ways. It didn't take me anytime to take these tests b/c I'm pretty fast when it comes to things like that... oh it is a "bubble the circle" type of test. They'll probably put you in a room by yourself..peace and quiet Then after you do the test, the psychologist that you're assigned will go over your answers of the questionaire and the bubble in tests and he/she will ask you what you know about the surgery and probably how it will affect your life. He didn't get to deep about anything (thank god because I'm a blubbering idiot when I talk about myself). He said to me that I was overly concerned with my health and I thought to myself - really? I wonder why... I mean I'm not contemplating gastric bypass surgery for the heck of it LOL but of course I kept my mouth shut...Easy Breezy! I ended up calling the surgeon's office over the weekend after I was discharged... Dr. Olsen was on call. He returned my call within 5 minutes. I thought he would be curt or displeased sounding...I know I would aggravated having my weekend disturbed... but he wasn't at all to my surprise. He was very nice and sincere and very reassuring.

Melissa, You are doing wonderful and you can do it, just keep your goal in mind and remember that we are always here for you!!! Shelia