Man, these appointments are killer!

Alright, so it's been a little while since I last posted. I'm still doing all the pre-insurance appointments, getting all the necessary documents in order to proceed.

I met with the psychologist on the 22nd. His name is Henry Owen at the Owens Center in Suntree/Melbourne, Florida. I actually really liked talking to him. He didn't really give off that therapist vibe that I've seen all too often. I felt pretty comfortable talking to him. Unfortunately, though.... At the beginning of the appointment, he let me know his process for these types of evaluations. He tells me he does an initial interview appointment, then a testing appointment, and a follow-up type appointment... oh, btw, testing isn't covered by your insurance and will cost $300-400! SAY WHAT!? No no no, I don't think so. He said he doesn't want to give his professional opinion/evaluation on a person unless he really makes sure. Which is fine, but there's no way in hell I'm paying that much money.

So I left feeling very pissed off and stressed out. Not only did I just waste $30 (co-pay), I also would have to see someone else who wouldn't charge $300 for a test. And I would have to leave work again. And who knows how long it would take to even get an appointment!

So, as I was leaving, I called my mom and filled her in. She called her ex-therapist and asked if she would do this type of evaluation that I needed without all the bullshit. So I got an appointment for the NEXT DAY! Next day rolls around and I go see her. Well, unfortunately she does put off the therapist vibe, so I wasn't entirely as outgoing as I was with the other guy - but that's ok! She told my mom over the phone that she would probably give me a personality test, but that it would be charged as a session. So I took a $30 personality test the following day, after having to spend $30 to see her the day before. And now I have an appointment on Monday for a follow-up, which will cost another $30 co-pay. They're raping my wallet, I tell ya.

So then I also saw the Nutritionist this past Thursday. I was told that it would cost me $50, but they never asked for any money. Odd. Hopefully they never do. :D

And I still have to meet with my endocrinologist to convince him to give me a note (and also my weight history). I don't know how he feels about this type of surgery, since I've never discussed it with him. I'm worried he's going to want to have me try something else first (a medication). What's the point? Even if it helps and I lose weight, I'm not going to be on the medication forever. And then I'm just going to gain all the weight back. And then I will just have wasted all this time that I could be healthy and feel better about myself! But maybe he'll understand and work with me. I really hope so. It's scary since he's my last appointment before my pre-op and insurance submittal. Plus, that's another $30. :P

I can't wait until these appointments are over and we can submit the paperwork to the insurance company. I'm tired of having to leave work in the middle of the day. Luckily we're really slow right now and I'm able to make up the time I miss during the week (coming in early and staying late). I just feel guilty about it. But soon enough I'll be all done and on the road to becoming a more healthy me! I can't wait!