After months of research it's time to get the show on the road. I've done a lot of reading here and it's helped me so much! I don't feel so alone anymore.

Unfortunately, my insurance doesn't cover the surgery. My first decision was whether to try dieting again or start looking for a great surgeon who doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I checked hospitals close to home. I checked hospitals within a 4 hour drive. I checked hospitals in Mexico.

There is just SO much research to do just to find the right doctor. So much that factors into the decision of Mexico or 4 hours away. How will I get filled? Do I pay the extra money for a doctor close to home just for the convenience??

I tried one doctor close to home. I went to his free seminar and listened to him talk about things that I've already read about. After the seminar, I jumped up to talk to the insurance lady. I asked how much the surgery costs for self pay patients. This doctor doesn't take self pay patients. *sigh* back to square one.

I finally decided to call a surgeon 4 hours away. He is reasonably priced and he had some good referals. Since I live so far away and he has a lot of patients who live far away, he schedules all the testing during one day.

My appointment is Wednesday, March 19th. I'm excited and scared both at the same time. I'm going to drive to my brother's place to spend the night and then drive the last hour the morning of my appointment and drive the 4 hours back home afterwards.

I'll meet with the surgeon, the dietician, the cardiologist and the psychiatrist all on the same day. I'm lucky that I don't have to wait the weeks in between like a lot of other people have to.

I asked the appointment girl how soon after the testing could I potentially be banded. She said about 3 weeks later.

So.. by the middle of April I may be on my way to a healthier new me!

~k