Does any part of this process NOT make you insane?

sleepyjean · October 3, 2005

I’m just wondering. Because for the past week, I’ve been going on and on about waiting forever to get a referral from my PCP so I can get the evaluation process started. “Waiting is horrible,” I said. “I can’t stand it,” I said. “This SUCKS,” I said. I spent all weekend agonizing over it.

So this morning, I decided to call my health ins. and get some more info. The guy I spoke to said I’d have to be screened by UCLA bariatrics and UCLA would make the yes/no decision – not Healthnet. However, the guy on the phone was a nice man who struggled a bit with his English (he said the requirement is a 40kg BMI, LOL), so I won’t take it as Gospel, but it sounds like that’s one less obstacle to deal with.

Then, feeling upbeat, I decided to call the PCP’s office and see if I could get on a waiting list for the next available female physician. (I hate calling there because the guy who answers the phone is a real jackass.) This time, a lady answered the phone and – miracle of miracles – they have an opening tomorrow. TOMORROW. MANANA. MORGEN. DEMAIN. OMORROW-TAY. I actually jumped up and down and said wahoo.

…And then I remembered that doctors, hospitals, needles, etc. terrify me. So now I’m busy thinking about that. Tomorrow afternoon, I’ll be lying on a table like a mackerel on a platter, covered only by an oversized napkin, with some total stranger poking and prodding my big old nekkid bod and jabbing me with sharp needles in places I’d prefer they not go.

I begin to see why head shrinkers and support groups are an integral part of this process…

Danistar · October 3, 2005

I am the biggest chicken in the world, and I have to say that aside from some pain the whole experience has been just fine.

I had pain because I can't take IV narcotics or Percocets or Percodans, but that only lasted four days. I get my first fill Nov 1st so I may not like that very much, although my doc says he numbs the area first so what do I really have to be afraid of?