The Process is a Long One.

I've been traveling so have not updated like I planned. But I'm back now, only to be leaving again in a couple weeks.

Good news: I've been accepted into the bariatric program!!

I am going through my insurance for my surgery. I'm lucky that they cover bariatric surgery, and am willing to jump through some hoops to avoid paying nearly $15,000 out of pocket. I know it will take longer to go through insurance (which I think is more than a little upsetting), but it's the better option financially. It started with contacting my primary care doctor and asking her to give me a referral for the surgery. She did, on 08/05/2011, and on 08/19/2011 I heard that I had been scheduled for orientation on 09/16/2011. I was told that I need to attend orientation on 09/16/2011 and at that point I would provide my availability to be scheduled for the class that lasts 3 months (which can take 2-6 months to get into... downer!!).

My biggest obstacle is being in Texas, and having my surgery in California. I'm lucky that I have family I can stay with, and have support coming from all over. I will likely be out there for about 6 months. Because it can take a few months in between orientation and the classes starting, I will go out to California for my scheduled day, and come back until my classes begin. I was hoping to be able to complete everything in one stretch, but hopefully things will go smoothly and I'll only need to make one trip back.

I'm glad the ball has started rolling, even though it's slow.