Finally, some progress!

Success! I called and left a message with the doctor
in charge of the evaluation process for the gastric
bypass. After playing phone tag a bit, I was finally
able to reach him. My first approach, of just being
done with the nutrition evaluation process and getting
the move on, was promplty shut down. I thought about
it more though, and it makes sense that he needs to be
supportive of his organization and the process, to
maintain the integrity of the program. So, even
though I don't feel I need more nutritional
evaluation, I can deal with it.

My next angle was that I'd go through the nutrition
eval as she had suggested, but we could get a head
start on things by submitting my approval to the
insurance company. He explained that wasn't something
they could do either, because a) the surgeon is the
one who will submit for approval, and won't do that
until he meets with you. Makes sense. also B) the
evaluation process needs to be completely finished
before they submit to insurance. That is more of a
personal hospital policy, but again, it does make
sense to have the most complete and extensive
information before submitting to the "evil" insurance
companies. So, while it frustrated me, I couldn't
argue too much, for fear of actually getting my way,
submitting half assed information, and getting denied
as a result. So, we were about to just call it a day
and go with the process as it was, when I interupted
one last time.. "What about this?" ... the magic words..
the words of a true schemer... (I remember doing this as
a kid endlessly, always trying to find a "middle
ground" on a subject, yet in reality it was trying to
get my way the best that I thought I could. If one
approach failed, try the next, if the next failed,
look at things from another angle, if it became
evident I wouldn't get my way completely, how about
trying for at least part of what I wanted. ") How
about... if I do what I need to be doing to prepare
over the next 3 weeks, and meet with the nutritionist
on my scheduled date.. but instead of waiting until
after that appointment to schedule another appointment, we
schedule one now tentative on me being approved by the
nutritionist. That way I don't have to wait the extra
2 weeks after my nutritionist appointment, and if for
some reason I don't get approved by the nutritionist,
I will still have 3 days to cancel the appointment"

The doctor paused a little, then said "Sure, that
should be fine.. we'll schedule you for Friday, June
16, and if need be we can cancel that appointment"
Woot! finally! Some Reason! I must wonder though,
was it my persistance, and him knowing I just wouldn't
shut up until I got some sort of concession, thus it
was easier to say yes to this than no.. Was he
impressed with my knowlege and dedication to getting
this done as fast as possible? Did he realize that I
am in fact ready to go on this, and what I was saying
makes sense? Who knows, who cares.. He gave me what
I wanted, and for that, I am happy. With this new
development, I am back on track to have the surgery
done mid july, right when I want it! I also get a
break from appointments for 3 weeks, so thank goodness
for that!!:)