Hello all - I am a 55 yr old female, and I want a gastric sleeve procedure. my BMI is 40 and i weigh 240, at 5.5". I have been overweight for 30 years, and i'm sick of it. I feel like this is my last chance to be healthy and slim. SO, after doing tons of online research and lurking on this website, reading everyone's posts, I felt ready to make the call to a surgical weight loss clinic. I went to the required seminar, and was given all the forms to fill out. WELL, after I did that, it turns out my insurance doesn't consider that hospital or doctor a preferred provider. So I found another surgical clinic with a doctor that IS a preferred provider. OK, so far so good...I call the place, and they wont let me make an appointment until i send my medical records to them, and they'll call ME for the appointment?!? Does that sound right? Didnt even ask what my insurance was, why would i send random medical records to them if i didnt know i was going to be accepted? And the receptionist was snippy too, even though i was totally polite. so annoying! I asked, "isnt there some packet of forms you send me before i send my medical files to you?" and she snipply says, NO. anyway, i think the only way to get thru their tight security is to sign up for ANOTHER seminar, go to that, and then hopefully the person there will be more helpful and give me more direction. ANYWAY, I don't want to get all negative, i'm really excited to start my new life! I enjoy reading all your posts, they have been so helpful! I just made my appointment for the 2nd seminar, Feb 23. I guess you can never have too much knowledge, lol.