07/17/03: It's been a hard decision, but I believe this is the right thing for me to do. I had my very first physical yesterday. Funny how every time I had a doctor's appointment, it was always for some sort of sickness. Anyway, my doctor told me that with the exception of my weight, I'm in excellent health. Funny, I don't feel so healthy! My knees and lower back feel like they're going to break at any time. We discussed my thoughts of WLS for the first time. He was very impressed on how knowledgeable I was on the subject; When you're planning to do something "life-altering" you better get as much knowledge as you possibly can! He told me to pick the doctor and he'll definitely write the referral and anything else that may be necessary. I had hoped to use a doctor of interst at the Bariatric Treatment Center in Langhorne, PA. Unfortunately, they didn't accept my insurance. I was really, really interested in Robert Brolin, M.D., in New Brunswick, NJ. Just learned today that my insurance would not cover his out of network surgeons fees so a lot of his services would be considered out of pocket. I'm not a wealthy woman; I live from paycheck to paycheck like most of us here! So I guess you know, Brolin's out! Through all of this research, I keep coming back to the one doctor that I said I'd never want to ever have to go under the knife with in my life! For now, I'll keep his name to myself! However, the more I learn about him from the patient history, the less fearful of him I've become! My biggest concern is whether or not the fear is dwendling because I want to proceed with this ASAP, or am I really being convenced that he's the right doctor for me???