let's get this show on the road! (35 weeks/8 months in braces)

was in the ortho's tuesday to have a chat with dr. hobday. ron came along. the reason for the meeting was that my benefits reenrollment is up. last day to change things is friday the 21st (the day of my appointment). i wanted to make sure that we would have enough time to figure everything out as i had many questions. what were my questions? well. see below! (yes, i had prepared this ahead of time)
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Healthcare Spending Account – Questions for Dr. Hobday

-Re-enrollment ends January 21st. Plan year of March 1st 2005 through February 28th 2006. (no reimbursement during March 2006)

Things to budget for during this time

-Surgery – have been told approximately May/June timeframe. Is this still the case?

-Braces – for 3-6 months after surgery? (Nov-Dec)

-Probability to be out of braces by end of February 2006?

-Total retainer cost (permanent and clear overlay types) - $400 total or $800?
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The answers i received were varied, but we finally got some info from him after trying and trying. :) He did say right away to take my copay amount for my surgery, the full amount of my braces and the cost of my retainers as it will be done by February 28, 2006. This made me excited. Until he said, 'if needed we can charge you ahead of time on the remainder of the braces and the retainers so you don't lose the money.' GAH! NO! braces must be off by the end of next Feb or I will go crazy! (although that is good info to know, i won't lose my money)...

so i said, 'so... you said surgery in may/june, in sept you said 9 months (may/june), are we still looking at early summer?' he makes a face. talks about something else. gah! no! :( so i say, 'are we looking at early fall???' he makes another face. explains to ron and i that he won't know until he does a progress mold and then does surgery on it to see how things line up. ron says, 'so you will do that on friday at her next appt?' dr. hobdays says, 'no, we won't do it for another two appts. AFTER this next one, so three appts.'. bummer. says that when doing surgery on the molds some people are immediately ready, others still need 6 months of work. gah! i hope i'm in the ready group! please!

i do think these appoinments help remind them that i'm a surgical candidate and that i want this done soon! once we talked dr. hobday added springs to the list of things to do in my next appt. so now i get my steel 19 in on the bottom, and springs between my upper 3 and 4's. (after my eye teeth). these will open a space up for dr. keane so he can cut my upper jaw into 3 pieces. fun! at least it's starting to look closer...