newbie here

Hey all.  I'm new here.  I just attended the informational seminar at Legacy this last Thursday and am now in the process of filling out my application for gastric bypass.  I'm scared, nervous and extrememly excited.  Does anyone have any tips on how to get through the process without going insane?  I've heard it's a long hall and that at times the four to six months can be difficult when going to all of the appointments and just waiting for answers and new appointments.  According to my insurance I am going to need to lose 5% of my total body weight on my own in this next six months... and keep it off. Sarah

PS how did you all get your tickers from ticker factory to go on your signature?  I've tried and it keeps giving me an error saying it cannot be talker than 144 pixels.  I'm only using tickerfactory!

Each health system is different. Some you just have to jump through a lot of hoops and others add a tightrope crossing across crocodile infested waters. I have blue cross. For me it was a lot easier. The Dr., Stephen Tersigni of Coos Bay, took care of all the preapprovals and I didn't have much to do. I got the approval in only 7 weeks. I would say just hang in there and tell yourself the results will be worth the wait.

Hi Sarah!  Welcome to the Oregon support board. Jer is right - each center and each insurance has different requirements.  I guess the best advice I can give is try to have patience -- easily said -- I have very little of my own.  I had to lost 5% of my weight too (with BCBS).  It didn't take very long, only about 2.5 weeks, and then all my stuff was sent for approval.  I was approved on the first try.  It took three months from approval until my surgery date though, which was a bummer, but so worth the wait.  I feel great now! Linda

thanks for the input. Do you know is the 5% from when I send my papers to Legacy? or from when Legacy initially sends my papers to BCBS for initial processing?

Also, how do I get my ticker to show up? it's not working.

Copy and paste the IMAGE itself to your signature (not the link).   Also, the red warning that says "cannot be taller than ___ pixels" (or whatever that says) is a message that is always there as a warning. It doesn't mean you've exceded that :)  Good luck, and send me a PM if I can help you any further :)

yea!  it worked!  Thanks a ton!

np Sarah :)  and welcome to OH! :)

I believe it's after your initial appointment at Legacy, but call them to make sure.  OHSU told me not to lose anything until I was seen there. Linda

I am having my surgery thru Legacy.  I asked the very same question about the weight loss.  They told me the 5% begins after your initial appointment.  But it wouldn't hurt to begin to lose the weight now.  Getting yourself in the right mindset helps, and it will make the surgery easier from what I have been told.  Good luck with your life changing journey!

I can't say that I necessarily want to begin losing weight right now as I'd be afraid losing weight would continue to drop my BMI.  Which it will.  I know that sounds morbid.  But If I lost 10 lbs before my appointment then I need to lose 5% of my weight total from that apointment on.  My BMI is at 45 right now, and I don't think any of my comorbid conditions will let me qualify for the 35-40 range on the BMI scale.  However, it's not like I'm trying to gain weight either.  that would NOT be good.  Especially since I'm at this state of I will NOT buy any more clothes for myself unless they rip or something!