I'm new, from New Bern

Hey everybody.  I'm new on the message board.  I'm just begun the process toward a gastric bypass (RNY).  I'm from New Bern, NC.  I've done a lot of the initial lab work, exams, meeting with a nutritionist, and today I had my first psych eval.  As I understand it I have several months, maybe a year, of hoops to jump through for my insurance.  Because I'm a teacher the earliest I can expect to have my surgery is Christmas vacation or maybe even next summer.   This is really disappointing.  I don't mind doing what they want me to, but that's a long time to wait.  **sigh**  Today at my psych eval, the person who did the eval wasn't particularly warm and fuzzy.  In fact, I'd have to describe her as a diet nazi.  Maybe some people find that approach motivating, but I didn't find it particularly inspiring.  My nutritionist is so bouncy and bubbly.  I'd love to know what "happy pill" she takes every day!  She's great!

Meredith

Hi Meredith!

Welcome to the NC board.  It sure isn't fun doing all the initial testing that they require, and especially the psych., who can sometimes prove to be the biggest obstacle of all!  I hope that she gives you a speedy letter of approval. 
I'm from Jacksonville and we have a little support group here and would like to extend the offer to join us when we get together again.  We post it here on this site.  I, too, Have BCBS State teachers employee insurance and was approved one day after my Dr. submitted it.  They are pretty good there, so I wish you luck with that!
Feel free to ask any and all questions here......someone's sure to know or give you advice!

Again, Welcome!!!!!!!!
Nancy

Thank you for posting and welcome aboard.  I'm not sure why you have to wait so long.  I have BCBS State of NC and I didn't have to wait long at all.  My psych lady  was no happy camper either.  I left her office wondering if she would even okay me for the surgury.  Everything will work out.  And the whole process will really fly by.  Keep me updated.  Donna

Welcome, Meredith!    I joined the forum about a month ago, also looking into RNY, and am patiently waiting for my surgical clinic's orientation class, which I'm to attend on September 2nd.  I did go ahead and schedule my psych eval for the end of this month.  Hopefully I won't have a diet nazi to deal with like you did!    It sounds like your NUT more than made up for it and you'll likely see lots more of her anyway.  Good luck on your journey!

 Hi there neighbor! I'm here in New Bern as well. I'm glad that you have started your process, I hope that the road goes as smooth for you as it did for me. I'm actually doing the lap band and now I'm waiting for BCBSNC  to approve it! We might have had the same person, she was a little over the top!

Hi, I'm another recent member of the OH forums.  I'm in the same position you are, getting my exercise jumping through hoops until I can get RNY surgery.

I think the NC board is especially friendly.  You can make some friends here and learn a lot while you're getting ready for surgery.  Probably good to wait too long and be terrrrrrribly ready then jump in too quickly without enough info.

Good luck,

Nancy

Welcome to the boards, Meredith.  I have found so much info and support here and you will, too.
Good luck with your journey.

Shelia

Meredith,

Welcome to the NC Board!  You've found one of the best groups of people here on OH!  Feel free to ask any questions as you make your way to surgery and to the new you.  If we're not going through the same things that you are, we're headed there or we've been there.

Welcome to the NC Boards! My name is Shelli and I just had lap band surgery. I remember the pre-op process all too well. It felt like an endurance test! Do you have BCBS NC State Employees health insurance? They were pretty good to me. The whole process, from the first seminar to my surgery, took a little over 2 months. Of course, I was very pro-active and did things ASAP on my own. Oh, and my psych guy was a real a$$hole. It still makes me mad when I think about my appointment with him.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns that we can help you with.

Shelli

Hi! Hang in there...
the road can be bumpy but it's well worth it!