Hi, glad to meet you all

Welcome! I don't have Empire BCBS so I can't help there///but will help when I can.  Glad you have found the boards helpful.  Hang on, it's a bumpy ride but I wouldn't trade it for anything!!!

Welcome to the OK board. Like I always say there are many bumps in the road but they are so worth it. It has made such a difference in my life.

My journey took 4 months with my insurance denying me. Dr. put me on presurgery diet in June..had to lose 30 pounds. Got surgery in on October 18, Fall break, which was my hope. Actually, my hope was that it would've happened in the summer, but that wasn't meant to be. Lots of tests but they're necessary. Trust me, you and the doc will both know more about your body than you ever knew before. That's a good thing...because he needs to know what your anatomy is like to plan for the surgery. My 30 pounds was to give extra space between the stomach and the liver. My surgery took 45 minutes (my family says). I was in recovery longer than I was in surgery. Your doctor assisted Dr. Walton, and he's a very nice man as well. He came and introduced himself to me before Dr. Walton came to hi. I was relaxed and doing fine until they came and started wheeling me into surgery..that's when the frightened tears came. The first thing I remember doing when I woke up was to feel to see if I had to be opened or not. A friend of mine did after being prepped for lap method. My husband told me to stop, and I said well tell me if he had to open  me or not and  I will. :D Long story short, the wait is hard and all the tests are frustrating. Know that the Weight Wise staff is on your side and very caring people. All of them.

Thanks so much for your wonderful post.  Makes me feel at ease.  Mammogram scheduled, first appt with card is scheduled, sleep test is scheduled and blood work.  Getting there I guess.  Still waiting for insurance approval too.

I'm one week out now from surgery with Dr. Broussard.  He is so nice and has a great bedside manner.  He is very patient and will answer all of your questions.  You are in great hands. I started my journey last October and as I said I had my surgery last Monday.  I also had to have some of the tests that have been mentioned in earlier posts.  I had already had the sleep study so I didn't have to do that again for my surgery. Keep busy and do not let this take over your life. It will all fall into place and your surgery date will be here when it is the right time.  I know it is hard to wait, but this time will give you time to lose any required weight before surgery so that you will have the most positive outcome as possible.  Good luck to you and welcome to the Oklahoma OH we are here for you.