New to the board!

Hello all! My name is Tammy and I've just discovered this website a few days ago. I've heard of it of course but haven't really checked it out until the last few days. I've enjoyed reading many of your posts and am getting very excited about surgery. I'm also nervous of course and am grateful to find a place where I can read about others experiences. I've gone to the initial education session offered at OHSU and have read a couple of really great books about WLS. I have an initial appointment set up with the clinics NP and dietition on 1/2. I'm not sure how long it will take to things along but hopefully things will go smoothly. Have any of you had experiences at OHSU? Have you been satisfied? Thank you! Tammy

Welcome Tammy, you have come to the right support board, there is lots of infomation to read. I know about the excitement because my surgery is just two days away (Wednesday 12/13) .I wish you the best in your journey for a healthier way of life. Nancy T

Welcome aboard Tammy! I am going thru OHSU. I've done all of my initial visits and have my pre-surgical appointment on the 18th. So far, they have been wonderful. They worked to combine appointments with various people for me since I live a few hours from Portland, answer all my questions and are very thorough with the insurance submission. Good luck, hope you have the same excellent experiences with them. Michele

Welcome, Tammy! You will find LOTS of support on this site. It is chock full of great people who provide such great support, it is like an extension of my family. I wish you lots of luck on your journey. Post often too .... it is also helpful to post out on the main board too. http://obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/ Best of luck to you! Kim

Hi Tammy, I had RNY at OHSU in May. You can read about my experiences on my profile. The Bariatric Team is great. Dr. Deveney did my surgery, but I have met both Dr. O'Rourke and Dr. Martindale as well and they are both very competent and friendly. Vicki, the NP is awesome and Shannon Rentz, the dietician is always available to answer questions. The hospital stays I have encountered were not great. It seems as though the nursing staff are overworked. Some have lost their bedside manners, if you know what I mean, but there are some great ones up there too. Just be persistent with your needs while there. Good luck on your journey and welcome to the board. Jill

Welcome Tammy I am waiting for approval from my insurance Co.So as of yet i have not had surgery, You will find great support here and some really good friends to, We ocassionally have breakfast togather so next time we get to meet it would be great to have you along, I went to one a few months ago and it helped me emensley, thes are some great people on here Welcome

I just wanted to welcome you here! I didn't go to OHSU for my surgery (Legacy Good Sam, here) so I can't address any of those questions. Good luck! Lori

Welcome Tammy. It is an exciting thing to know you are on the road to a better life. My surgery will be Wednesday. You are just at the beginning and that of course is always the perfect place to start so you dont miss out on anything. Good luck on your journey Kat

Welcome Tammy - I'm kind of a new kid on the block too. I'm waiting for the Eugene Center to become approved for my version of Regence Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Hopefully not too much longer now. Linda

Welcome Tammy: I have never posted here either and I am fairly new. I think it has been 3 months. I don't know anything about the WLS at University but I have stayed there for other reasons and I agree there are some good help and then there are some real B....es to. I am having my surgery in Salem. I am almost through with my testing and that will be done on the 20th. So we will be going through this about the same time. I am hopeing to have surgery in January or February. Good luck with yours! Hope to talk to you again. Lori M