What a great place!!!

Hi, I'm new to this forum, just found it and am very excited to find others who are local in various stages of WLS. I am waiting for an appt. with a surgeon at Legacy in Portland and have been learning a lot about  the process. I hope it's not too long, but have went through all the testing and been cleared with no follow ups needed. I am looking forward to talking with others and meeting new people. Thanks for a great website!!!! Martha

Welcome Martha!  It is a great board and tons of information and support is available.  I have my initial testing scheduled at Legacy too, mid August.  Just hoping I don't have too many hoops to jump thru.  Would love to be banded by the end of the year.   Brandon

Welcome Martha!  It's usually a lot more active here too, but I think everyone may be on summer vacation.  It's been a little loney lately! Linda

Welcome!!  How very exciting for you to be meeting with a surgeon soon.  This is a great place to meet others and ask questions as they arise along the way through this process. 

HI Martha,  I hope you enjoy your experience with Legacy.  Dr Jan was great!  I am almost a year out and have lost close to 100 lbs.  I can't believe it and I owe it all to those people up there and the fabulous way they have helped me.  They will help you too.  Good Luck with everything! Nancy

Hi all,  Thanks for the great welcome!!!  It's nice to hear about so much success!!! Brandon, I started this process with orientation in May and have went through all the testing and am now waiting for an appointment with the surgeon. It has moved pretty rapidly. I have BCBS. My friend has Kaiser and she has been going through the process for over a year, and they clearly have a lot more hoops to jump. Good luck to you!!!!! Martha

WElcome Martha, I know what you mean about having a place to come and get answers or just chat. We are usually more active as Linda said but I think summer has kept us all busy. We often have breakfast here in portland and there is a group in medford also I belive that gets togather once in a while. For me the get to gathers have been the most help actually meeting people and having faces and expressions and such but the forum is also wonderful to have a place to just lay it out any question or concern no matter how personal or odd can be layed out for others to give you there insight. Join us for breakfast some day. keep an eye on the  board we make an annouancement every so often congrats on your process have you picked a surgon yet?

Hi!  I had my surgery with Dr. Jan in October 2005.  He was an incredible surgeon!  I have no complaints with Legacy, either. Good luck! Lori

I haven't specifically picked a surgeon, I was open to either Patterson or Jan based on their experience. I have seen other postings that have indicated there was another surgeon with Legacy who is no longer there and that the waiting time is longer now.    I hope not too much!!!!   I love the idea of breakfast groups, maybe one can happen here in Salem if I can find enough people.  Martha