Re: Richmond progam

[Guest guest]

Hi

I was one of those complaining about Richmond, but I do want to

clarify, by all means, they did a wonderful job on my surgery My

complaint was about after the surgery, for my 6 week check up, when

the dr. told me I wasn't losing fast enough.

The surgery itself went wonderfully and they did a wonderful job, the

folks at the Richmond hospital on the 3rd Floor (Surgery Floor), were

excellent. Hope this helps a little

Jena

> Hi Lashunta! Thank you for posting and telling me about

> your positive experiences at Richmond. It makes me

> feel more confident about the program after hearing what

> you have to say about the Dr. and staff there. When is your

> surgery? I am so ready for this surgery and I wish I had a

> date scheduled also. Take care,

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

Well, in a way I feel somewhat responsible, but NOT guilty, for some of the

recent discussion regarding the Richmond program. So, here's my

assessment/advice:

Do what you have to do to get the surgery. I do trust them around my innards

with sharp instruments. Furthermore, my husband is going through the process to

get the surgery himself, and I trust them around HIS innards with sharp

instruments!

Take the phone number of Member Services with you to the hospital. Apparently

within the Kaiser system, they are the equivalent of the Pope. If they receive a

complaint, they contact the parties responsible, and those individuals have to

respond in detail. That apparently becomes part of their personnel file.

So, if you are told it's time to leave the hospital, and you don't feel you are

ready, get on the horn to Member Services immediately and raise

H-E-doubletoothpicks! Or have your support person do so.

I do know that the care I personally received from the nursing staff, and

everyone involved in the hospital stay itself was wonderful, from the person who

checked me in pre-op, to the nurses, to the lift team (who were two VERY cute

guys, who I didn't think would be able to lift me out of bed, but have

specialized training) and everyone else involved.

I do have some, er, differences of opinion (who says I have no tact?) with some

of the ways things are done at Richmond. I am no longer being followed by them,

but instead am getting follow-up through my PCP, who is wonderful and very

supportive.

If anyone wants to contact me off-list, I am more than willing to give my own

advice, and answer any questions I can. I am not a medical person, but I am also

not intimidated, and at this point, I know a heck of a lot. I also know where to

get answers. If you do want to contact me, write to me at

eleanor@.... BE SURE TO PUT " RICHMOND " OR " WLS " in the subject line,

so I don't think it's spam and instantly delete it. I've been getting lots of

junk mail these days!

I do want to publicly thank those who are putting in the effort to try to

improve the situation at Richmond. It takes a lot of guts (so to speak), effort,

and time. Bravo to all of them!

--

Eleanor Oster

eleanor@... (personal address)

www.smallboxes.com/gastricbypass.htm

Berkeley, CA

Open RNY (100 cm bypassed) 07/15/2003

Kaiser Richmond (CA)

P. Fisher, M.D.

05/09/2003 319 Orientation

07/15/2003 ~290 Surgery

02/14/2004 <200 Current

Goal 140