For

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I see that you've already gotten some great

responses to your postings . . . but, I hope you don't mind if I chime

in.

I've put bits of all your posts here, so I

can answer them together. Sorry - this is long.

specialkmix2000 wrote:

...

I didn't know if there were any surgeons that could be recommended

or if you even get a choice. I haven't had surgery before with

Kaiser.

Dr. Baggs did my surgery and I would definitely

recommend him. Every one of his patients with whom I have spoken

(and that includes some who were his patients when he worked over on the

peninsula with Dr. Wetter) speaks highly of him. He is a lap specialist,

but he did my surgery open because I am so big. I am still amazed

at small my open incision was - only 4 inches. I was very happy that

my surgery only took one & a half hours because I was really nervous

about being under general anesthesia.

specialkmix2000 wrote:

....

So am I to understand that it takes about 6 months to get a surgery

date from time of telling your PCP that you will agree to the surgery?

How long it takes seems to vary quite a bit.

Once you've told your PCP that you agree to surgery, there are still a

lot of hurdles to jump. Lots of folks have mentioned a weight loss

class. I didn't have to do that - but I had already worked with a

Kaiser nutritionist for over 6 months before my PCP referred me for approval.

My PCP referred me in late May or early June of 2003. I got my approval

letter in just a couple of weeks, then I saw Dr. Baggs for my consultation

on Aug. 28 and went to Orientation of Sept. 11. I had surgery at

the beginning of December - however it could have been sooner. It

just took me a while to lose that 10%.

specialkmix2000 wrote:

And is there something about Richmond Kaiser I should be warned

about? I got the impression from those wanting to go to San Diego to

this PB that Kaiser Richmond isn't so good? Is SSF better?

I will wait 8 months if it means I get better care as a result.

As far as I can tell, Kaiser Richmond does

a really fine job. I know that quite a few folks seem to prefer PB

- but I'd much rather be in a program closer to home. I was very

fortunate that everything seems to have gone smoothly - but if anything

had been a problem I wouldn't want to be in San Diego. The nursing

staff and all the various other medical staff at Richmond were great.

specialkmix2000 wrote:

....

I told my husband and he collapsed on the spot. Literally fell to his

knees in front of me. His dad was a life time patient of Kaiser in

Washington. He died from complications to diabetes 3 years ago. SO

to

him Kaiser is evil. He doesn't see that Kaiser extended his dad's

life by 8 years! So I really need to find him a good support group

that will make him feel confident about me using Kaiser. I myself

have never had a bad experience with Kaiser,and I have belonged to

the family for 13 years now. I was more anxious and freaked out about

being cut into. Than the care I will get.

Please be sure to take your husband with you

to the Orientation and to your surgeon's consultation. Perhaps when

he meets the actual people who will be doing your surgery he will feel

more at ease. There is also a support group that meets in Richmond,

but I am not sure when. Some one here will definitely know.

I was also very freaked out about being cut

into. The only surgeries that I had had prior to WLS were a tonsillectomy

as a kid and carpal tunnel surgery (for which you aren't even put under).

But I did have confidence in my surgeon and everyone did everything they

could to put me at ease. I have had no problems worth mentioning.

At 6 weeks now since surgery, my incision is just a thin line that starts

at just about my bra band and runs down for 4 inches and my innards seem

to have healed quite nicely, as well.

specialkmix2000 wrote:

....

Did you have to stay in the hospital long?

....

I figured at least 2-3 days there? Is this the standard turn around

if you have no complications?

My surgery was in the afternoon. I remember

seeing the clock in the recovery room at 6:00pm. They had me up and

walking around 8:00pm. Before breakfast the next morning, the nurse

told me that if I kept everything down then I would be discharged.

I almost thought she was kidding. I saw Dr. Baggs shortly thereafter

and he confirmed it. I had no problem with my water or breakfast,

so home I went. This seems to be the usual scenario if there are

no complications. I am sure that it is cheaper for them that way,

but studies have also shown that folks generally recover faster at home.

I was nervous about going home so soon because I was feeling quite vulnerable,

but I was really happy once I got home and got settled.

specialkmix2000 wrote:

....

What is the difference between Open incision? and lap? I thought there

wasn't an option.

I haven't had my consult though with a surgeon is that when that is

discussed?

A lap procedure will involve several very small

incisions, while an open will have only a single, larger one. I believe

that the actual work done inside is still the same. I think, if you are

small enough to qualify for a lap procedure, that you can still opt for

an open surgery if you wish. However, if the patient is too big (like

me), the surgeon may decide that a lap surgery is not an option.

Also, even if you are expecting a lap procedure, the surgeon will reserve

the right to convert it to open if, during the operation, he/she determines

that it is necessary.

specialkmix2000 wrote:

...

Have you had a lot of pain in recovery? I just can't imagine this type

of surgery being painless, but the way they make you get up

and walk around while still in the hospital?

There is a minimum of pain while you are in

the hospital. You get your marvelous PCA button - that's your "Patient

Controlled Analgesic." You can hit that thing about every 5 minutes,

if you feel that you need to - but, don't worry, you can't overdose with

it. I recommend that you definitely hit that button a couple times

when you know that you have a walk coming up soon. In addition, you

will have a Pain Pump over your incision. I loved that thing - it

administers a topical anesthetic to your incision.

You will be given some serious pain meds to

take at home. The only time I really had a problem with pain was

when I was off the serious stuff and just starting on the Tynenol liquid.

My problem really was my lack of planning. I don't have a recliner

and thought that I could do without one - which I could while I was on

the stronger pain med. I rented one of those wonderful recliner that

will actually stand you up and from then on everything was O.K.

They will have you up for your first walk in

about 2 hours and they will get you up every 4 hours thereafter for another

walk. My doctor told me not to try too hard to tough it out

on those first walks - just do what you can and be ready to do a bit more

on the next one. He was concerned that I might try too hard and be

too wiped out to try again. For that first walk, there was

a lift team to help me get to my feet and I was really glad that they were

there.

= = = =

Well . . . this has been very long-winded,

but I hope I managed to give you a bit of useful info. I know that

I was very worried about just being in the hospital and so craved all the

info I could get.

Wishing you all the best on your journey.

Take care,

Kay

open RNY 12/1/03

375 / 338 / c. 295 (unofficial) / ?????

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Yes . . . the 10% weight loss is a requirement - that is 10% of what

you weigh at Orientation or your surgeon's consultation (which ever comes

first). I think for a while the PB patients weren't being required

to lose that 10%, but I understand that Kaiser has instructed PB that they

must require that loss of their Kaiser patients.

How soon you get scheduled for surgery will be largely dependent on

quickly you lose that weight. It is a difficult requirement, but

one that has sound reasoning behind it. Losing that weight just before

surgery ensures that your surgeon will have more room to work in - something

about losing fat from around your various innards. It also shows

your commitment and gives you time to get used to some of the ways that

you will need to eat post-surgery. And, my personal opinion on the

subject, it keeps folks from going into that "last meal" mentality.

I talked to a lot of folks on another list who did have that weight loss

requirement and most of them gained weight during the months before surgery.

Please keep us posted on your progress. I know that things can

seem to take forever, but celebrate each hurdle you clear and soon you

will be on the other side.

All the best,

Kay

open RNY 12/1/03

375 / 338 / c. 295 (unofficial) / ?????

wrote:

Hi Kay!Thanks for the wonderful post! I now

have even more answers and some were questions I was still going to ask.

LOL! Your lengthy post is rich with data I am going to be saving into

my new surgery "binder". That way too I can reference old questions

and not re-ask as to annoy all the lovely people here! :-) Plus I

have never been under the knife, I had a new stiches once, and my wisdom

teeth out under general, so I remember how that feels, ick! Dr Bagg's

name keeps popping up here, I am going to see if I can get him....unless

it delays my surgery too long. I am really anxious at this point to get

started. I have one other question, what is this 10% weight loss thing

I keep reading about? Is this a requirement? Thanks again for all

the info!And congrats ! You are on the mend! ~

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Just wanted to let you know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers

for an uncomplicated surgery and a full & speedy recovery.

I look forward to hearing from you after surgery - once you feel up

to sitting at the computer, that is.

Take care,

Kay

open RNY 12/1/03

smtowngal0470 wrote:

. . . Now I should be scared, but I'm not

can't wait Thursday is almost here. Tomorrow is my last day for

work.

I'm taking Wednesday off for pre op M.O.M. lol. Want to be close

to

home, throne lol. . . .