Guest guest Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 G-man: Well said. I do believe that the emotional, dealing-with-food- restrictions part of this journey is a tuffie. Sure I can still overeat to deal with my problems, but geez, that doesn't solve anything at all, and now I'd get really, really sick. Now I have to face life without the crutch that food always provided for me. And I am so much better off for having gone through the struggle. For the first time in my life, I don't walk away from problems only to manifest my anger, disappointment, hurt or lonliness in a binge. I feel real pain, but also I feel real joy. I know why the caged bird sings. I once was that caged bird, and now I soar with freedom like never before. That feeling is unbelievable. The 10% weight loss phase was important for my overall success. I hated it, but once I just accepted that I had to do it, quit fighting against it, I finally found a source of strength inside of me, a source that I never knew existed. Finally, I believe in myself. And while I wonder what took me so long to give myself unconditional love, now that it's here, I appreciate it as the blessing it is. The other G-man, Gemello -153 lbs / at goal P.S. Gordy, way to go on the weight loss! You continue to inspire me with your honest self-examination and attention to your needs. That really is a great lesson for all of us. > > Hi Everyone....my take on the 10% weight loss requirement: > > I am GLAD that Kaiser requires us to lose weight and suggests us > using the 1200 calorie diet. No doubt about it, the 1200 calorie > diet is hard. Some folks even opt to try other programs for many > different reasons including the fact that it's not easy. The bottom > line is the more weight you lose prior to your surgery, the better > off you will be. There will be much less stress on your body and > your recovery will be faster and hopefully complication free. > > Imagine eating regular on say a Wednesday, having the surgery on > Thursday then eating two ounces of gruel on Friday (hypothetically > speaking). The purpose of the 1200 calorie eating plan is to prepare > you for the road ahead; it's not designed for you to " prove " yourself > worthy of the surgery. I totally agree with Martha on this one. > > By the way, for those that don't know, I have lost around 50# > utilizing the 1200 calorie eating plan since the end of August. I > honestly believed that I had exercised all of my options prior to > asking for WLS but I've been doing so well that I've put my surgery > plans on hold for now. I would not have discovered this had I not > been afforded an opportunity to lose 10% prior to surgery and you > need to be absolutely sure this is the right thing for you. > > Regards, > Gordy > Pre-Op Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 At our nutrition class, the dietician said that the 1200 calorie plan is to prove we are ready for the surgery. I just think the arbitrary 10% number is a bit ridiculous. I think it should be individualized. One size does NOT fit all. > > Hi Everyone....my take on the 10% weight loss requirement: > > I am GLAD that Kaiser requires us to lose weight and suggests us > using the 1200 calorie diet. No doubt about it, the 1200 calorie > diet is hard. Some folks even opt to try other programs for many > different reasons including the fact that it's not easy. The bottom > line is the more weight you lose prior to your surgery, the better > off you will be. There will be much less stress on your body and > your recovery will be faster and hopefully complication free. > > Imagine eating regular on say a Wednesday, having the surgery on > Thursday then eating two ounces of gruel on Friday (hypothetically > speaking). The purpose of the 1200 calorie eating plan is to prepare > you for the road ahead; it's not designed for you to " prove " yourself > worthy of the surgery. I totally agree with Martha on this one. > > By the way, for those that don't know, I have lost around 50# > utilizing the 1200 calorie eating plan since the end of August. I > honestly believed that I had exercised all of my options prior to > asking for WLS but I've been doing so well that I've put my surgery > plans on hold for now. I would not have discovered this had I not > been afforded an opportunity to lose 10% prior to surgery and you > need to be absolutely sure this is the right thing for you. > > Regards, > Gordy > Pre-Op Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 I also believe it gives one time to REALLY delve deep into the aspects of WLS. I read a profile of a lady that got referred by her PCP, 2 days later got approved (no tests, nothing), 7 days later had surgery (again, no tests, nothing). She is 1+ year out and how has she done-less than 70 pounds loss, can eat normally (she ate normal foods right out of the hospital), and is giving up. So, it really makes you look at what you need to do to be successful as well as shrink that liver. ===== Heidi Lauw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 Wow, Heidi: That kind of story scares the living cr*p out of me. I just thank God that I am a Kaiser member. Yes, we've got hoops to jump through, but I feel and have felt so well prepared for this life-altering process. I feel so sorry for those souls that are given surgery " too soon " with little or no support. What a horror it must be to think that wls is the final answer only to find oneself alone and in trouble, turning to food again to medicate the feelings of self-hate. I would just feel like such a failure if my process had been like that. My heart aches for that woman who has given up on the process because to me it means that she has given up on hope, given up on herself. Shame on those surgeons who give people surgery too soon and then abandon them to fend for themselves. Thank God I have Kaiser, this group and my other support groups/people. I couldn't do this without you all! Gemello -153 lbs / at goal > I also believe it gives one time to REALLY delve deep > into the aspects of WLS. I read a profile of a lady > that got referred by her PCP, 2 days later got > approved (no tests, nothing), 7 days later had surgery > (again, no tests, nothing). She is 1+ year out and > how has she done-less than 70 pounds loss, can eat > normally (she ate normal foods right out of the > hospital), and is giving up. So, it really makes you > look at what you need to do to be successful as well > as shrink that liver. > > > ===== > Heidi Lauw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 Gordy You are 100% correct...the 10% requirement is to get us ready for the rest of our lives and this surgery. It is also a time to make sure we want to do this! The sucess rate for people who have not had a mandatory loss is alot less than those that did. Kudos on losing so much on your own. I know you are making the right decision for you...you have to be sure!! Huggles > > Hi Everyone....my take on the 10% weight loss requirement: > > I am GLAD that Kaiser requires us to lose weight and suggests us > using the 1200 calorie diet. No doubt about it, the 1200 calorie > diet is hard. Some folks even opt to try other programs for many > different reasons including the fact that it's not easy. The bottom > line is the more weight you lose prior to your surgery, the better > off you will be. There will be much less stress on your body and > your recovery will be faster and hopefully complication free. > > Imagine eating regular on say a Wednesday, having the surgery on > Thursday then eating two ounces of gruel on Friday (hypothetically > speaking). The purpose of the 1200 calorie eating plan is to prepare > you for the road ahead; it's not designed for you to " prove " yourself > worthy of the surgery. I totally agree with Martha on this one. > > By the way, for those that don't know, I have lost around 50# > utilizing the 1200 calorie eating plan since the end of August. I > honestly believed that I had exercised all of my options prior to > asking for WLS but I've been doing so well that I've put my surgery > plans on hold for now. I would not have discovered this had I not > been afforded an opportunity to lose 10% prior to surgery and you > need to be absolutely sure this is the right thing for you. > > Regards, > Gordy > Pre-Op Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 Gordy, the only other time I have even heard of a patient being assigned a diet before surgery att all was a woman in Pennsylvania. She was required to go on a 1500 calorie a day diet, but that was for just a couple of months before surgery, and there was no specific weight loss requirement. As I have said earlier, I can see reason for doing it, but not for turning someone down for not losing weight. For some people it's either have the surgery or die, so what do they have to lose. LaWanda At 03:40 PM 11/17/04, you wrote: >Hi Everyone....my take on the 10% weight loss requirement: > >I am GLAD that Kaiser requires us to lose weight and suggests us >using the 1200 calorie diet. No doubt about it, the 1200 calorie >diet is hard. Some folks even opt to try other programs for many >different reasons including the fact that it's not easy. The bottom >line is the more weight you lose prior to your surgery, the better >off you will be. There will be much less stress on your body and >your recovery will be faster and hopefully complication free. > >Imagine eating regular on say a Wednesday, having the surgery on >Thursday then eating two ounces of gruel on Friday (hypothetically >speaking). The purpose of the 1200 calorie eating plan is to prepare >you for the road ahead; it's not designed for you to " prove " yourself >worthy of the surgery. I totally agree with Martha on this one. > >By the way, for those that don't know, I have lost around 50# >utilizing the 1200 calorie eating plan since the end of August. I >honestly believed that I had exercised all of my options prior to >asking for WLS but I've been doing so well that I've put my surgery >plans on hold for now. I would not have discovered this had I not >been afforded an opportunity to lose 10% prior to surgery and you >need to be absolutely sure this is the right thing for you. > >Regards, >Gordy >Pre-Op > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 I was just wondering, have you seen the Obesity Help web site? There are MANY people there who have been required to lose weight in order to even get approved. There are people who were required to lose some weight before surgery to make surgery itself easier on the surgeon to perform-the longer you are under the more complications can arise and the bigger you are, the longer it will take to complete. There are also a very large amount of unsuccessful people that were not given the time needed to prepare for surgery. I myself have 3 friends who I knew before surgery. Suzy-she is 2 years out, lost 80 pounds and cannot lose anymore-she also eats ice cream every night and pretty much eats whatever she wants just smaller portions. She had surgery within a few weeks of even thinking about it. Did she have time to prepare-nope. -she is also 2 years out, lost all her excess weight. She had surgery about 2 months after beginning her process. She WAS Kaiser but changed because she didn't want to fight Kaiser for approval. However, she did do a lot of footwork since she was preparing for surgery at Kaiser. Rita-she is 6 months out. She has lost 80+ pounds. She had surgery well over a year of learning about it. She was not required to lose weight BUT she did have to go on a supervised diet-she just didn't lose much and kept going up and down. I guess it's all a mindset about losing weight. I hear people say they just can't do it. I understand, I just can't keep it off-I can lose it even though it is hard and I often feel like I am going to fail. I just have to get my mindset back that I can do this and I will be that much better off for doing it. ===== Heidi Lauw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 thanks i needed to read that. cecilia --- Heidi Lauw wrote: > I was just wondering, have you seen the Obesity Help > web site? There are MANY people there who have been > required to lose weight in order to even get > approved. > There are people who were required to lose some > weight before surgery to make surgery itself easier > on > the surgeon to perform-the longer you are under the > more complications can arise and the bigger you are, > the longer it will take to complete. There are also > a > very large amount of unsuccessful people that were > not > given the time needed to prepare for surgery. > > I myself have 3 friends who I knew before surgery. > > Suzy-she is 2 years out, lost 80 pounds and cannot > lose anymore-she also eats ice cream every night and > pretty much eats whatever she wants just smaller > portions. She had surgery within a few weeks of > even > thinking about it. Did she have time to > prepare-nope. > > -she is also 2 years out, lost all her excess > weight. She had surgery about 2 months after > beginning her process. She WAS Kaiser but changed > because she didn't want to fight Kaiser for > approval. > However, she did do a lot of footwork since she was > preparing for surgery at Kaiser. > > Rita-she is 6 months out. She has lost 80+ pounds. > She had surgery well over a year of learning about > it. > She was not required to lose weight BUT she did > have > to go on a supervised diet-she just didn't lose much > and kept going up and down. > > I guess it's all a mindset about losing weight. I > hear people say they just can't do it. I > understand, > I just can't keep it off-I can lose it even though > it > is hard and I often feel like I am going to fail. I > just have to get my mindset back that I can do this > and I will be that much better off for doing it. > > ===== > Heidi Lauw > > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 17, 2004 Report Share Posted November 17, 2004 When I discussed having this surgery with my pcp, he told me that I'd have to lose the ten percent, probably in an effort to dissuade me, but I told him that I could do that, and I know that I can. I have lost this much weight before, and it just isn't that hard for me to do. What is hard for me is maintaining the weight loss, and it is my hope that this surgery will be just the kind of tool that will help. Probably most of us, who are pre-op, have lost the amount of weight we have to lose now and then some. Good luck to you all, and if any of you chooses to appeal, I am behind you, but not for me now. LaWanda At 06:50 PM 11/17/04, you wrote: >I was just wondering, have you seen the Obesity Help >web site? There are MANY people there who have been >required to lose weight in order to even get approved. > There are people who were required to lose some >weight before surgery to make surgery itself easier on >the surgeon to perform-the longer you are under the >more complications can arise and the bigger you are, >the longer it will take to complete. There are also a >very large amount of unsuccessful people that were not >given the time needed to prepare for surgery. > >I myself have 3 friends who I knew before surgery. > >Suzy-she is 2 years out, lost 80 pounds and cannot >lose anymore-she also eats ice cream every night and >pretty much eats whatever she wants just smaller >portions. She had surgery within a few weeks of even >thinking about it. Did she have time to prepare-nope. > >-she is also 2 years out, lost all her excess >weight. She had surgery about 2 months after >beginning her process. She WAS Kaiser but changed >because she didn't want to fight Kaiser for approval. >However, she did do a lot of footwork since she was >preparing for surgery at Kaiser. > >Rita-she is 6 months out. She has lost 80+ pounds. >She had surgery well over a year of learning about it. > She was not required to lose weight BUT she did have >to go on a supervised diet-she just didn't lose much >and kept going up and down. > >I guess it's all a mindset about losing weight. I >hear people say they just can't do it. I understand, >I just can't keep it off-I can lose it even though it >is hard and I often feel like I am going to fail. I >just have to get my mindset back that I can do this >and I will be that much better off for doing it. > >===== >Heidi Lauw > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 I wanted to tell you all this and believe me it is not from personal experience, rather rumor of sorts. I have been told by a couple of third party people that they have friends that went through Kaiser for the surgery that lost the 10% as required. On the day of surgery, they were weighed and they were a pound or so over and their surgery got canceled. Does anyone that has had the surgery know if this is true or not? I am curious. I plan to just stay on my new way of eating program even after I lose the 10% because I don't want anything to cause me to not have the surgery or to have it postponed. Let me know. Many thanks. --- LaWanda Ezell wrote: > If you aren't able to maintain the weight loss, > while waiting for surgery, > then won't your failure to do that result in your > being terminated from the > program? LaWanda At 08:49 PM 11/17/04, you wrote: > >Lawanda > >just fyi they are asking you to LOSE the 10% not > MAINTAIN the wt loss as > >you will be scheduled for surgery soon after you > lose and they hope that > >you continue losing as you wait the short time for > the surgery. just to > >clear it up.... > > > >bee > > > >LaWanda Ezell wrote: > >>When I discussed having this surgery with my pcp, > he told me that I'd have > >>to lose the ten percent, probably in an effort to > dissuade me, but I told > >>him that I could do that, and I know that I can. > I have lost this much > >>weight before, and it just isn't that hard for me > to do. What is hard for > >>me is maintaining the weight loss, and it is my > hope that this surgery will > >>be just the kind of tool that will help. Probably > most of us, who are > >>pre-op, have lost the amount of weight we have to > lose now and then > >>some. Good luck to you all, and if any of you > chooses to appeal, I am > >>behind you, but not for me now. LaWanda At 06:50 > PM 11/17/04, you wrote: > >> > >> >I was just wondering, have you seen the Obesity > Help > >> >web site? There are MANY people there who have > been > >> >required to lose weight in order to even get > approved. > >> > There are people who were required to lose > some > >> >weight before surgery to make surgery itself > easier on > >> >the surgeon to perform-the longer you are under > the > >> >more complications can arise and the bigger you > are, > >> >the longer it will take to complete. There are > also a > >> >very large amount of unsuccessful people that > were not > >> >given the time needed to prepare for surgery. > >> > > >> >I myself have 3 friends who I knew before > surgery. > >> > > >> >Suzy-she is 2 years out, lost 80 pounds and > cannot > >> >lose anymore-she also eats ice cream every night > and > >> >pretty much eats whatever she wants just smaller > >> >portions. She had surgery within a few weeks of > even > >> >thinking about it. Did she have time to > prepare-nope. > >> > > >> >-she is also 2 years out, lost all her > excess > >> >weight. She had surgery about 2 months after > >> >beginning her process. She WAS Kaiser but > changed > >> >because she didn't want to fight Kaiser for > approval. > >> >However, she did do a lot of footwork since she > was > >> >preparing for surgery at Kaiser. > >> > > >> >Rita-she is 6 months out. She has lost 80+ > pounds. > >> >She had surgery well over a year of learning > about it. > >> > She was not required to lose weight BUT she > did have > >> >to go on a supervised diet-she just didn't lose > much > >> >and kept going up and down. > >> > > >> >I guess it's all a mindset about losing weight. > I > >> >hear people say they just can't do it. I > understand, > >> >I just can't keep it off-I can lose it even > though it > >> >is hard and I often feel like I am going to > fail. I > >> >just have to get my mindset back that I can do > this > >> >and I will be that much better off for doing it. > >> > > >> >===== > >> >Heidi Lauw > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 My understanding is that they have stopped scheduling within the 5 pounds, because I guess too many people were getting their appointment within the 5 pounds, but then slacked off and never actually got to the 10%. Pamela A Marsh wrote: > Here is a question. I attended my orienation on Nov. 16th. They > spoke about losing the 10% and shortly after you will be scheduled > for surgery. In the binder, it said that when you are within 5 > pounds of that 10% loss goal, contact to be scheduled to meet with > the surgeon. > > Dr. Fisher, , , Martha or the nuritionist neither mentioned > this. They only said that once the 10% is gone, you will be > scheduled with the surgeon. Can anyone clarify this. I sure hope > that we can because that is what I was planning on doing. Let me > know. Many thanks. -- Eleanor Oster eleanor@... (personal address) www.smallboxes.com/gastricbypass.htm Berkeley, CA Open RNY (100 cm bypassed) 07/15/2003 P. Fisher, M.D., Kaiser Richmond (CA) 05/09/2003 319 Orientation 07/15/2003 ~290 Surgery Current <165 Goal until plastics? Goal 140-150? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 I know someone it happened to. She knows someone who had a candy wrapper fall out of her coat pocket, and she was cancelled. The wrapper had been dropped by a granddaughter, and picked up and put in the pocket to discard later, then forgotten. The patient had NOT eaten the contents! Yup, they can be pretty hardnosed at Richmond, so take it seriously. Remember, it IS serious business. You are looking at surgery that will change the rest of your life! Almost nothing will be the same again. Be prepared for it, get used to it, or don't do it! Sorry to be blunt about it, but I really think that's the way you have to approach it. It is serious surgery. I can also tell you that it has definitely been worth it, at least for me. I remember when I was first starting the process, my mentor told me that if you told her she had to have the surgery every year for the rest of her life, sign her up! I now know exactly what she means, and I'm with her! Pamela A Marsh wrote: > I wanted to tell you all this and believe me it is not from personal > experience, rather rumor of sorts. I have been told by a couple of > third party people that they have friends that went through Kaiser > for the surgery that lost the 10% as required. On the day of surgery, > they were weighed and they were a pound or so over and their surgery > got canceled. Does anyone that has had the surgery know if this is > true or not? I am curious. I plan to just stay on my new way of > eating program even after I lose the 10% because I don't want > anything to cause me to not have the surgery or to have it postponed. > Let me know. Many thanks. -- Eleanor Oster eleanor@... (personal address) www.smallboxes.com/gastricbypass.htm Berkeley, CA Open RNY (100 cm bypassed) 07/15/2003 P. Fisher, M.D., Kaiser Richmond (CA) 05/09/2003 319 Orientation 07/15/2003 ~290 Surgery Current <165 Goal until plastics? Goal 140-150? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 18, 2004 Report Share Posted November 18, 2004 I think that's another one of those things that varies according to what hospital you have. Freemont told me to call them when I was within five pounds of goal. LaWanda At 11:02 AM 11/18/04, you wrote: >My understanding is that they have stopped scheduling within the 5 >pounds, because I guess too many people were getting their appointment >within the 5 pounds, but then slacked off and never actually got to the 10%. > >Pamela A Marsh wrote: > > > Here is a question. I attended my orienation on Nov. 16th. They > > spoke about losing the 10% and shortly after you will be scheduled > > for surgery. In the binder, it said that when you are within 5 > > pounds of that 10% loss goal, contact to be scheduled to meet with > > the surgeon. > > > > Dr. Fisher, , , Martha or the nuritionist neither mentioned > > this. They only said that once the 10% is gone, you will be > > scheduled with the surgeon. Can anyone clarify this. I sure hope > > that we can because that is what I was planning on doing. Let me > > know. Many thanks. > > >-- >Eleanor Oster >eleanor@... (personal address) >www.smallboxes.com/gastricbypass.htm >Berkeley, CA >Open RNY (100 cm bypassed) 07/15/2003 > P. Fisher, M.D., Kaiser Richmond (CA) >05/09/2003 319 Orientation >07/15/2003 ~290 Surgery >Current <165 Goal until plastics? >Goal 140-150? > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 22, 2004 Report Share Posted November 22, 2004 I had my surgery in San Diego (Kaiser North sent me down there) by Pacific Bariatrics, and they REPEATEDLY say that " YOUR SURGERY WILL BE CANCELLED IF YOU GAIN PRIOR TO SURGERY " . Now I have not met anyone to whom this has happened, but I did have my first surgery date cancelled & rescheduled because I had a sinus infection when I went to my pre-op (day before surgery) orintation/appointment. I bet they feel that weight loss, as well as a sinus infection or other illness is reason enough to postpone WLS. --Sandi H. > > >> > > >> >I was just wondering, have you seen the Obesity > > Help > > >> >web site? There are MANY people there who have > > been > > >> >required to lose weight in order to even get > > approved. > > >> > There are people who were required to lose > > some > > >> >weight before surgery to make surgery itself > > easier on > > >> >the surgeon to perform-the longer you are under > > the > > >> >more complications can arise and the bigger you > > are, > > >> >the longer it will take to complete. There are > > also a > > >> >very large amount of unsuccessful people that > > were not > > >> >given the time needed to prepare for surgery. > > >> > > > >> >I myself have 3 friends who I knew before > > surgery. > > >> > > > >> >Suzy-she is 2 years out, lost 80 pounds and > > cannot > > >> >lose anymore-she also eats ice cream every night > > and > > >> >pretty much eats whatever she wants just smaller > > >> >portions. She had surgery within a few weeks of > > even > > >> >thinking about it. Did she have time to > > prepare-nope. > > >> > > > >> >-she is also 2 years out, lost all her > > excess > > >> >weight. She had surgery about 2 months after > > >> >beginning her process. She WAS Kaiser but > > changed > > >> >because she didn't want to fight Kaiser for > > approval. > > >> >However, she did do a lot of footwork since she > > was > > >> >preparing for surgery at Kaiser. > > >> > > > >> >Rita-she is 6 months out. She has lost 80+ > > pounds. > > >> >She had surgery well over a year of learning > > about it. > > >> > She was not required to lose weight BUT she > > did have > > >> >to go on a supervised diet-she just didn't lose > > much > > >> >and kept going up and down. > > >> > > > >> >I guess it's all a mindset about losing weight. > > I > > >> >hear people say they just can't do it. I > > understand, > > >> >I just can't keep it off-I can lose it even > > though it > > >> >is hard and I often feel like I am going to > > fail. I > > >> >just have to get my mindset back that I can do > > this > > >> >and I will be that much better off for doing it. > > >> > > > >> >===== > > >> >Heidi Lauw > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 25, 2004 Report Share Posted November 25, 2004 Someone told me that Dr. Tanaka is a real stickler for at least some weight loss before surgery. That may be a rumour, I don't know. But, this may just be something they require on an individual basis. They were having me do additional testing before scheduling my surgery, so I guess the additional weight loss just made sense, and it certainly didn't hurt! :-) Sandi H. > > Hi Sandi, > > At the lecture I went to, given by one of the surgeons from Pacific > Bariatrics, he said they are not the one that requires the 10% weight loss. He said > it is Kaiser that is requiring that. He said they do not enforce that we lose > a certain amount of weight, because they understand that is how many of us > got here. BUT, they do recommend that we do walk 30 minutes a day, and eat > healthy. He did stress that healthy weight loss is a plus for the patient before > surgery. > > > Thank for your email! > > Cat > > > > > In a message dated 11/22/2004 3:52:19 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, > sandiantoytrain@y... writes: > > > > I had my surgery in San Diego (Kaiser North sent me down there) by > Pacific Bariatrics, and they REPEATEDLY say that " YOUR SURGERY WILL > BE CANCELLED IF YOU GAIN PRIOR TO SURGERY " . Now I have not met > anyone to whom this has happened, but I did have my first surgery > date cancelled & rescheduled because I had a sinus infection when I > went to my pre-op (day before surgery) orintation/appointment. I bet > they feel that weight loss, as well as a sinus infection or other > illness is reason enough to postpone WLS. > > --Sandi H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 26, 2004 Report Share Posted November 26, 2004 Cat, I do too. Loosing the weight before surgery is definitely a good idea. But I do believe this is something the doctors/surgeons should apply on an individual basis. I do understand that there are some people who just have a very hard time loosing on their own. If someone is following the protocols, diet & exercises as best as they can and still cannot loose any weight, surgery without loosing any weight might be worth the risk. As, in the case of someone I knew, she might have died from the surgery (without loosing weight first) but she surely died without it. --Sandi H. > Hi Sandi, > > Actually, I think the weight loss before surgery is a great idea. It makes a lot of sense. > > Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 27, 2004 Report Share Posted November 27, 2004 LaWanda, Thank you for sharing all that with us. You sound like a very strong women who can do anything you put your mid to! I hope you had a wonderful holiday Shell > I did read the post about your sister, as you said it was several weeks > ago, maybe two. When I read it, I thought about us having that in > common. I am doing my surger in memory of my sister too, in a way, but > really her death is what has spurred me on to ask for the operation. > When I was seven, and was 3, my mother married a man, Vernon s, > and that marriage effectively ended our childhood. We were all abused, and > Mother started abandoning me when I was seven and leaving the state to > follow my stepfather wherever he wished to go. > Both and I were pretty, pink and plump little girls, blonde- haired, > blueish-green eyes, and just kind of pink all over. was short and I > was always taller, more stretched out. We both tended to comfort eat, and > Vernon's way of handling that was to abuse us, both physically and > verbally, for doing so. He would force feed us sometimes, if we asked for > seconds, giving us these huge plates of food that comprised all of the > leftovers from that night, and while we ate, he would lecture us on what > harm we were doing to ourselves and how ugly we were. Someetimes he would > take food and rub our faces in it, I don't remember him doing that to me, > but he did it to on more than one occasion. > If we went into the refrigerator to get something to eat when they weren't > there, we would be accused of stealing food from the family, and poor > had to put up with much more of this than I did because I was away in > schools for the blind a lot of the time, or I was living with my aunt in > Birmingham, AL. A > It is probably the absence from our home, or what passed for one, that > saved me, and so indirectly my blindness did as well. Though I had many > issues, as a result of my childhood experiences, andn many other problems > as well, I was lucky enough to have heroes other than my mother, who I > worshiped as a very young child and who continued to worship on into > adulthood. > I was also lucky enough to get some therapy from a good and caring > therapist, when I was in my twenties, something that refused to get > though she could have done on many occasions. My other sister, Donna, and > I have talked about this refusal of 's to seek help, and we believe > that she couldn't let our mother come down off the pedestal on which she > lived, in 's mind, and couldn't let herself be a success, because she > felt she had let Mother down. We both, Donna and I, know that she had her > reasons for feeling that way, no matter how far out they were. She could > never believe, andn told me so many times, that she was obese because of > what was going on in her head. > I have come to the conclusion, within recent months, that our mother and > stepfather left with so little emotionally that they murdered her, > and because she refused to help herself, she let them get away with > it. Now that I have had that revelation, I am determined that I won't let > Vernon win. Somehow I shall manage to get my diabetes under control and > lose the weight that Doctor Dutta requires me to lose before he will > operate on me, and once having concluded that part of my journey, I shall > drop the weight I want to lose so that I can be healthier and live longer. > like you, I have a very supportive and good husband, I tell everyone that > I'm married to the world's nicest man. We have been married for almost > sixteen years, and I want us to be together for many more. Dan, my > husband, is 100 percent behind me getting this operation, and is > considering getting one himself. He went to his orientation a couple of > months after I did, and he isn't in any hurry. Meanwhile, we diet and we > try to do some exercise, and things are going to get a little bit crazy > around here in about a week or so. I will begin school, on Monday, > December 6, for medical billing. The course will be twelve weeks long, and > I hope that at the end of it I have shed these relatively few pounds that I > need to shed, and I hope that my hemoglobin a1c will be better by several > points. I want to get the surgery before I start a new job, I know I won't > have enough time to take what I need for quite a while after I start. > Now I've probably told you more than you wanted to know about me, I didn't > realize this was going to be so long when I started writing. I have been > in about a two year depression, since 's death, not just because of > that but because it came at the end of a string of kind of difficult life > circumstances. Those circumstances included the death of my other sister's > husband, a man who the entire family liked real well, the death of several > friends, including one other blind diabetic woman with whom I'd had a > pretty close relationship. My mother-in-law developed Alzheimer's and had > to be taken care of 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and my best friend > was diagnosed with Huntington's disease, a total degeneration of the > brain. Since August of '02, Dan has been spending half of the time here > and the other half in Auburn taking care of his mom, but thank God that has > stopped. He always said that he would stop any time I said I needed him > here, but I wouldn't say that because I knew he needed to take care of his > mother, so he did until she got so bad that he could no longer handle her > care. Okay, I really am through rambling. Thanks for listening, now I > think I'll go take my final blood sugar reading for the night and go to > sleep. I have a bunch of company coming and a turkey to cook for our > traditional after Thanksgiving meal. This will probably be the last of > those, hopefully next year I will celebrate with a protein shake and a > piece of cheese! LaWanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 27, 2004 Report Share Posted November 27, 2004 I think the others on this list got a lot of understanding and information about you and your struggles from your post. (I know I did.) I bet many of us on this list inspired by your strength & courage to persevere despite your sad and difficult childhood. Your story helps show me that I was really lucky. The worse thing about my childhood and family is that both my parents did not live as long as they could have, because they both were overweight. I just learned bad eating habits, not from force, but because we just all loved to eat. Fortunately for us all (both pre & post op WLS) we're all learning new and better eating & living habits. That's a great thing. Take care, and I hope your journey to a healthier life goes smoothly. I hope I can meet you at the next Kaiser, Point West meeting on December 8th. --Sandi H. > >Wow Lawanda > >I am not sure what to say but i got out of that , that you are one strong willed and brave individual, I am sorry for the loss of your sister, and your loss of what a mom can be. > >I am glad that you found someone supportive and caring for yourself. > >Colleen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 29, 2004 Report Share Posted November 29, 2004 Lesa-- Maybe that 10 pounds was enough for you. I'm sure that it also depends on how tall you are, and your starting BMI, and your other health problems. Still, you're not saying that he didn't require any weight loss. I'm glad you've been successful! --Sandi H. > > > > Hi Sandi, > > > > At the lecture I went to, given by one of the surgeons from > Pacific > > Bariatrics, he said they are not the one that requires the 10% > weight loss. He said > > it is Kaiser that is requiring that. He said they do not enforce > that we lose > > a certain amount of weight, because they understand that is how > many of us > > got here. BUT, they do recommend that we do walk 30 minutes a > day, and eat > > healthy. He did stress that healthy weight loss is a plus for the > patient before > > surgery. > > > > > > Thank for your email! > > > > Cat > > > > > > > > > > In a message dated 11/22/2004 3:52:19 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, > > sandiantoytrain@y... writes: > > > > > > > > I had my surgery in San Diego (Kaiser North sent me down there) > by > > Pacific Bariatrics, and they REPEATEDLY say that " YOUR SURGERY > WILL > > BE CANCELLED IF YOU GAIN PRIOR TO SURGERY " . Now I have not met > > anyone to whom this has happened, but I did have my first surgery > > date cancelled & rescheduled because I had a sinus infection when > I > > went to my pre-op (day before surgery) orintation/appointment. I > bet > > they feel that weight loss, as well as a sinus infection or other > > illness is reason enough to postpone WLS. > > > > --Sandi H. > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2005 Report Share Posted February 2, 2005 Do you want us to just send in our weight loss. I tried to enter the information on the files page but it wouldnt save the information that I put in there. Help!! and Kelli, Did you get the information for the support group date and times? Kristie Approved Fremont 1/21/05 > > > Are other veterans finding it even harder to get reconstructive work > covered? > > Thanks! > Uncle Timmy Hi Timmy, I have Kaiser, Southern Calfornia. I recently had my Panniculectomy/tummy tuck at Kaiser Bellflower. I didn't even have to pay a co-pay for the hospital stay. (overnight). I had 11lbs of excess skin removed. I just asked my PCP for a referral to plastic surgery dept, and they called me that afternoon to set up a consultation date. I had my Open RNY through Kaiser at UCLA in 2002. I have lost almost 200lbs. I will also be having the excess skin above the belly button removed and my breast taken care of. (Lift/reduction) This is also covered. I asked my Plastic surgeon if I needed another referral for my next surgery, and he said no. He would like me to lose more weight before my next surgery for better results. I would also like to have a thigh lift/removel of excess skin. I can literally hold up handfuls of skin. I have been exercising all along, keeping protein up, and drinking my water, but I still have a lot of excess skin. It has tightened up some. It is almost three years since my RNY and I am more motivated that ever to get the rest of the weight off.. Please let me know if you have any more questions. Good luck Rita Sz..32/ Sz. 14 400/208/180 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2005 Report Share Posted February 2, 2005 Krisite, If you are refering to the meeting at Memorial I have not found it in my mail yet thanks. Your mom sounds so sweet. KelliApproved Fremont 1-31-05 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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