Guest guest Posted November 22, 2004 Report Share Posted November 22, 2004 I will have to just keep digging and see what I can find out. Thanks for your help! Cat Because this surgery is in such great demand and might be a relatively new thing to Kaiser, I think they don't really know what is happening with it. My own experience with them, just over a simple problem, reflects that lack of consistent information on their part.When I realized that I had been sent to South San Francisco for my appointment, or at least assigned it as my hospital, I needed to change where everything was going to happen, due to my visual impairment and having to take public transportation. It took me a week of calling many places, including the office of my pcpand member services to actually find out how to transfer over to Freemont where I could go more easily. LaWanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 22, 2004 Report Share Posted November 22, 2004 Because this surgery is in such great demand and might be a relatively new thing to Kaiser, I think they don't really know what is happening with it. My own experience with them, just over a simple problem, reflects that lack of consistent information on their part. When I realized that I had been sent to South San Francisco for my appointment, or at least assigned it as my hospital, I needed to change where everything was going to happen, due to my visual impairment and having to take public transportation. It took me a week of calling many places, including the office of my pcpand member services to actually find out how to transfer over to Freemont where I could go more easily. LaWanda At 06:48 PM 11/22/04, you wrote: >Hi Patty! > >Yeah, I am about as confused as a human can be! LOL It seems everyone I >talk to to at Kaiser about what is and is not required has a different >answer. This is what the nutritionist suggested...She said to call member >services, and ask for the number of the DR that is the head of the >Bariatric program at Kaiser. She said to call there, explain the situation >to his office staff, and they should be able to tell me exactly what is >needed. > >I am going to follow through with this just after I return from the >Thanksgiving holiday. I will keep you posted as to what they have to say. > >Cat > > > >In a message dated 11/22/2004 11:15:43 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, >pattyclark5@... writes: >Cat, >Hi....welcome. I am fairly new also. I live in Riverside and have >basically been told the same thing about the 6 months. I started back in >August and didn't get my first nutrition appt. until October and then have >a follow-up appt. in December. The dietician hasn't even started me on >any program yet or anything. I have been doing it myself though. When I >called preventative medicine and asked them about the procedure, they said >that after you see the dietician once, you go to the classes. I told the >lady that the dietician never signed me up for classes, but wants to see >me again......I was then told that every patient is different and the >doctor must have a reason to want to re-schedule me. I just get that >answer all the time...if they don't know what to say. Anyways, like >everyone says, I am sticking it out as the final outcome is worth the >wait! Good luck to you! >Patty >Riverside > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2005 Report Share Posted February 7, 2005 Welcome Lennie. I am a Richmond alumni as well. Just had surgery a week ago today. Welcome to the group. Your process actually seems to have gone rather quickly and congrats on your approval and pending orientation. If things move like they did for me you will be having surgery in 3 months. Not too shabby. My process took a total of 6 months from the start to finish and yours well be a little less than that. Tips: 1. excersize excersize excersize 2. the weight loss for 10% is important but don't start until orientation 3. start practicing chewing every bite 30 times and start journaling (check out fitday.com for your journaling). The free service on there is great. 4. no alcohol prior to surgery for a month. (found that out from the NP appt) 5. Richmond suggests no protein drinks (however SSF says they are manditory) but I found the protein drinks helped me a great deal and will probably be on them the rest of my life. However, make sure you have a true protein drink. I love Isopure and it has 25 grams of protein to 105 calories. You can find protein drinks on line much cheaper than at stores. Check vitalady.com for a great way to buy samples to try them. 6. After surgery walk as soon as you can. Drag yourself out of that hospital bed. 7. take it slow the first week home. The pain is not so bad you can't deal with it. 8. get used to the taste of nutrasweet and splenda now if you don't already like them. They are your friend after surgery. 9. Get into a support group now! Richmond has one but I am not sure where you live to give you more info on that. I can't think of anything else right now. Good luck. 6. > > I'm new to this group and to this whole process. My PCP " signed me > up " to this process about 2 weeks before last Thanksgiving. I'm just > tired of my weight and not being able to control anything about it and > feeling so uncomfortable. I " m currently 260 (give or take a pound or > two) and stand 5ft. My back hurts so much every day that I find it > hard to stand up straight or even walk across the street. My knees > ache and throb whenever I stand up and walk and I have other internal > ailments too. I'm just sick and tired of feeling this way and wonder > what else is going to go wrong with me as a result of being so grossly > overweight. I don't feel healthy anymore. I had my dietitian and > psyche appointments back in December and got my board approval letter > on Christmas Eve. (Merry Christmas!!) So now, my orientation is this > Tuesday in Richmond. My husband is so supportive of me and my > decision and is coming with me Tuesday. I've been ready for a change > for quite some time. I " m so excited to be going thru the process and > just can't wait until I get the surgery. I just wish this process > didn't take so long. I " m so looking forward to finally having a happy > life and being able to do all of the fun things I've longed to do and > play with my kids while they're still kids. I know it will be hard > work, but I'm so up to it! > > I " d like to know what are some of the things I can expect after the > surgery and any tips anyone may have to ease you through some of the > difficulties. I also have a diaphramatic hernia...could this be a > problem with the surgery or it's outcome? I " d appreciate any insight > anyone has concerning this or anything else. > > If anyone is going on Tuesday to Orientation email me and maybe we can > meet there. Have a good weekend everyone! > > Lennie > > > > > ________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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