Re: For -- Re: Looking for feedback on Surgeons at Richmond

[Guest guest]

Sue congrats!

I went through Richmond and I had Dr. Judith Park who

is fabulous. Dr. Fisher is great I hear and Dr. Baggs

is awesome. Dr. Baggs assisted Dr. Park with my

surgery. The staff were great and I have nothing but

good things to say about Richmond and this process.

Just multiply what your weight was when they weighed

you at orientation by 10% and that will tell you what

you need to lose. That is how most of us if not all

of us did it but also, when you meet with the surgeon,

they could and have asked people to lose more. It

just depends on each individual. I started out at

249.5 and had to lose 24 pounds (I had to be at 225.5)

but the day of surgery I weighed in at 221. You can

do this just don't give up. Follow the program

because it DOES work and you will be so happy when

this part of the journey is over and you actually have

your surgery. Best wishes to you.

Pam Marsh

--- calsnoozie wrote:

> Hi ,

>

> Sorry it took me a few days to respond to your

> questions... I

> haven't had time to surf on the computer (work has

> been crazy!).

>

> I had Orientation on May 9th and started the 1200

> calorie a day plan

> this last Sunday, May 20th. The Mandatory Nutrition

> class has been

> scheduled for June 6th (exactly 4 weeks from the

> orientation date).

> I was told that my surgeon consult appt will be

> approx 2 weeks after

> the Nutrition class. I have heard great things

> about all the

> surgeons in Richmond - it will be hard to decide. I

> think I will

> wait to see who I am assigned to then make the

> decision if I want to

> change.

>

> I have not been told exactly how much I need to

> lose. This will be

> confirmed with the Surgeon consult appointment. At

> Orientation they

> stated that most people need to lose 10%. At

> Richmond, your

> starting weight is your weight at Orientation.

>

> Orientation was good. I think it was 3 hours long.

> The first thing

> that we did was the " official " weigh-on with

> (one of the

> MAs). You're are given the official Orientation

> binder that we need

> to pretty much memorize & fully understand. The

> binder contents are

> available on Kp.org under Richmond Bariatric

> Department(it might

> also be under Links here in this Yahoo Group). One

> of the surgeons

> from the team gave a 20 minute or so presentation on

> the procedures

> offered (RNY & lapband) and all the various pros &

> cons & risks...

> Beth the Nutritionist covered the 1200 calorie plan

> and talked

> briefly about what eating will be like after

> surgery. Liz, one of

> the case managers, covered all the next steps with

> expected timing

> between the various appointments/classes. Liz also

> covered the rest

> of the content of the binder. We were encouraged to

> bring a support

> person with us to attend the orientation. My

> husband went with me

> (he is still very unsure about all of this but we

> will go through

> this process this together:o)

>

> It's only been 3 days since I started the 1200

> calorie plan. The

> first two days weren't too bad but today has been a

> challenge! I

> think my body is going through sugar/carb withdrawl.

> The most

> challenging part for me is to make time to

> prepare/cook the meals.

> I finally wised up today and cooked some extra

> chicken for

> tomorrow's lunch. My poor stove has never been used

> so much ). I

> will start eliminating caffeine from my diet in

> about two weeks once

> I am use to the eating plan. One nice thing is that

> I am already

> down 3.5 pounds - of course this all probably water

> weight!!

>

> If you or anyone else reading this posting have any

> more questions,

> feel free to ask. I was like you and was anxious to

> receive

> approval into the program then patiently/anxiously

> waited for the

> Orientation date. Now everything seems to be going

> very fast.

>

> Sue from Vacaville

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> > >

> > > Sue, How long did you have to wait for your

> orientation app.? I

> > am waiting for reports to get to my dr. and to be

> sent to Kaiser.

> > How long was your wait?

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Hi Sue, Thanks so much for replying. I am anxious and wish things would go faster. I know that this waiting time will give me the time I need to get my mind and heart around all the things I need to learn. The caffiene and diet coke thing has me, I have to say, more than a little concerned. I love the occaisional Starbucks and diet coke on a daily basis. I really do know that these things are not very good for me and have accepted that if I am going to do this then I will gladly and willingly give them up for a better healthier me. It will be hard I know, but I have a saying that goes, anything worth having is worth working for. I was told at the g/b overview class that I will probably be going to Fremont. I really have no preference. I know all of Kaiser doctors are phenomenal. My friend lived here in Modesto and she went to Richmond, but had to get special permission or something. Dr. Fischer did her surgery and she

has lost about 160 lbs, and has maintained for 3 years. She is my inspiration. Anyway, I cook for my husband everyday and we eat pretty healthy most of the time. I was on Atkins and more lo carb type diets so I really don't need pasta etc. any more. My vice is sweets. The cooking part won't be hard for me. I have retired from teaching Kindergarten, due to my health so I am at home. I love being retired. My husband is the one who has encouraged me in this journey. He really wants me to be healthy for his retirement. I cannot wait for the Orientation and everything that follows. It sounds like the orientation was very good and a lot of info. I am ready for this to happen. I was also told that if I went to Richmond and had my Dr. monitor me I could start on the weight loss now. I am going to find out for sure if that is true. I am waiting now on a call from my pcp to see if I need

additional labs before my packet can be submitted to Kaiser. What I want to know is why did they not do labs during the down time I've had between psych and nutrition class? I think they just don't get how important this is to us. I will have to lose about 27 lbs to meet my 10%. I am encouraged though and I am anxious to get started so I can feel better. I wish you Godspeed and hope for the best and easiest route to getting to the other side. Keep in touch, please. --- calsnoozie wrote: > Hi , > > Sorry it took me a few days to respond to your > questions... I > haven't had time to surf on the computer (work has > been crazy!). > > I had Orientation on May 9th and started the

1200 > calorie a day plan > this last Sunday, May 20th. The Mandatory Nutrition > class has been > scheduled for June 6th (exactly 4 weeks from the > orientation date). > I was told that my surgeon consult appt will be > approx 2 weeks after > the Nutrition class. I have heard great things > about all the > surgeons in Richmond - it will be hard to decide. I > think I will > wait to see who I am assigned to then make the > decision if I want to > change. > > I have not been told exactly how much I need to > lose. This will be > confirmed with the Surgeon consult appointment. At > Orientation they > stated that most people need to lose 10%. At > Richmond, your > starting weight is your weight at Orientation. > > Orientation was good. I think it was 3 hours long.

> The first thing > that we did was the "official" weigh-on with > (one of the > MAs). You're are given the official Orientation > binder that we need > to pretty much memorize & fully understand. The > binder contents are > available on Kp.org under Richmond Bariatric > Department(it might > also be under Links here in this Yahoo Group). One > of the surgeons > from the team gave a 20 minute or so presentation on > the procedures > offered (RNY & lapband) and all the various pros & > cons & risks... > Beth the Nutritionist covered the 1200 calorie plan > and talked > briefly about what eating will be like after > surgery. Liz, one of > the case managers, covered all the next steps with > expected timing > between the various appointments/classes. Liz

also > covered the rest > of the content of the binder. We were encouraged to > bring a support > person with us to attend the orientation. My > husband went with me > (he is still very unsure about all of this but we > will go through > this process this together:o) > > It's only been 3 days since I started the 1200 > calorie plan. The > first two days weren't too bad but today has been a > challenge! I > think my body is going through sugar/carb withdrawl. > The most > challenging part for me is to make time to > prepare/cook the meals. > I finally wised up today and cooked some extra > chicken for > tomorrow's lunch. My poor stove has never been used > so much ). I > will start eliminating caffeine from my diet in > about two weeks once

> I am use to the eating plan. One nice thing is that > I am already > down 3.5 pounds - of course this all probably water > weight!! > > If you or anyone else reading this posting have any > more questions, > feel free to ask. I was like you and was anxious to > receive > approval into the program then patiently/anxiously > waited for the > Orientation date. Now everything seems to be going > very fast. > > Sue from Vacaville > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >