Has anyone had their surgery in Richmond Kaiser?

I live in Roseville, CA and I'm being referred for surgery in Richmond...apparently Richmond is the only choice right now.  Can anyone give me their experience in Richmond?

I am not a Kaiser patient but we have quite a few of them on the Cali Board. I also wanted to congratulate you on your choice to have surgery and say Good Luck. Please feel free to post anytime and please keep us posted on your progress.

Thank you!  I'm hoping this process goes quickly, I'm really excited and nervous at the same time about going through this.  I will keep posting my progress.

Hi,

I live in Galt and just had my surgery through Richmond two weeks ago with Dr. Baggs. All I can say for the process, is it moved very quick for me and the more you follow there plan and do what you need to do the quicker it will go. I started my process in June and 3 months later was having surgery. If you need anything or have questions feel free to e-mail me or message me back. Im more then happy to help.

Best of Luck.

Roberta

Thanks Roberta!  So, can you tell me what goes on during the orientation in Richmond?  They say to allow 5 hrs. for this and that it includes the consult with the physician, nutritionalist and the psych eval. is this correct?  Once your primary physician sent over the referral to Richmond, how quickly did you get in for the orientation?  I'm hoping to have mine next month.  I already had my blood work done and my mammogram so I'm ready to go!  Do we choose who does the surgery or do they just assign someone to us?  How long was your hospital stay?  Since we will have to drive down there my husband will have to take time off of work so we're trying to figure how much time he will need.  Thanks for all your help.  I look forward to hearing back from you.

Debbie

 Good Luck, Debbie! I went to the Kaiser in Fremont, so don't have any first hand knowledge for you, but i seems to be pretty quick once you lose your 10%. You'l probably have to drive down for your orientation, pre op, surgery, and then a two week, 6 week, 3 month, 6 month, and annual appointments. I just spoke to the Fremont coordinator today, she told me they really want to see you in person for the first post op appointment, then you might be able to do phone appointments after that. Good Luck!
Nita

 Congratulations Deb,  I had surgery with Dr. Baggs in Richmond.  I got assigned to another surgeon but opted to wait a month for my appointment with Dr. Baggs.  Nobody in my Orientation class saw a surgeon that day.  I went to the 5 hour class mid-November, saw Dr. Baggs on Dec 15th and had surgery February 17th.  I saw the psych sometime in January.

Be prepared to be weighed as soon as you arrive at the orientation.  That is the weight that will be your "official weight" and your goal will be based on that.

I had Sleeve surgery and spent 1 night in the hospital.  i wanted to go home and they allowed it after I had my leak test and could keep fluids down.

Keep asking questions.  :)

Thanks Lee!  I've so many good things about Dr. Baggs, I think I'm going to try to get him.  I'm glad you told me about the weigh in at the orientation, I didn't know that.  When I saw my regular MD to have her give me the referral she said that my weight that day was my "Official Weight" and that I can start trying to lose my 10% then.  That was only a week ago and I've lost 4 lbs.  Now I'm wondering if I should stop really trying to lose until after the orienatation otherwise it will get harder and harder to reach the goal they set for me for surgery.  I didn't know that Kaiser offered the Sleeve surgery, I thought my only choices were RNY and Lap Band. 

Thanks for the help, It's nice to get prepared for what's coming.

Debbie

Debbie, Kaiser has been offering the Sleeve for awhile now.  I was in the first six months of the public offering period.

I wouldn't stop trying to lose weight.  Whatever surgeon you get will see your records.  It's not a standard 10%.  My goal was less than 10%.  What you want your surgeon to see is that you have been making a big effort since your doctor recommended you.  The less you weigh at surgery time, the easier it is for your surgeon, and probably for you as well.  I think that maybe body shape makes a difference in goals, but that's just my own opinion. The fatter we are in the abdomen, the more fat they have to go through to get to our stomach.

There's a good Sleeve forum here on OH.  I do most of my posting on the Lightweight board.

From what I've heard, Dr. Fisher gives the biggest weight loss goals, but that said, he's a great surgeon.  He was in the operating room with Dr. Baggs for my surgery.

Lee,

Thank you for replying to the previous post. I have been trying to get my rest and have not been on everyday to respond so please forgive me.

As Lee mentioned you will not see the surgeon or anyone else that day. On rare occasion I have heard people were able to get their appt the same day. As for surgeon choice they just assign on to you. If you want a certain doc not sure if you can request one that day or not.

I started the process in June and had surgery on Sept 27th, like I mentoned it all depends on who your doc is, how much weight you need to loose. They tell you in the class that you will drive the speed of the bus (meaning its up to u haw quick you wnat the process to go and how diligent you are in pursuring it).

Please feel free to ask as many questions as you want & I will be more the willing to help anyway I can. Congrats on the start of your journey and before you know it it will be over and you will be on the other side.