Dr. Dutta Fremont Kaiser

Drea408
on 12/30/10 6:35 am - CA
Anyone have Dr Dutta? How was your experience with him and Kaiser fremont in general. Also how long was the wait for your surgery date after you lost the inital weight on your own?
Thanks!
Michelle C.
on 12/31/10 2:36 am - Oakley, CA

I had my surgery at Kaiser Fremont with Dr. Chu.  I know a lot of people that have had Dr. Dutta and love him.  I personally love Dr. Chu, but have had interaction with most of the surgeons there at Fremont.  All of them are very passionate and seem to be wonderful surgeons. 

I started my process August 2009 and had my surgery in August 2010.   It took me a little while to get the 28lbs off.  Once I made up my mind and really got in to gear I was able to get it off in about 4 months.  The only thing I can say is when you go to your appointments plan on being there a while.  The surgeons don't rush you and take all of the time you need with them, therefore they tend to run a little behind.  I personally don't mind because when I need the extra time I get it.  

Feel free to ask me any questions, I am always willing to share what knowledge I have.  

  HW 315/SW 260/CW 164/GW 160
      

Drea408
on 12/31/10 4:38 am - CA
Yea i am working on getting my last 4 pounds off so i can go get my weight recorded. I guess after that they can give me a date. I have heard the waiting list is around 3 months. How long did you have to wait to get your surgery after you lost the 28 pounds?
Someone else told me about Dr. Chu, they had lots of wonderful things to say about her.

Hows your sleeve experience going? I was actually originally going with the RNY but the last couple weeks have been leaning toward the sleeve.

HAppy New Year!
loverofcats
on 12/31/10 4:56 am, edited 12/31/10 5:03 am
I think that I replied to this questions on a different forum. I had Dr. Dutta and believe that he is an excellent surgeon, but then I think all the surgeons at Fremont are skilled and would have felt comfortable with any of them. Dr. Dutta took the time to answer all of my many questions and gave me the rationale for why they do things the way that do. I also found him to be kind and empathetic.

I met with the surgeon in early June (orientation was at the end of May) and had already lost 12 lbs, so I needed to lose another eight, before surgery could be scheduled. I reached that goal in mid July. I was offered a cancellation about the 3rd week of July, but couldn't take it. I was able to get scheduled for the end of August, because someone else couldn't keep that date. Otherwise, it would have been September. So, I went through the process very quickly. I was extremely motivated and followed their nutrition plan. I also religiously recorded my food, by using an online tracking system. I also, weighed and measured everything that I ate and drank. The journaling, measuring, and weighing my food helped me to lose the weight faster. I was also walking more and trying to be more active (staying off the couch). I journal to this day and measure my food.

I don't know where you live, but Fremont Kaiser has a support group that meets on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month from 6-8 pm. The first hour is for pre-ops, and the second hour for post-ops, but pre-ops are welcome to stay.  There are people in the group that had Dr. Dutta as their surgeon and could also answer your questions.

Good Luck. I hope that you find what you are looking for.

Oh, and my sleeve experience is going well. I had a rough couple of months, but most people don't have some of the issues that I went through. The most common problems are: reflux, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. These things pass as you get further out and the sleeve heals. The initial swelling in the beginning, is what contributes to the nausea, vomiting and heartburn. Not everyone experiences nausea and vomiting, but heartburn and fatigue are pretty common. The surgeon prescribes anti-nausea medication and an acid reducer.

Finally, the care that I received at Kaiser Fremont was excellent.
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 LW-Apple-Gold-Small.jpg image by PlicketyCat
    
momfirst
on 12/31/10 7:10 am - CA
 I am new to all this so i am just starting my journey i had an over view at kaiser in november and and am schedule for a class jan 9 at kaiser fremont i was told this is the second step of the process can you tell me what comes next and should i continue to lose now . i would love to find a support group but maybe someone can clue me to where to look , i am in livermore and am looking for all the information i can get .
Michelle C.
on 1/3/11 11:13 pm - Oakley, CA
Actually I had the RNY and it has been going really good.   Like others have said the type of surgery you choose is a very personal decision. Do extensive research on both surgeries and make and educated decision. You have to do what you feel is the right decision for you. 

  HW 315/SW 260/CW 164/GW 160
      

TabithasMom
on 1/2/11 4:44 am - San Jose, CA
Like Michelle, I also had Dr. Chu from Fremont Kaiser.

After I got my 10% off my surgery was scheduled within 3 weeks. I was also ready and willing to be on the cancellation list, which is something I recommend if you want to get in quickly but, that being said the process is what the process is. As frustrating as it is, Kaiser patients have a lot of success because of the process. I highly recommend joining and going to a support group even before surgery. It helps a lot a lot a lot.

All of the people that I know that have Dr. Dutta really really like him. The only thing that I do have to say about him is that he is very pro RNY and has talked at least 2 people that I know out of the sleeve for whatever reason. I have the sleeve and it is the perfect surgery for me, WLS surgery is very very personal and everyone chooses (or in my case, had to choose) their surgery for personal reasons.

Good Luck! It's a wild ride.


  CindyLou (Hw261/SW232/CW168/GW150)
     
  
loverofcats
on 1/2/11 7:39 am
Interesting about Dr. Dutta being pro RNY. When I went in for my consultation, I told him that I was interested in the sleeve and he didn't try to talk me out of it. Maybe, the other people had higher BMI's, dietary habits, or co-morbidities that he thought might respond better to the RNY? Although, there is a very obese gentleman in my support group that weigs over 400 lbs and Dr. Dutta suggested the sleeve to him. Go figure.

I agree that WLS is a very, very personal decision and one has to feel comfortable with his/her choice. It is very important to do research, so that you can be firm and solid with your choice. Know your reasons for choosing a particular surgery. Also, be aware of the potential complications for each surgery.
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 LW-Apple-Gold-Small.jpg image by PlicketyCat
    
momfirst
on 1/2/11 8:04 am - CA
Looking for support group  i am live in livermore ca and am going to my second class at kaiser fremont  on jan 9 do you have any info you could share with me ..and congratulations on your surgery .. 
peggy 
 
loverofcats
on 1/2/11 8:29 am, edited 1/2/11 8:33 am
There is a support group in Livermore that is supposed to be very good. When I first attended the group in Fremont, there was a woman from Livermore, who said that the Livermore group was very good. I assume that it is held at the Kaiser clinic in Livermore. I  don't know the day and time. If I get an announcement about it, I'll post it.

At the orientation, you are weighed and the presentation is given by one of the surgeon's and a dietician. The surgeon reviews the various surgery types and opens it up for discussion. I had done quite a bit of research before the orientation, so most of my questions had already been answered. I did find out, that Kaiser is getting away from doing Lap bands, because of the high rate of complications.

After the meeting, if you wanted to make an appointment to see a surgeon, you went to the reception area, where the receptionist made the appointment. Sometimes, they will call you, later in the week with an appointment time. I was able to make the appointment that day.

Kaiser Fremont goes by your highest weight recorded in medical record during the past year. So, if you have lost some weight, that is good. It will ;put you closer to your goal weight needed for surgery. Kaiser Richmond, OTOH, goes by your orientation weight. The appointment with the surgeon, dietician, and case manager was scheduled for within a week or two of the orientation.

After the initial overview meeting, I had 6 weeks before the orientation scheduled for the 3rd week of May,  to research the various surgeries and to start on the weight loss. I had lost 12 lbs by the time I met with the surgeon in early June. I had only 8 more lbs to lose. I also went to the Kaiser Fremont Bariatric website and downloaded the handbook, which gave me more information about the surgeries and presented the 1200 cal/day diet that they recommend that you follow.

Any more questions, please ask. It is a complicated decision and each surgery has its own set of potential complications. Also, start on the vitamins (they are listed in the handbook). It will help you to get into the habit of taking them.
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