Recent Posts

ckarp
on 4/20/12 9:34 am
Topic: RE: Kaiser people.....
HI!  Funny I found your post when I was looking up Dr. Fadorka on the internet.  Does anyone out there have a non kaiser contact for him?  I am a private pay person.  I am thinking of Dr. Almanza out of Mexico - does anyone have anything to say about him???
Deb B.
on 4/20/12 1:58 am - East Bay Area, CA
Topic: RE: Hello Cali board!
Hello Mary,
Welcome- the boards have gotten a bit thin as subgroups have gravitated to facebook etc.
OH's format isn't very user friendly :-(
I am checking in after being away for a while...

I am almost 3 yrs out...same DR as Michelle above and Kaiser.  Sounds like you have Kaiser too.
Come to the Concord luncheon- great group of Oh'ers. I think Barb still posts the dates here.
Good luck you're on your way :-)
            
Deb B.
on 4/20/12 1:02 am - East Bay Area, CA
Topic: RE: Hello New Here-Kaiser Fremont
Like Michelle mine was an hour.
Their goal was to determine my mindset- was I doing what I had to do to make this a success or was I convince this was the silver bullet to solve all my problems, basically.
She asked my routine......what I was doing.  She asked what my plans were for when I lost weight and had lots of skin left over. (as you know Kaiser will not remove it for cosmetic reasons under insurance coverage)
I told her I was saving but even if I could never have the skin removed I'll be buying garments to keep it all together.  Don't be afraid to interject a little humor. They want to make sure you're not mentally unstable as there would certainly be a lawsuit if they did the surgery on someone unstable for such a drastic change. 
If you're taking meds for depression then you are taking meds for depression-if after surgery you can get off them like many others do then great-if not than you'll continue to take the meds to successfully treat the drepression.

She did inquire about tramatic events like abuse etc, and addiction.  If these were issues for you she was wanting to know what had been done to heal from those-support groups, spiritual help or counseling. 
Obviously had I said I hadn't done anything but was hoping surgery was really going to help me feel better about myself that was not what they would want to hear.  Surgery wont fix those emotional issues.
The girl behind me was approved and she smoked marijuana for an anxiety diagnosis.  For taking something that induces crazy eating binges- I was surprised it didn't get her a denial. 

I would say don't be desperate, unrealistic, overly emotional or talk too much.  Answer what they ask but don't go on and on and on.
Hope that helps - just based on my experience.  Be positive!
            
Deb B.
on 4/20/12 12:37 am - East Bay Area, CA
Topic: RE: being fat is depressing
Your Dr in your signature line is a Kaiser doctor so I'm going to assume you're with Kaiser. There is an appeal process. He may be bound by their policies so don't assume that ALL doctors will give you the same prognosis. Don't give up but there are things you can do for yourself physically. GBS is a drastric procedure as you know, that requires drastric changes to be successful long term. Work on making those changes on the front end with food now in hopes of getting the surgery.
I know it's drepressing.....been there but prior to surgery I had to get into the mindset-whether the surgery would happen or not. I found motivation in music to keep me on task. Some lyrics that kept me doing what I know I had to do are below. I wasn't going to settle anymore & by the time i got to the surgery I was more worried they would cancel my surgery because I had lost so much. You can change your world - don't give up.

I aint settling - Sugarland
I wont post the whole song but i listened to it everyday to motivate me....the stand out words for me were:
"Find what it means to be the girl
Who changed her mind and changed her world
I ain't settling for just getting by
I've had enough so so for the rest of my life
Tired of shooting too low, so raise the bar high
Just enough ain't enough this time
I ain't settling for anything less than everything"

NUJoyce
on 4/18/12 1:31 pm - Hayward, CA
Topic: RE: Hello Cali board!
Hi:

I am in Hayward.   I had surgery October 4th.   I had the sleeve.  I have a 4 year old daughter.   I am currently separated from my husband but always hoping he will change his mind.    I would be happy to meet up some time and walk and have our kids run around a park.  

Joyce
        
Kimberlee M.
on 4/18/12 9:17 am - Alameda, CA
Topic: East Bay Bariatric Mtg. Reminder: Sat., 4/21/12
Holy Cow, the middle of April is really here and time to meet up:

Date: Saturday, April 21, 2012
Times: Pre-op/Newbie meeting is from 1:15-1:45 p.m.; general session from 2-3:30 p.m.
Location: Education Center, San Leandro Hospital (behind the ER), 13855 East 14th Street, San Leandro, CA 94578.

If you haven't been to our OH page lately, especially to our discussion board, click to http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/ebwlsgroup_group.  Join our group to better communicate with folks closer to your home.

East Bay Bariatric is an independent peer support group that meets the 3rd Saturday of every month at the San Leandro Hospital.  No need to register, just show up.  Meetings are free and open to any surgery type or insurance carrier.  Pre-op, Post-ops, supporters, and those considering surgery are all welcome to attend.

See you there,

Kimberlee MacVicar, CC
Founder and Facilitator
East Bay Bariatric Support Group
www.eastbaybariatric.org
Kimberlee MacVicar, Support Group Leader
www.eastbaybariatric.org, OH Group: East Bay Bariatric
Want OH Mag at a discount? Use Promo Code "MacVicar11" for $4 off.

ruggie
on 4/18/12 7:35 am - Sacramento, CA
Topic: Sacramento area support group this Sat, 4/21, with a registered dietician
Hi Sacramento-area folks!

I think some of you know that I run a "everyone's welcome to come" MeetUp group for WLS pre-ops and post-ops for the Sacramento and surrounding areas.

I and my partner in crime (Meltrace) have been working hard to set up better meeting venues and some interesting guest speakers! I'm really excited to introduce our first formal guest speaker, Gabriella Vetere, a Registered Dietician out of San Francisco. Gabriella has been kind enough to agree to drive up to Sacramento this Saturday to meet with our group and talk to pre-ops and post-ops alike about nutrition basics, variety, and what it can take to be successful to get all the way down to your goal weight. Gabriella works alongside a very prestious surgeon and works with patients who have had lap-bands, RnYs (gastric bypass), VSGs (the sleeve), and DSes (duodenal switches). In addition to taking our random questions, Gabriella plans to speak about specific techniques you can use to hit your end weight-loss goal. I've worked with her a bit; she's a really amazing and knowledgeable person and I hope you guys can take just a bit of time from your Saturday to hear this inspirational nutrionalist. We'll be having this meeting in a conference room at the Lakewood Hotel (formerly the Radisson) on Leisure Lane, which means afterwards you can pop over to REI for some exercise gear or to Costco to stock up on essentials! Everyone is welcome to attend (pre-ops and post-ops alike), and like all of our events, this is free! Please feel free to bring a spouse, partner, or friend along with you.

Just RSVP at our MeetUp.Com group at www.meetup.com/Sacramento-Weightloss-Surgery-Support/events/60986722/   This is a really great opportunity!

     

Heaviest weight:  310 pounds  (Male, 5'10")

Nicole S.
on 4/18/12 1:53 am - Vallejo, CA
Topic: RE: The Real Skinny
I saw that - OMG WOW is all I can say.  
~Nicole  
Height 5'1 HW- 320 SW-265 CW- 172.2 GW 140                                
  
Nicole S.
on 4/18/12 1:37 am - Vallejo, CA
Topic: RE: Hello Cali board!
Good morning and hello! 

I had VSG surgery through S SF Kaiser 8 months today actually and currently am down 91.8 lbs.  (30-40 lbs from goal).  I live in Vallejo with my two furbabies.

This will be the journey of a lifetime, and enjoy the ride!!

Nicole
~Nicole  
Height 5'1 HW- 320 SW-265 CW- 172.2 GW 140                                
  
Nicole S.
on 4/18/12 1:34 am - Vallejo, CA
Topic: RE: 4 days post op
Gas X , walking and such work wonders to help move the gas along.  I was that way post op for a good few weeks. 

Congrats on your surgery and hang in there, I promise it will get better! 
~Nicole  
Height 5'1 HW- 320 SW-265 CW- 172.2 GW 140                                
  
Most Active
×