Today i went to my frist support group, here in sacramento, but found out it was really for the people that had already had their surgery done (lap band or sleeve) and when i came in the room he asked me if i had my surgery, i said no but that i am not just thinking about getting it done, i am going to get it done and that right now i am in the meal plan stage right now to loose the 20  i need to get to the next step. he then ask me where am i getting it done, that is where the nightmare began, I said i am from the kaiser richmond program but live here in sacramento. then he went on about how he dislikes the kaiser program because they done have the support groups in sacramento, that he travels to sacramento, stockton because that is where his patiences live, I felt so embarrassed by how hes was talking to me about it and felt like running out of there, but i felt frozen and just stayed anyways, but none of the things that he was talking about had to do with what i learned from my doctor or the oreintation i went to in richmond.....i didnt learn anything from that support group if that is what you call it.......it was more like an information center with hand outs explaining about the holidays coming up and what to eat and not to eat, and recipes to make there protein shakes taste better..........i couldnt wait to get out of there. when the time was up which was less then an hour...i didnt walk i almost ran.......so disappointed....and i was looking so forward to my first support group meeting.......i hope i dont offend anyone with what i have said just needed to get it out.

I believe that's the law that Diane Cox used to get her insurance company to pay for her PS. She actually got the DMHC to agree with her! But her insurance company is still fighting it.

Anyway, my point is that the landscape is changing here in CA so you may be able to get your PS paid for soon even if it wasn't before.

Definitely contact Diane to discuss it. She's trying to get cases together for a class action case.

Hey Larra,

If you spotted an error in the document maybe email the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. www.oshpd.ca.gov

~Michelle "Shelly"

As is often the case in these overviews, they got at least a couple important things wrong. First, instead of the DS, also known as BPD-DS, they describe the old and no longer performed BPD. It was replaced by the DS because of the problems with nutrition and diarrhea. The DS is far safer while still attaining excellent longterm results. 
    Also, the describe the VSG as an "open" procedure, when in reality it is almost always done lap. Big difference for the patient! How they could get something so simple wrong I don't know. Even the full DS is usually done lap, let alone the VSG by itself.
     I didn't read the whole thing, there may be more glarring errors in there as well. But please don't misunderstand, I do appreciate your posting this. It tells us what people who just read overviews are learning, and it ain't pretty.

Larra

I had plastics (LBL w/anchor, BL/BA, and Arms) with Dr. Quiroz at Cosmed in 2007 and 2008. I was very happy with the experience and plan on returning one day for some more work (inner thighs, additional arm work)

You are welcome to check out my blog (link below) I talked about the experience in blog entries (archives on the left hand side/drop down screens) I'd check September 2007 (most will be October 2007 I'm sure) through March 2008-ish.

Best wishes! Be sure to hit the Mexico Forum here on OH too might get more replies.

~Michelle "Shelly"