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Topic: RE: Park Nicollet Bariatric Clinic...Good, Bad, or Ugly?
SB - One thing you need to get a handle on right away - BEFORE you have any WLS is that YOU have to advocate for yourself in all aspects. Bottom line - it is up to YOU to educate yourself. It is up to YOU to sit down with your WLS and outline your strategy/plan of action.
If you have questions - write them down and bring them in at your next appointment.
The last thing you want is after your surgery, to be scared/concerned/frustrated and not feel that you have the support of your weight loss surgery clinic/surgeon.
So grab the bull by the horns, find your inner gumption and demand to have the answers you need and a strategy for going forward.
I would be quite frank and say "Why do you feel I will not qualify? Should I be going back to Fairview at this point and saving my money if you are not willing to be part of my success?"
Best of luck to you -
If you have questions - write them down and bring them in at your next appointment.
The last thing you want is after your surgery, to be scared/concerned/frustrated and not feel that you have the support of your weight loss surgery clinic/surgeon.
So grab the bull by the horns, find your inner gumption and demand to have the answers you need and a strategy for going forward.
I would be quite frank and say "Why do you feel I will not qualify? Should I be going back to Fairview at this point and saving my money if you are not willing to be part of my success?"
Best of luck to you -
Dr. Benn gave me an incredible tool.. and I intend to make the most out of it!!
Topic: RE: Challenge Obesity 5K Walk/Run Team Formed!
I'm all registered. Thanks for heading this Renee!!!
Dr. Benn gave me an incredible tool.. and I intend to make the most out of it!!
Topic: RE: For women who had RNY and are on HRT
I am considering WLS and which one and looking at the RNY. I am also am on a patch. Why won't the time released patches work with RNY? Is that all time released medicines?
Topic: Dr. Schwartz - or - Dr. Drew ??? (Abbott Northwest)
I am trying to choose a surgeon and narrowed it down to Dr. Schwartz or Dr. Drew or perhaps Dr. Chute. I understand Drs. Drew and Chute spit off from Dr. Schwartz and opened a new practice in Chaska.
I am looking for comments or suggestions on now to make the final pick. Is there any advantage to going to the new clinic in Chaska (Chute and Drew) versus the MPLS center (Schwartz)? I am choosing Abbott Northwest for the hospital, so will I even be going to any of the doctors' private practice clinics?
All of these doctors appear highly qualified and superior surgeons. Thinking of just flipping a coin. Any suggestions?
Any tidbits of information will be helpful. Thank you in advance!
I am looking for comments or suggestions on now to make the final pick. Is there any advantage to going to the new clinic in Chaska (Chute and Drew) versus the MPLS center (Schwartz)? I am choosing Abbott Northwest for the hospital, so will I even be going to any of the doctors' private practice clinics?
All of these doctors appear highly qualified and superior surgeons. Thinking of just flipping a coin. Any suggestions?
Any tidbits of information will be helpful. Thank you in advance!
Topic: Challenge Obesity 5K Walk/Run Team Formed!
Okay, everyone, we have a team! Please join us to walk or run, or any combination in between, around Como Lake on April 21st.
This is the Charities Challenge Challenge Obesity 5K Event. We have a team called the "Formerly Fat Friends" team (thanks, Dan!) Members are already signing up, and anyone who wants to join our team is welcome, whether you are pre- or post- surgery, a walker or a runner. It will be a nice spring morning to get out and around the lake!
Sign up here:
http://www.active.com/register/index.cfm?CHECKSSO=0&EVENT_ID =1984550
Make sure to choose Team registration (it's the same price) and choose our team from the list.
Woot! It will be fun!
This is the Charities Challenge Challenge Obesity 5K Event. We have a team called the "Formerly Fat Friends" team (thanks, Dan!) Members are already signing up, and anyone who wants to join our team is welcome, whether you are pre- or post- surgery, a walker or a runner. It will be a nice spring morning to get out and around the lake!
Sign up here:
http://www.active.com/register/index.cfm?CHECKSSO=0&EVENT_ID =1984550
Make sure to choose Team registration (it's the same price) and choose our team from the list.
Woot! It will be fun!
Topic: RE: Park Nicollet Bariatric Clinic...Good, Bad, or Ugly?
I know the staff in the bariatric department has gone through a number of changes in the past 5 years, and the nurse that helped me navigate it all has been gone for a few years already (although she has become one of my dearest friends). But none of them should never treat a patient with anything less than the utmost respect. It's a humbling thing to have to go through right from the start.
I guess all I can say is - if you can get through this preliminary stuff, continue to advocate for yourself and end up getting approved, the surgeons are absolutely top notch. And the support group they offer every 2nd and 4th Wednesday evening was absolutely key in the success I've had with my RNY. I haven't been able to get to one since last summer because of a second job I took on, but I may go tomorrow night.
I guess, at the risk of upsetting you, you should ask yourself - is this really a BAD experience, or am I just so anxious to get to the loser's bench that I'm feeling annoyed by all the steps it takes to get there?
Good luck to you. And feel free to attend their support group even before surgery, lots of WLS patients do. It'll give you encouragement to keep fighting for this.I can tell you that the hoops I am having to jump through are annoying especially since this is the second program I have been with and I also completed three months of weight loss visits from my Dr and also did the psyc thing on my own. BUT my frustration with hoops plays no part in how rude a few of the staff members have been.
The reason they told me I did not qualify had nothing to do with health or mental issues. It was due to the fact that 2 years ago my BMI was 34 and my co-morbidities were diagnosed several months later. They said I need a full two year hist. I called my ins and asked this and talked to a nurse reviewer who then talked to a claims rep and they said it is case by case.
In my opinion if I wish to go for it than I expect support and the same treatment as they would give anyone else, not half ass work or rudeness because they do not think I will be approved. I imagine anyone would feel the same way.
And I also imagine that most of you out there would go for it if there was a chance of getting approved.
BTW they are making me re-do a lot of my previous work like Labs and the Psyc "because it is part of their program" not that the work was sub-par. Just one more way for them to get a bit more money.
I am very glad that most people have had or are having good experiences there.
On February 7, 2012 at 7:10 AM Pacific Time, Darla S. wrote:
I went through PNC 5 years ago, and it was smooth sailing from day one. Did you go to their info meeting and mail in the packet they give you? Did they give you a reason why they think you won't qualify? If it's a valid reason (health issue, psych eval, etc.), you should give it some serious consideration. I know the staff in the bariatric department has gone through a number of changes in the past 5 years, and the nurse that helped me navigate it all has been gone for a few years already (although she has become one of my dearest friends). But none of them should never treat a patient with anything less than the utmost respect. It's a humbling thing to have to go through right from the start.
I guess all I can say is - if you can get through this preliminary stuff, continue to advocate for yourself and end up getting approved, the surgeons are absolutely top notch. And the support group they offer every 2nd and 4th Wednesday evening was absolutely key in the success I've had with my RNY. I haven't been able to get to one since last summer because of a second job I took on, but I may go tomorrow night.
I guess, at the risk of upsetting you, you should ask yourself - is this really a BAD experience, or am I just so anxious to get to the loser's bench that I'm feeling annoyed by all the steps it takes to get there?
Good luck to you. And feel free to attend their support group even before surgery, lots of WLS patients do. It'll give you encouragement to keep fighting for this.
The reason they told me I did not qualify had nothing to do with health or mental issues. It was due to the fact that 2 years ago my BMI was 34 and my co-morbidities were diagnosed several months later. They said I need a full two year hist. I called my ins and asked this and talked to a nurse reviewer who then talked to a claims rep and they said it is case by case.
In my opinion if I wish to go for it than I expect support and the same treatment as they would give anyone else, not half ass work or rudeness because they do not think I will be approved. I imagine anyone would feel the same way.
And I also imagine that most of you out there would go for it if there was a chance of getting approved.
BTW they are making me re-do a lot of my previous work like Labs and the Psyc "because it is part of their program" not that the work was sub-par. Just one more way for them to get a bit more money.
I am very glad that most people have had or are having good experiences there.
Topic: RE: Dr. Baker vs Dr. Ikramuddin
I am gunning for a VSG. For me, the idea of the lowest amount of internal altering fits well. I like to say that the VSG is simply removing most of the storage capacity your body has for eating. Since always being hungry is my #1 issue with diets it is a great choice for me. As with all the surgeries they are simply a tool and you have to pick the one that works the best for you. I have read where people love the RNY simply BECAUSE of the dumping. Sugars are their weakpoints so it will help them out.
Topic: RE: what protein shakes are the best
From GNC, Iso 100 Milk Chocolate is my current favorite, but right up there with the nectars. I like to use the Iso 100 with ho****er (under 130 degrees) since it is like a hot chocolate. I am still waiting for my Unjury samples, they arrive today, and have high hopes for them especially the chicken broth flavor. All 3 types are 100% whey isolate, the Iso 100 is hydronized isolate (broken up a little smaller for faster absorbing) around the 20-25g protein, 100 cal, 0 carbs...
Oh, and I also recomend a milk frother for mixing. Its like a little blender and does a wonderful job. You can pick them up for $3 from ikea.
Oh, and I also recomend a milk frother for mixing. Its like a little blender and does a wonderful job. You can pick them up for $3 from ikea.
Topic: RE: Park Nicollet Bariatric Clinic...Good, Bad, or Ugly?
I am currently in the middle of my appts with PNC. I am using my primary for my 6 month requirement, but have my second round of appts with PNC in early March. So far everything has been great, except for paying for parking, wasnt expecting that.
Topic: RE: Park Nicollet Bariatric Clinic...Good, Bad, or Ugly?
I can't give an opinion about PNC, but I am currently in the pre-op process with the Unity Bariatric group (Allina) & it has been fantastic! Everyone i've encountered has been nothing but nice & supportive. My nurse coordinator even called me last week just to see how I was doing. Best of luck to you on your journey! 
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