measureofme

I tend to have a rosey and innocent view of human nature, I'd like to think everyone operates on honesty as the best policy in general and I know that there is nothing worse than a victim of a sex crime not having their story heard... so I'll bite and say this: Tell. Tattle. Share with the world. If you were taken advantage of, it needs to be said. It's true we don't know what the laws there are (well, most of us probably don't) but ethics is ethics and regardless of how it could have gone down at another time or place, a doctor had power in that situation- you were not used, you were victimized. Seek help and tell the authorities. If a person takes liberties like that in such a vulnerable situation, it's probably not the first time and if someone doesn't say something it won't be the last. That said... I feel like I'm feeding a troll. I hope MY trust hasn't just been blindsided.

Thanks, Momo23. That's about what I expected. I didn't anticipate that Dr. RK would have changed I was directed to a YouTube video too that's a few years old. It doesn't look too bad and there may actually be more for our companions to see/do while we're sleeping in the immediate area of the building. I will resume relaxing about it all.

TexasPoppy: The office email I always use is info@wlsclinic.com.

LOL, the talking that my sleeve does I mean! I'm here at work being a good sleever working on my greek yogurt for the day but my sleeve is talking back to me and it's LOUD. Thank the lord I work alone or I'd be embarrassed. It's been this way since I woke up in recovery. I can deal with the talking people do but to get back talk from my body is both amusing and blush-inducing. LOL

For me, it's one of my biggest hurdles right now... remembering to eat. I have new signs that I'm truly in need of food and I try hard to plan out my day so that meal time is not skipped... but it's been true for me that since surgery the signals from my tummy are dramatically reduced. HEAD hunger (like when I'm sad or stressed- classic emotional eater here) is another story, but even that's been easier to deal with. I'd say that yes, it does actually work.

Four months and 98 pounds later, I still cannot say enough good stuff about my experience with Dr. Ramos-Kelly. Dermabond was used (liberally) and his English was excellent. Staff's use of English was hit or miss but I never had trouble communicating. I was sleeved at florence Oasis Hospital (complete with an ICU if necessary) and had my leak test done at Angeles (Dr. RK likes that particular equipment better there). I hear he's working now also at a Hospital Nova but I don't know anything about it. Not sure if he's a Virgo, but it wouldn't surprise me! LOL Best wishes as you move forward!

I'm glad you're doing so well! I think the soreness you feel is normal... I described it as having had a toddler jump on my chest. A fruit basket, eh? I didn't get anything like that! Relax and heal well.

I think you can call and find out the status of your application. Also, I see repeatedly that all you really are asked for is driver's license and birth certificate. If your birth certificate is with your passport application and you're reallly reallly worried, I'd work on getting another copy as back up before you go.

I didn't have the option at the start of the year, Dr. K wasn't contracted with a coordinator company at that time. So, I was in the transition time between Omar and Lora, but Lora worked hard in the days just before I left to make sure I was 100% comfortable and ready to go. My experience once I got there was as expected... that is to say, all that I'd read and interviewed people about was just what we experienced. Since I went in February a friend of mine has worked direclty with them and been happy and I'm helping a family member set up their surgery with Dr. K. now and working direct also. So far so good!

Welcome to VST. This place is full of information and we can be a passionate bunch! I can so relate to how you feel right now, my heart goes out to you. I'm so glad that you took the feelings you had and made that plea for yourself and got pushed to the head of the line. You didn't know it then maybe but you made a giant leap forward! I know that the wait can be discouraging, most of those here in the states that go insurance routes have a similar wait time, doing all kinds of tests and "medically monitored" diets before they're giving the green light for surgery. However, it's time that you can look at and know you're on a path to doing something positive for yourself. Use this time to think and dream and study and learn and really be prepared for the new life ahead of you. You mention wanting information, how can we help?! Peace and good wishes to you. Soon, your self introduction will be a thing of the past. You'll have to find a new creature to identify with!

Thanks for posting this Lotti. I know we all read it a lot and know it can happen... but when it starts it's startling. I've just started to notice shedding at 4mos out. There's some good advice here. Hang in there.

As I understand it, Lora is Dr. K's personal scheduler/coordinator/patient support employee. Cindy is not a name I know yet. Have you beein working with a coordinator company? I think I've read that there is one coordinator company he works with. My overall experience with Dr. Ramos Kelly, Lora and crew was excellent. I hope you have a great experience!

Friend of mine was sharing a cauliflower based pizza "dough" that apparently is a delicious alternative... Takes on the tastes of what is around it.

I am four months post op today and still am very aware of my revised tummy. I feel it from to to bottom, especially when eating or drinking. I'd say its normal this short time after surgery.

How much longer do you have before surgery? The diet cycle is what helped put many of us here in the first place. The first thing, about failing before you've started... Post op the self sabotage will be incredibly hard because your new tummy will be unable to tolerate most anything. You'll be risking your life to fall off the wagon then, that is a huge incentive to stick with guidelines. You won't fail I bet and as you feel better your motivation will increase too guess! Now, pre op... Get back on that wagon! Your doc wants you to loose weight for a variety of reasons, the greatest of that being safety during surgery. The preop diet helps reduce your liver size making surgery faster and safer... Also, it starts to prepare you mentally for the dramatic reduction in intake you're about to experience. You got this lady. Your signature says you have faith on your side, lean on it and let today be a new day.

For me, my primary wasn't discouraging of WLS but what I discovered was they were completely uneducated about the sleeve. I have had to teach them! That your primary is withholding the paperwork you need to have gallbladder surgery when the ER says it is medically indicated, that's a huge red flag!

Congrats on making a big decision! I hope you'll love Dr. RK as much as I did! I know someone else seeing him in early August. Oasis is going to be a busy place!

I feel like I live in the dairy and cheese sections of my store. Oikos Greek Yogurt, snack cheese, as-natural-as-possible turkey lunch meat... canned tuna, canned chicken. Oh, and popsicles. Always with the popsicles.

I didn't see any individual control for the air in the room, but it really was fine. I was only hot because I went from 35-45 degree weather to 70 degree weather in less than 3 hours... I was sweltering and they were all freezing. As for the IV... the nurses were excellent for me, and I am a tough case. I don't think they had any more or less trouble than I would here. I found their solution for me to be genious and compassionate... neither of which I've had before.

I was at Florence 15 weeks ago. The nurses were WONDERFUL there to me and my companion. I had weekend surgery so the Sunday shift (24 hours) was the time when communication was most difficult. I have a little Spanish but they had NO English so a couple of times they had to get the floor's doctor to come interpret. It wasn't bad. In terms of professionalism they were wonderful. They went above and beyond in a couple of cases for me. My IV was difficult because I have weak and rolling veins. The first two attempts failed and the nurse took the time to conferr with others and they came up with a solution that turned it into a GOOD experience. Pain meds and all others were given regularly and on time, I had a call button in the room that they were quick to respond to (there were only three or four of us in the ward though). The place was very quiet. My room was right off a breezway that led to the kitchen and dining area but it was still quiet. There was some outside construction but it was still quiet enough to be not a bother. I came from Seattle so my room felt too hot to me, we had a fan brought in but I really think it was generally fine. The hospital is dated in decor but being renovated and has no impact on quality. My surgeon checked on me a couple of times each day but was always just a call away if needed. At the hotel, if you can reach your doctor or not is likely you can but each surgeon handles that situation differently. I recommend Florence Oasis highly.

There's a hand full of Dr. Ramos Kelly patients around these days. I am 13.5 weeks post op now and still think my experience with him was top notch. I really loved the care I got at Florence Oasis and while I'm only 75lbs down, I'm 75-freaking-pounds-down! LOL I hope your experience is fantastic!

I went with just 12 weeks to spare to apply for mine, like to the day, and was worried. The passport agent told me that they were just running at about 3 weeks at the time and indeed, mine came in about three weeks.

Love your photos! I certainly was not that ambitious And yeah, cute dress! You're doing great- excited for you!

This is a great thread! I've laughed pretty hard the last few minutes reading through it. One I have not seen anyone post yet (may have missed it though)... "The higher your starting BMI, the faster you will lose." BUNK. Pure BUNK. Every body is different. I mean, I'm thrilled to be down 76lbs at just shy of three months post op... but where would I be if I had not had my five/six week stall?! I'll just keep following the program and be glad the trend is DOWN the scale.

I was a Dr. Kelly patient and had my last leak test done at Angeles too. It was a large gulp worth of Fluid (weird to do that when I'd been practicing sipping). It was clear and flowed like Water (I'd been expecting a chalky barium as I've had in the past)... tasted horrid but not unmanagable. Like bitter lime/citrus in my mind/memory. It was over in a moment. You've come this far, you can do it! Also, one day post op I too could not even manage ice chips without an attitude in my gut, so I get how you're feeling today. Tomorrow is another step further into recovery!