MaceoMack

Today, January 31, 2011, markes the 3rd week since my VSG surgery, and I have been extremely satisfied with my results and Kaiser Permanente. My entire process took a little over 7 months, from my consultation with Dr. Alskaf, the Bariatric head at Kaiser in Panorama City (6/8/10) until my actual sirgery by Dr. Benjamin Kim at the West Los Angeles Kaiser Hospital on 1/10/11. I had several pre-existing medical conditions that could have prolonged the process for me as I had to obtain additional medical clearances from the Cardiology Department and the Nephrology Department. Throughout it all, the staffs at the Kaiser facilities were absolutely magnicificant. I attended the 12 week "Options" course at the Panorama City Kaiser from early July through late September - one 90 minute class once a week. My opinion was that the Options course was a "key" factor to the process. It provided a lot of information, support, and provided very realistic expectations of what the procedure involved, allowing the patients the ability to make informed choices on whether or not Bariatric Surgery was a practical solution. The best description I heard was that Options was like "Boot Camp" for those considering surgery. My surgery was performed on Monday, January 10, 2011 in the West Los Angeles Kaiser Hospital by Dr. Benjamin Kim. I wasn't required to switch my diet until the day before the surgery, when I was informed to have only liquids and not to eat or drink anything after midnight. The surgery took about 90 minutes. Even though I was discharged from the hospital that Tuesday with some "heavyduty" pain releivers, I never needed it. I experienced NO pain or discomfort AT ALL !!!. The six incisions made for the surgery heal almose immediately, leaving no scars and practically invisible to the eye. Best of all, at the time of my discharge, I was told to discontinue 9 of the 18 prescription medications and Vitamins that I'd been taking for many years. I lost 30 pounds during the Options course, and an additional 21 pounds since the surgery. I walk a minimum of 1 hour daily for exercise, and I feel great !!! No illness, no dumping syndrone. So far, so good ♥

For me, Monday, January 10, 2011 is my date. I will be having the procedure done in the West Los Angeles Kaiser Permanente Medical center. My surgeon is Dr. Benjamin Kim. I have my pre-op appointment on December 28th with both Dr. Kim and the Anesthesiology Department Head, Dr. Mitchell Friedman. I assume that at that time, I will receive final instructions on when to start my pre-surgical liquid diet.. I started this whole process in May of 2010, attending an orientation. I spent July, August, and most of September doing the Options classes at the Panorama City Kaiser Medical Center. After Options, test were ordered for me by the doctor. I had two EKG's, an Ultrasound of my veins and lower extremities, a Echocardiogram, had to get additional medical clearances from the Nephrology and Cardiology Departments, and attend a class on Chronic Kidney Disease Care. I have a 4 hour Cardiac Stress Test scheduled for mid December ... then I will be good to go. Now the nervousness is beginning to set it...but I am in good spirits and looking forward to January 10th,

* My Options classes were at the Kaiser Panorama City Medical Center. * The classes met weekly for 12 weeks * Each class was 90 minutes in duration * The classes were restricted to participants - no visiting family members or friends. * The classes could NOT be accelerated, and after starting, you will not want to move any faster. * The classes provided a tremendous amount of information and was well worth the time.

I am pre-op and hopefully will get a surgery date this week when I have my surgical consultation with my surgeon at Kaiser. Throughout the 12 week Options program (which I completed on 9/21), the focus was on daily calorie count, and I logged everything that I consumed. The first half of the course, the calorie range was between 1700-2000 a day. For the second part of the program, the range was 1300-1500. A minimum of 70 grams of protein per day was required. During the Options course, I lost 32 pounds. Post Options, I still watch everything I eat, staying mostly with the 1300-1500 calories and 70 grams of protein.

CONGRATULATIONS !! You've accomplished the hard part ... it's downhill from here. I finished Options on September 21st, and loved it.

Hang in there ! I wish you luck AND I will keep my fingers crossed for you. ☺

FIRST THING FIRST ... Don't be too hard on .yourself. At some point, most of us have felt as you do. This is a life changing experience, and I know that you know that the end results are well worth the efforts. You must make the weight loss a PRIORITY in your life, find out what works for you, and commit to it For me, it was getting on a good eating schedule ... five small meals a day at regular intervals. This prevented me from ever feeling hungry. Prepare a daily menu and eating schedule (in my case, I did it the night before), make sure that the calories are within your diet range, and stick to you plan. Resist the temptation to eat just for the sake of eating. Eat only when you schedule yourself to. If going to the gym doesn't appeal to you, don't do it. Commit to a certain amount of exercise, and do something less stressful or something you enjoy...Walking around the neighborhood, swimming, whatever, but just remain true to the schedule. Think about how you will feel and look after you complete the process and the new, healthier life you have created and will maintain forever. It is truly a matter of "mind over matter". Believe in yourself...you can and will do this thing, and will be much happier as a result.

The fact that you are in the Options program is a good thing. Somewhere along the line before you started the program, someone of authority in the Weight Management/Metabolic Department approved you and referred you to the program. As long as you complete the program and your assignments are completed (food, and exercise diaries, plus other assignments), you SHOULD be eligible for the surgery. I was told that my qualifications would be based on my starting weight and BMI, so losing weight during the program would NOT result in the surgery being denied. I completed Options on September 21st, and I am still waiting for the call regarding the next step. (they said it would be within 2 weeks) At this point, I trust what I have been told by Kaiser, but that of course is subject to change within the next few weeks. I'll let you know.

I agree that you shouldn't give up. At this point, you should do whatever is needed to qualify for the surgery...including the use of weights. In the end, you are responsible for your health, not the doctors. You're looking a Bariatric surgery as a means to improve your future overall health. That's worth fighting for. Kaisers company line is "Thrive". What you are doing is trying to ensure that your future life will be a healthier one and that you will THRIVE. Hang in there ...

I completed the Options course on September 21st at Panorama City. My total weight loss during Options was 24 pounds, so I"m feeling pretty good. I was told that as of 9/21, the wait time at West Los Angeles, where i intend to have my surgery is about 14 weeks. This will give me a chance to maybe drop a few more pounds and complete everything needed before the surgery.

Hi Dave, Allow me to speak from the view of a pre-op patient. Over the past 50 years, I have been on just about weight loss plan known to man. Most diets provide a quick fix, but none had any lasting result. I have always been a food junkie. I would eat until I was satisfied, often to the point of being stuffed. The thought of reducing my caloric intake in preparation for the sleeve terrified me. I was sure that I would starve to death before I could have the procedure done. I have been pre-op since mid June, and I have lost 30 pounds (as of Sept. 7th) in preparation for the surgery, and actually, I feel fine. First, you must commit yourself to the process. No one would know if I "cheated" but I would know that I was defeating my purpose ... so I don't cheat. A good education class prior to the surgery in my opinion is essential. In my case, as a patient of Kaiser Permanente, participant are required to complete a 12 week course called "Options" which assist in mentally and physically preparing patients for the surgery with realistic fact and information on what to expect both before and after the surgery. Surprisingly, what has help me is planning the night before my meals for the follow day and eating at regular times. By eating five small meals through the day, I never feel hungry, even following my pre-surgery 1300-1500 calorie program. I've learn to truly recognize the difference between being hungry and just wanting to eat. I've learn to read food labels so I know the number of calories and grams of protein in each meal. I make better choices while grocery shopping. It seems like by following these tip, not only do I fell satisfied, but there are days when I have trouble eating my 1500 calories. Had someone told me this would happen six months ago, I would have considered them to be insane. Everyone knows that the surgery is just a tool, but the real success comes as a result of lifelong dedication to the process. For me, eating at regular times and chewing every mouthful of food at least 30 times slows my eating process down and allows me to enjoy my food, give my system a chance to signal my brain that I have eaten enough, and prepare me for post surgery eating habits. That feeling of hunger was my biggest concern, but at least for now, it is no longer an issue. Good luck my friend. Just keep your ultimate goal in mind. It will all be worthwhile.

My Psych Eval was through the Kaiser Options program. The appointment was about 30 - 45 minutes. The doctor had me talk a little about my youth and if I felt that I was happy or had any problems back then. The Doc wanted to make sure I understand the procedures and that my expectations were realistic. There was some talk about depression and what I might do if the surgery didn't go as planned. I feel that what the Doc was looking for was a positive attitude and the commitment to follow through and follow directions, especially during the post surgery phase.

Welcome Hailey You'll soon find that you will love this site. Without question, everyone here is friendly , informative, and willing to offer support in any way. It's really great having so many good people to help clarify things, answer questions, and share their experiences. I am working towards the Vertical Sleeve procedure, and the support I have received here has been GREAT. I extend the same to you. If you're interested, one fantastic resourse is "You Tube", which has given me a visual sense of whats ahead of me. There is one short film clip that really helped me to understand the procedure. On You Tube, if you enter "Vertical Sleeve" in the browser, it will direct you to a number of videos. The best one in my opinion is entitled "Laprascopic Vertical Sleeve Gasterectomy" posted by Dr. Pleatman. This explained a lot to me. If interested, check it out. Once again, Welcome and good luck on what will be a fantastic journey.

CONGRATULATIONS !!You will love the Options classes and find them VERY informative. I am in my 8th week of Options, and I can't imagine anyone planning on the procedure (Vertical Sleeve in my case) NOT going through a similar type program. Options will give you a real idea on what to expect both before and after the surgery. My advise to you is to religiously keep current with your food and exercise diaries. The will be a tremendous guide for you and you will learn so much about your habits and how to properly prepare for your new future.