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Surgeon Testimonial

Charles A. Svendsen, M.D.
I met Dr. Svendson at my pre-surgery visit on the date that my surgery date would be determined. He is the only one of the three Methodist surgeons I hadn't already met.rnI found him genuine, honest, direct and comforting. He examined me and answered my questions about surgery and recovery.rnI met him again the morning before surgery, then each day I was in the hospital. I felt he was genuinely concerned about my well being mentally/emotionally as well as physically. I really feel like he cares.rnI've known Barb Johnson, Dr. Svendson's nurse for several months as she leads the WLS support group for Park Nicollet/Methodist. I adore her. She's been a sage guide in the journey, a great source of information, and a wonderful comfort now that I am post-op and I'm really dealing with the challenges and benefits of surgery.rnThis program has a fantastic after care program. I've had my 1 week post-op visit so far. I'll have nurse visits at months 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12. I'll have nutritionist meetings at months 1, 2, 5, 8, and 11 months. I can attend support groups twice a month.rnI am very pleased to have Dr. Svendson as my doctor (I think of him as Dr. Chuck, not out of disrespect, but out of admiration and appreciation) and Barb as his wonderful nurse. I'm truely blessed by having them both helping me in this process.
Jen's Blog
Jen's Blog


4 hour appointment
on February 28, 2006 9:00 am

I had my "4 Hour" appointment with Park Nicollet yesterday.  Met with the Physical Therapist, then the Nutritionist, then the Psych, then then the doctor, then the Psych again.

All parties are in agreement that I am of sound body and mind enough to go through gastric bypass surgery.  I was given assignments to work on while I'm waiting.

 So, all departments give it a go.  All except my insurance.  Insurance is going to make me wait 4-5 more months before they approve.  They want evidence Weight Watchers is going to fail. (Gee, I wonder.)

 Now I sit.   And wait.   And do my homework.  And wait.  And wait.  While I'm waiting, I have to go to Weight Watchers every week ($12/week) and visit my doc once a month ($22/visit). (That's $70/month for those of you who are counting ). 

 The Nutritionist said she'd like me to come back next month since I'm not having surgery right away, but since she costs $152/hour and my insurance doesn't cover her, I don't think that will happen.

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2nd Monthly Appointment
on February 24, 2006 8:59 am

Second monthly appointment with my PCP as required by my insurance company.  I told him about my progress with the Bariatric Program.  I had my pre-surgery insurance requirements faxed to him so he could add them to my chart.  We discussed the various hoops through which I must jump and what we were going to do about them.  I cannot say enough about this doctor. He is friendly, laid back, funny, kind and realistic.  He talks to me like I talk to my friends. Dr. Richard Walhstrom through PN.  I see him at the Hopkins clinic.  If you need a really good doc, see him.

Since I got weighed at Weight Watchers this week, I've lost those 7lbs that came on from water weight.  My weight has not really changed (doc's office says 296, WW says 292 consistently), but I'm noticing that being weighed at WW every week is making me neurotic about numbers I didn't even care to check in on before.  Ugh.

My 4 hour appointment with PN is on Monday.  Think good thoughts for me.

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Weight Watchers
on February 22, 2006 8:58 am

Just a quick update.  I have joined Weight Watchers as a requirement per my surgery.  Paying $12 a week to get weighed really stinks.  I'm not finding the meetings particularly helpful (thought I did get 1 good recipe so far).  I'm really not thrilled at being there with a majority of the people under 200lbs and trying to get ready for bikini weather.  I have actually put on 7lbs last time I checked.  I'm hoping it's water weight.  Numbers suck.  I have my 2nd montly appointment with my PCP on Friday and my big 4 hour at PN on Monday. 

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