judijo

Username: judijo
Location: Saugus, CA, USA
Member Since: 11/16/2007
BMI: 38.8
Post Op
Surgery Type: RNY (04/29/08)
Surgeon: Mahbod Mark Paya, M. D.

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Surgeon Testimonial

Mahbod Mark Paya, M. D.
My first impression of Dr. Paya was on this website. I was debating over having Dr. Paya at Northridge Hospital (my hospital of choice) or Dr. Qualici at St. Josephs in Burbank.

After talking to a couple of former patients, there were very little discouraging words regarding Dr. Paya's care or office staff. And, best news of all, his office processed patients far sooner than the other option I was given.

For me, surgical competence is more important than bedside manner, but what is MOST important to me is my ability to contact the office for information.

The "guy" Dr. Paya is friendly, confident, professional and very cute. lol He was honest on how much weight I would lose, and how much weight I COULD lose. He is a busy guy and when I was in the hospital I only saw him pre-op. His associate, Dr. Kokkalera, saw me each day while I was in Northridge Hospital. Dr. Kokkalera is very nice and thoughtful and had a friendly sense of humor.

My medical group (Facey) has an extensive bariatric surgery preparation procedure, so I don't have a lot of information on what Dr. Paya's office offers. I did meet with a nutritionist with detailed pre-op/ post-op/ maintenance diet information. I met with a Dr. Paya's nurse with a detailed explanation of pretty much every aspect of the process, which included all the "realities" of what does/doesn't work with bariatric surgery. Finally, I received a simple psychiatric evaluation from one of NR Hosp's staff psych MDs.

The office staff was stellar when I was in the hospital. Crystal and Shelly visited me every day at least once. Both doted over me in pre-op, making sure my husband saw me before surgery and having my paperwork for disability processing the minute I was in surgery. They made sure my post-op pain meds were waiting in MY pharmacy for pickup on my drive home!

I would be remiss without mentioning my frustration when someone made my first appointment with Dr. Paya for 4PM, but it was entered in his system for 3:30. I was deemed a "no show" and he left before I arrived at 3:43. I was DEVASTATED! Fortunately, Crystal made an appointment for the very next week, so I had my surgery exactly when I was planning...the last week of April! The one way out of this frustration is to make sure to call the office and verify the appointment before going in. The office staff is professional and friendly and phone messages are returned quickly.

Hospital Reviews

(Northridge, CA) - Northridge Hospital

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I am a 50 something mother of two. My son is 17 and my girl is 12. I have been married for 20 years to the same guy. We all live in Northern Los Angeles County, California, USA.
I have a wealth of information stuck in my head. Some of it is quite useful, although most of it is totally useless.
I am militant about two things. First is buying animals, which is stupid. Get your pet at the shelter! Second, I am defensive about my job. I am a mammographer and I take my career choice very seriously. I am sure my son will tell others that I am also a right wing religious nut. Nope, I am not. I just know what is right...that is all. LOL

judijo's Blog

Wow. It's Been A While! :)
6 days ago

I weighed in today and the scale read (drumroll, please) 242.0!

That is FIFTY NINE FRIKKING POUNDS never NEVER to return!

Thank you very much.

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3 MO SURGERY APPOINTMENT TODAY
on July 22, 2008 5:06 pm

Saw Dr. Paya today.

The nutritionist assigned to me was ill, so they asked if I would reschedule. I told them no. My labs were already in and they were stellar, so I figure I am doing a good job. Dr. Paya was not concerned.

My sugars are normal. My A1C is 5.5. My cholesterol is under 200 for the very first time! All mineral counts were OK. I am healthy as a horse...AND...

I no longer qualify for WLS! I have a BMI under 40 (38.8) and I have no co-morbidities! I told Dr. Paya this and he said, "Yep. That is why we do what we do!"

:)

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Respect the Nafoo!
on July 15, 2008 8:26 pm

My daughter (12 y.o.) named my pouch today.

We were at a hawaiian BBQ joint and i was having a shredded bunless pork sandy with sauce on the side, and cole slaw. I ate a little more than half the meat and a couple forkfuls of the slaw and I said, "I am full. Pouchy may get grouchy."

She said that Pouchy isn't a good name, and came up with Nafoo.

Nafoo?

Yeah...No Food...NaFoo!

Ok, then. I guess it is NaFoo!

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I hit 259 today!
on July 13, 2008 7:09 pm

Yippee!

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The Burger Whoosh!
on June 28, 2008 7:41 am

Last Saturday: 269.2
Sunday: 269.2
Monday: 269.2
Tuesday: 269.2
Wednesday: 267.8
Thursday: 267.8
Friday: 267.8
Friday night for dinner, took Beth to In-N-Out. (Yes, for all you burger lovers that do not live in SoCal, In-N-Out IS almost the best damned burger in the WORLD! I have reviewed my local favorites here...scroll down the May 17, 2007 entry.) I had a "protein-style" (no bun..wrapped in iceberg lettuce) cheeseburger with no 1000 island dressing and about 6 of Beth's fries.

Saturday: 264.2

Someone in an OH discussion group mentioned breaking stalls/plateaus with a burger. I guess it worked. 1130 cals , 74gms protein for the day.

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