latinbeauty74
WLS Progress Report
Jul 20, 2010
I have Kaiser health insurance. I attend the Palmdale and Lancaster location.April 2009 - My PCP at that time sent referral for bariatric program
August 2009 - Was scheduled for seminar however, I had lasik surgery so I had to reschedule since I was not in any condition to drive myself to the seminar location since it was like 50 miles away from home.
December 2009 - I finally was able to get a seminar appointment in Panorama City. The jerk who schedules the seminars wouldn't schedule me sooner since I had reschedule back in August. The seminar was very informative. We were told we could pick from three surgeries they offer. One was gastric bypass, second was sleeve, third was lapband. Sadly the surgeon who was suppose to show up never did so we weren't able to ask more detailed medical questions. At the end of the seminar we filled out a form that stated whether we wanted to proceed with the process. If so we would be scheduled for a surgeon consult who would determine whether we could start the Options classes.
January 2010 - I had my lab work done at the beginning of the month.
I had my surgeon consult appointment (don't remember the date) in lancaster facility. I met with Dr. Ekanayke who went over my labs, medical and weight history. He did poke around a bit about my current relationship status, and what kind of support system I would have pre and post op.
He gave me the clearance to continue on to Options however, he did refer me to cardiology to do an echocardiogram (since I had taken Fen Phen years prior). I also met the Bariatric Case Manager that day who is totally awesome. She did my EKG in the office while I waited for the doctor.
March 2010 - I started the Options classes on March 22nd at the Palmdale facility. First day we were all weighed in and given a binder where we would keep all the literature they would be giving us weekly.
May 2010 - Had psych eval with Dr. Watkin's at the lancaster office. Very nice doctor however, he did seem to be in a rush when I sat down with him. We got interrupted twice, one time by a patient of his who was admitted on a 51/50 and another doctor came in asking him about another patient. By the time he was able to focus on why I was there like 20 minutes had passed. He thought I was there for medication adjustment since the person who scheduled my appointment didn't note it was for a "psych eval" but meds adjustment. When I told him why I was there, he got a little bit frantic since he was running behind on appointments. He mumbled he didn't have time for this...which I took offense since it wasn't my fault he was behind, and that the receptionist noted the appointment type wrong. I stayed put and wasn't going anywhere. I saw him check his appointment schedule and said the his next appointment was real late so maybe they weren't showing up. So he proceded to type up the psych eval report right then and there. He asked me a few questions about how I feel about the surgery, how I think it would help me, he asked how I am on my current meds if I felt stable. He continued to type up his report which did take about 40 mins. lol NO wonder he got frantic what I told him I was there for lol Before I left he gave me two copies of the report, one for me the other for my case manager. Basically the report stated that I was mental fit to have the surgery and that I was stable on meds and changed my depression status from moderate to Mild. Woohoo. I showed the report to my immediate family to show them I was SANE. lol (it is an ongoing joke in the family since I am on depression meds).
Did lab work (they took like 20 something viles of my blood...geeze)
June 2010 - On the 14th I completed the Options requirement. In order to get our completion letter, on the last day of class we had to walk around the room for 15 minutes without stopping. Didn't matter the pace as long as we kept moving.
On June 23rd I had my second appointment with Dr. Ekanayke in Lancaster to review my lab work. I had discovered the week prior during my appointment with my PCP that I was vitamin D deficient! I was shocked how come this wasn't caught the first round of lab work back in January. Anyways I am on prescription medication to increase my vitamin D levels. I was worried the doctor wouldn't refer me for a surgeon consult, however he cleared me to continue.
July 2010 - On the 14th I receive my final letter of authorization from Kaiser approving me to have this surgery!
I have my consult appointment scheduled at Pacific Bariatrics in San Diego on July 29th with Dr. Zorn. Waiting for Myra at pac bar to call me with a time, since apparently I will be seeing three doctors that day. Psychologist, Internist, Surgeon.
So far my Journey has been smooth. I have yet to run into any obstacles. I choose to go to Pacific Bariatrics since the surgeons are specialists in bariatrics. Secondly the wait time is no where near the wait for the Antelope Valley. There is only one surgeon in my area, and I hear he is very selective on who he will accept as a patient. I like the fact that Pacific Bariatrics surgeons have performed over 12,000 surgery with a very low complication rate. Anyways, thanks for checking out my blog...I will post more after my consult next week. :)
