Has anyone gone through UCDavis in Sacramento?

 Hi,
I am pre-op and have been working toward my goal of surgery for the better part of a year now! I get so frustrated with how long and slow the process is and was wondering if there is anyone who has had their surgery completed at UCDavis in Sacramento with Dr.'s Ali and/or Fuller? I would so appreciate being able to really talk to someone who has been through it already and find out how you felt you were treated. I am feeling a bit let down and as if I am just one of a large herd of cattle. Would love to connect with a former or present patient of theirs and compare notes. Thanks,
Brenda

I have a friend in northern CA, using the UC Davis system and after a year, she just gave up and is pursuing another medical group.  She has Blue Cross, I believe, and was referred to UC Davis, but she has NOT happy and is VERY frustrated with the whole mess.  Tons of medical tests and never getting closer to a surgery date, after a year.

 Oh WOW!
I am speechless and so disappointed to hear this BUT also not at all surprised. I wonder what their deal/trip is. Oh darn, thanks for responding to my message though.
Take care.

I am also in the process of going thru UC Davis.  I went to the first meetinng on Oct 1st and I just completed my last testing on Monday.  I will be going down on Feb 6th to do my Psych eval and my nutritional quiz.  If I pass those they told me they will give me a pre-op appointment. 

I live 5 hours away so I opted to have all of the meical tests done locally.  I live in a small community so it doesn't take as long to schedule these tests as it would in a larger one.  My primary Dr is also very pro surgery for me and he has helped push things along for me.

I started attending meetings for Bariatric Surgery that another dr put on in my area in August of 2007.  They strung me along for over 6 months and led me to believe that they accepted Medicare.  The day they told me that they wanted 15,000.00 up front because Medicare would not pay for everything (and I had supplemental insurance as well) I said good bye.  So I started my search all over again for a Dr who would accept medicare.  So I have been on this train now for over a year and a half.  The journey has been long but I feel that it will be worh it. 

Good for you! I love your tenacity, never give up is my motto. I was at the same meeting with you on October 1.

You are further along with all the testing than I am and that is the fault of one of the staff members at the clinic, long story, won't bore you with the details but I have been very frustrated and disappointed in the delay that a lack of communication has caused me. I'll get there though if it's meant to be. 

Good luck on your psych eval, I completed that at least. Nothing to worry about, it's almost fun and certainly very interesting. Would love to hear from you after you complete your nutrition quiz as I have yet to be even scheduled for it, have you studied your blue book alot?

Good luck and take care,
Brenda

I will be happy to let you know how it goes.  That is neat that we were at the same meeting.  I was telling my husband the other day that it would be interesting to know how many that were in that huge meeting actually went through with it.  That was such a wild ride that day!  We drove actually 6 hours each way, got home at 2am and hubby had to go to work in the am.  We decided that we would book a motel on our trips from then on!  We almost hit a deer on the way home too! 

I have been a little worried about the phych eval so your comments help me.  Not that I think I am a mental case or anything but not knowing what to expect and not knowing what they're gonna want from me and everything.  It is a little nerve racking.

I have studied the blue book, and I think I am doing pretty well on grasping the info.  I am hoping the test is multiple choice.  I always do better on those.  It has been a while since I have taken tests so I am kind of nervous about that too.  I think I am more nervous about the eval and the test than the surgery!  haha.   We'll see about that when my surgery date is here though. 

I do think that the comunication in the office could be a little better.  I have had to keep after them.  I have not given up on this.  I know that I want to do it and no one is gonna stop me so I just keep pressing them for what I need.  I could probably tell you which of the office staff has given you the trouble.  I think it sounds like they need more help and they are a bit overloaded.  Oh well, they are nice and they do get hings done if you keep after them. 

Well, it was nice to meet someone that is in the same loop as me.  I hope everything goes well for you!  It will be neat to be able to keep each other i nformed!

I didnt go through UCDavis but I went threw Sutter Medical Group with Dr. Waldrep. WOW what a wonderful expierance and a talented doctor. I would recommend him.