portsmouth naval hospital

what number are they on now at pnh? who are the two surgeons presently on staff?  what are the numbers of  anyone presently scheduled for surgery or people who've just had their consultation? will this really take up to a year? how many wls support groups do we need to attend before our consultation?

Have you been to the orientation yet? You'll find out alot there....My number was or is 626 and my surgery is Wed. I had my oreintation last March so it did take a year for me but it really did go alot faster then you think because you are required the 6 month supervised dieting and etc, appointments start coming at you about 7 months or so after the oreintation. Well at least it did for me...but you need to know thing's ARE DIFFERENT FOR EVERYONE.  Dont look at it as being a long time because truly...without the surgery...where would you be in a year? Brandi~

Hi I am Gwen and my # IS 704. The two surgeons are Dr. Mann and Dr. Charnest(sp?) The # they are presently scheduled for surgery is about 630 or so. My # is 704 and I just had my consultation and have my Psychology  appt on April 10 and the Nutrition appt on March 31. I started my journey back in August 2007  and  I hope to have surgery around June. So almost a year from when I started.  You need to have 6 months of documented weight loss by the time they call you for your consult.  I have been going to the Nutrition class for 7 months now and that counted for documented weigh-ins. They advise you to go to the wls but not required before your consult. I hope I have answered some of your questions.  If you want to know anything else I will try to answer if I know. Gwen

Hi!  My number is 615 and I have my Pre Op appt. on Monday March 24th.  I went to orientation in April 07.  Trust me, I was not happy about the long wait either.  It does go fast.  I can not believe it is almost time for me to have my surgery.  I have my fingers crossed for an April surgery.  Just use the time to learn as much as you can and it will be surgery day before you know it.  I have been seeing Dr. Mann but I hear they are both wonderful surgeons!  I have had many people tell me that Portsmouth has one of the best programs out there.  Take care and best of luck to you on your journey. Christina

http://www-nmcp.med.navy.mil/bariatric/index.asp  Here is the site to let you know what number they are on. My #is 697 and I had my first appointment on April 7. I had my chest x-ray and EKG the same day. I have scheduled my Nutrition and Psych appointments. The Psych is for the first week in April. It seems to not be going fast enough, but when you hear others stories it really is going along at a good speed. I just wi**** could be done and over in the next 2 weeks!!

If you elect to avoid the whole year long wait, I went Tricare Standard and had my surgery within 5 weeks from my seminar date.  No long waits and I had a GREAT surgeon. My out of pocket costs were minimal.  Check out my profile for specifics, but know that it is an option.

My number is 643 and they called me for consult in January.  The number is 707 now, so that gives you an idea.  One surgeon was called away to Afghanistan, but Dr. Chastinet just got back so he and Dr. Mann are the two surgeons.  The support groups are optional until after the surgery, but 6 mos supervised weight loss is a requirement within the last three years, I believe.  So if you went to WW or Jenny Craig, something with a record, you are good to go there.  If you already have that you can go to orientation and get your number.  Every Friday morning in the nutrition classroom next to the giftshop there is a nutrition class at 830am.  Really great class if you have the time and it counts as supervised weight loss because they weigh you each time.  Nutrition and Psych will be the only two things that may hold you up after the initial consult, as the appts. are scheduled so far out.  I have only my psych left, but it isn't until April 1st, then they will give me a date.