Count down + any so cal kaiser ppl.

Ok, I have been ready to do this for over 3 years and now I am only 6 days away. Iam freaking out a little bit. I am doing my shopping today to get ready for Friday. I also have a question has anyone had kaiser here in southern calif and had to go to san diego for the surgery. Did you have to stay down there for 3 days after your surgery for a post-op appointment. No one mention this to me at the dr office and I finally read all the paperwork they sent me. I was not prepared to stay in san diego for a week. If anyone has gone through this any help would be appreciated. Thanks a lot.

in my options class they told me I could have the surgery locally or down in sandiego etc... but they told me if I did sandiego to be prepard to stay down there a bit longer and that I might have to always have treatment down there by that surgeon... so I said no way and stuck with my local surgeon, the best move i did... his office only 10 mins from me the hospital is 10 mins too. I got lucky.

I chose a surgeon in Ventura through Kaiser, instead of waiting for Dr Yadegar. (Palmdale area) I did have to agree to stay in Ventura for 2 to 3 days post op after I was out of the hospital. I stayed at a comfort Inn that had a microwave and small fridge and did great there. Actually, it was a relief -- no one called, (I could just turn my cell off!) No one bothered me. I didn't have to prepare meals for anyone else, I didn't have to deal with anything else but me ! I took my protein drinks, tea bags, a carton or two of chicken broth, and beef broth. I packed some plastic bowls, and some paper hot and cold cups, I brought magazines, and a good book. My dad (85 years old) came with me, and he brought his book. It was within walking distance to Dennys and In and Out burger for him, so he was fine. We took short walks outside, and frankly, I really did most of my HARD post op recovery there. I had surery on Monday late afternoon. I was released on Wednesday; requested and got an early check in (was d/c wed. am) stayed Wednesday & Thursday night and Friday had my drain removed, and went home.

For me, it was great.

My surgeon would not do the surgery if I did not agree to stay local to him for those days post-op. He wants to be there if something goes wrong. And I appreciate that.

Much luck.

I had surgery in san diego on a wednesday and was back on home on saturday. the following thrusday i went back down to san diego for my one week check up. The paper work says you have to stay there but my dr zorn said i could go home because i wasnt that far away. I would ask your dr that question.

Hope that helps you.

Hello! I have kaiser and I am also having my surgery in san diego at scripps mercy. I was told that dr. Zorn has you stay the third day after surgery but some of the other surgeons might release you after the second day. It does say on the paper work that if you live so many miles away that you need to stay in san diego until your post opp appointment which is the week after your surgery. But I'm pretty sure it all depends on how far you live from san diego if you have to stay or not.

With Zorn, you do stay 3 nights in the hospital - ugh! - but you get to go home and then you come back down for the post op appointment. Don't forget, your mileage for the pre-op, surgery and post appts, plus the hotel for the night before is reimbursed.

My biggest tip with Scripps is to make sure you have a "very special person" with you to stay at the hospital, or you won't get a private room. My stay was so much worse because I had to share my room with a lady who would fall asleep with the TV on all night long, didn't make it to the bathroom on time, and they pushed my bed closer to the wall (I had very little space). I was miserable.

I will start my bariatric classes on May 11, 2011... so I am JUST starting my journey!  But, my friend had Kaiser and decided to have her RNY procedure done at Scripps because of their reputation (I'd have to research it myself).  She was down there for a week because she didn't want to have to come back home to Los Angeles and then drive back down there for her follow up (plus she wasn't working and had no kids so she had the time).  She is happy with her choice.

I don't know what kind of choice I will have but I will hope that the procedure can be done at the West L.A. Kaiser.  I have had nothing but good experiences with my doctors and believe that anyone doing the surgery will be just as competent but who knows; I need to know my options then I can research the facilities.

Good luck!

Thanks everyone for your replies, I only live about 1 1/2 to 2 hours away. I have someone to watch my kids for the first 3 days but not a whole week so I was worried.

I really enjoyed my stay at scripts in San Diego my sister was able to stay there with me (she had a nice time too she said) she was a great help and comfort i had surgery Tuesday AM and was released Friday. The staff was great. No regrets with going with pacific baractric.