Calif_Princess

I think it's so stupid that all these different groups and companies require different things.....the medical group, the PCP, the health insurance and then the actual surgeon...c'mon people!!!:wink2:

Oh wow, it looks like things are going smooth for you!!! Lucky you!! Yesterday I sent my dr, his medical group and Health Net a copy of the study done by Calif Managed Health Care stating how ineffective, and in some cases dangerous, the mandatory 6month diet is. Hopefully Health Net will tell my PCP's medical group where to stick their 6 month diet and I can get a refurral to the surgeon in the next month. Then I can start all the tests and the psy evaluation and hopefully get a surgery date by the fall!!! I don't know if it's just wishful thinking though.....:biggrin:

Thanks guys for your answers. I sure have a lot to think about. I'm going back and forth, daily, it seems, about which surgery to have.....I want the guaranteed weight loss of the bypass, but just the huge scale of the surgery scares me and I DON'T want to have to deal with being sick all the time. On the other hand, the port also scares me and after going through the pain and recovery of surgery I don't want to be frustrated by not being able to find my "sweet spot" and not losing weight, or not losing very much weight.... choices.....I don't like choices....:confused2:

THANK YOU for answering my questions!!!:smile2: I have so much research to do. :ohmy:

Thank you Randall for your encouragement:cool2:!!!

I'm still trying to make up my mind which procedure to have. I want the band, of course, because it seems less invasive and healthier, but I'm worried about the port. I don't want to have to worry about that port for the rest of my life, even after I've lost all my weight. I am a side sleeper so this really worries me. I am also short wasted. How is everyone else dealing with their ports and do you think your weight loss and increased health is worth having to deal with a port?:thumbup:

I have had chronic constipation since birth. Finally, two years ago it led to a blockage, 4 months of only clear liquid, 50 pounds of weight loss and ending up in the hospital. I was finally told by a good dr. to take 4 TABLESPOONS of Psyllium Husks in juice every single day. Finally, after 38 years of misery and ending up in the hospital for 4 days I had an answer and I no longer have any problems. I get 60 to 65 grams of fiber a day just from the Psyllium Husks. So the recommended 30 to 35 grams of fiber a day is way off. I also drink between 2 to 3 litters of Water a day. I can't believe that something as simple as 4 TABLESPOONS of Psyllium Husks could cure my life long problem, but it did! Hope this helps!!

I have had chronic constipation since birth. Finally, two years ago it led to a blockage, 4 months of only clear liquid, 50 pounds of weight loss and ending up in the hospital. I was finally told by a good dr. to take 4 TABLESPOONS of Psyllium Husks in juice every single day. Finally, after 38 years of misery and ending up in the hospital for 4 days I had an answer and I no longer have any problems. I get 60 to 65 grams of fiber a day just from the Psyllium Husks. So the recommended 30 to 35 grams of fiber a day is way off. I also drink between 2 to 3 litters of Water a day. I can't believe that something as simple as 4 TABLESPOONS of Psyllium Husks could cure my life long problem, but it did! Hope this helps!!:frown:

I'm still in my fact finding stage while I attend these nutrition classes for 6 months....(oh brother....) I'd like to know about the fill port (if that's what they're called...my memory isn't so good). How uncomfortable/sore is it? Do you always feel it or does it just become like a part of your body after a while? After you're done losing all the weight you want, does that fill port stay there? Thanks in advance for answering my dumb questions. :confused2:

Randall I can't tell you how happy your post made me. What a great attitude you have and I'm SO happy for you!! Please keep us posted on your progress, it's very encouraging for those of us who are still waiting to be approved for surgery.

Thanks Cella!! Unfortunately I'm way down south of you. I'm half way between L.A. and San Diego. There's two major medical groups in my area. Most dr.s belong to one of these groups. I thought of that too when my dr. first said I had to go through the 6 month nutrition classes. So, when I came home from his office, I called the other major medical group and asked what policy they had regarding required diets before WL surgery and they also require a 6 month diet.......so even if I chose a dr. in a different medical group I'd still have the same problem. A few years ago when I got very ill and couldn't find a dr. that would help me I finally had to go way out of town and pay cash and then when he immediately put in the hospital, which was even farther out of my "network area" we had to claim it was an emergency (which it was, I would have died eventually) in order for Health Net to pay for hospital costs since it was out of my area. I tried to change my pcp to this dr. that helped me but Health Net said no way since he's farther than 30 miles from my house (which is stupid because almost all dr.s are more then 30 miles from my house since I live in a tiny town in the mountains). So unless the dr./medical group lifts the stupid requirement I'm doomed.....:thumbup:

Cella, Congrats on your quick timing! Yes, It's my pcp that's making me do this....and he won't even tell the name of the dr. that he will eventually refer me to! Well I did report his office to Health Net and to the Dept of Managed Heath Care. My ankles are swelling so bad and my fingers get tingly and the tips go numb sometimes so I'm really starting to worry....this 6 month diet nutrition class is stupid.:cursing:

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :cursing: