update, and eplaining to Kaiser why I went to Mexico for VSG.

[pneal 5]

Hi everyone, I've been off the grid for a week or so. I will be 3 weeks post op tomorrow. I've finally moved to mushies and can definately feel restriction. I have become lactose intolerant because milk definately goes down queeesy. For the past few days I've been struggling with Protein. It's been making me gag before I even start it. So, I'm hoping to get it in with regular food. I don't mind the Isopure too much and still drink one 20 0Z'r a day....far from my days of a 40 OZ'r of beer (j/k). I'm down 20 pounds and have been at a stall since last Sat. I'm not too concerned and know that I need to get calories in....the other thing I'm struggling with. I can only take a couple of bites of anything and get stuffed fast. I think if I eat more often it might break my stall.

So, I went back to work a week after surgery. I needed to get a release. Made my appt. at Kaiser with my primary care guy. He had no clue what a sleeve gastrectomy was and had to look it up on his computer...needless to say, I'll be switching Dr.s to someone more qualified for the job. I requested aftercare to be done at their Richmond Bariatric center. I got a call from the dietican there. I explained to her what I had done and where I went. She was SUPER UNFRIENDLY! I explained that for 5 years I've been trying to get it done at Kaiser with no avail. I said I needed a 3 month check and she said they don't do that. I also explained that Dr. Aceves recommended some follow up 3 months post op. (esophogus testing, leak testing) she was still a B_ _ _ H about it. I finally told her "look, I'm paying for my insurance and I don't need you to make any decisions on what it covers at this point...and BTW, they do have doctors in Mexico as well"..really sternly...and she started to get a little nicer. She sent me Kaisers post op diet which was different in the first stage than Dr. A. I'm glad I stuck to what Dr. A gave me. I think I will go back to Dr. A for follow up. I had a wonderful experience with him.

Needless to say, I've been doing AWESOME. Just some days I feel cold and know I need to get nutients in me. Some days I've been super tired and I drink some tea and perk right back up. I've had absolutely no pain throughout this whole experience...even in the hospital. I do need to take smaller bites that last longer though.

Anyhooo,

CHEERS EVERYONE!

[singand_dance 8]

Yeah.... they aren't so friendly at Richmond. And they definately won't do aftercare if you didn't have surgery with them. I'm not a fan of Richmond either.

[pneal 5]

I've heard the same thing! I work in S.S.F. so I might try them, I heard they were nicer. Regardless, they are obligated to do my aftercare. I did some legal eagle homework on that! Did you go through Kaiser? How was the experience?

[Eloray 3]

Glad to hear you back! I was wondering about you. Its good to hear you are doing well this challenging month.

[Foxbins 625]

Three days before my surgery I went to see my PCP and told her what I was doing and where. She called the head of the Bariatric Program at SSF who told her to try and talk me out of surgery in Mexico, but if I went I would have to have follow up. After surgery, I emailed my PCP and she contacted Richmond (it was closer to where I live) and basically they told me that they don't really do aftercare, it's up to the PCP. I did speak to a really nice dietician who helped with Vitamin and supplement recommendations and said she would email my PCP the website they have for physicians to do follow up on bariatric surgery patients. My PCP is a doll but Richmond could give a flying f--- about me since my surgery was out of program. I am going to go to the support group and see what it's like. Maybe I will see you there--I will be the one with the forbidden Protein shake!

[pneal 5]

@ Foxbins....ME TOO! hahahaha...I'll be there with the Protein Shake to! After I got stern on the phone she was better and did email me the Vitamin and supplement info. I've been taking "OptiSource" and a liquid B12 with folic acid.