Quote:
Originally Posted by djgeorgia@mac.com
Hi Nyn - My surgeon is also Dr Hahn at Fremont Kaiser. I am in the preop program, 4 lbs from goal in process of lab tests. I would love some feedback on what you thought of Dr. H and Kaiser in general. So far I am impressed with the program.
thanks
|
Hey there! I LOVE Dr. Hahn!! He is so adorable in a geeky way and I miss him a lot. Now that I am over 6 months out I don't get to see him anymore unless I have a surgical problem. I now see Dr. O'Brien for any follow-up appointments and she's really neat, too.
As for the program -- I really liked all of the information they give. I read that binder obsessively in the weeks before the big day and while in the hospital because I was so nervous about doing everything right. I also liked that they made us lose so much weight pre-op because it really kicked my butt into adopting better habits. I pretty much lived like I was post-op already during my last month pre-op. I practiced all the new behaviors -- eating small amounts, tracking everything in a food journal, the no drinking while eating rule, etc. Dr. Hahn told me that if I wasn't at goal weight or had gained even a pound before surgery that he would cancel me! So it really motivated me to "behave". I also liked that I didn't have to do any special liquid diet in the 2 weeks before surgery since the losing 10% weight before surgery was enough to shrink my liver. The receptionists are really nice, too. I also LOVED having my own room in the hospital -- I thought that never happens! Especially in Kaiser. It was a tiny room, but perfect. They also gave me all the right foods in the hospital -- I've read on here how some people were given full-sugar juice and stuff post-op. Oh! And we don't have to do that stupid "leak test" it seems most people on here had to do. Dr. Hahn does the leak test on the new pouch before he sews us back up, so we can drink almost right away post-op.
As for the parts I didn't like -- well, the nutritionists weren't very helpful, and they pretty much just all ask the exact same questions off a list during every post-op appointment. Boring and not helpful!! I suppose for someone who wasn't already studied up on everything it might be helpful, but I am a "good girl" who takes all my vitamins, knows how to exercise, etc. I get way more help here at this Forum than I do from those nutritionists. Besides, one of them didn't seem to know much at all! I think I knew more than her and even gave her some info she didn't know. They also kind of don't know how to live as a post-op in that they tell you to eat stuff that's not very practical -- they showed me a plate of food that is supposed to be my "ideal nutritional meal" or something and it had a ton of food on it. They don't seem to realize how hard it is to eat enough protein and if I ate the huge pile of veggies they showed me I would never have room for the protein. They also talked down some of the protein stuff I drink, trying to say that only sick or old people need to drink protein drinks -- yeah right!!!
Anyway, that is just my opinion.
I've been hoping that I would meet someone here who went to the Kaiser Fremont program! I'd be happy to answer any questions you have. And I'd love to hear your take on everything. Good luck to you losing the last few pounds -- you're almost there!!
I lived in the Sac area all my life, but now live in the East Bay. I still go to visit my family in Woodland and Lincoln all the time, though. If you guys do go ahead with planning a get together, can I get a provisional invite to drop in when I can get up there? I really want a support group!
(as of 11/15/08)
New and from the East Bay
Linear Mode
