Anyone in the Southern California Area?

[cutebbwgirl34]

Hi everyone! I'm a newbie here and just joined today. Forgive me if I don't have any cute fonts or icons, I figured I'd save those for later when I know what I'm doing on here lol.

I am about 6 months from getting my Gastric Sleeve Operation. I went to the orientation already and i'm waiting to get into the diet classes. When that's done I can get the consult with the surgeon and get a surgery date, woo hoo!

I was thinking that it would be great to make a few friends that are in my area that have had the surgery or are going to get it. Many of my friends aren't very supportive of my decision and I think I need more positivity in my life. Someone that has been successful with their new life as a thinner person and that is using this new "tool" to the best of their abilities.

Hope to hear from you! I'm in the Inland Empire area of Southern California. The more the merrier though, I'd be happy to have chat buddies and email friends from all over the country as well.

Take care all. Good luck on your journey!

[sandyfromoz]

HI there and welcome to our Family. You are in the right place for support, advice, and friendship.
I am from Australia, but please feel free to add my MSN and YAHOO addresses', We can have a chat some time. By the way, seems like only yesterday I had 12 months wait ahead of me, then 6 and now I have 7 weeks today, till 9th Feb.
best wishes and talk soon.
SANDY

[cutebbwgirl34]

Wow, that's wonderful Sandy! Thank you, I would love to chat sometime. I will definately add you on my yahoo. You must be soooo excited with just 7 short weeks to go. Can't wait to watch your progress. Thanks for replying so quickly to my post. Talk to you soon.

[flevy77]

Hi there. I'm in Ventura county and I'm three weeks out from my sleeve. I'll keep you posted on my journey. I'd love to chat.
Tanya

[CtryGodess]

Hey CuteBBWGirl.....I just happen to live in the Inland Empire....and I just happen to be need of another crazy friend. Hmmm...what are the odds of that happening?? =)
One of my very best friends had her bypass done 8 months ago and she has been my inspiration to start my journey. I have just finished all of my lab work, and am waiting for my referral to the surgeon to be processed. Best guess? I should be having my surgery in Feb or the beginning of March. This friend of mine went thru the whole surgery process on her own. Her friends were also not very supportive of her decision. If you need someone to be supportive of you thru your journey, I would be more than happy to be your cheerleader! =) PM me and we can chat! =)
~~Julie

[nmeyerad]

Hi - I live in Long Beach and just had my op on Wed. 12-29. Great to see others from the area. I have been going thru the Options program at Kaiser. Has anyone else gotten theirs done at Kaiser?

[MoreFitDiane]

Welcome Cutebbwgirl34! You will find a lot of SoCo friends on here I expect. I am from the other side of the country, in New Jersey, but you will also make friends around the world here. Remember, we are only a couple of mouse clicks away!

[CtryGodess]

Nancy, I went thru Options with Kaiser too. I have my ultrasound on Tuesday (because I still have my gallbladder), then everything gets sent to the case worker for my referral! They said about 3 weeks before I get my appointment with the surgeon! I'm so excited! Its a new year, and I'm ready to start working on the new me!!

~~Julie

[nmeyerad]

Hi Julie, I am doing great and tomorrow is one week. I am very impressed with the care and instructions I got from Kaiser. I haven't had any problems at all. Good luck and keep me posted on how everything goes.
Nancy

[cutebbwgirl34]

Nmeyerad, that's awesome! I go to Kaiser and I just went to the orientation with the options program. I'm waiting for my date to attend the classes. How are you feeling girl? Where did you have it done, in San Diego at Pacific Bariatric? That's where they told us we'd need to go for it.

Stay in touch, I'd love to hear how you're doing.... Hope all is well! Hugggggssss

[cutebbwgirl34]

Thanks Diane. I really appreciate your support and positivity! Have you already had the sleeve operation?

[flevy77]

I'm having sleeve at Kaiser WLA on the 17th of this month. How are you doing?

[cutebbwgirl34]

Hi Flevy...

That is exciting! I didn't know that they did the operations at the LA location. I hope they consider doing mine there, that would be so much easier than going to San Diego.

Do you have yahoo? I'd love to make more chat buddies on there... We can keep up with each others' progress.

[CtryGodess]

There is also another surgeon who has an office in Corona that does the sleeve too. Kaiser's paperwork only shows lapband and bypass, but the doctor that does the surgery has also been certified to do sleeves too. Kaiser just doesnt have that info yet. =)
The Options program is pretty good, alot of good information! I finished mine Dec 1st and am now waiting for my referral to the surgeon. =) I'm getting closer! I know I want the instant gratification of having the surgery NOW, but I also realize there is a reason for the steps that have to be done. I know there is going to be a huge change and this is one way of getting my brain ready for it! Just anxious to get started! Reading all of your posts encourages me and prepares me. I know its possibly going to be a tough couple of weeks, but I have a great support system! Thanks to you guys!!

~Julie

[nmeyerad]

Hi Julie,
What Kaiser are you going to? I ask because I did my Options classes at Southbay and then was transferred to West LA for my surgery. All thru my classes and talking with the surgeons - the sleeve was their preferred method and they were really against the lap band - that has been my experience in both locations. I am very happy with all the services that I have received and the care and all the recommendations for post op success. I am one week out and feel great!
In reading some of the issues others have had here makes me realize what a great program Kaiser has and how comprehensive it all is. Best of luck and I am really confused about your statement that Kaiser hasn't caught up with the sleeve yet as that is the exact opposite of my experiences.
Nancy