Loren B.
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Mary E. Estakhri
"10/23-Had my pre-op appt. today, lots of tests: ultrasound (gallbladder, liver, pancreas - all the "variety meats"), chest xray, blood test, urinalysis, EKG. Then a chat with the doctor. She was very up front about risks, went into detail. Had apparently recently experienced a fatality and was still quite emotional about it. Found out some interesting information. It appears that the lap surgery is done with the surgical table at a slant so I will be semi-upright. They let gravity work in their favor, using it to keep all the various internal organs out of the way. Pretty neat, I think, 9/21-Wooohooo! Last night I got the letter with my new pre-op appointment information... it is 10/23. But better than that, I had a message from Cigna - I AM APPROVED! 9/15-Bad news, due to a scheduling conflict, my surgery has been pushed out to 10/31. Yes that is correct, I am due to be carved... on HALLOWEEN!!! The GOOD news is that Arlene faxed the predetermination request in to Cigna because the originally-mailed copy has never made it into the system. 8/24-Got a letter from Debbie Frickel, RN. She is the Bariatric Coordinator for the program. I have a pre-op appointment on 10/2. It is actually several appointments. There is a gallbladder ultrasound, EKG, bloodwork, plus appointments with Ms. Frickel and Dr. Estakhri. I am glad that they are doing the ultrasound as my surgery is going to be lap, so if my g.b. is not in great shape it won't be as apparent. 8/16-I now have a date, October 12. The insurance paperwork is due to be sent out this week. 7/21-I just met Dr. Estakhri for the first time yesterday. As a matter of fact, I met an entire team: therapist, dietician, program director and surgeon. My experience was very positive. The team meets once/month to discuss potential candidates and make their decisions. The next meeting is 8/11 so I will know if I qualify then. After that comes the insurance authorization. I was impressed by the thoroughness of the evaluation. I hope that that translates into fewer problems with insurance. The hospital is small but looks new and is very nice. I thoroughly enjoyed my chat with the dietician, Pam Wilson. She was very nice - not judgmental (obese people get judged a LOT - as if we made some moral decision to get fat) and very informative. Assuming I am able to go forward with the surgery, Ms. Wilson will make at least one visit in-hospital, to give lessons on how to eat with the new stomach: slow, slow, slow and chew, chew, chew. Surgical candidates have to attend at least one support group meeting pre-op, in order to learn firsthand what the surgery and its side effects are like. There is a psychiatric evaluation test (MMPI) to take as part of the screening process. I was told that other considerations, such as undiagnosed depression, could impact the course of the treatment. In such a case it is possible that some counseling would be required prior to surgery. The practice appears to have a very good aftercare program. I would suggest that anyone who is contemplating WLS, no matter who the surgeon is, should do as much homework as possible, and be very open about yourself when interviewed. List any and all obesity-related problems - physical, psychological, social. Everything. This is your chance to make a real difference in yourself. Don't blow it by being meek or stoic. During the period of time when I was researching WLS, I checked the list of surgeons belonging to the ASBS against my insurer's list of in-network surgeons. Drs. Gracia and Estakhri were two of the few who met the criteria. And even though their practice in San Ramon in quite far from where I live in San Jose, they are the closest. So I gave them a call. It didn't take long to set up an appointment, but the appointment date was something like 6 weeks away. "
About Me
San Jose, CA
Location
26.1
BMI
RNY
Surgery
11/02/2000
Surgery Date
Jul 21, 2000
Member Since
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