Hello readers. Rather new to this site. I've been mostly haning in general discussion, help sections. I'm getting close to surgery.
So anyone live in or around L.A.?

Hi Eric. I'm in West L.A. Had my surgeries and chemo about 4 years ago at UCLA.

Hello - I am not in LA rather Orange County but we all sort of run together anyway. I had UC for 2 years and finally gave up and had a my surgery 2 1/2 years ago. SOme good , some not so good. Have to weigh it all...no more cancer risk, no more prednisone ( halleluah) etc but i have had some problems like many people here. Still all in all I made the right decision. And this is a great place to find evenif you are just reading and hanging back...great information great people. Good luck to you.Nancy

Im not in la area, but about an hour in a half north in Bakersfield

I'm in Los Angeles. My surgeon is Fleshner at Cedars-Sinai. He's great.

Same here. I'm in LA as well. Had Step 1 of 3 at Cedars. Fleshner is my surgeon.

Hi Eric and everyone else,

I'm new to this site also. I'm originally from Chicago and just moved to Lake Forest (Orange County) 2 days ago.

I'm also getting somewhat close to having surgery.

Don't know if I should choose a CR surgeon at Cedars (Fleshner?) or at UCLA (heard good things about UCLA too)?

Sindi

Hi Sindi -

I am not too far from you. I am actually in Villa Park a small place close to the city of Orange- 15 miles from you.

Are you set up with docs here already? I had mine at Hoag in Newport Beach and had wonderful care and follow up. Also there is quesrterly support group you can attend held in Orange. Pre-op and post op patients go. Big group- 1-2 doc usually there to answer medical questions and a wonderful group of people like on th e forum are there live to talk too. If you are interested I would be happy to giv you the info. I had my surgery 2 years ago.

Take care

Nancy

Hi Nancy,
Thanks for your info! I'm set up with a GI Doc at UC Irvine. She was recommended by my GI Doc in Chicago. I haven't decided on a colorectal surgeon yet or for that matter, which hospital.

I am familiar w/ Hoag in Newport Beach. I am looking for an "in-person" support group, so I'd love the info. Feel free to email me privately: nursesindi@comcast.net

Sindi

The LA/OC people should get together for coffee some time.

I live a bit up the coast in Santa Barbara. I had my surgery at USC's Norris Cancer Hospital in Los Angeles with Dr. Robert Beart in 2001.

Sue

From what I understand, Dr. Beart (USC) and Dr. Fleshner (Cedars) are two of the preeminent J-Pouch surgeons in the country.

hello everyone,

We are not in LA but are having the surgery done at UCLA. We met with the surgeon yesterday and looks like she will have her first surgery toward the end of March.

Who are you using at UCLA? Dr. Sack?

yes, Dr. Sack it is. He seems like a great guy and sounds like he knows what he is doing.