Deevah

Im with Kaiser and I was sleeved on 8/31. the process starts with the NUT visits. Depending on which version of Kaiser you have (I have the FEDS version), you have to visit your NUT once a month for 6 months at $20/visit. I had to be tested for sleep apnea, and that visit was $20. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, so the three subsequent visits cost $20 each and the CPAP machine cost close to $700. During your NUT visits, you will be required to lose 3% of your current body weight. If you do not lose thhat 3% within the six months, you will have to continue to see the NUT until you lose the weight. After you meet the weight goal, the NUT submits the paperwork to the board. The board meets twice a month. It generally takes up to 2 weeks to hear back from them (a few days if you check your kp.org website for the referral). Once you're approved, you go to see the surgeon ($20). My doctor gave me a bunch of perscriptions that I had to get filled ($42). Then, the next appointment was the pre-op appointment with the surgeon ($20). I had to get a physical, chest x-ray and blood work from my PCP ($10) two weeks before surgery, and on surgery day I had to pay Holy Cross a $75 co-pay. Has anyone told you about the Weight Loss Surgery Support Group meetings? They are held at the Marlow Heights Medical Center from 6-7:30pm on the first Tuesday of the month. In October, we are having a lot of post-ops come by to talk to the pre-ops and answer questions and share experiences. You should try to come out if you can. You can pre-register or just show up and register when you arrive. I encourage all Kaiser patients to attend, as I learned alot at these meetings and made some good surgery buddies. Let me know if you need any additional information.

I lost 20 lbs on my pre-op diet. It was supposed to be 2 weeks of all clear liquids and sugar-free jell-o, but it ended up being 8 days of 3 protein shakes and at least 50oz of water during the day and a smaller portion meal at night and 6 days of all liquids (the six days right before surgery). I would have lost more weight if I had followed my doctors 14-day liquid diet, but, he said my liver was nicely shrunken so I was happy with what I did. Good luck to you.

My surgery is the 31st. Congrats to you and just remember all of the benefits from having this surgery (that's how I'm keepng my nerves at bay for the moment ).

Toyia, You are exactly right. This process def prepares us mentally for the changes. Good luck to you and I hope the Hood milk works for you.

Hi Toyia! I have my surgery on 8/31 with Dr. Cantor. Jeanne told me that we cannot use milk products in our Protein drinks because the Protein Drinks should only have 5g of carbs per 8 ounce serving, and regular milk products (whole, 2% and 1%) all have too many carbs. An alternative milk product you can use if you have to have the milky taste is Hood's Calorie Countdown milk. It only has 3g of carbs (regular milk has 11-18 g). If you use unjury powder, that puts you at 6g of carbs if you make it with 8 oz of milk, but I make mine with 4oz of Hood milk and 4oz of Water so that I can stay under the 5g of carb requirement. Hope this helps. Deevah BTW - Congrats on ur surgery date!

My doctor gave me a perscription for Hibiclens, but I think it's an OTC. I guess his perscription was just to let me know to purchase and use it before my surgery. I thought this was common practice.

Ann, Hi. I, too, am waiting for Dr. Cantor. I had my first visit with Dr. Cantor in March. As of today, I am still waiting. One thing you can do to possibly shorten your wait time is, after your initial visit with Dr. Cantor, contact his Bariatric Coordinator (Jeanne Ferber - she runs the informational sessions at Holy Cross) and ask her to put you on the list for patients who can have surgery on short notice. This will, if you are called, mean that, if you accept, you will have surgery within 2-3 weeks after getting the call. Whenever someone cancels their surgery, people on this list are called to see if they can take the surgery spot opened up by the cancellation. It's not guaranteed that you will shorten your wait time, but it is possible. Hope this helps.

Congratulations on your speed to surgery! Obviously, my Kaiser plan is in the wrong area. Good luck to you!

Toya, Congratulations on your date! I, too am waiting for Dr. Cantor. What date did you receive? I'm on the waitlist for the people who can go anyday, and I was hoping for a July date. Thanks.. D

Sweetiepie - Go to the insurance and financing section of the board. There are a lot of people who have posted their appeal letters to that board. Good luck on your appeal!

DIRUEX! That's what I was tryng to think of!! Thank you. I'll go pick some up today.

Thank you everyone. I, too gained weight during the Christmas holiday and I have my (hopefully) final nut appointment on Friday. I needed to lose 6 lbs as of my last nut appointment and I have, according to my scale, only lost 2. Do you know if Midol works for fluid as well as bloating? I don't think my GP will prescribe me fluid pills right now and I don't know of any over the counter fluid pills.

I am not ready to do a 100% carbless diet (can't function at work with the withdrawl headache and I have three major meetings coming up that I need to be at my best for) but I need to drop 4lbs by Friday for approval. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

I just had the same issue today with the bariatric advantaage protein. The banana kind ran right thru me! I'm also pe-op, but I'm just trying to get to a place where I can go a whole day on a liquid diet. I figured if i find a brand i really like, it would be easier. So far no such luck...