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I have Kaiser also, but in San Diego it is six months of classes as opposed to three. The classes don't bother me so much (except that it seems that for Kaiser, EVERYWHERE except San Diego is only 3 months of classes) I think that you learn a lot and the classes help you be successful, but I feel like I've been going at this for two months now and am still just trying to get to the classes!! In reading through different threads on here it seems people with different insurance also have to go through a lot of hoops and they don't even know if they will get approved. I guess with that part I'm glad I have Kaiser cause at least I'm doing labs and meeting the doctor before I go through the program....I would hate to go through the program and then be denied

I fully agree...I waivered a little bit when I first started looking into this. I even went to the orientation class the first time and walked out before it started because I just didn't feel ready to take that step. I feel fully ready not, but you shouldn't let the costs pressure you. I know $3400 seems like a lot, but compared to living the rest of your life to the absolute fullest...it's nothing!!

Congrats to you!!! I can't wait till that day comes Roy me!! 297??? 297 pills? Are they pain pills??

This is slightly off topic for this thread, but I wanted to mention something because you said you are a teacher. I would use that to your advantage. My sister is a teacher and had the surgery over a year ago and because she is a teacher, she put pressure on the schedulers to make it work with her schedule (she was able to move up her surgery to make it fit within the summer break) it seems if you are willing to be flexible with scheduling, then they can work with you rather easily

I'm in Kaiser San Diego and I haven't had surgery yet, but they told us to count on one night, maybe two. My sister had the surgery via Kaiser in Fullerton and she was in the hospital from Thursday to Sunday because they said she wasn't easting enough..so it all just depends..I'm hoping for just one night!!

I see my doctor again in about a week just to see if he moves me forward into the six months of classes I have to take prior to surgery.... I don't know about you all...but the waiting game is killing me. I feel like I'm waiting to start my life. The logical side of me says I should be diligently dieting to prepare myself, but the other side of me feels like I don't want to lose to much weight cause I've already dropped below 40 on my BMI, but it also feels silly to be "waiting" to lose weight.... Should I just go for it?

So I figured out how to do the weight loss ticker, but I see a lot of folks have a "to do list" ticker where you can cross off items as you go... Can someone tell me how to do that?

I agree with the above answers...With regards to pregnancy, my doctor says it is best to wait at least a year prior to getting pregnant, but that it shouldn't negatively impact pregnancies

Why are you crossing your fingers after approval?? And congrats!!!!!

Hi all, So I just got scheduled to see the doctor for the first time before I get enrolled in the option program for kaiser.... Has anyone done this meeting yet? What kinda questions do they ask? I'm nervous that I'll blow it in one meeting despite that I meet the rest of the qualifications? And I keep rehearsing what I think he will ask but I really have no clue what he will ask!!! Any thoughts would be helpful!!

Thank you for the response!! I'm thinking I pretty much understand how the Kaiser process works....I'm just scheduled for a pre evaluation with the doctor at positive choice and I have no clue what kind stuff they are going to ask...I never had to have a PCP referral....maybe this takes the place of that?? Plus I already did a full set of lab work (my sister is in Riverside and didn't do that until after the 7th week)....I have a feeling I'm going to stress about this no matter what though cause there is no way to know for sure.

I'm at the Kaiser in San Diego (The Positive Choice Center). I know everywhere for Kaiser is different because my classes are actually 24 weeks as opposed to 12 which I see in a lot of other places. And I actually did all the testing before they schedule you to see the doctor (yup the stool test is super fun!!!) The doctor I'm scheduled to see is the bariatric guy, not m y doctor...I can only assume if I'm this far that to some degree, I qualify for the surgery. I'm looking forward to the classes actually, I really believe that they ultimately help you be successful after surgery (although I wouldn't mind if they were only 12 weeks instead of 24!!!)

I actually had kind of a happy surprise this weekend. I was debating on telling my best friend as she is a personal trainer and has in the past had strong opinions about these kinds of things. I decided yesterday just to tell her and she was very supportive. She said that she knows better than anyone how hard I've tried over the years and the many different thing I've tried and that if this is what I needed then she would be supportive. She actually said to that she would rather I say it and own it rather than be someone who lies about it and says I did it all through diet and exercise. I'm still going to be a littlie selective about who I tell, but I'd much rather own it, then lie about it and say I'm having my gallbladder removed or something like that

I agree and disagree.... It just totally depends on your kaiser.... Mine requires a weekly class that lasts 24 weeks... That put you at a minimum of six months no matter how quick u work at it

Question....for those of you who have been sleeved. I have Kaiser who keep you in the hospital for a few days following surgery (I've read of places that do this outpatient). My question is how was the recovery? I know its at least two weeks before you can go back to work? But I live alone, should I go stay at my moms after surgery or have her stay with me?? I just can figure out how mobile I'll be after I get home?

My sister went to Mexico to have her plastics done. She paid about a quarter of the costs for a tummy tuck, breast lift and arms (no clue what that is called) She did a lot of research on the different options but found that this was the best choice for her. She had a great experience although I think the plane ride home after surgery was a little rough, but I know she doesn't regret it at all!! Just do your research..... I also have a friend who's mother went to Columbia for plastic surgery...she had an amazing surgeon. I looked that up too, there are articles online about how well the surgeons are trained there and how plastic surgery is just a way of life and many women have had something done before they turn 21.

I haven't heard of having a supervised diet either. We just have to lose 10% of our body weight during the options program and even that, if you are close they will push you through.....I totally agree on taking whatever appointments you can get into. I even call to see for cancellations to get things moved up (luckily I have a job where I can take off during the day if I need to) but there were people in the first class I ever attended that wouldn't stay to fill out paperwork and waited three months to get into classes that were 20 miles closer to their house...If you are flexible, you can get the requirements done way quicker

Thank you for sharing....the straw thing still gets me...I think it depends on the doctor!!

I am going through the process with Kaiser in southern California and the one thing I've learned is that it is a little different everywhere...even though they are all Kaiser. My sister is in Riverside County, she had 12 weeks of classes once she entered the options program, whereas I have 24 weeks of classes in San Diego County. When I was living in Orange County, I had to have a referral from my doctor to get into the program, who would not refer me because I had only seen her once. When I moved back to San Diego, they have a much different program. I just made an appointment at their positive choice center, sat through two classes in one day about a week ago. I got an email today that I need to go have my labs done and then once those are compete, they schedule you with the doctor who sends you through into the classes. I know like the classes seem like they kinda suck and slow down the process, but my sister says they are part of the reason for her success, she knew exactly what she was getting into and what to expect post surgery and she has had great success. I was told that the whole process in San Diego is a 9 month process and as much as I'd like it to be quicker, id much rather be prepared for the surgery. Good luck to you!!!!

I'm so glad I found this thread.....I was feeling exactly the same as you. I'm doing my lab work on Monday then go see the doctor before starting the Kaiser classes. I have actually done fasting before so the liquid diet actually doesn't scare me as much...I see what you mean about be worried about not enjoying food...but it seems to me that you still get to enjoy everything after some time..just not as much of it. I went to my orientation and I swear they were just trying to scare the crap out of you by saying you can never have caffeine or alcohol or carbonation in your life ever again....my sister was sleeved and although she stays away from carbonation, she has coffee each morning and will partake in a drink from time to time...plus she's a cheap date now cause alcohol effects her way faster (I joke) but really, we are all different and it seems as though you just have to wait and see what will work for you....I was on the fence and even against the surgery when my sister had it done, but I'm really committed to making this change now!!

Hello All, I am very new to all of this....a little about myself....I've explored the surgery option in the past but have always been scared off because of the things that Im giving up by having the surgery. Just recently I've been more looking at what I'm giving up by not having the surgery. I'm a Kaiser person and I have begun the process with them, which anyone from Kaiser knows involves 12 to 24 weeks of classes (24 for me) so the whole process is roughly nine months long. I guess I'm glad that it is a long process because I find myself still struggling with the decision. Some days I look on here and see all the successes and as someone who formerly lost 60 lbs. (I was 20 back then so it was a little easier)..then I look at other forums and see all the different options people talk about for different kinds of chicken broth and think....is this really what I'm going to be excited about in the future?? Different kinds of chicken broth??? I think ultimately I'm ready for all this and that some of what you read online you really have to take with a grain of salt. I'm just curious if anyone has any regrets?? Is there anything that you miss so much that you wouldn't have done the surgery? Did anyone else flounder about if this was the right choice (cause this little part of me feels like I should just get my butt in gear) but I've also done (like a lot of people on here) everything under the sun to lose weight.... I think I'm rambling a bit.....I just want to be a healthy and active person and I don't mind the hard work....I know no matter what it's going to be hard work.... If anyone has any words of wisdom, it would be greatly appreciated

Thank you for the response......its funny though....you mentioned that I seemed really torn about giving up certain things....I don't know that I really am when I really think about it. I've done tons of diets in the past that are super restrictive and I actually do fine with the restriction, I just get pissed off when I feel like im doing exactly what I'm supposed to and the weight doesn't come off...or if you mess up for one day and gain back half of what you lost because the diet was never right for you in the first place!! I just want to do what's right for me going forward......It very helpful to hear that most people I encounter on here don't regret their decision

Thank you for posting this...as someone new to learning about all of this, it was very helpful!!

I think I lived in denial for a long time about how big I really was. My real awakening came when I realized that I have no pictures of myself from the neck down because I delete them all before they see the light of day. I had ended a long relationship and wanted to start dating, but was always afraid to actually meet anyone (online dating) because I was certain that once they saw my body, they would be done...then I realized my focus needed to be feeling good about myself before getting in a relationship

I just recently made the decision to explore surgery. I think I always lived thinking I would just figure out weight loss at some point, but years later.....and I'm even worse. I've told my sister, my parents and a friend that it is something I'm looking into. My sister actually had the surgery over a year ago and had great success, so it is very easy to discuss things with her and to have my guru to look to and ask a million questions. I really believe that I don't know if I would do it without her and my parents support and I should also point out that I think my parents are so supportive because my sister has gone through it and they just want me to be happy.....I was never supportive of my sister when she made the decision and I have actually apologized to her because now after being in the same boat, I realize how important the support is. My advice it to only tell people you feel would be supportive and if someone isn't responsive or seems negative then just don't bring it up again. I think weight loss surgery has a perception and until you take the time to learn about everything you don't have a right to judge...but that will not stop people from judging anyway!!