The Candidate

Welcome! I am 53 and more than likely won't be getting my surgery until sometime next summer. I've already jumped through several hoops, and now I have to wait until next month for my required 24 weeks of classes to commence. Given the holidays I probably won't finish them until sometime in May. After that there's even more hoops and tests, but I'm hoping for no later than a July surgery. I'm trying to pass the time in between learning and preparing as much as I can.

I was required to take an H. Pylori Stool test as part of my pre-op labs/tests. But all I had to do was pick up a specimen jar and bring it back. BTW there's nothing more humbling than handing your stool over to a complete stranger. I try and remember that whenever I'm having a bad day - it could be worse, like if I had a job that required me to handle someone else's poop. That was about a month ago and I've never heard anything back, so I'm assuming its negative.

When her beloved German Shepard ran away...

I haven't had my surgery yet, but I've pretty much already told all the family members, friends, and co-workers I intend to tell. I may change my mind post-op, but for now I think if I'm asked by someone who I don't really feel comfortable telling I'm just going to say: "I was having some health issues and now I'm following a medically supervised diet." And it's a 100 percent true to boot. Due to my morbid obesity I am having medical issues, and I will be following a medically supervised both pre and post op.

What a wonderful and uplifting story, both you's and your son's. It's never too late to turn your life around. It's all about the journey and the goal and you definitely have the right mindset to get you where ever you want to go. Your pictures are beautiful! I can't wait until I have my own surgery. Please keep us posted. I wish you all the best!

They requested I have a H. Pylori Stool test. It went by that name specifically even though they just gave me a specimen bottle to take home like any other stool test. I understand they're looking for a particular form of bacteria. I had an endoscopy back in 2011. They did it under conscious sedation. I hear they do under full sedation now. I hope so because it wasn't pleasant (for me anyway).

@@livvsmum I just wanted to say I followed the link to your blog and just finished reading the whole thing. It was awesome and wildly inspiring. I hope when I finally get my surgery to hopefully follow in your footsteps. Your blog outlining your day to day struggles and victories both pre and post op read like a classic step by step diagram on how to do everything right. Congratulations! You look fantastic!

@@Photo925 thank you again for your response! You are so spot on about needing to lose as much as possible pre-op, and I am definitely working on it. I only lost 1 pound between orientation last month and my appointment with Dr. Ray but as long as it isn't a gain, I'll take it! You're right too about keeping on top of those labs/test requests being key to getting a heads-up on a surgery date. @Plussizecrosstrainer so good to hear from you! Your comment about how much your purse weighs really made me laugh, and I hope your foot gets better soon. It's hard enough trying to lose weight without being sidelined by an injury. Have you heard back yet on when you will be starting the Options classes? BTW I'm with you 100 percent on those food funerals! And for me it was Coke Zero (and sometimes regular). I've been off of them for about a month now. It was easier than I thought it would be. I am so thankful to have found this forum. It helps tremendously to have first hand knowledge from people who are going through the exact same experience. I did a lot of research beforehand so I felt prepared for the orientation, and now I am feeling even more prepared for what comes next with the Kaiser experience, thanks to the two of you. Like you @Plussizecrosstrainer I never really considered the surgery before, even though I've known about it for years. I know two people at work who have had it done (the bypass). The first one to undergo the procedure regained all her weight. I was able to witness firsthand that the reason she gained it back was because she eventually returned to unhealthy eating and also stopped exercising. It's the classic example of having your cake and then wanting to eat it too. But the second one has kept it off and I've really been inspired by her. Her success paired against the other's failure really bought it home to me exactly what I have to do in order to be successful myself. This has to entail a lifelong commitment to changing your lifestyle or it will all be for nothing. So it's only been in the last two years or so that I've started to believe that this might be an option for me, and when I found out that my insurance covered it there was no looking back. I truly hope I'll be one of those people that in retrospect says: "I only wish I had done it sooner." I had my mind already made up that I wanted the sleeve like the both of you. My only worry is that I've heard and read that heartburn is significantly increased with the sleeve so I have concerns that the surgeon might say it's not a good option for me, as I already suffer from it. But I won't know for sure until I reach that stage. If given the choice though, I'm definitely going for the sleeve. I can't wait for the day when my mind and body are finally working in concert towards a healthy and more fulfilling life. I'm more than ready for the sacrifices and work I know I'm going to have to accomplish to make that happen too. Right now it seems like I'm in a constant war with myself and I've somehow become my own worst enemy. Those days of yo-yo dieting are now numbered and I couldn't be happier. Thanks again to the both of you! I'm sure I'll be back with many more questions @@Photo925, and @Plussizecrosstrainer, it seems as though we're at almost the exact same place in our journey so it will be wonderful to chart our successes! Have a great day!

@@Photo925 Thanks so much for sharing your experiences; it means a lot! How great that both you and your sister can support each other. I'm very close to my sister as well, but she's reed thin and always was, but she has been, and will continue to be, my biggest supporter in my journey. It's true when they say that having support is such an integral part of achieving your goal. I hope it's true for me too with the endoscopy; it's not an experience I wish to repeat anytime soon. Although most here have said that's its a breeze, it wasn't for me. It's just a personal thing I guess. I really have to learn to stop stressing over requirements that may never come to pass. I'm in research overload a bit, but like you I want to know as much as possible beforehand. Anyway, this will be it for tonight I promise! How long was it after you finished the classes until you actually had the surgery? What pre-op labs/tests were ordered? How stringent were they about the 10 percent pre-op weight loss? Do you know of anyone that had their surgery postponed or cancelled because of not losing the 10 percent? Is it really true that you don't feel hunger anymore, or at least that it's been greatly diminished with the sleeve? (Boy do I need that!). Is this hunger suppression outcome the same with the bypass, if you happen to know? I haven't really found a clear answer on that. Dr. Tanaka sounds like a good choice, especially with your pulmonary embolism just a month before. That must have been frightening. It sounds like you were in expert hands as I've heard nothing but raves about him. Thanks again! I'm Debbie, btw.

@@Photo925 thank you so much for taking the time out to answer my questions! It still amazes me how completely different the insurance requirements are from state to state and even from county to county! Congratulations on getting through all the hoops and having your operation. It's comforting to know first hand how good you're feeling post-op and how much you've already lost. If you don't mind I'd like to ask a few more: did you pick your surgeon at PB or was one assigned to you? They all seem great, I was just wondering how it was determined who you got. What was the psych eval like? I understand that we will have to undergo an endoscopy at some point prior to surgery, is it still done by conscious sedation, or do they put you out? I had one in 2011 and I was wondering if it's done the same way now. How long were you in the hospital? How long did you take off of work? Anything you wish you would have known of beforehand? I'm sorry for bending your ear so much, but I feel like a brand new sponge in all of this and I'm eager to soak up your first hand knowledge. Congrats again on your success, and I'm sure it will just keep on getting better in the future!

Hello everyone! I am also going through Kaiser, Southern CA, but I'm in North County, just outside of San Diego. I completed the weight loss management and orientation at the Wellness Center in SD in September (had to go to SD for that), and I've also done the pre-op labs. I met with Dr. Ray on Monday and Barbara just called me last night to schedule my Options classes. I'm taking them in San Marcos from 7:00-8:30 PM, but they don't start until November so I have to wait a month. But that's okay, I'm just thrilled to have started the process, and to be able to take the classes closer to home. They told us at orientation that the process averages about 9 months and that's sounds about right so far. Barbara said on the phone that we won't meet with the surgeons until the last month of classes. My question concerns type of surgery. I know that it will either be the sleeve or the bypass, and it's the surgeon that has the last say. But how was the choice presented to you by the surgeon, or in class, and how did you finally decide? I will also go through Pacific Bariatric and have the surgery at Scripps Mercy. Also, did any in your group elect not to go through the surgery after completing the Options program? What was the most beneficial piece of information you learned in the classes? Thanks for offering your expertise! There's nothing like hearing from someone who has already gone through it!

Congratulations! Getting through the first year and feeling great is a big goal to reach. I can't wait until I'm in your shoes. Let us know how the doctor's visit went.

Congratulations! It's encouraging to know that despite your many complications you are now thriving again, and losing weight right on track. You give us hope. Best of luck to you!

I just got the call last night that I've been cleared to start the 6 months (24 weeks) worth of Options classes required by my insurance. These classes don't even start until November 13 and will be meeting once a week on Thursday nights. Now considering that Thanksgiving falls on a Thursday, plus both Christmas and New Years, I'm looking at not finishing until sometime in May! I was also told that I won't even get to meet with a surgeon until the last month of classes. They told us in orientation that the whole process usually takes about 9 months and that's exactly what's happening. In the meantime I'm trying to stay positive, and am using the time to prepare myself and my environment by stocking up on everything I'll need, researching, and also attempting to get ahead at work so things will run smoothly in my absence. I know once I start the classes the time will fly by and because I was given that extra time I'll head into the operating room armed with all I need to be a successful WLS recipient. Just remember that no matter how long you have to wait there's always somebody else behind you who's just starting out, so count yourself lucky!

@@MaureenVA I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter's experiences at school. I'm sure most, if not all of us, have had similar experiences, myself included. I can almost feel your pain through your words and I wish I could reach out and give you a big hug of encouragement. It will get better because the one thing we all have in common is hope, no matter how different in terms of pounds needed to lose we might be. We wouldn't be here otherwise. I really believe that. I never once thought your comnents came across as hating on anyone. I think it's perfectly natural to seek out subsets of groups within a forum. In fact, they're all over the place here, from age divisions, types of surgery divisions, ethnicity divisions, location divisions, pre-op, post-op, you name it. I think it's natural to seek out the people whose journey most closely resembles your own, so that you can more accurately judge what your own experience might be like. So hang in there, especially for your daughter's sake. One day she will understand just how hard this was for you to accomplish, and also how it added years onto your life that you get to spend with her.

Congratulations! I'm very far away from that milestone but it lightens my heart and gives me hope every time someone else posts their approval. This may sound corny but to me it's kind of like that moment in "It's a Wonderful Life" when Zsu Zsu says that every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings. Only in our case we get a chance at a whole new life! I can hardly wait for the day when I can post my approval. Best of luck to you!

I'm not over 400 pounds and I'm in the early stages of pre-op, and a newbie to boot, so I know next to nothing about the journey you're hoping to make. I just wanted to offer my encouragement and tell you that you are all heroes in my eyes. @@winning_by_losing you are a role model for us all! The best of luck to you and please keep us posted on your progress.

Thank you @@finediva! So do you!

I'm so sorry to hear about this. I have to admit that I live in mortal fear of this happening. So much so that in recent years I've turned down every thought or idea of vacation plans that involve flying. I tell everyone it's because of claustrophobia, which I do suffer from, but in reality, it's because I'm afraid of not being able to buckle my seat belt or being singled out to purchase a second seat as well. Not too long ago I was given tickets to see the play Wicked. Unfortunately I could hardly enjoy the show because I was in so much physical pain from the sides of the seat digging into my hips. I've stopped going to similar events that would put me in the same awkward position ever since. It's part of the reason that I made the decision to seek out surgery. I'm tired of putting my life on hold because of my weight. I want to truly live again! I'm still in the beginning pre-op stages, but I'm going to get there. We're all going to get there! And so will you. But until then just try and keep you're eye on the prize. You have an amazing future waiting for you just around the bend. Once I lose my weight I'm going to fly like a bird. And I honesty hope I'm sitting in the airport some day waiting for a flight, and I happen to see an obese lady or gentleman being put through the public ridicule of being made to buy a second seat. Because I'll march right up to that ticket counter and say: "That's not necessary. This fine person is more than welcome to sit next to me."

That was absolutely hilarious! Did not expect that little surprise at the end. For a split second there I was thinking: "Oh no! She has head hunger AND now on top of that she's lost her poor little dog!" Thanks for the giggle.

Ken, your story touched my heart deeply. Your courage and perseverance is a shining example that as long as hope survives, so will the human spirit to rise above all that life sometimes throws at us, no matter how bleak it might seem. Please continue to update us on your journey. I wish you and your family the best of luck for the future.

Sorry for the length! Hello everyone. I'm a newbie, this being my first post, but have been lurking here for a few months. I truly appreciate all the invaluable information you have provided to people like me who are just now entering into the whole process. I thought I'd share with you what I learned yesterday when I went to my first Kaiser Permanente Options Program orientation, as far as the hoops you can expect to jump through towards obtaining insurance approval in my area of the world. I am in the North County area of Southern CA, about an hour from San Diego. My first step after confirming that my KP insurance plan covered bariatric surgery was making an appt. for a referral with my PCP. Luckily my doctor is a wonderful guy and he whole-heartedly supported my request. From the experiences I've read here from others, I thought he had to draft up some kind of formal letter, but nope. He just gave me the phone number for the Positive Choices Wellness Center in San Diego. I called them that day and was told that they would be sending me a packet and once I read it and still wanted to proceed to call back to be scheduled for the Intro to Weight Management class and also a Bariatric Orientation. Both of which are requirements. The classes are only given every other Thursday. So I attended both of these. The weight mgmt. class only discussed non-surgery programs that KP offers, like Opti-Fast. and lasted for a couple of hours (some people there were not interested in surgery). After that was over then they had the Bariatric orientation, which lasted about an hour. The first thing we were told is that the entire process (pre-surgery requirements) will last on average about nine months and there will be a lot of waiting involved in between steps because of a backlog of applicants. Then we watched a short video showing some people in the options classroom as well as past patient testimony. We were given a 9 page pre-program questionnaire to fill out at the end of class, which covered things like body image, support systems you have in place, weight loss goals, diet history, weight history, health and emotional history, and an area to write a few paragraphs about anything else you might want to share with the "options team". Good news: They have done away with the requirement that you have to provide them proof of past diet history, like weight logs from Weight Watchers, or receipts from Jenny Craig, etc. You still need to write that info in on the questionnaire, but you don't have to provide any written proof. The BMI requirements are pretty standard. 40 and up, or lower BMI's with accompanying issues. Bad news: They said it will take anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks for them just to review and process our pre-questionnaires which determines whether or not you will be accepted into the Options Program. And she made it pretty clear that it falls under the "don't call us we'll call you" banner. So right out of the gate you're back to waiting for a good while. She then went on very briefly to discuss what happens after you finally get the call that you'll been invited into the inner circle. You'll next be required to undergo a battery of labs and tests. You'll have to come back to Positive Choices to meet with a Dr. Ray (he is some head honcho in the program) for a one on one consultation. It's at this appt. that your official weight will be recorded. They said they expect us to lose10 per cent of our excess weight before surgery, so you have a pretty long time to do it. We will at some point be enrolled in their 24 week Options Classes. One class per week (you aren't allowed to double up). If you miss a class you have to make it up. She said their surgery is contracted out to Pacific Bariatric and the surgery would be done at Scripps Mercy. PB surgeons make the final determination on whether you are operated on or not. At some point you will be required to attend their (Pacific Bariatric) internal orientation class, surgical consult, your psych eval too, and I think some more labs, but she said these should all be scheduled for the same day. They only offer three types of surgery: gastric bypass, vertical sleeve, and lap band. But, she stressed that in the past year they've removed about 40 lap bands and have only inserted one. So they are definitely not on the lap band train. She wouldn't go so far as to say that you can't get a lap band, but it's unlikely. Anyway, sorry for the length, but I hope this is helpful info. I've only gotten my pinkie toe in the Water so far and a very long road ahead, but I'm psyched for the journey! Thank you all for allowing me to soak up your stories as well. I really felt like I went into this with my eyes wide open because of you.