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Yep, there's nothing like someone who's NEVER had a weight problem tell you how to solve yours....Ugh....

Yep, there's nothing like someone who's NEVER had a weight problem tell you how to solve yours....Ugh....

I've tried to think about this whole process and make sure that I DO think about it and think it through.
What I'd like to know is what do you WANT out of this process?
I want to be able to get up in the morning and put ANYTHING on...and NOT have to pull, stretch and triple check in the mirror before walking out of the bedroom...
that's it....:thumbup:

Latrice - With Kaiser your PCP has to refer you. I would call the bariactric division at Richmond and get some information from them. It is also helpful to call patient services. There is also a person on here going by the tag Warrior who just had her surgery through Richmond. Look her up and send her a message. She'll tell you all about her journey.
I went through the SSF Kaiser and the plans are a little different between SSF, Richmond and Fremont. Basically I went through orientation (06/07) and then met with the director of bariatrics, nutritionist, and psychologist (08/07). Once I passed muster there I met with the surgeon (10/07) and finally had surgery (12/07). I had to attend a pre-op class and meet the anastegologist (sp). That's a summary of the journey. I had a couple of other appointments due to some elevated liver readings but most people don't need those. I think that the programs are basically the same but may be in a different order. SSF does require you to loose weight prior to being approved by the surgeon. It's an average of 10% of your total body weight. They put you on a 1200 calorie pre-op meal plan. If you follow it, it's pretty easy to loose the weight in the amount of time you have. They suggest you start loosing right after orientation but the director of bariatrics was the one who actually said how much you needed to loose. When I finally got in to see her she told me I had met my requirement.
I kept loosing weight on the program after that for two reasons. 1) I figured I was in this program to loose weight so I might as well keep going and 2) I thought it would be easier to keep loosing than trying to maintain (and less stressful). I made sure that there was not a problem with me loosing too much weight and therefore disqualifying myself from surgery and proceeded to loose 70 lbs prior to surgery. My surgeon was extremely happy although he kept telling me to not be disappointed if I didn't loose much more. He is wrapped up in the statistics. I told him I would be adjusting his line of thinking and have just kept heading towards my goal.
Anyway, enough about me. Check in with Warrior for more specific details on Richmond's program.
I hope this helps.

My doctor asked me today, "How did you do it?" He knows all the ins and outs of banding and patient care but as he was congratulating me on my success he wanted to know how I did things so he could share them with other patients.
I was banded by Dr. Daniel Huacuz, 2 visits for adjustments, then 2 visits for maintenance adjustments from Fill Centers. From a size 22 to a size 4/6.
No problems, no issues like slipped band, leaks, port flipping, pouch stretching (and this is the one he sees the most).
My response was "I let the band do it's job". I added that I didn't diet, as diets don't work.
I began with small steps of changing my life and lifestyle. My eating habits changed the most. I didn't deprive myself of anything, ate what I wanted when I wanted. But the fact was, I didn't want. I did not once want an entire pizza, like preband. I didn't once want a box of pasteries, like preband. I didn't want combo meals at drive thru, like preband. I had those things, but only a few bites til I was full and satisfied. And I now have a love of cooking, baking, preping foods rather than just nuke a frozen dinner.< /p>
Thru the course of the past year, there was a time when I heavily relied on the band. It had to tell me 'when' or what not to eat. Then as the months passed, I conciously made the decision. And for those times I ate too much, the band was my backup. Now that I'm on maintenance, it's mostly me and my choices...but it's nice knowing the band will always be there if I need it.
He told me something disturbing...that I will never be able to fully judge my portions. He went on to describe how it's embedded in our culture, that even if I did good for a while, even years...how overeating could creap back up on me. Portion Control, as in what I decide before I sit down to eat...that will be key for me. He said I should eat like a 9 year old... leave food on the plate. Not exactly sure about that yet, but I'm sure I will discover it over the coming months.
Eventhough my last adjustment was January, sometimes over the past few weeks I can't even hold down liquids. I thought it was the restriction kicking in...but after 3 months? Well, my doctor told me today it was stress related. And that I did notice as when my teenagers give me a difficult time, I spew like a warm Dr. Pepper.
Now, instead of having my "stop" for eating, I have an added plus of when I get really restricted...that is my "stop" for stress. When that happens I know to take a break, to take it easy....calgon take me away!
Who knew!
So, thanks to everyone on the boards. You guys are a wealth of information and experiences. Thanks for getting me thru my weightloss!
And for all you newbies, welcome to the board! Feel free to post any questions or concerns. You may encounter some negative feedback from time to time. Just remember that sometimes it's not you, it's them and where they are coming from. But I'm sure they wouldn't post it unless they genuinely wanted to help you. Keep your chin up!
I'll stop in from time to time and I wish you all, every one of you, the best!
Grace