Minxz

I have a question about the psych evaluation. On the record I have no depression but I do go through bad bouts sometimes. Usually they are easy to trace to factors in my life that are overwhelming me. I almost went to the therapy department a little over a year ago for a bout of depression that lasted about 6 months. I'm hitting another stretch right now. It's making really hard for me to concentrate on my weight loss efforts in preparation for my interview with the Medical Director. All I want to do is sleep its so hard to concentrate on eating right and exercising when I feel like this. So my question is this... If I did choose to go to therapy with Kaiser while I'm in the process of getting the Lap Band does that mean I will "flunk" the psych evaluation?

Pester the insurance company. I have worked with insurance and most will do their best to drag their feet on it. Sometimes if you call you can get a helpful rep that can push it through for you. Don't be put off if they get nasty remember YOU PAY THEM!!

In Orientation they said drinking with your meal is a no no. They said to stop drinking 10 minutes before you eat and don't drink anything for an hour after. Otherwise the Water flushes the food out of the pouch and you don't get the full feeling. Is this a rule all follow?

Here is a Kaiser thread that has a lot of good information http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f18/kaiser-permanente-insurance-66458/

Klbs: I just started my Kaiser journey toward the lapband. Their process is somewhat lengthy. You PCP usually will have you do all the tests you need prior to getting the referral to the bariatric division. Next you get a card letting you know when your orientation is. I just had mine today in SSF. It is a 3.5 hr class explaining the steps to getting Bypass or banding and what the differences are as well as you new way of eating etc... They stated to expect the whole process to take about a year. In fact they told me not to expect my next apt for another 24 weeks!! Meanwhile I am supposed to lose as much weight as I can. For SSF its not 10% its individually tailored and I wont know what I'm supposed to lose for about 36 weeks.. The speaker said that our start weight will be the one we were referred with and everyone in the room will be expected to lose between 20-50lbs before they will be approved for the surgery. I know there are other threads that go into detail a little more on the Kaiser steps but thats my experience so far.

I have to have spent at least 10000.00 over the years. Thats not even counting all the money wasted on bad foods...

There is no balance from going to a Doctor and all them focusing on is that I'm fat to it being completely ignored...

I'm 5'10 if I could get down to 180 or so I think I would be happy but who knows when I get there I may be psyched for more lol

I keep seeing everyone weight loss tickers. I want to create one but I have no idea where to set my goal. I feel like just getting to 200 would be awesome even though that is still about 45 lbs higher than my recommended weight. I just don't want to set it to low and make it something impossible to get to. Or do you recommend setting smaller goals. First 250 then 225 then.. etc..

I can't wait to kiss these stories goodbye The ones that come to mind to me are - Splitting a pair of scrubs in the butt and having a small child announce it to the room "Your pants broke cause your to fats" - Wedging myself into booths so that I can barely breath. - Cant fasten buckles on shoes - Can't zip underarm zips - Broken Chairs - Kicked of a ride in Great America because they couldnt close it...haven't been back since.

That is an attitude I am bracing myself for. Im not yet banded but I know a lot of people view this kind of surgery as at best taking the easy way out and at worst self mutilation. You can't make people change their mind. All you can do is control your attitudes toward others. It sounds like you have been very considerate and kind too these ladies still like most of us that have been obese they probably have huge inferiority complexes so instead of being happy for you each compliment you receive is felt as a criticism toward them. Its sad and wrong but remember you are the one who is getting healthier and maybe you can inspire them to do the same thing!

I have trouble being on top I think for me though its due to tightness in my outer thigh.. When on top that muscle is stretched so much I have very little room for movement. I will have to try the squatting though. Funny thing last week I was wondering if an exercise ball would work...Now I'm dying to get one!!

I am not banded yet. I'm in the Kaiser program and expect it to take awhile. So far I have told only *my immediate family and friends that have done weight loss surgery. <o:p> </o:p> In my research I found that a lot of people express negative opinions toward bariatric surgery like its cheating somehow and it makes you a quitter and that you are taking the easy way out. I don't want to deal with the negativity right now. I have done my research talked to my Doctor and interviewed many who have gone forward with it... It’s a decision I am comfortable with it’s not my job to convince everyone else. <o:p> </o:p> Hopefully after I am banded and am losing weight. I may tell others that are closer to me as it comes up.

I was worried about this as well. I think I was projecting my own body image issues onto my husband. He loves me and has assured me that no matter what he will love me. I have discussed PS with him and he left it up to me. I am hoping that I am young enough that after a couple years most of my skin (look at me so optimistic and not even banded yet lol) will be absorbed naturally. The one thing I'm worried about is my chest... I know i will lose a lot of weight there and picture well never mind I won't gross you out. I have done research on lifts and such and will probably save up for something like that hopefully getting it done when I stay stable at goal for awhile.

Great TY for the response!

Thank you so much everyone for all the wonderful information. I have another question that came to mind. I don't really want a bypass I want a band. My PCP said that the surgeon makes the ultimate decision on weather its bypass or band. What has been other Kaiser pt's experience here. Did you just tell the Dr you wanted the band over bypass?

Which insurance are you working with? I think each one varies greatly on what they require to approve you.

Thank you I am very excited!! The sooner the better!

Ok I think I had the wrong idea... I knew they expect you to lose 10% of your weight but I thought that started after you saw the Dr or at least did the class? I know it sounds silly but I havent been even trying to lose weight right now I was afraid that if I did it would make my starting point lower and make it harder to lose the 10% they require. Its usually easy to lose the first 10-20lbs its after that it gets tough. Does that make sense? If I understand what was said I should start right away because it will be 10% of my current recorded weight not the weight recorded when I see the Doctor for the first time?

I just got scheduled for my orientation class in So. SF Its scheduled for July 8. I can't wait to get on track. I see some people saying that it took 8 months to get their surgery. That is better than I was told to expect. (about a year was what I was told)... How long did it take for other Kaiser Pt's to get to surgery from the referral?

Has anyone gone through the Fremont Kaiser? I see some for the San Francisco but was curious if the Fremont steps differ at all?

Wow that is great! What is the procedure to get approved?

This is actually my first post I have enjoyed everyones posts and can completely commiserate with many of the concerns and challenges. I have been married a year this month. My husband thinks I am wonderfully sexy, to be honest I have felt prettier this past year than I have felt in a long time. When I started researching Weight loss surgery my husband was very resistant. Especially about the GB. The past week or so I have been doing some instensive research into the Lap Band. Dan was relieved I let the GB idea go and is moderately supportive over this. He like many other husbands I've read about seems to feel that if I REALLY wanted to lose weight I would but see's how stuck I am on this idea. The surgery scares him though. My big concern is if he will find me attractive after I lose my weight. I need to lose 130lbs to get to my goal weight. I have been heavy the whole time we've been together. The other women he's dated have been heavy. He likes a voloptuous form. What if everything deflates and I am all flabby that is almost worse than being overweight. Don't get me wrong I am having no second thoughts about doing this. The reason I am doing it is for health reasons. I am 30 and starting to have back and knee problems. I also have PCOS so no matter what I try I can't lose weight. I have diabetes, high cholesteral, High Blood preasure and Heart Disease in my family and know my life will be cut short if I don't lose weight and get into shape. I also have no doubt that my husband will keep loving me because as he's said many times he loves me for who I am. Its just doesn't seem fair to take away things he really enjoys about my body.... Any feedback on this?