MaceoMack

I completed the Options course on September 21st at Panorama City. My total weight loss during Options was 24 pounds, so I"m feeling pretty good. I was told that as of 9/21, the wait time at West Los Angeles, where i intend to have my surgery is about 14 weeks. This will give me a chance to maybe drop a few more pounds and complete everything needed before the surgery.

Hi Dave, Allow me to speak from the view of a pre-op patient. Over the past 50 years, I have been on just about weight loss plan known to man. Most diets provide a quick fix, but none had any lasting result. I have always been a food junkie. I would eat until I was satisfied, often to the point of being stuffed. The thought of reducing my caloric intake in preparation for the sleeve terrified me. I was sure that I would starve to death before I could have the procedure done. I have been pre-op since mid June, and I have lost 30 pounds (as of Sept. 7th) in preparation for the surgery, and actually, I feel fine. First, you must commit yourself to the process. No one would know if I "cheated" but I would know that I was defeating my purpose ... so I don't cheat. A good education class prior to the surgery in my opinion is essential. In my case, as a patient of Kaiser Permanente, participant are required to complete a 12 week course called "Options" which assist in mentally and physically preparing patients for the surgery with realistic fact and information on what to expect both before and after the surgery. Surprisingly, what has help me is planning the night before my meals for the follow day and eating at regular times. By eating five small meals through the day, I never feel hungry, even following my pre-surgery 1300-1500 calorie program. I've learn to truly recognize the difference between being hungry and just wanting to eat. I've learn to read food labels so I know the number of calories and grams of protein in each meal. I make better choices while grocery shopping. It seems like by following these tip, not only do I fell satisfied, but there are days when I have trouble eating my 1500 calories. Had someone told me this would happen six months ago, I would have considered them to be insane. Everyone knows that the surgery is just a tool, but the real success comes as a result of lifelong dedication to the process. For me, eating at regular times and chewing every mouthful of food at least 30 times slows my eating process down and allows me to enjoy my food, give my system a chance to signal my brain that I have eaten enough, and prepare me for post surgery eating habits. That feeling of hunger was my biggest concern, but at least for now, it is no longer an issue. Good luck my friend. Just keep your ultimate goal in mind. It will all be worthwhile.

My Psych Eval was through the Kaiser Options program. The appointment was about 30 - 45 minutes. The doctor had me talk a little about my youth and if I felt that I was happy or had any problems back then. The Doc wanted to make sure I understand the procedures and that my expectations were realistic. There was some talk about depression and what I might do if the surgery didn't go as planned. I feel that what the Doc was looking for was a positive attitude and the commitment to follow through and follow directions, especially during the post surgery phase.

Welcome Hailey You'll soon find that you will love this site. Without question, everyone here is friendly , informative, and willing to offer support in any way. It's really great having so many good people to help clarify things, answer questions, and share their experiences. I am working towards the Vertical Sleeve procedure, and the support I have received here has been GREAT. I extend the same to you. If you're interested, one fantastic resourse is "You Tube", which has given me a visual sense of whats ahead of me. There is one short film clip that really helped me to understand the procedure. On You Tube, if you enter "Vertical Sleeve" in the browser, it will direct you to a number of videos. The best one in my opinion is entitled "Laprascopic Vertical Sleeve Gasterectomy" posted by Dr. Pleatman. This explained a lot to me. If interested, check it out. Once again, Welcome and good luck on what will be a fantastic journey.

CONGRATULATIONS !!You will love the Options classes and find them VERY informative. I am in my 8th week of Options, and I can't imagine anyone planning on the procedure (Vertical Sleeve in my case) NOT going through a similar type program. Options will give you a real idea on what to expect both before and after the surgery. My advise to you is to religiously keep current with your food and exercise diaries. The will be a tremendous guide for you and you will learn so much about your habits and how to properly prepare for your new future.

Sounds like you are doing all the right things ... stick with it. Here is a nasty little secret that you may not know about the process... Your body has a mind of its own. Regardless to what you do or what you try, your body might decide to try and hang on to the weight, It fears "starvation" and slows down functions to conserve energy..at fat. By staying focused on your efforts and continuing your routine,you will win out in the end. I know that in my case, I can do everything right and my body weight seems to plateau for a couple of weeks...then all of a sudden, I loose sever pounds in one week. Actually, I know that is is just my body catching up with my efforts. The challenge is to keep going and NOT become too dependant on the numbers on the scale. Even when it doesn't seem that you are losing any weight, go to your closet and try on something that once fit, but no longer does. You might be surprised to find that you're able to more comfortably fit into those clothes. My closet has several sizes of clothes that I have kept over the years (I am one of those Pack-Rats who rarely throws anything away) It feels so good when I can fit into a pair if trousers that were too tight for me to wear a few months ago. Granted, some of those clothes are old and out-of-style, and I would never wear them outside the confines of my house...but it feels good to know the "I could". Remember, it's a livelong process. Hang in there.

You know what works best for you in losing the weight, so you should follow your instincts. "Options" is not just about loosing weight in anticipation of the surgery, it's designed to put you in the proper mind-set for your future life. Learning and accepting a new lifestyle as far as eating habits and exercise is far more important than taking off the pounds for the surgery. Successfully completing the Options program, completing and understanding the classwork and assignments is the key to the process of modifying your approach to the process. I am in my 8th week of Options at the Panorama City Kaiser. It hasn't all been easy and my scale sometimes does not reflect my hard work and efforts, but it's all a process. Just stick with it, do your best ... the results will come.

I am in the 7th week of "Options" at the Panorama City Kaiser (in the San Fernando Valley) and the heat over the recent weeks have been unbearable. I have edema in my left leg and foot, and it's a hassle for me to get to my Tuesday meetings. I know that Bariatric surgery is the key to the beginning of a healthier future for me, so I plan to continue the process regardless of ... anything. I can't do nothing about my edema, and my scale doesn't always give me the numbers that I want to see, but in the end, it will be worth the effort. I urge you to continue your Options classes, do the assignments, and don't worry about the 10%. A few bumps along the road are expected, but the journey is worthwhile.

I am currently involved with the Kaiser Permanente "Options" program in Southern California. At the beginning of the course, participants were encouraged to loose as much weight as possible prior to surgery, the goal being 10% of your starting weight. ** I WAS INFORMED BY KAISER THAT ANY WEIGHT LOSS PRIOR TO WOULD NOT AFFECT THE SURGICAL SCHEDULE.. I am in week 7 of the 12 week program, and have lost 20 pounds through the pre surgery diet program, which would leave me with another 10 pounds to go to hit my 10%.Even with a successful pre surgery weight loss, there is no guarantee that the weight loss could be sustained, and in all likely hood, some or all of the weight would eventually return. The surgery is considered a "tool" to help with the continuation of the weight loss process on a permanent basis

:cursing: HooRay !! Congratulations on your official beginning to a new chapter in your life. Stay strong, stay positive, and stay happy ... The best is yet to come!

What have you been advised by your PCP? My understanding is that Kaiser will approve and perform the surgery IF in the opinion of your PCP, surgery is a "Medical Necessity". The surgery will probably improve some of your other medical situation, which would make the surgery appropriate for your overall long range health. I suggest that you see if you can get your PCP on the same page as you for a recommendation/referral to the Bariactric clinic.