MaceoMack

Today, January 31, 2011, markes the 3rd week since my VSG surgery, and I have been extremely satisfied with my results and Kaiser Permanente. My entire process took a little over 7 months, from my consultation with Dr. Alskaf, the Bariatric head at Kaiser in Panorama City (6/8/10) until my actual sirgery by Dr. Benjamin Kim at the West Los Angeles Kaiser Hospital on 1/10/11. I had several pre-existing medical conditions that could have prolonged the process for me as I had to obtain additional medical clearances from the Cardiology Department and the Nephrology Department. Throughout it all, the staffs at the Kaiser facilities were absolutely magnicificant. I attended the 12 week "Options" course at the Panorama City Kaiser from early July through late September - one 90 minute class once a week. My opinion was that the Options course was a "key" factor to the process. It provided a lot of information, support, and provided very realistic expectations of what the procedure involved, allowing the patients the ability to make informed choices on whether or not Bariatric Surgery was a practical solution. The best description I heard was that Options was like "Boot Camp" for those considering surgery. My surgery was performed on Monday, January 10, 2011 in the West Los Angeles Kaiser Hospital by Dr. Benjamin Kim. I wasn't required to switch my diet until the day before the surgery, when I was informed to have only liquids and not to eat or drink anything after midnight. The surgery took about 90 minutes. Even though I was discharged from the hospital that Tuesday with some "heavyduty" pain releivers, I never needed it. I experienced NO pain or discomfort AT ALL !!!. The six incisions made for the surgery heal almose immediately, leaving no scars and practically invisible to the eye. Best of all, at the time of my discharge, I was told to discontinue 9 of the 18 prescription medications and Vitamins that I'd been taking for many years. I lost 30 pounds during the Options course, and an additional 21 pounds since the surgery. I walk a minimum of 1 hour daily for exercise, and I feel great !!! No illness, no dumping syndrone. So far, so good ♥

For me, Monday, January 10, 2011 is my date. I will be having the procedure done in the West Los Angeles Kaiser Permanente Medical center. My surgeon is Dr. Benjamin Kim. I have my pre-op appointment on December 28th with both Dr. Kim and the Anesthesiology Department Head, Dr. Mitchell Friedman. I assume that at that time, I will receive final instructions on when to start my pre-surgical liquid diet.. I started this whole process in May of 2010, attending an orientation. I spent July, August, and most of September doing the Options classes at the Panorama City Kaiser Medical Center. After Options, test were ordered for me by the doctor. I had two EKG's, an Ultrasound of my veins and lower extremities, a Echocardiogram, had to get additional medical clearances from the Nephrology and Cardiology Departments, and attend a class on Chronic Kidney Disease Care. I have a 4 hour Cardiac Stress Test scheduled for mid December ... then I will be good to go. Now the nervousness is beginning to set it...but I am in good spirits and looking forward to January 10th,

* My Options classes were at the Kaiser Panorama City Medical Center. * The classes met weekly for 12 weeks * Each class was 90 minutes in duration * The classes were restricted to participants - no visiting family members or friends. * The classes could NOT be accelerated, and after starting, you will not want to move any faster. * The classes provided a tremendous amount of information and was well worth the time.

I am pre-op and hopefully will get a surgery date this week when I have my surgical consultation with my surgeon at Kaiser. Throughout the 12 week Options program (which I completed on 9/21), the focus was on daily calorie count, and I logged everything that I consumed. The first half of the course, the calorie range was between 1700-2000 a day. For the second part of the program, the range was 1300-1500. A minimum of 70 grams of protein per day was required. During the Options course, I lost 32 pounds. Post Options, I still watch everything I eat, staying mostly with the 1300-1500 calories and 70 grams of protein.

CONGRATULATIONS !! You've accomplished the hard part ... it's downhill from here. I finished Options on September 21st, and loved it.

Hang in there ! I wish you luck AND I will keep my fingers crossed for you. ☺

FIRST THING FIRST ... Don't be too hard on .yourself. At some point, most of us have felt as you do. This is a life changing experience, and I know that you know that the end results are well worth the efforts. You must make the weight loss a PRIORITY in your life, find out what works for you, and commit to it For me, it was getting on a good eating schedule ... five small meals a day at regular intervals. This prevented me from ever feeling hungry. Prepare a daily menu and eating schedule (in my case, I did it the night before), make sure that the calories are within your diet range, and stick to you plan. Resist the temptation to eat just for the sake of eating. Eat only when you schedule yourself to. If going to the gym doesn't appeal to you, don't do it. Commit to a certain amount of exercise, and do something less stressful or something you enjoy...Walking around the neighborhood, swimming, whatever, but just remain true to the schedule. Think about how you will feel and look after you complete the process and the new, healthier life you have created and will maintain forever. It is truly a matter of "mind over matter". Believe in yourself...you can and will do this thing, and will be much happier as a result.

The fact that you are in the Options program is a good thing. Somewhere along the line before you started the program, someone of authority in the Weight Management/Metabolic Department approved you and referred you to the program. As long as you complete the program and your assignments are completed (food, and exercise diaries, plus other assignments), you SHOULD be eligible for the surgery. I was told that my qualifications would be based on my starting weight and BMI, so losing weight during the program would NOT result in the surgery being denied. I completed Options on September 21st, and I am still waiting for the call regarding the next step. (they said it would be within 2 weeks) At this point, I trust what I have been told by Kaiser, but that of course is subject to change within the next few weeks. I'll let you know.

I agree that you shouldn't give up. At this point, you should do whatever is needed to qualify for the surgery...including the use of weights. In the end, you are responsible for your health, not the doctors. You're looking a Bariatric surgery as a means to improve your future overall health. That's worth fighting for. Kaisers company line is "Thrive". What you are doing is trying to ensure that your future life will be a healthier one and that you will THRIVE. Hang in there ...

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.

:thumbup1:For me, it all started after the family Christmas (2009) dinner. I was very unhappy with my appearance in the Christmas dinner photos. Aside from a big gut, I had other medical concerns that resulted in me going to my PCP for advice. I had heard about Bariactric procedures and I wanted to get a medical opinion on whether or not I would be a good candidate. My doctor felt that it would be a good step for me as it would improve some of my other ailments and possible reduce the amount of prescription medications (about 11) that I was taking daily. The Doctor referred me to the Weight Loss Clinic (Kaiser Permanente) and was scheduled to attend a seminar on the various surgeries. As a Medicare patient, I was concerned whether or not the procedure would be covered. Through Kaiser, I was informed that the procedure would be covered if my PCP determined the surgery to be "Medically Necessary", which she did. Within a week of the orientation class, I was scheduled an appointment with the head Bariactric surgeon, who agreed that I could benefit from the procedure. I was then scheduled for a 12 week surgical preparation and education class. I am currently in the 6th week of the classes, and I am certain that I made the right decision...Bariactric surgery is the right course for me.

KristyKreem I am currently in my 5th week of "Options" in Panorama City. I have mixed feelings about the Options staff. One instructor is terrific, inspiring, and seem dedicated to our success. The other instructor is like a robot trained to disseminate information, all of which is probably correct, but she has no "passion" for the class. I've had one meeting with Dr. Alskaf (6/8) and I am schedule for my Options Mid-Point consultation with him on August 13th. I had my Psychological Evaluation at the Reseda Office on July 28th and all seems to be on track. My two questions: 1) How accurate was the information you received during Options? Was it realistic? Would I be better off relying on what Dr. Alskaf tells me? 2) I lived in LA up until 3 years ago, and the WLA Kaiser was my home facility. I had a great Primary Doctor and Cardiologist, but some of the doctors and staff sucked big time. My first thought was to have the surgery done there, but having read some of the comments, I'm beginning to wonder. What are your thoughts and experiences with the WLA surgical staff?

The story of your journey and progress is truly amazing! I feel so inspired from reading your story. You also answered some of the questions that I have had about post procedure eating. Continued success ... you look fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing.

My guess is that the wait time varies depending on which Kaiser facility you use. In my case: 5/05/10 - Met with my Primary Kaiser Physician and got a referral to the _________Weight loss clinic in Panorama City. My Kaiser office is in Santa _________Clarita. 5/09/10 - Received my Bariactric Info package in the mail from the Health _________Education office in Panorama City. Per the package instructions, _________I called the office to arrange to be scheduled into an _________Orientation. 5/17/10 - Attended the Bariactric Surgery orientation meeting in the _________conference room in the Panorama City Kaiser Health Education _________office. I indicated at that meeting my desire to continue the _________process. 5/21/10 - Received a call from Dr. Alskaf's office to set up an appointment. _________Dr. Alskaf is the surgeon in charge of the Metabolic Department _________Weight Clinic. 6/08/10 - Met with Dr. Alskaf on a one-on-one basis. We reviewed my medical record, my reasons for wanting to undergo the procedure, and discussed his