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Hi there! New to the boards and just starting my lap band journey. I am gathering as much information as possible. I am 99.9% sure this is what I want to do. I think my biggest obstacle right now is getting Kaiser to cover my procedure. I am 36 yr old, 5'4" and 234 lbs. I have a BMI of 40 and was diagnosed with PCOS a year ago and have been taking Metformin and unable to lose weight. So frustrating!!! Anyway, just wanted to say hello, and I look forwarding to getting know all of you :)

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Hi there! New to the boards and just starting my lap band journey. I am gathering as much information as possible. I am 99.9% sure this is what I want to do. I think my biggest obstacle right now is getting Kaiser to cover my procedure. I am 36 yr old, 5'4" and 234 lbs. I have a BMI of 40 and was diagnosed with PCOS a year ago and have been taking Metformin and unable to lose weight. So frustrating!!! Anyway, just wanted to say hello, and I look forwarding to getting know all of you :)

I don't want to discourage you from the band, but I have heard that Kaiser won't pay for it--only the RNY. You may already know this. Just check it out thoroughly. all the best to you. You will find that the folks who post here are very knowledgeable and supportive. Drop in often.

Melinda

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Hi Ladies! Thank you for the welcome! Yes, I have heard that Kaiser won't cover it, or it is a miracle if they do. I will explore my options with them and if I get no where I will just pay cash. It would be nice to actually have your insurance company do something for you, but in the end I will do what it takes to have this surgery! I have been lurking here for a few months, and yes everyone here is very knowledgeable and I can't wait to learn as much as I can biggrin.gif

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Hi, I too have Kaiser in Nor CAL, just depends on coverage provided, I have checked 3 times now and lap band for me is coverd consider outpatient surgery as Gastic is considered hospital stay which is double of outpatient costs

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Hi, I too have Kaiser in Nor CAL, just depends on coverage provided, I have checked 3 times now and lap band for me is coverd consider outpatient surgery as Gastic is considered hospital stay which is double of outpatient costs

Thank you! That is great to know! I am praying that this works out for me!! Where are you in the process??

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Hello,

Congratulations on the beginning of your journey. I have Kaiser Permanente in Ohio and was told by their bariatric coordinator that they would cover RNY, sleeve and band. I have the PCP visit on August 24, so I will learn more then. I am 5 ft tall with a BMI of 37.1, but I also have three of their 4 hot button co-morbidities, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. I probably have number 4, sleep apnea, as well but have never been tested. She seemed pretty confident that it was a slam dunk. PCOS is a pre-diabetic condition and you are already on a diabetic medication. Have you been tested for apnea? With you BMI I don't know why they wouldn't cover it. Except that prevention is just not the way our health care/insurance system works.

I wish you the best of luck. I be cheering for you.

Robbie :party:

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Thank you! That is great to know! I am praying that this works out for me!! Where are you in the process??

I just begun myself last week,, I have my inital class/consultation 9/2, my regular dr gave me a "heads up" to start early losing the weight so I'm shooting for 15-20lbs off by 9/2, He put me on 1200/day calorie diet and work out 50min a day routine biking and swimming , was told Surgeon asks for 10% weight lose, for me that 42 lbs, So far not really hungry, and have a slight bit more energy, sure the cravings will it soon, just have to get through it, luckily my wife is also trying to lose weight, not through surgery but we are watching what we eat and no more junk food, sodas, juices. Best of luck to you

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Hello,

Congratulations on the beginning of your journey. I have Kaiser Permanente in Ohio and was told by their bariatric coordinator that they would cover RNY, sleeve and band. I have the PCP visit on August 24, so I will learn more then. I am 5 ft tall with a BMI of 37.1, but I also have three of their 4 hot button co-morbidities, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. I probably have number 4, sleep apnea, as well but have never been tested. She seemed pretty confident that it was a slam dunk. PCOS is a pre-diabetic condition and you are already on a diabetic medication. Have you been tested for apnea? With you BMI I don't know why they wouldn't cover it. Except that prevention is just not the way our health care/insurance system works.

I wish you the best of luck. I be cheering for you.

Robbie :party:

Robbie thank you so much! I have not been tested for apnea, maybe I will look into that! My husband tells me I do snore a lot rolleyes.gif and I often wake up tired like I haven't had enough sleep even after 9+ hours in bed. I know what you mean, prevention is the key! I don't have my appt with my PCP until 9/9, wish is was sooner, I am so ready to get this journey started! Keep me updated on your progress with Kaiser! Good luck!!!!

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I just begun myself last week,, I have my inital class/consultation 9/2, my regular dr gave me a "heads up" to start early losing the weight so I'm shooting for 15-20lbs off by 9/2, He put me on 1200/day calorie diet and work out 50min a day routine biking and swimming , was told Surgeon asks for 10% weight lose, for me that 42 lbs, So far not really hungry, and have a slight bit more energy, sure the cravings will it soon, just have to get through it, luckily my wife is also trying to lose weight, not through surgery but we are watching what we eat and no more junk food, sodas, juices. Best of luck to you

I have too heard that they like you to lose weight prior to surgery. I recently re-joined weight watchers hoping for some loss and to be able to prove to them that I am trying. I have done WW before, it is a great program. I just need the weight to stay off after I lose it rolleyes.gif. Good luck! Keep me updated on your experience with Kaiser! I am rooting for you!!!

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Hi, I was just wondering how the Kaiser thing was going for you? I'm also lookin into getting the surgery and I also have Kaiser.

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I had my surgery done through kaiser in 2010. The issue you will have is that you only have 1 co morbidity. You need two with a BMI of 40. I have diabetes and I had high blood pressure.y BMI was 35. You can have NAND RnY or the band and I think they are covering sleeve now as well.

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Hi, I was just wondering how the Kaiser thing was going for you? I'm also lookin into getting the surgery and I also have Kaiser.

Hi!! The Kaiser process has been looooonnngggg! They will cover gastric bypass, the sleeve and the band. I have a BMI of 39 and only one co-morbitiy. I really think it depends on each persons situation. After all the classes, psych eval, and bariatrician appointment I have decided on the sleeve. I just feel it is the best fit for "me". Good luck with your journey, be patient and know it will take you about a year to get through everything. :)

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Where do you have Kaiser? I have it in Southern Cali. My BMI is 40 something, but I don't have comorbidity. Can I still qualify?

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Where do you have Kaiser? I have it in Southern Cali. My BMI is 40 something, but I don't have comorbidity. Can I still qualify?

Hi! Yes I am still with Kaiser. I think if your BMI is 40 you don't have to have any comorbities. I have PCOS, and insulin resistance. So not really "red flag" co morbities. I am going through the Fontana facility. Which one are you looking into??

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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