I have finished all of the requirments for surgey (6 months nutritionish visits, weight loss classes, surgeon infor sessions) and now I am waiting to hear if I was approved or not. Is there anyone in with Kaiser that has had to wait for approval that can tell me how long you had to wait? Or if there is anyone that had Dr. McKenna for a surgeon? Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Kaiser...I can't help but McKenna I can. I absolutly love him and his practice. These girls and Dr. Phil are the best. If you have any questions give me shout.

Awesome!! How was the pre-op and post-op diet? My nutritionist told me that he prefers not to do the mushies but to do all liquid for like 6-8 weeks then ween in solid food. Any advice or tips you can share would be amazing!

10 days of liquid pre opt

10 days of liquids post opt, but it was 12 before I got an appointment

21 days of mushies

then solid food

Those 10 days of liquids of post opt were pretty difficult I won't lie. Stick with it because you will go through a stage that you will feel like your so hungry you could eat your first born child, but once you start getting your fills it will be much better. Just chew your food really, really good.

Don't get bent on people from this site that are loosing more than you or even the ones that are loosing less than you. EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT.

I had Surgery 9/1/11 and I have 32 lbs since surgery, but 45 since I began the entire process last February. I'm fat and I didn't get this way overnight. So as long as I keep loosing on a monthly basis, It's making me happy.

I won't lie, it's taken my until this past month to really figure out how this band works and how to make it work for me. Now when I'm full I just package up my food and save it for later. Then IF I'm hungry later and that just depends on the day, I will heat it up later. Do this with every meal. For a month I was sitting it to the side and wanting to continue to eat 10 minutes later, but don't do that. Just put it away. You really will be suprised how little food will make you full.

Again, don't get bent at first if your hungry during certain stages, you might not have any fill. Talk to Dr. McKenna about this before your surgery.

Shoot me an email at kellypboyer@yahoo.com if you need anything else answered that I might be able to help with.

I also have Kaiser and I'm looking into getting the lap band. I just might have to change my PCP because she doesn't seem like she's going to be on board with my choice. Would you please share your experience and maybe some tips you can pass along to me?!

Nellie- any updates? I've just been referred for weight loss surgery class #1. Is that the one where they weigh you? I bought some ankle weights to help my cause, my NUT told me last year that I was too thin for WLS @ a BMI of 39.8 and that if I were heavier.... So I read between the lines and am worried about being not heavy enough. Those last 8 lbs just about killed me to put on & I'm having a hard time keeping them on.

Connie- my PCP wants me to do weight watchers , and exercise more which I tried to do b4 my wedding and only lost a net of 5 lbs which came right back over the honeymoon. She seems such a negative nancy, even now that my BMI is up to 41 & my bp has been so high she's given me bp pills. I don't feel like she's on my team... My Gyn is totally supportive & so is my derm dr!

Anyways. Can anyone outline the process in the dc/md/va area?

Nellie- any updates? I've just been referred for weight loss surgery class #1. Is that the one where they weigh you? I bought some ankle weights to help my cause' date=' my NUT told me last year that I was too thin for WLS @ a BMI of 39.8 and that if I were heavier.... So I read between the lines and am worried about being not heavy enough. Those last 8 lbs just about killed me to put on & I'm having a hard time keeping them on.

Connie- my PCP wants me to do weight watchers , and exercise more which I tried to do b4 my wedding and only lost a net of 5 lbs which came right back over the honeymoon. She seems such a negative nancy, even now that my BMI is up to 41 & my bp has been so high she's given me bp pills. I don't feel like she's on my team... My Gyn is totally supportive & so is my derm dr!

Anyways. Can anyone outline the process in the dc/md/va area?[/quote']

Find a new pcp! Ask your GYN for a name. Now that you have hypertension and are on meds that is another risk and some insurance companies cover weight loss surgery with BMI over 35 with 1 other risk factor. I had to outline my weight loss history attempts which included multiple (failed) attempts at weight watchers!! When i did my pre-op consults (cardiology, pulmonary, nutrition), they all thought i wasn't "as big" as the usual wight loss patients they see. i explained that i knew i was losing this battle and if i didn't do this now then I would be that big! Best decision I have made. Good luck, don't give up !!