I see that there are other Kaiser members here, so maybe you guys can relate, but I am sure that everyone has the BIG WAIT issue . . . . .

I started this journey with my PCP in March. I need two knee replacements, but they wont' do them until I lose 70 lbs ! I am a54 year old woman, and wieghed 300 lbs at referral. I was seen in May by the "gatekeeper" doctor for the bariatric program. I was accepted in the program to do the orientation and start the process... I started the next open class in late August, and will finish the class tomorrow night. (12 weeks) I had my psych appt, did blood work last week (19 vials of blood !) chest x-ray, and ekg. I had to do some other cardiac testing because of a funky ekg result, so had to do stress test and non stress tests from nuclear medicine. Now they want an upper GI and an abcominal ultrasound.

I'm getting excited and nervous all at once. I've lost 20 lbs, and am a single parent to a teenager. So this is where I am in the journey.

Tomorrow night we have to "prove" we can walk for 15 minutes. My ortho doc says I'm not supposed to walk much to save my knees. But tomorrow night, come heck or high Water, I'm going to walk with my cane for 15 minutes. It may be walking with a pain pill already in me.....but darn it, I'm going to walk for them !!!

I have my last consult with the gatekeeper on Wednesday and then the GI and ultrasound that the surgeons office wants on Friday. (have to drive an hour for that one....) I'm hoping for the surgeon referral on Wednesday and a date SOON!

Anyone have any experience with Dr. Helmuth Billy in Ventura ?

Thanks !

so many hurdles to jump!!! i am with blue shield and have many tests to do next coupleof weeks hope to be schedualed by xmas i saw ventura and had to say hi as im just a little north of you in morro bat

I see that there are other Kaiser members here, so maybe you guys can relate, but I am sure that everyone has the BIG WAIT issue . . . . .

I started this journey with my PCP in March. I need two knee replacements, but they wont' do them until I lose 70 lbs ! I am a54 year old woman, and wieghed 300 lbs at referral. I was seen in May by the "gatekeeper" doctor for the bariatric program. I was accepted in the program to do the orientation and start the process... I started the next open class in late August, and will finish the class tomorrow night. (12 weeks) I had my psych appt, did blood work last week (19 vials of blood !) chest x-ray, and ekg. I had to do some other cardiac testing because of a funky ekg result, so had to do stress test and non stress tests from nuclear medicine. Now they want an upper GI and an abcominal ultrasound.

I'm getting excited and nervous all at once. I've lost 20 lbs, and am a single parent to a teenager. So this is where I am in the journey.

Tomorrow night we have to "prove" we can walk for 15 minutes. My ortho doc says I'm not supposed to walk much to save my knees. But tomorrow night, come heck or high Water, I'm going to walk with my cane for 15 minutes. It may be walking with a pain pill already in me.....but darn it, I'm going to walk for them !!!

I have my last consult with the gatekeeper on Wednesday and then the GI and ultrasound that the surgeons office wants on Friday. (have to drive an hour for that one....) I'm hoping for the surgeon referral on Wednesday and a date SOON!

Anyone have any experience with Dr. Helmuth Billy in Ventura ?

Thanks !

oops i mean morro bay! lol

I see that there are other Kaiser members here, so maybe you guys can relate, but I am sure that everyone has the BIG WAIT issue . . . . .

I started this journey with my PCP in March. I need two knee replacements, but they wont' do them until I lose 70 lbs ! I am a54 year old woman, and wieghed 300 lbs at referral. I was seen in May by the "gatekeeper" doctor for the bariatric program. I was accepted in the program to do the orientation and start the process... I started the next open class in late August, and will finish the class tomorrow night. (12 weeks) I had my psych appt, did blood work last week (19 vials of blood !) chest x-ray, and ekg. I had to do some other cardiac testing because of a funky ekg result, so had to do stress test and non stress tests from nuclear medicine. Now they want an upper GI and an abcominal ultrasound.

I'm getting excited and nervous all at once. I've lost 20 lbs, and am a single parent to a teenager. So this is where I am in the journey.

Tomorrow night we have to "prove" we can walk for 15 minutes. My ortho doc says I'm not supposed to walk much to save my knees. But tomorrow night, come heck or high Water, I'm going to walk with my cane for 15 minutes. It may be walking with a pain pill already in me.....but darn it, I'm going to walk for them !!!

I have my last consult with the gatekeeper on Wednesday and then the GI and ultrasound that the surgeons office wants on Friday. (have to drive an hour for that one....) I'm hoping for the surgeon referral on Wednesday and a date SOON!

Anyone have any experience with Dr. Helmuth Billy in Ventura ?

Thanks !

Hello Rose, welcome to VST!!

It sounds like you are determined and ready to go! I admire your enthusiasm very much - and I wish you all the best in your upcoming tests!

Please check in and let us know how you did