Ok I started my jorney with Kaiser for the 2nd time ( the first time they required options classes for 24 weeks) In Feb. I did not wait for my PCP to submit the refferal, I called the Health Ed and preventive medicine dept in Riverside and got scheduled for the orientation. The orientatation was on Feb 2nd. I recieved a call that following Tuesday asking If I can start the classes on Feb 10th ( I think it was that soon because I choose the morning for classes) .

So I started my first Option class on Feb 10th, and finished on April 27th. During the classes they do tell you who you will be having surgery with, but do not go over the surgeons requirements. So for Riverside Kaiser they use Dr. David Suh. Dr Suh requires that you attend his bariatric seminar, pre op seminar, psych eval, and one support group. I found out this information by going to his website, so I attended the seminar, and I asked Dr Suh, can kaiser do the psych evaluation, and he said Yes. So I did my psych evaluation through Kaiser, just do get it out of the way. When the evaluation is done at Kaiser, you have to sign a Release of Authorzation form( request this at the time of visit)

About the 5th class we were advised to get our physicals, if we had not had them in the past 6 months, before the 6 class I recieved a letter from Dr Provonsha stating that he submitted orders for my lab work ups, ekg, stool test, and chest xray ( since I had my gallbladder removed i did not have to do a ultrasound).

Since all classes and orders have been completed, now l am able to schedule a Medical Interview Appointment. The letter from Dr Provonsha's office stated that once everything was completed to wait 2 weeks then make a appointment with Dr Provonsha. Since I knew all my test came back and was ready for review, I called as soon as my last class was over. I was told the sooniest avail appt with Dr Provonsha was June 19th!! The person I spoke with, not once said I can schedule my interview with another dr. smdh... I am saying this to say ask questions, if i would havd settled for this answer, then i would be waiting for June 19th to complete my next step.

My appointment is on May 2nd, and hopefully my refferal gets put in. Dr suh says that surgery is being scheduled almost a month from consultation. I am hoping that I can have my surgery Mid June, If not July is good too!!! This process so far with Kaiser has been a quick one, people that i know that has had thier sleeve done with Kaiser this year, from start to finish it is about 5 months!!!

My PCP sent the referral and I talked to the person today to set up my orientation. She said I have to have a consultation with Dr Ismail in corona first. Can anyone fill me in on the new protocol?

My PCP sent the referral and I talked to the person today to set up my orientation. She said I have to have a consultation with Dr Ismail in corona first. Can anyone fill me in on the new protocol?

You have to see him before u start options classes?

Yes, that's what I was told. The lady I spoke with said it started a few months ago, yet she couldn't give me anymore info. I've searched as many forums and kp.org and I can't find out anything. I guess my doctors referral isn't good enough! LOL

Wow...i have not heard of that process either....hope its a change, that would speed up the process!! Lol

I called the Van Buren offices again and spoke with someone else. They said everything else is the same. So maybe this will add more time to the process. I guess they want to make sure people qualify? I don't know, but my appt. is on the 30th of this month and I will post what I can find out.

I called the Van Buren offices again and spoke with someone else. They said everything else is the same. So maybe this will add more time to the process. I guess they want to make sure people qualify? I don't know' date=' but my appt. is on the 30th of this month and I will post what I can find out. [/quote']

Ok....I called the health ed dept myself...the same day I asked my dr for a referral...when I called they scheduled me for orientation the following week... so by the time they called me for orientation from the referral..I had already started classes. I know there was a lady in my class that met with dr provonsha...who is in the same office as dr ismail..prior to class...im not sure y tho.

Hey, thanks for the info. Hmmmm...I went to an orientation in 2009 and 1 class and had to quit due to scheduling issue with my kids. Anyway, I'm super curious to find out if that has anything to do with it. Or my fibromyalgia, high blood pressure or hypothyroidism. IDK! Only time will tell.

Kaiser is so crazy... completed Options April 25th and then the long Fontana wait for a Mental Health exam' date=' that was June 25th, today I got the call for my Surgery Consult and I was for Dr. Philip Lou Chin at St. Bernardine's specifically. No Hub referral -with a choice of West LA or Torrance. Dr. Chins first available consult date is Aug. 3rd. Trying to be glad I have that..... but will call his office tomorrow to see how far out his surgery schedule is and if I need to figure out why I was specifically assigned to him and how if possible to transfer to West LA or Torrance.[/quote']

Did you call to find out why you were referred saint b's?

Did you call to find out why you were referred saint b's?

I did find out that others from my Options were referred to Saint B's also and assigned to one of the 2 doctors. Just another change in procedure I guess. I pressed to see if I could get any info on the possible wait time for surgery and was told it was not available until after the Aug. 3rd surgery consult "that is what the consult is for". I have looked for an office number to the Redlands location and have not located it. All I can do is keep calling the surgical center for a cancelation. Good news is I am finally motivated to do some serious weight loss as I get closer so I have been eating low carb and it is working. Excited for how close you are getting (Nina88) and looking forward to my day being here before tooooooo long!

I did find out that others from my Options were referred to Saint B's also and assigned to one of the 2 doctors. Just another change in procedure I guess. I pressed to see if I could get any info on the possible wait time for surgery and was told it was not available until after the Aug. 3rd surgery consult "that is what the consult is for". I have looked for an office number to the Redlands location and have not located it. All I can do is keep calling the surgical center for a cancelation. Good news is I am finally motivated to do some serious weight loss as I get closer so I have been eating low carb and it is working. Excited for how close you are getting (Nina88) and looking forward to my day being here before tooooooo long!

Thats great! I'm also feeling the weight loss bug. I'm so motivated, and excited to get a work out in every day. I'm working on that 15 pounds to move my surgery date sooner.

I did find out that others from my Options were referred to Saint B's also and assigned to one of the 2 doctors. Just another change in procedure I guess. I pressed to see if I could get any info on the possible wait time for surgery and was told it was not available until after the Aug. 3rd surgery consult "that is what the consult is for". I have looked for an office number to the Redlands location and have not located it. All I can do is keep calling the surgical center for a cancelation. Good news is I am finally motivated to do some serious weight loss as I get closer so I have been eating low carb and it is working. Excited for how close you are getting (Nina88) and looking forward to my day being here before tooooooo long!

Have u lucked out with getting a cancellation???

Thats great! I'm also feeling the weight loss bug. I'm so motivated' date=' and excited to get a work out in every day. I'm working on that 15 pounds to move my surgery date sooner.[/quote']

How is the weight loss coming along???

How is the weight loss coming along???

Going great I'm down 8 pounds. I hope I can lose the next 2 fast, so I can see if I can move up my date. How are you doing?

Going great I'm down 8 pounds. I hope I can lose the next 2 fast' date=' so I can see if I can move up my date. How are you doing?[/quote']

Congrats!!!! U are motivated!!

Going great I'm down 8 pounds. I hope I can lose the next 2 fast' date=' so I can see if I can move up my date. How are you doing?[/quote']

I'm doing good!!! Trying to keep busy...to keep from counting down the days till surgery... lol