I'm meeting with my PCP on Monday to request a referral to the bariatric surgery dept. I was able to grab a spot in the Preparing for Success class scheduled a couple days after my appointment.

I have a couple questions about the Nor Ca Kaiser process and if any of you have been down his road that can help, I would GREATLY appreciate any feedback.

One question I have is, how long in the process do you have to wait to start loosing weight? Sounds crazy, I know. But I have gained about 15 lbs to meet BMI requirementS, andI'm already dying to start working it off.

Question #2 how long is the options program that you have to complete? I've heard all types of different answers to this (sixteen weeks, six months, a year...) I guess it probably ranges from districts.

Okay, I think that's all I have...

Thanks all!!!

I got my surgery orientation date!!! THIS Sunday the 23rd!!!! Woo-Hoo!!!

They do orientations on Sunday? Hope all goes well! I was given a surgery date for the 24th but turned it down. As much as I want to get to the operating table, I don't want to miss Christmas with my grand kids. I think I can last till the 9th.

I was sleeved 11/26 at Kaiser South San Francisco.

I was:

Referred into the program by PCP

overview class at Kaiser Santa Clara

Orientation class Kaiser SSF

lifestyles and nutrition class

Psych

Dietician

(I ended up with sleep apnea, so sleep study)

Date with surgeon

Surgery.

Does anyone know if I can take my husband with me to the orientation????

Does anyone know if I can take my husband with me to the orientation????

I'm pretty sure you can. A lot of people bring someone with them. They'll tell you if you can't bring them or just to be on the safe side call and ask

I'm pretty sure I remember people bringing their spouses or significant others to orientation. I think I even remember one if them falling asleep and snoring!! Lol

I agree if they do NOT want you to bring someone they will specifically tell you

They want you to bring your support person to any appt except the psychologist appt. you gotta do that one alone. I'm taking my daughter 18 yrs old) to my pre op class tomorrow cause she is a mother hen and will take care of me after surgery. Plus she's smart and I thought she would understand the restrictions better than my hubby.

They want you to bring your support person to any appt except the psychologist appt. you gotta do that one alone. I'm taking my daughter 18 yrs old) to my pre op class tomorrow cause she is a mother hen and will take care of me after surgery. Plus she's smart and I thought she would understand the restrictions better than my hubby.

Ha! That's funny! That's good to know. I really want my husband to go to understand all that I will be going through and what will be expected of me.

I went through S. SF Kaiser. I think all N. Cal Kaiser will take your highest recorded weight (with Kaiser) in the last year. BMI if 35 + co-morbidity, or BMI of 40 to qualify. I don't think they have the options classes. They have orientation, pre op, many tests, psych eval, meeting with surgeon, nutritionist, etc, pre op class. I think the shortest time is 2-3 months, and it could take longer. I had sleep apnea, but had to be on the machine for 2 months before they would do the surgery. I really liked S. SF Kaiser. I barely qualified, but I'm very glad I did. Just had the surgery on Monday. Good luck to everyone.

Orientation was great. I have my consult appointment on Thursday January 3rd!!!

That's great Kimi! I hope your process goes as quickly and smoothly as mine did

Happy Holidays

That's great Kimi! I hope your process goes as quickly and smoothly as mine did <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Happy Holidays <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Thank you!!! They said thy if all goes well, that surgery will be in TWO months!!!

Happy holidays to you too!!!

Glad orientation is behind you, kim! Now to meet with your surgeon and get your goal weight so you can get started! Just an FYI, there was no time limit where I am in south sac. Only meet the goal weight and get thru all the appts. The hold up in my case was trying to get in to see the psychologist. I wasn't aware you can call for an appt with him when you are within 5 lbs of goal. I thought I had to wait until I was at goal. So by the time I called, he was booked out about a month. Just keep that I'm mind and call as soon as possible so there's less of a delay. And good luck!!!

Glad orientation is behind you' date=' kim! Now to meet with your surgeon and get your goal weight so you can get started! Just an FYI, there was no time limit where I am in south sac. Only meet the goal weight and get thru all the appts. The hold up in my case was trying to get in to see the psychologist. I wasn't aware you can call for an appt with him when you are within 5 lbs of goal. I thought I had to wait until I was at goal. So by the time I called, he was booked out about a month. Just keep that I'm mind and call as soon as possible so there's less of a delay. And good luck!!![/quote']

That is great to know!

Hi Kim.

I havent logged in for a while but was pleased to see that things are moving ahead for you

Keep me posted on your progress. I was approved for surgery and placed on the waitlist as I am seeking a June surgery date and they dont book that far ahead. I am at the top of the list when that calendar opens in May, so my orders are to maintain my preop weight goal and have my weight recorded again in April.

Im excited for you. You're in great hands with the Fremont staff!

Hi Kim.

I havent logged in for a while but was pleased to see that things are moving ahead for you <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Keep me posted on your progress. I was approved for surgery and placed on the waitlist as I am seeking a June surgery date and they dont book that far ahead. I am at the top of the list when that calendar opens in May' date=' so my orders are to maintain my preop weight goal and have my weight recorded again in April.

Im excited for you. You're in great hands with the Fremont staff![/quote']

Kari that is awesome!!! I'm so excited to hear of so many people having great experiences with Fremont. Who is your surgeon? I'm going with Dr Chu. She hosted the orientation and I just thought she seemed very honest and sincere in her words.