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!!!

That's great news Kimi!

I paid my deductible when I checked into the hospital the morning of surgery. I believe you could pay it prior to check in as well by calling member services. They mentioned several times it had to be paid prior to surgery

Keep us posted on your progress

Jules

Kimi

That's great news!! You can totally lose another 4lbs

My EKG was also walk in. Took about 15 mins start to finish

Keep us posted on your progress. So excited for you!!!

Jules

I paid before, and I think that is common.

I paid before by phone

Good to know my options! eval went great! I have TWO lbs to lose and then I'm golden!!!!

kimi

Okay friends.... I'm down to my surgery goal weight!!!! Barely into the 213 mark, but never the less...

Here's my issue though. Today is the Friday before a "holiday" and I have to work my full 8 hrs at work(otherwise I won't get my holiday pay for Monday). So be I'm on the border of 213 and 214 I'm assuming ill be in the 214 by lunch time. So that kicks out the idea of going to Kaiser to weigh at lunchtime....

Since the clinics and health services dept are closed on the weekends... Do you think I might be able to go to the hospital side and have them weigh me for the records????

I need some feed back on this one. I mean, I could just wait until Tuesday I guess... It's not like anyone in the Surgery office is going to be there over the weekend. Ha! Guess I'm just excited to finally be over my stall!!!

kimi

I doubt the hospital side will do it for you. They probably wouldn't even know where to chart in your outpatient record. I had to wait until lunch to have my weight recorded (and I work there lol). Just stayed fasting till I could go. It was a long morning but I wanted that record! If you can't wait is there an after hours clinic you can drop in at? You might find them accommodating. There is always somewhere on weekend mornings isn't there?

I dot know of any places in the weekend that are open in Modesto Kaiser. I think I will just wait until Tuesday and go at lunch time... Maybe I'll drop lower in the 213 mark...

kimi

Okay friends.... I'm down to my surgery goal weight!!!! Barely into the 213 mark, but never the less...

Here's my issue though. Today is the Friday before a "holiday" and I have to work my full 8 hrs at work(otherwise I won't get my holiday pay for Monday). So be I'm on the border of 213 and 214 I'm assuming ill be in the 214 by lunch time. So that kicks out the idea of going to Kaiser to weigh at lunchtime....

Since the clinics and health services dept are closed on the weekends... Do you think I might be able to go to the hospital side and have them weigh me for the records????

I need some feed back on this one. I mean, I could just wait until Tuesday I guess... It's not like anyone in the Surgery office is going to be there over the weekend. Ha! Guess I'm just excited to finally be over my stall!!!

kimi

If you are trying to record a qualifying weight, I would only weigh in in the a.m. and be sure to wear as light clothes as possible. It makes a big difference. I was stunned that when I took off all of my jewelry, I weighed a pound less! Yikes, I must wear too much. : )

You can call and schedule a weight check with Kaiser. Just the regular number, and they will schedule it, and it goes into your record. I know because I had to do this when I was trying to qualify for the surgery by having to go UP 3.3 pounds.

Ha! A whole pound!?! That is crazy. Wow! Well, I will call and see if they can tell me where to go to weigh... Maybe there will be somewhere open over the weekend so I can go first thing in the morning!

kimi

Hi everyone I'm also a kaiser member and I'm going through Fremont Bariatric Program with Dr. Chu...as I was reading all of your responses I now have a question for you all: Does everyone pay a copayment or does it depend on the kind of coverage I have through kaiser? I looked up my coverage on kp.org and it says I don't have a copay for any hospitalization services which includes bariatric surgery. I called Fremont and member services to make sure because no one mentioned a copay for surgery since I've been on my journey, just waiting for a reply.

Wondering what your thoughts are on this. Thanks in advance!

Lota

I think it depends in your policy guidelines. I know mine specifically has a $ for in patient surgery.

kimi

Hi everyone I'm also a kaiser member and I'm going through Fremont Bariatric Program with Dr. Chu...as I was reading all of your responses I now have a question for you all: Does everyone pay a copayment or does it depend on the kind of coverage I have through kaiser? I looked up my coverage on kp.org and it says I don't have a copay for any hospitalization services which includes bariatric surgery. I called Fremont and member services to make sure because no one mentioned a copay for surgery since I've been on my journey' date=' just waiting for a reply.

Wondering what your thoughts are on this. Thanks in advance!

Lota[/quote']

Do you have your surgery date yet??? It's exciting to hear of other members that are going through this with the same surgeon!

kimi

Unfortunately not yet, but I do have my psych eval appt on 2/5/13 I'm excited about that. It just means I'm that much closer to obtaining one, hopefully soon after the psych eval. Thankfully I have no prior or current health issues and Dr Chu refers to me as "a healthy over weight person" was not sure what to say at that . I really like her and she took the time out during our appt to share her concerns about my weight and how much this surgery is going to benefit me. Oh before I forget congrats on meeting your weight goal.

Lota

Unfortunately not yet' date=' but I do have my psych eval appt on 2/5/13 I'm excited about that. It just means I'm that much closer to obtaining one, hopefully soon after the psych eval. Thankfully I have no prior or current health issues and Dr Chu refers to me as "a healthy over weight person" was not sure what to say at that <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unsure.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />. I really like her and she took the time out during our appt to share her concerns about my weight and how much this surgery is going to benefit me. Oh before I forget congrats on meeting your weight goal.

Lota[/quote']

Thanks!

I agree she seems like a great surgeon. I'm wry impressed with her demeanor. I had my psych eval last Thursday. I was very nervous about it, for NO reason at all. It was very much like having coffee with a good friend (minus the coffee and the good friend was someone that I had literally just met! Ha!!!)

I'm going to get my weight recorded in Tuesday and then I'm done with my part of the "work". I think I get my surgery date next... Not sure. I've done all of my labs and my EKG... All the little things. I'm ready to roll. I want to get this done ASAP. I'm ready for my new life.

kimi

You're right about that I'm ready for my new life as well. I've done all the little things too, excited for my psych eval and quick question should I wait for them to send me for a EKG because if its a walk in I was thinking of getting it done before I head home after my psych eval appt. next month whether they tell me or not . I'm so ready to climb out of this body I've been trapped in for over 17yrs now.

Lota