I have begun the process of the Bariatric Sleeve with Kaiser in San Diego. I went for my orientation and just completed my blood testing and my EKG this week. I am super excited to get this started as I have been doing the up and down dieting for 10 years now. I am 34 5'2" and weight 237, I am wondering if anyone is starting with Kaiser San Diego and we can move through this as a team and help each other out!

Did you get called to be put into a class yet?? I'm still waiting to see the surgeon again. The other people in my class started getting surgery already...one yesterday and one today. I'm happy for them, but it sucks to have the be the person stuck waiting while everyone else moves forward!!

Ugh NO!! Dr Ray said a week so when they didn't call me I called the office and they said it is actually 2-3 weeks. Im on my second week of waiting now, tomorrow will be going into week 3 so hopefully ill hear something this week. How long did it take you to get the call?

That sucks for you and I totally understand, It will come soon you are right there! How long do you have to wait?

I think it was just over two weeks before I got called to be put into class, so I'm sure they will call you soon!!! I have to see the surgeon every month for two months and then hopefully he will schedule me. So I go back on July 2nd and then hopefully by the beginning of August I can get scheduled. Whats funny is that I go in on July 2nd and I have no clue what that's for!! He is basically just checking up on me and is just going to make me wait another month...so lame...I understand why, but still lame!!

I know it is kind of Lame, its already been a few months since you have had the issue anyway so I don't understand what the issue is. Make sure you let me know when the surgery is, I also want to know how everything goes after as well! What is your doctors name?

I guess standard protocol is to be on blood thinner s for six months, so they want me to complete the six months first - but they aren't even looking for anything to happen in that six months!! I would understand so much more if there was something they were waiting for besides just "time to pass" There isn't a test of any kind im going to be taking, just let the time pass, then proceed. I have Dr Tanaka....he is amazing despite making me wait. I understand his position, I'm just frustrated!!!

I would be frustrated to I completely understand. You feel like you have been waiting long enough and now it's time. I would not be happy either. I don't understand why you have to wait 6 months if you have been fine the last couple of months on the meds and have had no issues.

I just got the call for the Options classes woohoo! Im starting on June 26th at 7:00pm! Im super excited

I forgot to ask you if you are feeling better today?

Thats Great!!! Do you know who your teacher is? Im doing good...just still waiting. My dog is having surgery today so Im more worried about him than myself right now!!

Awww sorry to hear about you dog, I have a Pug named Bella and she is my baby she is more spoiled that the kids! She was bit by a snake last year when we were at my parents and pulled through it was amazing that she did! Im sure everything will be okay !

Barbara said my teacher will be Lee, I think its a male

Yes, Lee is male and I asked around in my group of the people who did a makeup class with him. They all said he is pretty cool but doesn't do any exercising in class (which could be a good thing, but the exercising does make the class fly by!!). They said he has a super dry personality, but you'll learn a ton from him!! My teacher was nutty....she was all over the place an as a result, the learning was limited at times. Let me know how the first class goes when you start!

Okay good hopefully it's not to bad! I will let you know how it goes the first day it's Thursday so I'll keep you informed!

Questions? did you lose weight during the options program and if you didn't or only lost a small amount, did the doctor tell you that you had to lose more before surgery?

I lost a little, but not the 10% that they want you to lose. In the beginning of the class, they talk to you as though the 10% is a requirement, but it really isn't. The only thing that happens different...if you lose the 10%, then after classes are done, you move right through to the fit test and labs....if you don't lose the 10%, then you have to wait for another appt to see Dr Ray, where he basically tells you to make sure not to gain any more weight going forward and then you move on to the fit test and labs. It wasn't something I stressed about too much (because I knew I might be waiting because of my blood clots anyway) but for some of the people in my group, it would have moved up their scheduling a good month had they lost the 10%. Now, once you see the surgeon and they weigh you in, they may ask you to lose a few lbs before surgery and I have heard of them turning people away on their surgery date if they didn't lose that amount...but that is usually just 4-6 lbs that you need to lose before surgery, so you have like 2 weeks to do it

Okay I was just wondering because I am 5'2" and weight 240, if I lose 10% thats 23 pounds (ugh) then I will weight 216 and my BMI would be under 40 so I don't want to go through all of that and then they deny me because my BMI is not high enough if that makes sense. If I lose 5% its 12 lbs and I can do that so I was just wondering.

Are you sooooo excited to start classes tomorrow!!!?!?!?! They go by quicker than you think!! I just noticed your last post, I was actually worried about dropping below the 40 BMI also and I asked about it before I even applied. It isn't an issue at all. They seem to really like the effort when people lose weight, so you can't be disqualified or anything if you BMI drops below 40. I think (im not positive) that once you get into the program, you are basically approved...Im sure there are reasons that they would deny you going forward, but only in situations like problems with your labs or something like that.