Hi,

I am looking for anyone who has been through the kaiser eval. Who knows how long it took after the 6 months before they told you if you were approved. I also would like to know how long did you wait for surgery date. I am in Virginia by the way.

Thank You

Congrats Kat! Which Kaiser are you at in Northern Cali? I'm at the Richmond Kaiser and would love to find friends locally. I am scheduled for surgery June 10th! Nervous and excited of course!

Its really interesting to me that Kaiser has such different requirements within and without the same states. I'm with Kaiser in Northern CA and I had my Orientation/Nutrition Class on 03/26/15, my consult with the Surgeon on 04/02/15 and my Psych Assessment today (04/21/15).

My surgeon gave me a goal of only 9.5 pounds from the day we met and the psychologist is having me attend 3 classes and support group at least once before I can meet with the Case Manager to schedule (also have to reach the Weight Goal set by my surgeon but I'm only 1.5 lbs away! ). He told me today that I'm looking at about 6 weeks before my surgery date. Yikes!

In the orientation class they said that if you follow the program (meal plan and exercise and all that jazz) that usually it's about 2 to 4 months from that day. I'd estimated that I'd be having my surgery in July but now it looks like it could be as soon as the first week of June. Very nervous and excited!

Yay for the June 10th Surgery date Mrs.Hansen88! That is so exciting!

Always looking for a good support group which is why I love this site! I'm also going through Kaiser Richmond. I'm hoping tomorrow that when I weigh in I'll be at Goal and then can schedule with the Case Manager to get my Date. Not knowing when has made me more anxious. I think that if I knew when it would settle me a little more.

Hi Kat. I am a kaiser member in Northern California and that is exactly what I am going through.

I had vsg at Richmond Kaiser on April 15th!

I have Kaiser and live right outside of Sacramento. I attended the WLS surgery seminar last week. Before my PCP will send over the referral she wants me to come in for a physical and have some blood work completed. I've already had my "girly" appointment and mammogram completed a couple weeks ago so hopefully she'll send over my referral shortly after my appointment this Wednesday. Now that I've made up my mind to do this I want to get the show on the road!!

I'm being sleeved at Kaiser SSF on 5/28. I took my first class on 4/7 (mandatory information session). Met the surgeon on 5/6 and received my surgery date of 5/28. Saw the psych on 5/15 and received his all clear. I have my preop class on 5/19. I've completed the nutrition meetings and the full orientation too. I started the preop eating plan of 1200 calories a day on 4/7 and have lost 14lbs. My BMI on 4/7 was 39.9.

I'm being sleeved at Kaiser SSF on 5/28. I took my first class on 4/7 (mandatory information session). Met the surgeon on 5/6 and received my surgery date of 5/28. Saw the psych on 5/15 and received his all clear. I have my preop class on 5/19. I've completed the nutrition meetings and the full orientation too. I started the preop eating plan of 1200 calories a day on 4/7 and have lost 14lbs. My BMI on 4/7 was 39.9.

That's encouraging to hear. My current BMI is the same and I'm hoping to get a referral to the bariatric surgery orientation this week. Your process seems to have gone a lot quicker than what I've read about. ☺

I've been very compliant and honest through the process. I believe it's been a smooth process because I'm not dealing with sleep apnea and I don't smoke. If I was dealing with either of those issues, I would have needed to use a cpap, without removing the mask while sleeping for a minimum of two months and quit smoking. As it was I had to give up caffeine and sugar and change the way I eat and my portions. I didn't have too much trouble with that although I slipped once or twice with sugar and caffeine. Overall though, I've done pretty well.

My NUT said the only things she wants is for me to keep working on getting my liquids in.

I've been very compliant and honest through the process. I believe it's been a smooth process because I'm not dealing with sleep apnea and I don't smoke. If I was dealing with either of those issues, I would have needed to use a cpap, without removing the mask while sleeping for a minimum of two months and quit smoking. As it was I had to give up caffeine and sugar and change the way I eat and my portions. I didn't have too much trouble with that although I slipped once or twice with sugar and caffeine. Overall though, I've done pretty well.

My NUT said the only things she wants is for me to keep working on getting my liquids in.

I do not have sleep apnea either and on 5/22 it will have been 4 years since I quit smoking. I am mentally preparing to give up caffeine but I don't want to cross that bridge until I am given the official referral to the program. As it is now, I drink one, maybe two cups of coffee a day and while I enjoy them greatly, I will gladly give them up in order to have this surgery.

I completely understand that this surgery is not going to be like a magic wand is waved over me and it will be easy. I'm prepared to do the work needed, I'm just so anxious to get started.

I just had surgery 5/4. I had low BMI and an existing lap band that I needed to have removed and revised to a sleeve . They still required me to go through the program. So...12 weeks of classes with a 2 week delay because of the holidays. Then labs, evaluation by Bariatrics doctor and evaluation by family therapist and finally pre op evaluation with the surgeon. Things moved quickly after classes ended. I had surgery 2 months after classes ended and others in my class got done a few weeks sooner than I did. I got delayed because my PMD wouldn't sign off without seeing me in person and it took awhile to get an appointment with her. We were told we could be denied if we gained weight. Most people in my class lost weight because they were motivated and really trying hard. Delays can result because of things like low iron.

Edited May 19, 201511 yr by Want2surf

I have Kaiser and I'm in Northern California. I had my surgery 4/2/15 and from start to finish, 5 months. Orientation class in November. Appointments with the psychologist, dietician and surgeon in December, met my goal wait set by surgeon in February, additional appointments in March and surgery beginning of April.

I feel very lucky, maybe they changed the criteria after my surgery but like I said it was 3 months from beginning to end had surgery July 17 hang in there everyone!! This journey is so worth it!!

Very excited to update I got my surgery date! June 3rd! 11 more days! They just told me day before yesterday and it's a lot sooner than I thought it would be. I'm super excited to have made it this far and to continue on this journey. So grateful to the team at Kaiser Richmond, they have been so informative and helpful!

I'm being sleeved at Kaiser SSF on 5/28. I took my first class on 4/7 (mandatory information session). Met the surgeon on 5/6 and received my surgery date of 5/28. Saw the psych on 5/15 and received his all clear. I have my preop class on 5/19. I've completed the nutrition meetings and the full orientation too. I started the preop eating plan of 1200 calories a day on 4/7 and have lost 14lbs. My BMI on 4/7 was 39.9.

Edited May 27, 201511 yr by Bluesea71

I had my surgery at the SSF Kaiser April 2014. Who is your surgeon? The process is really quick for most at that location. I had my surgery two months after attending the orientation class! Now living life at goal! Happy to answer any questions you may have. I've have a great experience with zero complications ????

Bluesea, my surgeon is Dr. R. Li. I cannot thank you enough for sharing what you just did. I feel really good about the team there and it's wonderful to have some validation. Thank you so very much.

BjI know this post is old but I have a question. Did anyone not have to habe documentation regarding the 3/5 year weight? To be honest I went a while without insurance and avoiding doctors. I now have new insurance and am worried I won't qualify for vsg due to this. Advice or thoughts?