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Hi all,

I have Kaiser NorCal and I am scheduled for the seminar in two weeks. I have been seeing conflicting info regarding what the process is. Mt doctor has already told me that she will refer me to the surgeon after the seminar. What is the process like after that? Thanks in advance.

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@@Phoenix40 Welcome! Tthe process really depends on your insurance requirements and also any requirements your surgeon or center has. You'll have a better idea after the seminar they will probably be able to tell you the basic requirements then ......but get ready for a ride and don't expect anything to happen too fast is the best advice I can offer... :)

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Welcome. I am pre-op, too, and on my second surgeon. You'll learn quickly that the answer to all things WLS is "it depends".

It depends on your surgeon.

It depends on your insurance.

It depends on your nutritionist.

It depends on your procedure.

Some commonality I have found across pre-op tales of reputable WL centers is...

Some sort of orientation.

Meeting with the surgeon (who decides with you which procedure).

Pre-op work (this could be weight loss, classes/workshops, therapy, meetings with nutritionist, medical labs and tests)

Getting approval from insurance

Getting a surgery date.

Then,,Approaching surgery normal pre-surg routine (meet with anesthesiology, your surgeon again blah blah blah)

For some, this whole process is 3 months...for others 6....for others 12 and for others years of fighting for approval.

if you are self-pay, this all moves much quicker.

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Thank you. I am driving myself crazy...now that I have made the decision, I just want to get started. I have heard a couple of different things, which has added to my confusion,lol.

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I know exactly how you feel!!! Once I make my mind up to do something I want it done right then!.....I feel like this has already taken forever but in actuality I just attended my seminar on 3/8 and my surgery is supposed to be in May.....that's pretty good compared to most people I've seen on here......good luck!!!

Thank you. I am driving myself crazy...now that I have made the decision, I just want to get started. I have heard a couple of different things, which has added to my confusion,lol.

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I too have Kaiser. You will meet with a dietitian and with the surgeon to discuss which surgery you want and which they will do depending on your health. You will be given a binder FULL OF INFORMATION and will be told how much weight you will need to lose before the next phase. When you are within 5 lbs of your weight you will send in a quiz and be scheduled an appointment with a psychiatrist. ( this is where I am) you will need to attend at least one support meeting pre op.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

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        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
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