Hi. I've been lurking on here for weeks as my hubby and I finally committed to embarking on this sleeve journey together. I'm still waiting on my referral to bariatrics but my husband already got his and his first appt isn't until 12/2! I've scoured everything I could to try and find out the process for this location...do they swear folks to secrecy because I can't find anything.

We were hoping to work magic and have our procedures this year as between our 3 year olds issue with seizures and my husbands diabetes we are close to our out of pocket max this year.

Anyone gone through the process in this location and have insight into the process?

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I was reactivating into the program so the process for me was a tiny bit different. I got my referral July 13. I had a health education class July 27 that covered general details about bariatric surgery and the program. After that you need to talk to doc again and say you're interested they then refer you into the program. August 4 was my orientation (4 hours long!!!!!) This where they weigh you and only this weight and their scale will be the one that matters. Since I'm reactivating I had to take 4 bariatric lifestyle class (extremely helpful). They are every Wednesday. On my 4th class day I called to schedule my psych eval, I was SO lucky I called when I did because it was either the next day September 8 or all the way until October 4, I took the 9/8 because I would be on a trip for the next available appt. Dr. Z (psych) cleared me and scheduled me for my surgeon appt w/ Dr. Mostaedi October 11 (where I'll get my goal weight) I've already lost 23lbs so that must be why Dr. Z cleared me quickly. I have to wait till December for surgery because of school but I would have to wait anyway because I was a vaper. If you are a smoker you will have to be 3 months nicotine free before surgery. If I wasn't a vaper and didn't have school I would probably be having this surgery in October.

Edited September 16, 20169 yr by kc13

I was reactivating into the program so the process for me was a tiny bit different. I got my referral July 13. I had a health education class July 27 that covered general details about bariatric surgery and the program. After that you need to talk to doc again and say you're interested they then refer you into the program. August 4 was my orientation (4 hours long!!!!!) This where they weigh you and only this weight and their scale will be the one that matters. Since I'm reactivating I had to take 4 bariatric lifestyle class (extremely helpful). They are every Wednesday. On my 4th class day I called to schedule my psych eval, I was SO lucky I called when I did because it was either the next day September 8 or all the way until October 4, I took the 9/8 because I would be on a trip for the next available appt. Dr. Z (psych) cleared me and scheduled me for my surgeon appt w/ Dr. Mostaedi October 11 (where I'll get my goal weight) I've already lost 23lbs so that must be why Dr. Z cleared me quickly. I have to wait till December for surgery because of school but I would have to wait anyway because I was a vaper. If you are a smoker you will have to be 3 months nicotine free before surgery. If I wasn't a vaper and didn't have school I would probably be having this surgery in October.

I am really happy for you .i know you can't wait until December .I am wishing you the best .

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Thank you @@shaylady08!!!!

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Can anyone give details on what psychiatrists visit's are like ?

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@@shaylady08 it's a little intimidating walking in but Dr. Z is really nice. I thought I was going to cry and he expects it but I didn't lol

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@@kc13 I got the feel he has high energy at orientation .I meet with him on the 26th .My excited my process is moving along but it's going to be hard to make goal with the holidays right around the corner

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This thread has been super helpful. Today, in Petaluma, my doctor gave me my referral and I'm SO happy! It sounds like I'll either go to Richmond or South SF for appointments and surgery. It's the beginning of a new and improved life.

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it took me a week from referral to orientation and I had the surgery a few days shy of 3 months after orientation. My 1 year surgery-versery is 10/28. I have lost 165 lbs. Process was super fast and everyone was helpful. Would have had the surgery sooner, but I'm a psychologist in training and wanted to make sure to give my clinic sufficient notice.

Thank you @@SweetPotato & @kc13.

I can't wait until next week to officially be on my way with the process. This 6 week wait for the orientation has been nerve racking. Hoping the process moves fast as long as I do my part.

Is there a pre-op liquid diet with Kaiser Richmond?

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@@SweetPotato 165 lbs in 1 year. Amazing! I hope to follow your footsteps? How did your skin hold up?

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This thread has been so helpful! I have been trying to look for recent posts about Richmond and wasn't finding any until this one.

My orientation date is November 17th, I'm so excited! I have considered WLS for years but never had the nerve to follow through with it. I feel most comfortable with getting the VSG but I will keep an open mind if the surgeon suggests something else.

For those of you that have already gotten the surgery, how long were you off work recovering post-opp?

@@bubbz333 I had my orientation last week - lots of information. Be prepared they want you to hit the ground running with the pre-op diet...like walking out ready to go from that moment on. The pre op diet is at least food, albeit limited quantities. Very adamant about Protein first. So if you like veggies in your eggs or want to make a protein style sandwich you're outta luck.

I have my appt with dr baggs on 11/1. Hoping that I don't have too crazy of a weight loss goal.

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@"bubbz333". I took the whole 4 weeks off they offered. I wasn't sure what to expect given everyone has a different experience. I didn't want to burn through so much sick time but I am glad I did. I had a very smooth recovery but it gave me the opportunity to transition and focus on me without work stress. I knew with my job they would push me too far too fast. But at two weeks I had no pain or soreness.

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Today I'm going to orientation in South San Francisco and meeting with the surgeon. I'm so excited for this journey to truly begin.

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Ditto what @@krissyfattofab said. I also had orientation last week and they expect you to change you diet immediately. It's been interesting transitioning to protein first and not drinking with meals. So far I have survived. It's definitely tough on days I work out as I do an intense workout and get hungry after class. How is everything going with you @@krissyfattofab?