So with kaiser in the inland empire area, when you get the referral to the options class, is that the approval that you will have the surgery? Or after going through the 12 weeks class can they still deny us? If so what reasons could they deny us?

Hi jaymmee, I'm new here - 1st post! I was approved through Kaiser in Georgia for VSG. Once you have your referral, you are approved unless you run into some bumps along the way with your dietitian, psychologist, etc. I started my introduction class in March and finished everything June 13th! The review board looks over everything before sending the approval letter but the surgery scheduler nurse will call you before the letter comes. The doctor I chose is very popular so my surgery date is not until August 27th. Don't worry, you will be approved - just go to all your appointments & try not to cancel any of them.

Thank you! That’s really good to know!! I guess I’m a little worried because my BMI is 37.2 and I have many co-morbidities, and I fear dropping below the requirement BMI of 35. If I do, i don’t wanna be denied because it seems it’s just going to return and then I have to redo everything again. I’m just done with that loop you know.

No honey, you will be fine. The recorded BMI at the beginning of your process will always follow you. Your dietitian will put you on a meal plan to hopefully allow you to get adjusted to your new eating habits and you will lose weight. I lost about 11 pounds so your BMI will go down but "will not" hinder your approval. No worries, can't wait for us both to officially cross over to brighter days after VSG!

OMG this is awesome!! I know it’s super exciting! Can’t wait!! Which one are you going through?

Sorry I forgot you are in GA!! I was thinking you were out here in CA! Lol

Hi! I live in the Inland Empire and also have kaiser. I will be going to see my primary doctor today and will be asking to get a referral to get bariatric surgery. Do you have any advice as to what type of questions I should ask and is Kaiser in the IE fairly easy to get an approval? Also, what is the process for the surgery? I have high blood pressure which recently I ended up in the emergency room. I have other health issues related to my weight and have tried several diets and I am currently on weight watchers for the past year but have done weight watchers on and off since 2009.

On 11/20/2019 at 09:22, mjp9281 said:

Hi! I live in the Inland Empire and also have kaiser. I will be going to see my primary doctor today and will be asking to get a referral to get bariatric surgery. Do you have any advice as to what type of questions I should ask and is Kaiser in the IE fairly easy to get an approval? Also, what is the process for the surgery? I have high blood pressure which recently I ended up in the emergency room. I have other health issues related to my weight and have tried several diets and I am currently on weight watchers for the past year but have done weight watchers on and off since 2009.

Hello! I got my referral in IE, too :). I simply let my primary physician know I was interested (I weighed 289 at 5’4”). He didn’t blink an eye. Then I started Options in November (quickly after my referral) and had surgery 5/2.
Getting the referral was no problem, and there was no need to list reasons, other than the obvious. Let me know if you have any more questions since we are in the same region!