Kaiser Permanente Insurance

[Shrinking Violette 0]

I went through Kaiser. You have to go to an orientation class and there they will give information on both bypass and band surgeries. It is a very long process. I went to orientation in August of 07 and was finally banded in may 08. One thing to do is start losing weight right away. The sooner you do the sooner you will have your surgery. I had Dr. Le in South San Francisco. The staff is great and they are very helpful. These classes are mandatory and are very informative. Per Kaiser: if you miss any of your classes you have to reschedule them and attend them prior to having your surgery. People complain about having to do all the things they want prior to surgery, like having to lose 10% of your initial weight, this is done to help prep your internal organs for surgery. Right now they are covered in a layer of fat and that needs to come off so it is easier to get to your stomach. Do what they tell you and you will be fine. Good Luck! It is well worth the wait!

Congratulations on your surgery. May I ask what the process was like with regards to the eating what was the 1st week like? What was the 2nd week like? I know they put you on a diet did you actually follow it? Did you follow there calorie program that was tailored for or designed for you? Did you actually write your food journals down (that you ate) or did you write down what they wanted you to eat according to the calorie allowance? Let’s face it if we or I had the will power to do the calorie reduction that they want to put me on, why would I need the surgery? I am sorry my question is so long, but you’re the only one I can ask, as you have been threw it.

Thank you,

[riley4183 0]

So not too long ago, I had posted that I had gotten a call back from Kaiser saying, patients don't call us, we call patients. Many of you counseled me to not be discouraged, to keep calling but to BE NICE. I did that. I left messages for a week, then I gave up. Well late yesterday, lo and behold, a very nice woman called me from Richmond bariatrics and said, I'm returning your call, how can I help you? :teeth_smile: I was thrown for a loop, I said well uhm, I'm waiting to be called for an appointment for orientation, my doc sent my referral electronically 3 weeks ago, and she put me on hold and came back and said, why yes you do have a referral! Can you come to 5-hour orientation this coming Tuesday?! And she said good thing I had called back, they had somehow missed me!

So to orientation I go next Tuesday - election day. And to all of you who told me to just keep calling and be really nice, thanks! It worked!!

Riley:thumbup:

[SillyGoose 0]

So not too long ago, I had posted that I had gotten a call back from Kaiser saying, patients don't call us, we call patients. Many of you counseled me to not be discouraged, to keep calling but to BE NICE. I did that. I left messages for a week, then I gave up. Well late yesterday, lo and behold, a very nice woman called me from Richmond bariatrics and said, I'm returning your call, how can I help you? :smile2: I was thrown for a loop, I said well uhm, I'm waiting to be called for an appointment for orientation, my doc sent my referral electronically 3 weeks ago, and she put me on hold and came back and said, why yes you do have a referral! Can you come to 5-hour orientation this coming Tuesday?! And she said good thing I had called back, they had somehow missed me!

So to orientation I go next Tuesday - election day. And to all of you who told me to just keep calling and be really nice, thanks! It worked!!

Riley:thumbup:

So happy to hear you got called back with an appointment!

And now it begins....

Congrats!

[Minxz 0]

:smile2::thumbup:

[roseyyyd1 0]

Hi ya,,,Kaiser Band Patients, and TO BE's...like me!

Congrats Riley, that is great. Wish I could go with you, for support, but you will learn alot! Any questions, right here for ya, perhaps someday we'll meet up! My Pre-op is Nov. 25th, and new date is Dec. 10th which is cool, what a way to end the year, and start 2009 with a tool to look (AND feel) Fine!

Hi to you to Minx, hope you are doing well, where are you on the journey? So, the cooler weather is here for us, which is good, so no 'sweating' the recovery, literally! Have a blessed day of good choices! :smile2:

[Lainerz 0]

Kiley, I am meeting w/Dr. Stewart and the Psychiatrist Dr. Zils on Tuesday at Kaiser SSF. I had my orientation 03-10-08. Dropped 20 lbs before seeing nutritionist. To date, I dropped 36+ lbs.

I suffer from hip displasia and severe osteo-arthritis in my right hip. In order to get my hip replaced, I need to drop 50 more lbs.

I feel that it is very 'do-able'. I cannot walk long distances, however, Mon - Fri (except this LAST Monday and Friday), I get myself to our local sports center at 5:30 AM and spend an hour in a warm Water pool.

Although I can no longer 'swim' because of the pain, I keep myself moving for the hour. Working my legs in a 'bicycle' motion and moving my arms above my chest to increase my heart rate.

I get so much support from the members and staff at the sports center - mostly athletes and tri-athletes, of all things, who tell me I inspire them (did I mention I use a walker, now?). Lots of support from friends, also.

If you see me Tuesday afternoon, I have a lovely red bow on my walker, say Hello!

[sadtobefat 0]

Hi how long did it take you to love the 25 pounds

Kandie

[ShellyBelle 0]

I am just beginning my journey on the bariatric trail. I am scared, nervous, and yet hopeful. Thank you for each of you sharing your experiences. :whatchutalkingabout It gives those of us just starting out some hope and encouragement from your success.

I live in Susanville, CA, so I will be traveling a lot to reach my meetings. At first I thought "no way am I going to be able to drive all those miles and so often" but then the reality of my situation hit me that if I want to see my children grow up then I must be willing to do whatever it takes to get healthy.

I am 45 years old. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes three years ago. I am on three medications to control my glucose levels. I have sleep apnea for which I use a CPAP. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic myofacial pain 18 years ago. I injured my back and have no disks in the lower portion. I am at 320 pounds and being 5'9" my doctor says I should weigh around 170-180.

I have my DR and my Psych's approval for the surgery and I guess because I have diabetes it automatically authorizes me to have the surgery. Now I am waiting to be called for orientation.

Should I be calling them? I don't even have a number for them.

[momcof3 1]

Which Kaiser are you working with? When did your primary care physician send the referral over?

[SillyGoose 0]

As the other poster mentioned, it does seem to depend on which Kaiser your going to. From reading the different Kaiser threads, it appears to always be a good idea to follow up with phone calls. I would begin calling either your pcp or the health education department for the contact information about the orientation.

As you can see, I began this process around June, and I finally have an appointment for the group surgery meeting next week. I'm hoping I can have surgery by January or February.

Best wishes!

[ShellyBelle 0]

I went to the DR on the 20th of November. She got in touch with my Psych and then she said she ok'd it and a referral was supposedly sent on the 21st.

My DR said she didn't know which Kaiser it would be, but that it would be in the Bay area for sure, so I don't know what Kaisers are there or which ones do the surgery.

I am not sure which procedure to go with. I need to lose a lot, so I expect whatever one I end up with will take a while. Does anyone here have a preference? I have heard things about both, but nothing to determine which is best.

[swishbc 0]

From my understanding, the Kaiser location is assigned according to where you live. I'm in Woodland and have been assigned to the Richmond location. It's a little over an hour away, but it sounds like from start to surgery it'll only be about 5 visits. Of course, after surgery I'll probably have to go there for fills, unless a location closer to me starts doing them.

If I were you I'd call your PCP and find out which location has your referral. Then I'd call that location and make sure your referral "made it there." :angry_smile: Just play dumb! Hopefully they'll schedule you for orientation right there over the phone...that's what they did with me.

Good luck!

[swrktp 1]

I was referred about the same time as you last week. So far I have not heard anything back from them. I did try to call yesterday to RICHMOND but they told me not to start calling until 3 weeks after the referral comes in. I honestly just want to be sure my PCP sent the referral in and really want an orientation while I am off for Christmas break.

SWISH your doing great. I hope I will get on a role once the orientation is done!!

I think RICHMOND must be backed up right now.

[swishbc 0]

That's so weird that they're not giving you time on the phone. That's how I got my orientation date so quickly. I called 2 business days after my PCP sent over the referral!

I had my surgeon appt yesterday and it was great. TODAY I had my psych appt and it went great too. I'm NOT crazy and I'm officially approved for surgery! All I have to do now is get down to 270 and then I'll be scheduled for surgery. I'm hoping to do it super quick!

[swrktp 1]

I called today and they said the computers were down all day and there is nothing they can do as far as scheduling appointments for me or checking the referral. But they did say to call tomorrow so that is some progress. I would love to go to orientation Tuesday this week and than try to get a surgeon or psych appointment in the next two weeks when I am off.

I am still going back and forth with gastric and lap band. I really want a doctor to tell me. Some are saying that if you don't get enough of a fill it doesn't do much and than what is the point. I need help willpower won't do it!!

Keeping my fingers crossed about next week. I hope.............I plan to call every few days and see what happens