Hi there! This is my first post. I have a few questions and did a search but didn't really find what I was searching for. I really hope someone can help.

When I inquired about Lapband, my doctor gave me a list of things to do. Bloodwork, sleep apnea class (which I have), and mamogram which I just did this past Wed.

Alittle history - about a week prior to the mamogram, I called my Dr. to inquire about the lapband again. I left the message that I did have sleep apnea and at this point the only thing left to do on his list was the mamogram. I day or two later, I got an appointment card in the mail with a scheduled mamogram. Since usually this would be a "walk-in" I was hoping this meant I was on my way.

Today, I called to leave another message with my Dr. that I'd had the mamogram and was inquiring about where I stood in regard to the Lapband surgery. Someone from his office called back and said that the Dr. had referred it over to Freemont for a consultation.

Whew! I said alllllllllll that to say... what do you all think happens next? When I said hoping this meant on my way... I'm wondering on my way where! Thanks Kelley

I am going through kaiser Richmond and I have an orientation on July 15th . My PCP sent the referral on June 25th. Although I haven't received a packet in the mail from Kaiser Richmond. Maybe kaiser Richmond does it a little different than Kasier Fremont

Hi there! That's wonderful! And that's pretty fast! I need to find out the actual day my PCP sent my referral. I called him on Tues and someone called me back saying he sent "it" to Fremont for a consultation. I was on my cell phone and couldn't really hear him so I didn't think to ask any more questions.

I'm going to call Monday. Please post again and keep me informed. I'm just so excited for all of us!

Hi! I'm going through the Kaiser-Fresno program. They'll be starting their surgeries for lap band sometime this winter (they're hoping before the end of the year).

I decided to stay with Fresno b/c of the travel issues. The bay area is 3+ hours away and I have a 2 year old DD and firefighter DH so childcare is an issue for us. And this time of year, we never know if he's coming home or not (the last 3 weeks it's been NOT!).

I've been hearing wait times for surgeries of 6-8 months once you get hooked up with the facility (bay area) so I figured I'd just wait for Fresno to get up and running.

It's exciting and nerve-wracking, isn't it?

I was reading the posts on this site and I can relate to all of the frustration and confusion! I thought I would plot my journey of appointments here and maybe it might help someone out there.

I went to my PCP around 3-07 and asked for a referral to the WLS program. She told me that I did not qualify due to my BMI of 38. I asked her to send it anyways...denied. I went back (in May) and explained that she needed to put on their my depression, PCOS, chronic pain, back surgery, etc... She did (even though those do not meet the requirements). I called the Fremont clinic that week to follow up and got my orientation apt. for August 07. Went to that and got my consultation in 10-07. I went to that and was told "I am sorry but you do not qualify"! I was devastated I really thought due to my special set of circumstances I would be accepted. I literally almost had a nervous break down after leaving the office. After sometime in the car bawling and calling my hubby, I pulled it together and decided to go back in the office. I kindly explained the situation to MA and she was sympathetic and mentioned that the only thing I could do is try to speak to the chief of BWLS Dr. Dennon. I was like were is he I will wait all day if I have to... Long story short I asked for a second opinion, spoke to his personal secretary, wrote him a letter and mailed it to him explaining everything. Guess what I got an apt for 2nd opinion the next month 11-07. He was very kind but direct that I did not qualify for surgery under Kaiser requirements. But, he heard me out and decided to take my case in front of the administration that very day in a board meeting. I received a call that afternoon! APPROVED! Based on PCOS as my co-morbidity! I am the first person to get approved based on that (I could explain to those who are interested in it).

So, 12-26-07 I started my WL journey officially towards WLS. Did it go smooth after all of that??? Heck no! I am always calling in to the wt. tracking line every week to 2 weeks. I also have had to kindly call everyone there and email Dr. Dennon to get my surgery date. My file gets misplaced sometimes and a few calls or emails gets it found!:thumbup:

So, I know I am long winded but it is a long journey! I have been at my 10% goal for months (around April). Then I had to go on a waiting list for the psych consult. I had that in June, so I thought I would have surgery in July! YA RIGHT!!!:mad: Then I had to have an upper GI that they forgot to tell me about. Then, I had to go on the surgery waiting list. I called and emailed again (kindly) and got my date a few weeks ago for Sept. 3rd!:thumbup:

When I went to support group meetings at Kaiser and people where saying it took them a year or more to have the surgery. I thought "not me, I do not have that much wt to loose or the tests they need". Guess what? I was no different than anyone else!

So, what I want to share with everyone is that by being the squeaky wheel gets you far if you are kind and assertive. Never give up hope and never give up on what you know is right for you!:biggrin:

Good Luck!

PS- I am still looking for someone to carpool to Fremont for fills in the future and for support. Let me know if you are interested it can be a long drive in traffic! :smile:

Wow, that is a mighty long journey! But I'm incouraged by your tenacity. You hung in there, played nice, and moving right along.

Good luck with everything.

I'm right outside Sacramento but they have me going to Richmond. I would have loved to commute.

Take it easy.

Hello, your going through Kaiser Richmond so am I . . . I have my psych appt on 9/17 . I went to the support meeting they had on 8/13

Heah, how cool is that! Lets keep in contact so we can exchance notes. Aren't you glad they're getting the pysch appt out the way early?

I will update after my pysch appt