Has anyone heard if Kaiser Southern CA does lap band surgery? I am interested in getting the lapband done and have not even approached my doctor yet. I am 26 years old, 5'8'' and 245lbs. I have had issues with acid refulx, high blood pressure and borderline diabetes. My BMI currently is about 38.

I also have the open enrollment for my job coming up where I can switch insurances and my other choice is Aetna. Has anyone had any experience with that?

My biggest fear is to get excited about this tool that will be so beneficial to me then come to find out that I don't even qualify for it.

Any help would be great!

Hi,

As of May 2008, Kaiser in southern California still didn't pay for lap bands, although I had heard that they were considering it.

Ok so this is the deal, I had a PCP appt last Thursday @ Kaiser Woodland Hills, I made him send a referral to Health Education (hes cool like that) . Anyways so I waited this long holiday weekend and made my calls this morning. I called the Health Education Dept, made sure that they received my referral and had them set me up for labs, Im having that done first thing in the morning, and then they (Hlth Edu Dept) Will call the Panorama City (The Valley) Kaiser and have my orientation set up. Which is 6 looooooonnnnnggggg months!!!!They also said that they do cover Gastric Bypass (Hell To The Naw) Lap Banding, and the Gastric Sleeve. So thats where I am in this long journey, even though they are little bitty baby steps :blushing: I believe South Bay Kaiser is the other place where classes are held. The bottom line is, Yes Kaiser does cover the Banding, you just gotta stay on them and it will be at least 6 month I guess give or take a few days... Hope this helps Ill give the play by play as I get it

Boopie