Hello all!! I called Kaiser today to scheudule my appointment to see my PCP so that I may get a referral for a lap band. My appioniment is on Sept 10th (wish me luck):cool2:. The only thing that worries me, is that when I called customer support (Kaiser) to see if Lap band was coverd, I was told it wasn't only the gastric bypass (which I DO NOT want):thumbup:. But that I should keep my appointment with my PCP and if she felt it was medically necessary, she would know what to do. Has anyone in Southern California (Kaiser) gone through this? My BMI is 46 or 48. I would think that I would qualify just on that. I don't have any health issues though. Will this NOT help my chances? I really need this, as I have tried EVERYTHING since I was 15 yrs old.

Please HELP .... what is in store for me? What can I do to better my chances??? I know Northern Califonia Kaiser patients are getting Lap bands, whats taking southern california kaiser so long???

Hi Guys,

I'm in the Options Program thru Kaiser in Riverside. I'm only on week 6 of 24. What a painfully slow process this is. They're telling us that there is NO lapband surgery being offered anymore, until they can get more places contracted. I'm hoping they'll have one lined up by the time I'm done. They really push the RNY, and not the lapband.

Also, they will be starting the Options classes at the Corona facility soon, in case anyone is interested. (I live in Corona, but since I started in Riverside I think I have to stay)

I'm confused about the Harbor City location, whether they are doing lapband anymore or not, as they made it sound like they weren't...maybe it's just that the wait is 6 mos? As popular as the band is getting, I'm really surprised they don't just do the surgery themselves, at every one of their hospitals!

Hello

You are the second person to tell me that about the Harbor City location. It might be that they are telling the newer classes this, because the wait time is so far out (4-6 months) I have already signed my releases and have gotten the paperwork for the Harbor city Kaiser for Lap Band. I only have 3 more classes left. I know that Pacific Bariatrics in San Diego is in process to get approved to do the lap band for Kaiser, so by the time you get done this might be an option for you. Just continue with the classes I am sure that it will be available for you by the time you finish .. good luck and learn as much as you can. It is so worth it and you will be on the fast track to losing the RIGHT way.

I am not certain if Harbor City is presently doing Lap Bands, but they have a beautiful, fairly new Bariatric Operating facility there, so I am quite sure that they do.

I will tell you, though, that the Chief of Bariatric Surgery there is opposed to the Lap band, so they might NOT be doing them at that facility. I do not know if he is personally still doing them....but, if he IS, and if you DO have a band there, have him (dr robert Zane) put it in for you. Even though he is opposed to the band, he is regarded as an expert in things that can go WRONG with the band. People who have band problems come from all over to have him repair their problem. He is an oustanding surgeon, and wonderful guy. Because of his unique knowledge, you can be certain that he knows how to do it CORRECTLY.

I consider him to have saved my life, and I highly recommend him, and the Harbor City team in general. He WILL try and point you toward a Gastric Bypass....he has seen a LOT of suffering from the band. But, he is a talented Surgeon and he knows his stuff!

HH

I am not certain if Harbor City is presently doing Lap Bands, but they have a beautiful, fairly new Bariatric Operating facility there, so I am quite sure that they do.

I will tell you, though, that the Chief of Bariatric Surgery there is opposed to the Lap band, so they might NOT be doing them at that facility. I do not know if he is personally still doing them....but, if he IS, and if you DO have a band there, have him (dr robert Zane) put it in for you. Even though he is opposed to the band, he is regarded as an expert in things that can go WRONG with the band. People who have band problems come from all over to have him repair their problem. He is an oustanding surgeon, and wonderful guy. Because of his unique knowledge, you can be certain that he knows how to do it CORRECTLY.

I consider him to have saved my life, and I highly recommend him, and the Harbor City team in general. He WILL try and point you toward a Gastric Bypass....he has seen a LOT of suffering from the band. But, he is a talented Surgeon and he knows his stuff!

HH

WOW, thank you so much for this information. Can I ask, what went wrong wit your band?

I had an idiot install my band, Dr. Theodore Khalili at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles.

He installed it incorrectly.

After having it in me a few months, the port Popped OUT OF MY STOMACH while I was on business trip.

It was a long and ugly story, but one of the tubes that was left in after the port popped out worked it's way down and buried itself inside my colon. It was real nasty.

Dr. Zane discovered all this, and did the surgery to remove evrything and fix me up real nicely. I had a Gastric Bypass, and, one year later, am healthy, happy, and at my Perfect weight for my height/build.

Yes, DO see Dr. Zane. The guy really knows what he's doing!

HH

I had an idiot install my band, Dr. Theodore Khalili at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles.

He installed it incorrectly.

After having it in me a few months, the port Popped OUT OF MY STOMACH while I was on business trip.

It was a long and ugly story, but one of the tubes that was left in after the port popped out worked it's way down and buried itself inside my colon. It was real nasty.

Dr. Zane discovered all this, and did the surgery to remove evrything and fix me up real nicely. I had a Gastric Bypass, and, one year later, am healthy, happy, and at my Perfect weight for my height/build.

Yes, DO see Dr. Zane. The guy really knows what he's doing!

HH

Thank you so much for being so open about your ordeal. What a shame about the bad experience you had with the band. I will ask to see Dr. Zane. I'd hate for him to discourage me from the band. I have several family member that have it and have done wonderfully on it. Bypass is not an option for me, its just to drastic for me that is. I have several friends who have had the bypass and look wonderfull but then there are the other few who are difficient in EVERYTHING now and look horrible. But I guess all of these WLS surgeries have their good outcomes and bad. Again thank you so much for the info. :party:

Hi Guys,

I'm in the Options Program thru Kaiser in Riverside. I'm only on week 6 of 24. What a painfully slow process this is. They're telling us that there is NO lapband surgery being offered anymore, until they can get more places contracted. I'm hoping they'll have one lined up by the time I'm done. They really push the RNY, and not the lapband.

Also, they will be starting the Options classes at the Corona facility soon, in case anyone is interested. (I live in Corona, but since I started in Riverside I think I have to stay)

I'm confused about the Harbor City location, whether they are doing lapband anymore or not, as they made it sound like they weren't...maybe it's just that the wait is 6 mos? As popular as the band is getting, I'm really surprised they don't just do the surgery themselves, at every one of their hospitals!

I think they still are doing it. I have my consultation this Monday 09/21 at the Harbor City Location. I finished my classes in June. I know they said it was a 6 mnth wait, but I think they opened more clinic days or got some cancelations so I got called. Only waited what ... 3 months. ... not bad! Good luck:thumbup:

Hi Guys,

I'm in the Options Program thru Kaiser in Riverside. I'm only on week 6 of 24. What a painfully slow process this is. They're telling us that there is NO lapband surgery being offered anymore, until they can get more places contracted. I'm hoping they'll have one lined up by the time I'm done. They really push the RNY, and not the lapband.

Also, they will be starting the Options classes at the Corona facility soon, in case anyone is interested. (I live in Corona, but since I started in Riverside I think I have to stay)

I'm confused about the Harbor City location, whether they are doing lapband anymore or not, as they made it sound like they weren't...maybe it's just that the wait is 6 mos? As popular as the band is getting, I'm really surprised they don't just do the surgery themselves, at every one of their hospitals!

I think they still are doing it. I have my consultation this Monday 09/21 at the Harbor City Location. I finished my classes in June. I know they said it was a 6 mnth wait, but I think they opened more clinic days or got some cancelations so I got called. Only waited what ... 3 months. ... not bad! Good luck:thumbup:

Hmmm, it seems every location at Kaiser has different information...we were told last month that the lapband was no longer being provided by Kaiser due to too many complications...but you say you're having it done at Harbor City?

I have 4 classes left and met with the doctor last week and he is referring me to West Los Angeles Kaiser Hospital for my sleeve surgery. No mention of this location was ever mentioned in our classes, and right now there is no wait. I didn't think it would go this fast and didn't even expect it to be a Kaiser facility doing the surgery, since all they tell us in class is about the contracted surgery centers. And since it's a Kaiser facility doing my surgery, he didn't even need to have me do any pre-op tests, so I'm wondering if I'll have to drive to LA many times for stuff (hour away).

Please keep me posted...good luck!

Hello everyone

I am a newbie to Kaiser Harbor City options classes. I start Tuesday. I would like to know how far along everyone is. How is the program working for you? Is there any advice or tips you can offer? I read a few posts that say that some Kaiser locations are no longer offering LapBand. I was told in orientation (Aug. 26th) That it is an option. However we should be open to the bypass and sleeve.

:thumbup:

I had an idiot install my band, Dr. Theodore Khalili at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles.

He installed it incorrectly.

After having it in me a few months, the port Popped OUT OF MY STOMACH while I was on business trip.

It was a long and ugly story, but one of the tubes that was left in after the port popped out worked it's way down and buried itself inside my colon. It was real nasty.

Dr. Zane discovered all this, and did the surgery to remove evrything and fix me up real nicely. I had a Gastric Bypass, and, one year later, am healthy, happy, and at my Perfect weight for my height/build.

Yes, DO see Dr. Zane. The guy really knows what he's doing!

HH

Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us. I have heard nothing but good things about Dr. Zane. I will definitely ask to see Dr. Zane :thumbup:

Hello everyone

I am a newbie to Kaiser Harbor City options classes. I start Tuesday. I would like to know how far along everyone is. How is the program working for you? Is there any advice or tips you can offer? I read a few posts that say that some Kaiser locations are no longer offering LAP-BAND®. I was told in orientation (Aug. 26th) That it is an option. However we should be open to the bypass and sleeve.

Welcome to Options! I have one class left and met with the doctor today and he's referring me to Harbor City for my Sleeve surgery. I started out wanting the lapband, but have changed my mind and am very excited to get the sleeve. I hope to get Dr. Zane.

We were told many times back and forth that Kaiser was doing the band, then they weren't, and just last week said again that they were, so who knows what the story will be by the time you get there.

Options is a very long journey. At first I hated that it was 6 mos (only 20 weeks now I heard), but after a while you begin to really appreciate this time to prepare for surgery. I was able to lose my 10% weight requirement, and now will be waiting to hear from the patient coordinator to get my surgery date! I think I learned about as much, if not more, from visiting this forum and the VSG forum (verticalsleevetalk.com) than I did in the classes. I hear that each location is very different, tho. I now feel very prepared and excited for my sleeve.

Good luck!

Hello all!

UPDATE:

I am finally having Surgery this Friday 10/09/09 w/ Dr. Zane. I too was going in for the Lap band, but have now changed my mind. I am now doing the SLeeve. The Lapband is giving alot of ppl too many complications, and the sleeve is a great alternative and the same results as the bypass. Cant wait .. keep me in your prayers:thumbup:

Hello all!

UPDATE:

I am finally having Surgery this Friday 10/09/09 w/ Dr. Zane. I too was going in for the LAP-BAND®, but have now changed my mind. I am now doing the SLeeve. The LAP-BAND® is giving alot of ppl too many complications, and the sleeve is a great alternative and the same results as the bypass. Cant wait .. keep me in your prayers:thumbup:

OMG that's awesome! And you switched to the sleeve like I did, that's great. I want to know everything, so keep posting about your experience, as it looks like I will be seen by Dr. Zane also. I'm sure you're nervous and excited at the same time. Oh, good luck and congratulations on finally getting to the end of your long journey! I will be thinking of you on Friday and I hope all goes well.:frown:

Was wonder if anyone could give me the name of the surgen in fresno ca that excepts kaiser

Can you give me the name of the dr in fresno