I have an appointment for my first of I am sure many appointments for WLS. I have Kaiser and was wondering if any of you have dealt with Kaiser? I have heard they do not like to approve the surgery unless you have a BMI of at least 55. My doctor is sending me to the WLS oveview class so this sounds promising. I am considering Mexico if not approved by Kaiser.

I know how you feel, I've been thinking about it a lot. If you like you can sit with me and my husband. We can listen together:smile2:

Hi all,

I have never posted on here before, but I had to mention something. I too have Kaiser (in Stockton). 3 years ago I requested LB surgery and was told to gain 30 lbs. Yea right! Anyway went to Dr. Ortiz in TJ (AMAZING! would recommend 100%) over 2 years ago now. Anyway I talked to me Kaiser doc this past summer and she referred me to Fremont so I could get fills. Jumped through their hoops (upper GI, blood work etc) and they "approved" me to come there for care (meaning fills). Anyway I went in late Nov for a fill, drove over 2 hours in rush hour traffic while my baby screamed the whole time, got there and met with the "doctor". She was VERY unprofessional. Spent 40 minutes with me going over LB info that I obviously knew since I've been banded for so long (and been very sucessful). She even described how she does fills. Then she says, "I don't tell people this at the beginning, but we can't do your fills here". Because I wasn't approved in the U.S. I was LIVID. I filed a formal complaint with Kaiser about her. My own primary doc was shocked, they pretty much told her that they would do the fills. She also made at least 5 comments about how gastric bypass is better! I was shocked at that too. Side note, there were 3 women in the waiting room with me talking - about how they were NOT getting the band! So I would say that Fremont is negative-LB probably because of this ridiculous doctor who is spreading her negatively and unprofesionalism around!!! Sorry for the long story, but I am still not over it and it's been several weeks.......... But if they do give you guys a hard time, I would at least check out Dr. Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center. I don't even mind flying down there for fills because I like seeing the staff....

Karen