Hi, I'm Christine and I'm just starting the Lapband process with Kaiser, Richmond. My 5 hour orientation is tomorrow (11/25) and I'm so excited to get the ball rolling and be on my way!

Just wondering if anyone else is currently going through Kaiser and how your experiences are so far. They have told me that it's about 6-12 months from orientation to surgery, but if I'm able to call and take cancellation appts and lose the required wait that I could be as soon as 4-6 months...I'm hoping for 4!

Anyway, I look forward to meeting you all!

Dr. Im was also my surgeon - he did my surgery on 8/26/08. I think I know which case manager you are talking about - yes she is blunt, but she can be helpful too. Dr. Im is also very upfront - I got a bad scolding from him at my first fill for eating a couple of items that aren't allowed - ie one small piece of cheese pizza, a hotdog bun. I had a good cry in the car. Good luck with your surgery - it is right around the corner.

Wow BandedPrincess, you're almost there! What a long wait for you, I bet you're so anxious to get this done with so you can start this new journey. I have Dr. Fisher and I really liked him too, although I bet all 4 surgeons are amazing. I'm sorry you've had such a tough year and such a long wait. I hope everything works out great, you heal fast and are healthy and skinny soon!

Keep us posted, okay? :wink2:

p.s. Does case manager start with an L, end with a Z and have an I in the middle?

I got my orientation appointment!!! I called today and played stupid and told them I was just following up and needed an orientation appointment. Well i have my orientation on December 16, 2008........this Tuesday. It is the only one in December and I rushed around and was luckily able to get the day off. I have to work this weekend but I am willing to do that to be able to go this month. I can start the weightloss on Wednesday. They also told me not to lose until after orientation even though it sounds funny they said it was the best way to go.

This time they were very nice and friendly even. Just seems to depend on who you get on the phone.

I was told to be early as they will send you home for being more than 10 minutes late no matter how far you drive. They also said it is easy to get lost so come early.

I hope to get my pysch and surgeon appointment by cancellatino in the next three weeks as I have time off. Would be nice to get them both the same day actually!! We'll see. I am very excited!!

That's great! Good luck!

BTW--I TOTALLY got lost in a really really bad neighborhood, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to find it.

I have heard good things about Dr. Fisher. He is the head of the department and has the most experience. That is why I am hoping to get him. I am sure everyone else is also good but I like the experience factor

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