After spending a considerable amount of time searching for information regarding Kaiser Southern California and Lap Band surgery. I sent an email to my PCP (via www.kp.org) and to Member Services. My PCP's nurse referred me to the Positive Choice department and today I received the following detailed information from Member Services:

"Members who meet the medical criteria and are interested in having bariatric surgery enroll in 'Options', a 24-week bariatric surgery preparation program that prepares them physically and emotionally for surgery and for post surgical recovery. There are complex medical and emotional effects of gastric bypass as a treatment for obesity. Our total health philosophy emphasizes members taking an active part in their own good health. Topics covered in the Options program include :

Benefits and risks of surgery

Building healthy living skills

Depression and anxiety management

Fitness and exercise

Meal planning

Post surgery lifestyles

Proper nutrition

Stress management

Weight loss

After completing the Options program, the member is referred to a surgeon specializing in bariatric surgery.

Conditions for surgery

Bariatric surgery may be indicated for members with a body mass index (BMI) of 50 or greater, BMI of 40-49.9 with certain co morbidities, or BMI of 35-39.9 with special circumstances. BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared (kg/m2).

Types of surgery and procedures offered

We perform Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYDGB) surgery, the most commonly performed type of gastric bypass surgery. Gastric bypass is the separation of a small section of the stomach into an upper pouch that provides a smaller volume for food. The small intestine is rearranged to allow the small upper pouch as well as the larger section of the stomach to be connected to the intestine.

The Lap Band also know as the adjustable gastric banding is the insertion of an inflatable silicone device into the top portion of the stomach to create a small pouch that provides a reduced volume for food and slows food moving to the bottom of the stomach, providing a longer feeling of fullness.

Medical facilities offering the Options program

Members enrolled in Options may attend at any medical facilities where it is offered. These currently include :

Baldwin Park Medical Center

Bellflower Medical Center

Fontana Medical Center

Health Pavilion in Orange

Los Angeles Medical Center

Ming Avenue Medical Offices, Bakersfield

Panorama City Medical Center

Riverside Medical Center

San Diego Medical Center / Kaiser Foundation Hospital

South Bay Medical Center in Harbor City

Bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery is currently performed at the Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center in Harbor City, CA. We also contract with local Centers of Excellence :

UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles

Pacific Bariatric Surgical Medical Group, practicing at Scripps Mercy Hospital, San Diego

Crown Surgery Medical Group, practicing at the Inland Valley Medical Center, Wildomar

Lancaster Community Hospital, Lancaster

If this surgery is performed your co pay would be $250.00 per admission.

Kaiser Permanente : Helping our members live long and thrive.

Marteesha Facen

Member Service Online Web site Support Representative

Kaiser Permanente

Phone : (800) 464-4000"

I hope this information is helpful.

does this mean i have to dick around with jenny craig for half a year, then do options for five months, then maybe have surgery?

I don't think so. They want to know that you've tried many times to lose weight and failed. You'll want to list all the different ways that you tried, like Jenny Craig, WW, Nutrisystem, Atkins diet, etc. They're looking to see that this isn't your first attempt at losing weight, that's all. I'm sure that once you start listing them you'll fill up years worth of attempts, not just 6 months.

My classes are over, but they told us at the end that they are approving the Lap Band again. I'm still doing the sleeve, and I'm on the waiting list at Harbor City for it...just waiting for my call...Good luck with the classes!

i hope you're right! here's what my info packet says under the "are you a candidate?" section:

>> 2. You have made several serious attempts with traditional approaches to lose weight (e.g., programs that include dietary counseling, behavior modification, and exercise). We desire that you provide proof that you have participated in an approved weight management plan for at least six months within the last ten years; attending weekly, missing no more than two sessions. Acceptable proof of participation will include weights and dates on program letterhead with appropriate signature. <<

then in "how to begin":

>> Step 1: Gather documentation of your past weight loss attempts and complete your Bariatric Pre-Program Questionnaire. You need a letter or some form of documentation (weights and dates on letterhead with a signature) to show you have participated in a weekly supervised weight loss plan for at least six months. Qualifying plans include those that provide nutritional education, behavioral support, and exercise fitness guidance. Acceptable documentation includes:

*Three areas of supervision and education for weight loss to include behavioral support, exercise, and nutritional counseling.

*Participation in a supervised program like Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, NutraSystem, or any hospital-based program plus six months of documented exercise and documented behavioral support conducted at the same time.

*Participation in the Weight Management Programs (good attendance required). If you have been in one of our programs for six months or longer within the last ten years, you do not need to provide documentation. <<

what the hell? this is in my "things to do before i attend the OPTIONS orientation session" literature.

It seems like they changed the paperwork then. As mentioned above, I only had to list everything I did in an attempt to lose weight... I did do WW and Jenny, but didn't have to show any proof. Maybe now they are looking to be sure that you have done that, because there are so many people in the system trying to get into Options. I would like everything and see what they say. The Options program is great! I only one class left and they say that I should have my surgery before the end of the year or during the winter break (between Christmas and New Years). I'm very happy with the Options program and what they teach. Go for it and don't look back... Good luck.

thanks for the info! i'll definitely pursue the OPTIONS program, but i'm disappointed in my interpretation of their guidelines. i'll know soon enough if my interpretation is wrong, though.