virtygirl

Hi Ann, The process for me was to attend all of the Kaiser classes, etc. which it appears that you have done. Once completed Nurse Zarba sent my request to the committee. However, there was some type of delay in my paperwork and while it should have taken about a week or two to receive the approval, mine's took about 4 weeks. Even though I use Kaiser @ Largo, I opted not to go with Dr. Cantor at Holy Cross because the wait was over four months and climbing (up to 7 months). However, recently, he has shifted his calendar to fit in more patients to reduce the wait time. I am using Dr. von Rueden affiliated with St. Agnes Hospital and my surgery date is August 2. As far as all the testing to be done, I just emailed my primary care physician through KP.org and told her what type of testing I needed and she placed the orders for me. Even using Dr. von Rueden, I just dropped off the orders to her as she needed to look at them, and then she placed the orders. Hopefully, I've answered your questions (for the most part). I would estimate your wait time of having surgery to be around September...that's just an estimate from as I have no idea how many patients are waiting at this point. I know that alot of folks have been getting dates in the last two weeks. Best of luck to you! Tracy

Hello everyone, I just wanted to share that I have finally received my surgery date...August 2! After waiting for what seemed like forever, I got the call today. I started the process of seeing the NUT for the for 1st time last June and had my first GB class (Kaiser Mid-Atlantic) in July. So by the time I have surgery, it would have been a year since starting the process.

Toya, That is GREAT NEWS! I am so happy for you. This "has been an emotional roller coaster" is an understatement. When is your surgery date? Mines is August 2. Way to go!

Thanks for sharing, this is an awesome idea. I already own the cup/warmer. I would have never thought to use it this way.

I have the same Kaiser as you, perhaps different plan. But I was slated to use Holy Cross/Dr. Cantor as well. I attend several information session and really liked his no nonsense approach. However, the wait time was a killer. My NUT asked if I would be interested in using another facility/Dr. I asked her what was available to me and she mentioned St. Agnes in Baltimore with a doctor contracting with Kaiser. There was a program fee associated but the wait was probably going to be shorter, etc. At any rate, I am not using Holy Cross, but St. Agnes instead and my surgery date has been approved for August 2. Which in the grand scheme of my busy life will work just fine. It will provide with time to enjoy summer and finish up my summer graduate classes.

Thanks for the well wishes. I am very excited as I feel like I have been in limbo waiting for the date. Now I can proceed to make plans around and leading up to the date.

Please let me know what happens after your appointment. By chance are you using Holy Cross/Dr. Cantor? I know that his wait list is very, very long, fitting the time frame, 4-7 months. Again, good luck, keep me posted. Tracy

Hi Toyia, I have Kaiser Mid-Atlantic and while I have not had the experience that you are referring to, I have noticed on my referrals that Kaiser on give you a 2-3 month window on the referral. Which I think is ludicrous especially if you are dealing with a doctor outside of Kaiser (which I am). Do you know what the process is now to get the referral extended or a new one? Good luck to you! Tracy

Hi ~ have you considered a portable lock for your laptop? Here's a link to one sold on Amazon.com--Kensington ComboSaver Lock. Hope this helps. You should also be able to find one with a key instead of a combo one. You could also try a digital security lockbox that will accomodate most laptops up to a 17". Good luck!

Congratulations and nothing but good wishes to you!

Hello, I have not had VSG surgery yet. But I had laser hair removal in 2006/2007 and the hair grew back within a year - worse than before. It is something that you may have to have done perhaps once (several sessions) year or every other year. At the time, I had five sessions on upper lip and chin. I will probably have it done again. The results were great while it lasted. It's just so darn expensive, no coupon at the time, so I paid about $1100 over the course of a few months. I was also told that pigmented skin and/or dark hair was best for the laser being used.

St. Agnes Hospital (a center of excellence) in Baltimore has 3 doctors that perform WLS surgery including the sleeve. Each doctor has seminars once a month. Not sure if they accept your insurance but they accept several. May be worth looking in to.

She sounds as though she simply afraid of change along with the possible negative affects of the surgery. While it would be wonderful to have her onboard with you and become your biggest fan, just as you would be for her, you may have to just proceed without her. Once you have the surgery and she sees that you are okay and losing the weight, she will change her mind (we hope). Also, have you pointed out to her that the risks of being "MORBIDLY OBESE" is a bigger risk than WLS? In your current state, the health risks are far greater than having the surgery and losing the weight. Tell her that having the surgery will increase your time with her and your daughter rather than dropping dead from a massive hear attack (sorry don't want to sound to dire...but try shock value). Best of luck to you and to her.

Awesome, congratulations on your successes so far!

Hi Mariah, Your favorite veggies are starchy vegetables and full of carbs. I know that when I reach that phase it will be hard to give up those items and other carbs as well. I too am a carboholic. Good luck, once you pass this phase you will be ready for surgery and this will soon become a distant memory.

Hi all, I am currently waiting for approval for surgery from Kaiser and I have to say that this waiting game is horrific. The what if, then, what happens now is sooo stressful! My paperwork was supposed to have been reviewed yesterday as it just missed the review board on 2/15. So I keep thinking maybe it missed the review from yesterday...yes, I realize I'm just stressing myself out, but most of you have been there before me, so I figured you'd understand. Thanks for letting me share my brief rant.

Hi Dawn ~ welcome to VSG! There's tons of excellent resources and folks here that are able and willing to help you along the way. I myself am waiting for insurance approval at the moment. Good luck on your journey. You are in the right place and have taken the first step of many along what I've heard to be a wonderful if bumpy ride. I feel that what ever the bumps it's got to be better than the pot whole I'm sititng in at the moment.

Hello everyone, my question is for those who have or had asthma pre-op, have you seen any changes in your asthma since you have been sleeved? I have recently been "officially" diagnosed with asthma even though I've had it for a few years now. It seems that lately in the last few months, it has been flaring up more than normal. So just wondering if anyone has seen a significant change in theirs. Thanks!

That's great Dominic! Are you excited yet?

Hi glad you made it safe and sound. Best of luck with surgery tomorrow. Have a saf return trip. I'm looking forward to seeing how you progress.

Thanks for sharing. Eggplant as pizza crust is delicious. I've just sliced the eggplant, placed pizza sauce and mozzorella cheese on each and baked until cheese melted. They were great, maybe even a bit addictive and my 15 year old son even ate it.

Those are excellent results for six months. Wow!

Congratulations on getting approved. How exciting! Please keep us updated on your progress.

Wow. That's awesome and you can see the difference. Keep it up!

Hello and congratulations on your approval. Pre-op testing depends on your insurance and doctor performing the surgery. Under Kaiser Mid-atlantic, the H-Pylori, sleep study for sleep apnea, echocardiogram (if ever taken phen-fen) to name a few, but you will receive more information from your surgeon's office regarding his/her requirements.