just_kari

I waited about 3 weeks until I got an email from Dr Dutta, then another 2 weeks to get a call from Nancy to schedule surgery. I am planning a June surgery, so I have to maintain my weight until then. I will get a call back again in late April/early May for a June date. It depends upon your doctor's patient list and surgery schedule as to how quickly they get through the files. Now that the holidays have passed, things should move at a more normal pace. Keep us posted

My surgeon is Dr Dutta. I attended two of the orientations. One last Jan and again in Sept. After the first, just before my appt with the surgeon, I backed out. I decided I wasnt ready yet. When I went back to restart, I had to do another Orientation. The same NUT was there, but a different surgeon. What I noticed was that at both classes, the hosting Dr got a large number of requests for appts immediately afterward. That seemed reasonable as you get to know the Doc a bit during the session and want to choose someone that you are comfortable with. Dr Chu spoke at my first class. I liked her a lot. Another Dr whose name I cant recall at the moment spoke at the second one. When I scheduled my appt with the surgeon, I told them that I didnt have a preference and was scheduled with Dr Dutta. I met him at my appt and feel comfortable with him. Please keep me posted on how your appt goes

Hi Kim. I havent logged in for a while but was pleased to see that things are moving ahead for you Keep me posted on your progress. I was approved for surgery and placed on the waitlist as I am seeking a June surgery date and they dont book that far ahead. I am at the top of the list when that calendar opens in May, so my orders are to maintain my preop weight goal and have my weight recorded again in April. Im excited for you. You're in great hands with the Fremont staff!

Good luck in your class on Thursday. It will give you a good jumping off point as to what to expect to learn about. Most of their info is geared toward RnY, but don't be deterred. They don't really address too many specifics, you'll get the chance to do that at your Orientation, and then again at your consult appt. Keep us posted on how it goes. I also find it amazing how quickly some go back to work! Jules, I hope I am as fortunate as you in my recovery

I am a N Cal Kaiser patient, and have just completed my pre-op requirements in the Fremont program. Do you know which hospital you'll be a patient at? They each have slightly different pre op requirements. Fremont has no Options class requirements. Fresno does, as does Sacramento, I believe. Your weight used to "qualify" will be your highest Kaiser documented weight in the past year. If you have a qualifying BMI on your electronic medical record, then you can begin losing weight. I lost 10 lbs before I met with my surgeon for my consult and he then only had me lose another 10. The rule of thumb is 10% of your weight, although that's not always a hard and fast number. Some surgeons in Fresno do not give you a "goal" weight. I had to have a current mammo, general labs/blood work, and attend the preparing for success class. When I talked to my PCP, she told me about the class and I had to attend it and then let her know if I was still interested before she made the referral to the Bariatric Dept. Keep me posted on how things go, and I'll be happy to share what I can as far as info goes.

I got an email from my surgeon yesterday telling me that I've been cleared to schedule surgery. WooHoo!! I'm so excited! I am supposed to get a call from the office in the next couple weeks to schedule, however I am seeking a June date so that I can recover during my summer break (Im a school bus driver) and not take time off. My only other Drs order is to maintain my pre surgery goal weight until surgery...for me that will be 6 months! Ugh. Thankfully I will have time to recover from any holiday weight gain. I'm hoping that won't be an issue as I plan to be "good" other than on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day when I know the goodies will be hard to resist. LOL

I had my official weigh in at the Dr office this AM to get my weight entered on my electronic medical record. I reached goal a couple days ago according to my home scale, but I wanted to anticipate the difference between my scale and the Drs., so I waited until I lost a couple more. When I went in this AM, I was pleased to see that my scale is near spot-on with the Drs. I think the Drs even had me at .3 less than my home scale. I was 2 lbs lighter than required . My psych eval is Nov 15th (this Thurs afternoon) and once I'm cleared through her, I'm ready to meet with my surgeon to schedule my surgery date. I've felt as if this pre-surgery weight loss goal was never going to get here. It seemed soooo sloooow in coming off. I have to say, I am very proud of myself, and very excited for the next step. Yay me!

Congrats! I'm sure all will continue to go well!

I am so very happy for you! congrats!!

I got my phone call this morning, my psych eval is scheduled for Nov 15th. I am excited that things are moving forward. I have 5 more pounds to go until I've reached my pre-surgery goal weight and my surgeon will meet with me to schedule my date. It's kinda hard not to want to "cheat" and crash diet to drop those 5 pounds. My surgery date won't be until June, but I really want to get the date on the books so that my position is secured. I work as a school bus driver and I'd like to have our 10 weeks of summer break to recover. Patience, patience, patience, I know, But DAMN it's hard to do.

In reading the posts here I also had something else occur to me. I had a mom that measured her food for as long as I could remember. She admits that she has been on every diet known to man at one time or another. Recently she told me "of course I was. That's how I've kept my weight off." My mom was always thin, but I knew it was because of her constant dieting. I had image issues as a girl. I think most girls do. I look back at photos and I marvel at how I could ever even *think* such a thing. But I remember it well, I believe it eventually became a self-fulfilling prophecy for me. I promised that I'd never make weight an issue for my daughter, and that was obviously way over-correcting my own experience. She (my daughter) can't imagine herself *ever* being able to fit into a size 9 jean, no matter how much weight she lost. I was shocked at that statement. So now we are both working to undo our dysfunctional relationship with food. It is hard, for both of us. But we are both using what we've got; She's got her youth and a great opportunity for exercise in her dance classes and team and I will have the sleeve to help me get to where I can do some of those dance classes with her.

My soon-to-be 18 year old daughter is also obese. She dances 5 days a week, taking tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical & 2 hip hop classes, as well as a competitive dance team. We've gone to keeping all junk food out of the house, have almost no carbs but bread for sandwiches, but still manages to find stuff to eat that she shouldn't. She tells me that I'm leaving her behind and that I'm a cheater for going the surgery route. She'd love to have the surgery but not enough to go talk to her PCP about it (we have the same insurance coverage but different Drs). If she were to ever get the courage up to make the first steps, I'd help her fight tooth and nail for it, but she's not there yet.

I hear you on the worries about gaining while waiting. I have 10 pounds to go until I am approved for surgery, which won't be hard to achieve, but in order for me to have my desired surgery date (June), I have to maintain that weight loss until then. I am also an emotional eater, so I'm worried.

Went to my consult today. Doc wants me to lose 10 more lbs and then I will be cleared for surgery. In the mean time, wait to be called to schedule my psych eval, and attend a wls support group once a month. This is better news than I could have hoped for! Yay!!

Took the time to jot down my 3 day food diary this morning. I'm excited to meet with the bariatric team and surgeon this morning. Not sure I have an appetite for breakfast. LOL I will be sure to keep you all posted on how things go.

I've finally arrived at my next appt date. I have my consult with my surgeon, nutritionist, and wls program coordinator on Weds morning. When I scheduled the appt late last month, I was nonchalant about it, and told the assistant that I didn't need the first appt available and would prefer a mid-week one (easier on my job, Mon & Fri are difficult to take off). When she told me Sept 12, I thought to myself 'Eh, that's not so far away'. Well, I've been counting the days ever since. It seems time can't crawl by quick enough. Ugh.

I have struggled with depression on and off throughout my life. I really understand where you're coming from. Looks like we will be looking at the same window for surgery. I am expecting an early June date (I will be eligible before then but need to wait until I have the time off work). I'm looking forward to keeping in touch as we move closer to our surgery date

About 9 months ago I had a similar reaction and called my Doc and asked to be removed from the WLS program. I wished I hadn't. I am now back on the wagon and have my consult with the bariatric team and surgeon on Sept 12. Fortunately I only had to re-attend one class and not start over from square one. I'm not certain that I won't get worried again, but I won't cancel this time. Truth be told, the mortality rate during WLS is so very, very low. Less than 0.25%. You are much more likely to have complications or conditions from obesity that shorten your life than your risk of death during or as a result of surgery. My health risks from obesity are a much larger concern. You should be aware of the complications that can arise from surgery, but you need to put those in comparison to the success that patients have had. There are risks in everything, but it will all be okay. Like renogirl suggested, at times like those, look through the success stories on the website and remind yourself of how wonderful it will be to have control over your body again. And like tfazio said, we are here for you. Hang in there!

I sent you an email Nancy

Dr Dennan gave the class this time. I've heard from other patients that they had to take an options classes. That was not mentioned at either of the Orientations I attended. Did you/do you know anything about them?

I have my consult with Dr Dutta on Sept 12th. I was surprised how different this class was from the last time. I found the last class more informative in regards to what to expect, this class was more about the why's and why nots of surgery.

Joe , was your Aug date because of their full calendar or was that just the amount of time it took to get all the prereqs done? I'm hoping for an early June date, and starting now I'm hoping that's doable. You mentioned that your first appt was in Dec '10. Was that the overview class, the orientation class, or your first one on one with the surgeon? So glad Jenn started this thread! I'm loving the oppty to talk to other Kaiser sleevers. I have only one person I know that had gone through Kaiser, but she had RnY and that was 5 years ago,so her recollection is a bit foggy ~Kari

So you didn't have the opportunity to make your first consultation appointment after your class while you're there at the office/dept?

I will be going through Kaiser Fremont. My other option would have been Kaiser Fresno, but I think Fremont is closer (and I used to live there so I know my way around I will be able to make my appt to visit with my surgeon and NUT after tomorrow's class. I'll keep you posted!