warrior

I'm looking for information and support regarding patients who have received the LapBand from a Kaiser facility in northern California. How long did the process take? Which location did you have it done? What did you think of the physicians and staff? What about all the support groups and classroom information? Basically, I want to know anything and everything that will help me make an educated decision and obtain the best possible outcome. Thanks in advance!

I experienced the same thing. Two weeks post-op and I had only lost 2 pounds! I was on Clear liquids for 4 days then soft foods (like yoghurt, applesauce, etc...) for the next phase. It's really frustrating! All I can say is try drinking more zero-calorie fluids and be patient. It took a long time to put the weight on and it'll take a long time to take it off. We're all individuals and our bodies react differently to the trauma of surgery. The changes will come so stay positive. Good luck!

I was banded on 04/09. I was really bloated suffered from painful gas too. It's usually just the residual from the gas the surgeon inflates you with to do the laproscopic surgery and it will go away. Try the Gas-X strips (they really help) and go out for a long walk. But beware of the day when the built-up gas makes its escape. You'll want to be near the bathroom with nobody listening outside the door. :party:

Cheryl Ann, I feel your pain. I logged in today to seek answers to your same question, but I did not suffer before the surgery. I think the diarreah might be the gas escaping gas that the surgeon pumps us with for the surgery. I'm still on clear liquids and do not drink SlimFast, so I don't know about that aspect. Perhaps your body is just intolerant to the ingredients. Maybe your doctor can suggest another protein source. Continued diarreah can quickly lead to dehydration, so don't delay contacting your physician.

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I'm scheduled for my surgery on Wednesday April 9th. The longest year is finally coming to and end.... and life is beginning anew! Skinny thoughts run through my mind from the moment I wake up until my head hits the pillow (bet I dream about it too!) :thumbup:

Welcome! I have Kaiser also. I have no information about the Fremont campus, but from what I can gather South San Francisco seems like the most attentive facility. It sounds like most folks on this and other web sites have a very positive pre- and post-surgical experience there. Richmond is extremely over-burdened with patients and is rather impersonal (but that's just my opinion and, unfortunately, experience). You have to have all your appointments at the Kaiser location that is doing your surgery. You cannot switch facilities mid-way through the process unless you want to start all over from the beginning. It is a very long and frequently frustrating process. Take the time to seek out the Kaiser location that feels right for you and form your own opinion. We each have our individual thoughts and experiences, so what may have been a diaster for one person might have been a walk in the park for another. Once you do some research and consider your options, I'm sure you'll make a wise choice. Best of Luck!

Welcome Miss Maudie, I have Dr Fisher at Kaiser Richmond too. Good luck on your journey!!

The only NorCal Kaisers doing lap band are South San Francisco, Richmond and Fremont. Your PCP should be able to refer you to one of those sites for follow up care. Good luck!

Hi Cindy, I started the Kasier process about a year ago and I just got the surgeon approval. I am working through Richmond and probably have another month or two to go. The process is very slow and generally frustrating. I don't know about after care or fills. VickJ would be a better resource as she just got banded in SSF. Good luck and stay positive. It is a very long, impersonal process.

Hi Tabitha's Mom, Kaiser is covering lap band now. VickiJ just got her's earlier this month. She's a wealth of information and very supportive. Check out the California link on this website. Good luck!

Hey Vicki, I can barely believe it but Kaiser finally called. Thank God I was home.... five minutes after five on a Friday. I would have been on pins and needles all weekend if I had heard that one on voice mail!! So, I'm scheduled for the five-hour orientation in two weeks. I'm sure it will be another two month wait for whatever is next, but I'm feeling really excited. At least the process is back in motion. Have you done this orientation already? I have no idea what they cover or what the purpose of the class. It's probably all about the bypass surgery and not lap band. I'm sure I'll get something worthwile out of it no matter what.

Thanks for the words of wisdom and sympathy. I know I need to stay on track and be the pleasantly squeeky wheel, but the don't-call-us-we'll-call-you attitude from Kaiser staff is tough to bear somedays. I'll get on the phone this morning so I can bug them with a smile on my face! I have hit a plateau and I'm not losing. It's frustrating when coupled without a light at the end of the tunnel. As with all things, it's rarely one solitary matter that brings me down. But you're right, I need to focus on the long-term benefit for my present troubles. Thanks for the boost! I'll post again when I have news. Good luck on your journey.

I've been on a bit of a hiatus the past few months. The process takes sooooo long I'm beginning to lose heart. I've been at this since February and it's wearing on me. Since my last post, I have only had the psych consult. I'm waiting on the next appointment (whatever and whenever that is). The gals who answer the phones in Richmond Kaiser are probably pretty fed up with me calling every week to see if there's any open appointments due to cancellations. I've just about given up on the band ever happening. Got any words of wisdom for keeping my spirits up and the my willpower focused. I can't be the only one who has been this frustrated by hanging in limbo.

Hi Kim, It sounds like you have the most current and in-depth info about the Kaiser process. It also sounds like it's going quickly and smoothly for you. I assume you're going to the South SF Kaiser. I'm working through Santa Rosa and Richmond. I think the Richmond site might be a little slower than SF since you've already had three appointments in one month. That's so awesome to hear of your weight loss and surgery prep. Why do you think they had you lose only 15 pounds? Does it have to do with whether or not you hold a lot of abdominal fat? I look forward to hearing more from you as your surgery date draws near. You're farther ahead than the rest of us, so please keep us updated.

I went to the intro meeting at Kaiser Richmond last week. The nurse assigned to the bariactric surgery unit conducted the overview class. She was very entertianing and informative. There was a lot of good information and the group was a mix of people preparing for bypass and lap band. It seemed like the head doctor there is a big fan of bypass, but they didn't dismiss lapband. The questionairre they have you fill out is pretty balanced and thorough. I suggest to everyone that you have all your shots up to date, paps and mammos too. They won't take you into the program unless you're current with all preventative care. Also they mentioned needing a current sleep study (which apparently has a long waiting list) if you have sleep apnea. Many of us weighed in for the first time. She indicated that some people are asked to lose more than 10% prior to surgery, but no one is asked to lose less than 10%. The best bet was to get started right away. So, the medical group (consisting of a psychologist, nutritionist, and surgeon) reviews your completed questionairre packet and medical records and decides if you're a suitable candidate. If you pass that part, the next appointment will be with a surgeon, a nutritionist or a psychologist. You have to see all three but in a random order. Anyway, I'm eating better and walking the dogs longer everyday. I just can't wait for the little appointment card from Kaiser in the mail telling me that have one scheduled for the next phase. The only thing better would be to win the lottery! (I'd still get the lap band, but I'd be stinkin' rich!)

I feel your pain, sister. I am at at the magical 42 BMI too. I had heard that less than 40 took you completely out of the running. Lose 10% and I'm under. For the first time in my life I was too thin for something! I have no other physical issues, other than my weight. Yes, there was liquid frustration coming out of my eyes, until I was told the truth by the supervisor of the weight loss clinic. I haven't seen any other Kaiser folks on this forum, maybe because the band is a newly authorized procedure. You and I can be the trailblazers. I'm new to this forum-posting world. Let's try to stay in touch as the process unfolds. It will be nice to have (and be) a cheerleader.

Thanks for all the great information Vicki. I started this adventure about a month ago and I just got my PCP officially to refer me. The Santa Rosa site has a few extra steps built in for success. I will likely go to the Richmond facillity, if they accept me as a surgical candidate. I already got weighed in and am working off my 10% the nurse suggested. I didn't know that I needed an EKG, but all my other labs are up to date. I also thought this was outpatient surgery, like just about everything else at Kaiser. I'm not complaining though, many on this forum pay big bucks for the procedure. Best of luck at your appointment. I would love to keep in touch and hear how the process goes for you. By this time next year we'll both be wearing skimpy shorts and a big smile! Be well!

My docotor just sent my paperwork in, so I know I'm months (and 10% weight loss) away from my surgery date. I have a very stressful, physical job that requires wearing restrictive protective gear. Anybody out there have an idea how I long I might be away from work?

Reading your queries sounded very familiar. You sound exactly like me! The more time I spend absorbing everything in the site and all information I can learn about the procedure, the more I'm sure it's right for me. I think Jachut summed it up well when she wrote that we'd all step right up to take care of any other body part. I wonder when our stomachs began producing shame and guilt. I'm sure that you will come to see yourself for who you truly are and realize you're completely worth it. You really are somethine else!!

Your daughter's haircut looks cute. Just image how nice it will be with all the swimming and other summer activities. By the time school pictures come around, her hair will be the same length as the before shot.

Geez, my hair is the only thin part of my body! I'm not banded yet, but the thought of making my bad hair worse might just be a deal breaker. I've seen many gastric bypass victims who look sadly like monks. Is this type of hair loss typical for surgical weight intervention? I want to lose weight, not hair.