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Im in the Kaiser program now too, It's actually a great resource to learn everything you will need to know before the surgery (mind you some of the stuff they talk about is just repetitive and overkill for anyone who has ever tried to lose weight ). My program is 24 weeks as opposed to 12, but it has gone by pretty quick so far (6 weeks in). I know I have to start getting on track to lose my 10%, but I also kind figure that I can lose it in the 4 months of classes that I have after the first of the year...good luck to you!!

I'm pretty sure that Im in my food funeral state right now. I'm several months out from surgery and I know once the time nears, I will stop because I will be anxious to get things going with the weight loss and surgery. But right now it just seems so far away. I've tried to change habits (like no sodas and monster energy drinks, no drinking while I eat) but i think cause the surgery's still seems so far away, I haven't gotten into a groove as far as losing weight and Protein shakes.Unfortunately it's making me feel a bit down

I am going through Kasier as well and I actually asked a similar question. Now keep in mind that every Kaiser is different, but I actually talked to the guy who taught the initial class (he actually implemented the Options program apparently too) He told me not to worry about it. When I lose the 10% prior to surgery, I will drop below the 40BMI and he said it still shouldn't be a problem. The only thing is that they told us that the weight would count at the first class too...I found that that was not true. The weight we are going off of is the one from when we met the doctor that put us into the program (which was after the orientation class) Riverside may be different though. My sister had the surgery through Kaiser in Riverside, when I told her that prior to starting class, that I had gone for all my blood tests and EKG, she said that she hadn't done that until the 7th week of classes or so. Also in San Diego we have 24 weeks of classes and not 12. Im on week 5!! Sorry if that was too much info... Long story short....my understanding is that once you are submitted into the options program, you are in the program and the surgery is offered to you once you complete the program...so basically being submitted into the program is approval for surgery (assuming you dont lose 100 lbs pre-op!!) and if you BMI drops a little but you qualify in every other way, you'll still be able to have surgery.

So I'm in the Options program with Kaiser and I'm just over a month into the six months of classes that they require of you in San Diego. I thought that by the time I was starting the class that I would be super focused on weight loss and going strong towards the 10% weight loss that Kaiser requires before having surgery. I even bought a fitbit to track my calories, but I returned it because I was doing better tracking everything through the site I was using in the first place. I know that I still have tons of time to lose that, but I don't know why the classes are so discouraging. I thought I would be getting good info on how to prep for surgery and what to expect after (I'm sure they will get to some of that at some point) but over a month in and I don't feel like I'm getting anything from the classes, so I'm just not amped about weight loss. Some of the people are in fact driving me nuts!! How can you say that you have tried EVERYTHING to lose weight but you don't realize that you can't eat grits with butter and bacon every morning and still lose weight?!?! Really!! So I'm letting it effect me in a negative way. I've definitely got that "I need to eat this while i still can" mentality and I've actually gained weight. I guess Im kinda just venting and looking for advice. I know what I need to do, It just seems that I can't get it started and the weight gain I've had in the past weeks is making me feel worse. Thanks for any thoughts!!

Thank you for the response.....I think my real struggle is that I'm trying to change habits right now and as I'm changing the habits, my weight is going up. I'm trying to eat smaller more often meals and the biggest one...Stop drinking Monster energy drinks. I was drinking 2-3 a day and it was my low calorie vice that is a big no no after surgery. I've been substituting them with crystal light and massive amounts of Water and I'm trying to get on board with Green Tea but I just don't really like the flavor of tea!! It sounds crazy, but I think when I was drinking so many of those a day, I was less hungry.

You got this...lick everyone says. The first days are the hardest...but my advice would be to try and keep yourself busy. I know I want to eat when I'm bored and as long as I keep busy I don't even think about it.

My mom is super supportive of my surgery....But I'm certain that she is only as supportive as she is because my sister had the surgery first and was very successful. I think she was on the fence when my sister had it but is very supportive of me. She herself is overweight and understands the struggles involved in losing massive amount of weight. I do know how you feel with concerns to people surprising you by not being supportive. Of the friends that I have told, the ones that I were certain would be supportive are on the fence and the ones who I thought would be against it are completely supportive. You never really can tell how people will react.

My insurance company told us outright that the process to have the surgery was on average a nine month process. I know some insurance companies go fast and others slower...but I'd say many of us go through the same thing. I start my 6 months of weekly classes through Kaiser tomorrow...I'm just glad they are finally starting...it too almost two months to get this far. I'm hoping the holidays coming up will make it seem like time is going by faster

I hope my sister feels the same when I go into surgery!!! She had her sleeve over a year ago and has been an awesome guide to me along my journey. Im sure you'll be a great help to your sister.....It makes a world of difference to have great support like you!! Wish her well!!!

So my sister had VSG over a year ago and she was running through some things I need to know as I get ready for this myself. She brought up the Honeymoon period after surgery and said that it is completely true that there is only a certain period of time after surgery where it is easy to lose weight and that you cross a threshold at some point where it is just as hard as it was in the past to lose a pound. For her she said it lasted about 6 months and after that she had to really work for every pound that she lost. I realize that everyone is different, but I hadn't even heard of the "honeymoon" period before so I'm curious if others have also experienced this??

I quit sodas and energy drinks by making myself addicted to mineral water. I know eventually I will have to give this up as well, but having the bubbly water made it easier to stop sodas. Now I drink regular water all day and reward myself with the bubbly water in the evening so that should make it easy when it comes to the time that I need to give it up

I think you should get in contact with your doctor. My doctor says not to get pregnant within a year of surgery, so your doctor will have the best advice about how to move forward

I'm just curious if I'm the only one who has considered this. We all know what the insurance companies make you go through to get this surgery, and not that I don't think it is necessary because I do think that the insurance companies have every right to qualify people for this surgery. But my thought is that why wait to get through the 6-12 months of insurance hoops when theoretically you could go to Mexico and finance the surgery and get your life started in a quicker fashion. I'm in no way swimming in cash, but I am anxious to get to the next level and when you are waiting 2-4 weeks at a time just for the next appointment, I kind of feel like I'm just waiting to live. Maybe this seems somewhat logical to me because I wouldn't have to fly anywhere to get to Mexico because I'm in San Diego....maybe I'm crazy?? Just curious if anyone thought the same way I do??

Does this only apply to the abdominal area? I wouldn't see anything wrong with waxing eyebrows prior to surgery, but if they told me not to, then I wouldn't

I know how you feel. My family knows and one close friend at work, but I feel like since weight will start to fall off after surgery that I'll need to tell my coworkers because I don't want to lie about it. I just don't really know how to bring up the topic...I have a feeling that I wont tell until I get ready to go in for surgery. I have a feeling they will be supportive, but most are guys so realistically most of them wont even care!!

I'm seeing the doctor tomorrow..... Nervous about the questions he will ask... And hopeful to move the process to the next step!!!

Yea!!!! The doctor approved me for surgery!! I'm Kaiser so I still have classes to get through, but its quite a weight lifted knowing that Im approved to go through the process and can keep moving forward!!

I wouldn't stress about it....its a huge change!!! Ive done cleanses and fasting before so I know how those first few days can be....Just keep yourself crazy busy!!

I don't understand the question..."how did you already daily"??

I agree with the others....they can get kinda thick if left to sit for too long. For myself, I usually have some of the ready to drink ones in the fridge at work, but I also keep a shaker bottle at work and I put a serving of protein powder in the snack size ziplock bogs so I can just mix it with water if need be. The nectar ones are great with water (I hate having the chocolate and vanilla "rich" flavors mixed with water)....so the lemonade and peach are great if you can only mix with water during the day!!

Thank you to everyone who supplied constructive feedback...I appreciate it.

I don't plan on lying to anyone I see on the regular. I may omit the info from people I don't know well, but I would rather just own it. Anyone who thinks that this is "taking the easy way out" just doesn't know anything about the surgery or what we are going through in our goals to lose so much weight.

Congrats, hope you a feeling okay and recover quickly!!

Welcome and congrats....There is tons of good info and experiences on here. Just keep in mind that some of what people say you have to take with a grain of salt...not everyone's experience is the same...but its good to get all the info you can so you know what you might have to deal with !!

I guess what Im really afraid of is getting through the whole program and getting denied...does anyone know if that happens a lot?