NikkiRX

So, after all the time I took to decide to do this surgery, I finally got the long process started with my current doctor and did an orientation and had an appt to meet with the surgeon. AND NOW....my husbands work decided to change the health care options they previously offered and in order for us to stay with Cigna we would be on a High Deductible Health Plan, paying A LOT more money that we don't have. So I think we are moving to Kaiser and hate Kaiser but to survive financially we will have to move to this new plan. What are your experiences with Kaiser, specifically Kaiser Fremont, Ca? What is their process? Do you have a specific doctor you would refer? I just need help to wrap my mind around this change and find a good doctor so I don't have to deal with the normal Kaiser crap. Any advice would be helpful.

Sorry I took so long to resopnd. I hope your process is going well . I just transferred to kaiser and waiting dor an appt.

62race that sounds like a great visit! Keep up the great work!!! You really are giving me hope that Fremont is a good place to have this done.

Thank you for sharing your experiance 62race. I am just starting my search for doctors and will look the 2 you mentioned closely. Really helps to hear your point of view.

So today I went for my first doctor's appointment to kick things off for the surgeon and starting my process. It went well and my doctor supported my choice in the surgery, as we have tried many things to aid my weight loss with little or no change. She started to put in the referral in the system and she was stopped because I had not done a 6 month monitored food plan (ie. Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers). Now, my direction is the monitored food plan for 6 months. I am not sure what happens after that but I have to do this process. Any advice? How fast does the process go after the 6 month food plan? I am just in the dark on this process. Any suggestions on monitored food plans? Did you do the commercial plans or work with your medical offices plan? Any thoughts?

SO...I got a surprise in the mail this past week. I got an authorization to speak with a surgeon!!! From the last time I spoke with my doctor, I would have to wait until I meet the requirements to see a surgeon. Super exciting! I have an upcoming appt this week for a 2 week weigh in for my food monitoring and to monitor the new medication that she put me on, Phentamine(not happy about that but wanted to eliminate any chance of denial from the insurance). We will see what happens this week at the appt. I will fill you in!!!

Hello Letti1933, Good luck at your appt. Weight Watchers does charge a monthly fee. I am doing the online route which is $18.95 or so a month but around $45-50 month for the in person/meeting route. Check it out online, it will help you determine what route to take. Also Weight Watchers is not your only option, there are many different food monitoring programs.

@ thank you for your support! It was veey helpful. I have joined weight watchers online and am starting this long process.

I am in Fremont/Newark area. Not surgery date yet.

I was wondering about the gallbladder myself. Is it necessary to have it removed during WLS or after? How would you know that it has to be removed during WLS?

Hope your surgery went well and you are comfortable and not in too much pain.

Congrats! You look great! Keep up the great work you are doing.

How do you handle unsupportive people? I have kept the group of people that know about my choice to have this procedure small for several reasons. One reason is that this is all new and I don't have answers for myself, let alone answers others questions and another reason is that it is no one else's business but mine and my choice of those who know. I have full support from my husband and he will stand by me no matter what I choose to do and will love me no matter how big or small I get. I told my mother about my decision and have been fielding a bunch of unsupportive questions from her. She keeps reminding me that I won't be able to eat fast food again (BTW I hate fast food and it is rare),she keeps asking why I cannot limit my food intake now and loose the weight myself and she commented on how I look thinner after vacation we recently took to Las Vegas (lots of walking in 90 degree heat will do that). I just feel like she is judging me for this choice and my weight. She keeps saying "I just want to see you healthy" but making back handed comments and asking rude questions. How do you handle peoples reactions or rude comments? I know I am going to have them throughout my life for many reasons but I guess her lack of support shocked me.

Thank you everyone for the great advice. I did address it with my mom and how she came of today and I hope that she can change her tone or stay silent.

Hello everyone! My name is Monique and I am just starting my process in this journey. I have my first visit with my PCM on Oct 19th. I know I will have tons of questions through this process and I am thankful I found this support system. It took me a while to make this decision to go through with this procedure. I tried to loose the weight myself through working out and eating right however having an old knee injury was making very difficult to succeed, that and MANY other factors. I realized that I needed to make a change for myself and my children. How long from first appointment to surgery date did it take for you? What are somethings I need to look forward to in this process? I know I will have to go through a Psych evaluation but what else can I expect? I am looking forward to being able to go through this with a support system, people who have been there before.

Thanks for the info everyone! I am glad that I found this so early in my process.