aunt_b

I took some before pictures over the weekend and lord help me if my phone gets lost! I know I will appreciate them in the long run but, holy cow are they horrible!

It sounds like you are going to the initial WLS Overview where they discuss the types of surgery and requirements. I could be wrong though. Since Fresno is part of Kaiser Northern California, I would think the steps are similar to South Sacramento. I had to contact my doctor after attending that class so they could send the referral over to the Bariatric Department to go in to the actual WLS program. It's a very popular program apparently and it did take me almost a month for them to call with my Orientation appointment. At this point, since I'm so new to the program, I'm not sure what type of surgery I am having, (I'm leaning towards the sleeve), or how much weight I need to lose prior to surgery, (typically 5-10%). I have to meet with the psychologist first, (not typical of everyone, this is just my case), and then I will meet with the surgeon to discuss the sleeve vs RNY. From there, the ball is pretty much in your court because everything centers on the weight you have to lose pre-op. Once you get to goal weight you see the psychologist, nutritionist, pre-op nurse, etc. Lots of steps, but that is good because it will help get your mind in the game as well! I hope to have my surgery sometime in early-late fall, if everything goes according to plan.

I have Kaiser and I am in the South Sacramento program. Fresno is fairly close and might be similar. 1. PCP signs you up for a WLS overview class 2. If you want to proceed your PCP sends a referral to the bariatric department. (It took me almost a month to hear from them) 3. The bariatric dept will give you an appt for the 4 hour orientation. It's a group class where you'll meet the bariatric team. You'll leave that class with your next appointment. You'll have a meeting with the surgeon who will determine your goal weight, surgery type, and amount of weight to lose pre-op. You'll also have a psyche appt, nutrition appt, and mandatory support group meetings. Those are just the minimum requirements. It also depends on you and the team. I attended the orientation two weeks ago and see the psychologist next week then I see the surgeon. Hope that helps! ????

I'm curious as to how long it took to hear from the bariatric department once the referral was sent by the PCP. I've attended the WLS overview seminar and met with my PCP two weeks ago Wednesday when she submitted the referral. Just wondering how long I should wait before calling to check status. I will be going through Kaiser's South Sacramento facility if that helps.

Hi Everyone, I've been lurking on this site for quite a while now and thought I would go ahead and jump in. I saw my PCP this morning for a physical, which she wanted before putting in a referral request to the bariatric surgery department with Kaiser South Sacramento. She put in the referral for me but wasn't very confident that I would get approved because she said my BMI was just under the requirement. I have no comorbities and according to her, my BMI, this morning is 38. The odd thing is that I am 5 ft 8 in, and my highest weight that she used was 263. I think that my height might be recorded wrong in my chart because according to the BMI chart on the wall in the exam room, that would make me at 40 BMI. I would hate for an incorrect height be the reason that I do not get accepted into the program. All of that to get to my question: I was wondering if anyone who has gone through the Kaiser South Sacramento program could give me any idea on what to expect now that my PCP has put in the referral. Will I receive a letter in the mail? What is the typical wait time before I hear if I am accepted or denied? In the last two weeks I've completed my cervical exam, mammogram, PCP physical, and got some of the bloodwork done. I've been researching this for several months and it is all that I've been thinking about. Any information that any of you can share will be greatly appreciated!!

I do not have sleep apnea either and on 5/22 it will have been 4 years since I quit smoking. I am mentally preparing to give up caffeine but I don't want to cross that bridge until I am given the official referral to the program. As it is now, I drink one, maybe two cups of coffee a day and while I enjoy them greatly, I will gladly give them up in order to have this surgery. I completely understand that this surgery is not going to be like a magic wand is waved over me and it will be easy. I'm prepared to do the work needed, I'm just so anxious to get started.

That's encouraging to hear. My current BMI is the same and I'm hoping to get a referral to the bariatric surgery orientation this week. Your process seems to have gone a lot quicker than what I've read about. ☺

I'm just starting out too. I've attended a wls seminar and see my PCP this Wednesday to, hopefully, get a referral. I'm a good 100 lbs from my smallest weight and have been losing and gaining the same 45 lbs for the last 12 or so years. I'm so ready to get this journey started!!

I have Kaiser and live right outside of Sacramento. I attended the WLS surgery seminar last week. Before my PCP will send over the referral she wants me to come in for a physical and have some blood work completed. I've already had my "girly" appointment and mammogram completed a couple weeks ago so hopefully she'll send over my referral shortly after my appointment this Wednesday. Now that I've made up my mind to do this I want to get the show on the road!!

I too have been in research overload ever since I decided to pursue this surgery! I have Kaiser and have attended a wls overview, which is the first of many hoops to jump through. It's amazing the amount of information out there!