thegentleoso

I did Options, which was 12 weeks and my surgery is 8 weeks later, so a total of 5 months from start to finish. As for the vitamin D deficiency, welcome to the club. I think everyone in my class was deficient. I was put on my bariatric vitamins prior to my surgery but only one tablet now, and 2 after the surgery. I was 6 pounds from my 10%, but keep in mind I had to lose 42 pounds. 36 pounds in 12 weeks, I worked my butt off! He agreed to do the surgery, but warned me not to put any weight on. My pre-op was yesterday, and I had lost 3 pounds, and got the same warning about gaining weight.

We had Nicole, and Hope as well! We had a great class!

@ once you have completed your options class, your Options instructor will put in the referal, ours told us she was putting it in the following morning, and to expect a call from the scheduler within a week, and that was exactly how it went. As far as order, I think because there are other facilities finishing at or around the same time, and I think that is what she was dealing with when I called. I think the entire class will get the call at or around the same time. My wife got the call about a half our before I did. She was nowhere near her 10 percent, and I was very close. At 422 lbs starting weight, I was the second biggest loser in the class. I also know that others with names further in the alphabet got calls the same day. One of the girls in our class got her surgery on January 4. Which considering the Christmas break, that was relatively quick. Other than that it seems that most of the class are getting our surgeries in the next week or two.

Well, I has my pre-op yesterday, and my surgery is on February 16. My wife is not having the surgery, but she knows what my diet is, which she is following. Since she doesn't have the amount of weight to lose, they healthy lifestyle changes are causing her to lose weight as well. I don't know how I would do this without her!

I finished Options on December 16, and my surgery is on February 16. In my Options class, they didn't push any surgery over another. They did however, really inform us on the differences, pro and con, and continually told us the descision is ultimately up to us. I was 98% sure I wanted the sleeve, but I waited until I met with my surgeon before my final descision was made. He agreed with my descision, and it was his recommendation as well. My wife took the Options class with me as well. She missed a class and had to make it up with another class and instructor. She was appalled at the instructors attitude about the surgery. It was week 2 or 3, and she kept telling them about people she knew that committed suicide after the surgery. She felt she was going out of her way to scare people from having the surgery. We found out later that there were a lot of complaints that came from that class. The bottom line is, whether this surgery is successful has everything to do with you, and whether or not you stay on the program. If my surgery fails, and I gain my weight back, it is because I failed, not my sleeve!

I had my pre-op yesterday! I am excited to start on this journey!

You can definitely get on the cancellation list. Also, after my first appointment with the surgeon, which came pretty quick after Options, and he approved the surgery based on your labs and weight loss, he said to expect a call from the scheduler in a week or so. I waited a few days, and called her after 4 days. I didn't want to call to soon, but I didn't want to wait forever either! Although, she still checked my place in order when she scheduled me. I had my pre-op yesterday, and it is starting to feel real now. I am excited and anxious!

Guy looking to be a "Friend!"

Hey @@sleevingbeauty17, I am in Granada Hills. I graduated from Woodland Hills Options in December. I have my pre-op with Dr. Kim on February 1st at West LA, and my surgery is scheduled for the 16th.

I finished my Options class December 16th, and my surgery is February 16th at West LA

Hey, I completed the options class in December, at Woodland Hills. I have my pre-op visit in the first of February, and my surgery on the sixteenth, at West LA. My surgeon is Dr. Kim. I had the same issues you did, not alot of info on their surgeons, although I have talked to several people that had their surgery there, and they all had nothing but good things to say. I wish I could give you more info, but that is all I got.

Congrats!

February 16th too! I am having it done at Kaiser West Los Angeles.

Wow! Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences! 422 was my highest, and I am currently at 387. My sleeve is scheduled for 2/16! I am so ready!

It's really happening! I just got my surgery date! I am super stoked!

I just got my date, February 16th at Kaiser West Los Angeles! I can't wait! My wife and I are renewing our vows for our 25th anniversary in November, I plan on looking good for her! Lol

That was my wife's attitude at first. I haven't had the surgery yet. She has some weight to lose as well, but nowhere near as much as me. She decided to join the Options class with me at Kaiser, so that she would know what I was going to go through, and what to expect. I should get my surgery date this coming week. She is now my biggest supporter!

Hey, my name is Joe, I am a 46 year old man in Granada Hills. I will be having the gastric sleeve at Kaiser West LA. I was 422 at my highest. I have completed the options program required by Kaiser, and I am 10 pounds away from meeting my 10% weight loss required by Kaiser. I have my first appointment with my surgeon on January 6, 2016. I am busting my butt this week to get closer to my goal prior to my appointment. We will see how close I get. I also took my "Before" pictures at Picture People. My daughter works there, and wants to document my journey. I will post them soon!

Wow! 152 in 6 months, that is awesome! What was your starting weight? I had my consultation with my surgeon, Dr. Kim, at West LA yesterday. I got my clearance! Just waiting to get scheduled now!

Congrats, and best wishes on your journey! I finished al my required prerequisites that were required, and I have my consultation with the surgeon on Wednesday! I am excited!

One of the girls in my class had her surgeon consultation on Christmas Eve, and asked to be put on the cancellation list. She just checked in, and will be getting sleeved this afternoon!

Hey Stacy, I am seeing Dr. Kim. I am having the sleeve done. I took mine at Woodland Hills. A lot of the stuff they taught was stuff I already knew, but at 422 lbs, I needed to do something more than just know info. Lol. But the Options class was definitely a great support group! I wish you luck on your journey!

@@Pounds Thou Art Loosed, I remember that day. Have you started your classes yet? We had a great class, a lot of chemistry with everyone in it. My wife had to make up a class, and said the other class was nowhere as fun as ours. Not that it is supposed to be fun, but I think it made everyone much more encouraging with each other because of the relationships we built. I don't know where you are mentally for this, but stick with it, keep your food diary and keep your water intake up! Please feel free to to message me with any questions or comments, and good luck! I hope you are excited as I am about this journey we have begun.

I just finished the Options course at Kaiser Woodland Hills on Dec 16, on the 17th, I got a message that my referal was sent to the surgeon, and the following day I got a call and my first appointment is on January 6th. They require you to lose 10% of your body weight before the surgery. At 422lbs, I have 42 pounds to lose. As of this morning, I am down 27 pounds. I will be busting my butt to get as close to my goal weight as I can by my appointment.