astone1234

I have a question that I'm hoping someone can advise me on... I'm 5'7" and in February 08 after being on phentermine to try to shed a few pounds I had a bmi of 38.7. My PCP recommended a sleep apnea test & the results came back as "mild" so my Dr. sent a referral to Kaiser's Bariatric Dept. Because the apnea was only mild and the bmi was not 40 at the time with no other co-morbidites, I was denied acceptance to the program in April 08. I stopped taking the phentermine because I didn't like how it made me feel and I have gained back all that I lost plus a couple. I believe I'm now back at 40bmi which should allow me to now qualify. Should I ask for the referral to be resubmitted now? My PCP is supportive and is happy to do it but I am nervous that Bariatrics will deny me because 4 months ago my bmi was too low. Will I qualify no questions asked since my bmi is at 40 or will I run into trouble? Has anyone had the experience of being denied by Kaiser & then put on the weight and been accepted? Any advice? Thanks!

Hi! I would think that your Kaiser records would definitely be transferable so you won't have to start from square 1 again. If you read back on this thread from the beginning, you'll get lost of great information about the process we California Kaiser patients have experienced. Also, if you enter "Kaiser MD" or "Kaiser Maryland" in the Search box, I think you'll come across posts from lapbanders in your specific area. Good luck!!

Your orientation was 5 hours? I was told mine on 7/27 in Fremont would only be 2 hours! Yikes I wonder why there is such a big difference...

Hi there! I don't know if Kaiser No. Cal is different than Kaiser So. Cal but it seems to me that up here, Kaiser's process takes about 5-6 months on average and worst case is probably 8-9 months. It really does depend on the individual & how much that person needs to lose before they will do the surgery. I can't afford to pay out of pocket so I'm committed to doing whatever I need to do in order for insurance to cover it. I would suggest calling Kaiser and start asking questions about the program. Maybe even talk with your PCP about the process. Good luck!

I belong to Kaiser in Northern California so I only know how our process works but I assume the process has to be similar. So first things first... have you discussed a WLS referral with your PCP?

Your PCP can only send the referral to the Bariatrics dept. It's Bariatrics that checks your medical record to see if you meet the criteria necessary (40+ bmi w/o other co-morbidities or 35+ with co-morbidities) and if you qualify, they then assign you to an orientation time & a program location. From what I've been told, the Bariatrics dept then schedules you for all subsequent classes and appts. It's a slow process that can be possibly moved along quicker if you call to see if there are cancellations for appts. (with the psychologist for example). The key is losing the amount of weight you are given at the 1st orientation. I know a lady who is struggling to do this and her surgery scheduling is being held up by 1 pound! Once you hit your goal, things will move very fast but the first couple of months will be slow.

Hi Ladies: My friend who just got banded through Richmond this week said her process went like this: "You will be asked to weigh in normally before the first "orientation class/seminar". At Kaiser Richmond, they just had us check in and hop on the scale. Dressed, some people took off their shoes, but you were not allowed on barefoot (socks ok). It was off to the side with only the facilitator able to see the scale, and a really long line. Some people came in late and were weighed at the end, but it had to be done at that class as that was considered your starting point weight. The seminar then was all about the program, the pros/cons of surgery. The especially harped on about the limitations and the things to be worried about. Probably trying to get the flaky folks to drop out. Then, after the lecture portion, they had all "support folks" like your husband, parent, friend leave the room and gave us a 7 page highly personal, confidential questionaire to complete and then we left. Questions about past dieting habits, traumatic experiences, issues about your sex life, issues with eating disorders, etc. In the handouts you left with was a copy of the diet they suggested you start to get you going! That was it, and it was about 2-3 months after that before I got my next appointment which was a 5 hour seminar. Then the Psychologist appt, a meeting with the surgeon where they check you out and give you your preop goal weight, which is normally around 10% of your body weight at the first orientation weigh in. Once you make weight... appointment to weigh in, appointment with Case Manager where a surgery date is set and then Pre Op class and Nutrition Class and then Pre Op physical and then after a few labs, you are good to go. Hang in there. It feels like a really long process, but if you think about it, my first seminar was the end of January and here I am today...DONE! And remember, this is Richmond... maybe Fremont is quicker." Remember that at your first orientation, they weigh you & that is your starting weight. Almost everyone is asked to lose at least 10% of that starting weight. My friend had the stomach flu right before she went & her weight was down 8 lbs. She had to lose 10% based on the lower # but when she went home and started to feel better she of course gained the 8 lbs back which meant she had to lose even more than they advised! Basically, you want to be at your heaviest weight on orientation day. Don't diet ahead of that appointment because the pounds lost won't count. Good luck!

My orientation packet & appt card was automatically sent to me from the Fremont Bariatric dept. as a result of my PCP sending the referral. The cover letter said it is the initial acceptance to the WLS program.

Is the healthy living class mandatory?

My PCP ordered lab work for me but didn't schedule any other appts. I was under the impression that those needed to be scheduled after orientation, but if you already have those on the books then you are a couple of steps ahead of the game. I hope it results in a quicker process for you. It would be frustrating if you met all the appointment criteria but still had to wait. I am having such a hard time thinking about anything but this process! I'm becoming obsessed with reading countless threads about other people's experiences and soaking up as much knowledge as I can. How about you?

Hi KLBS, My PCP submitted a referral for me to Fremont Kaiser on 6/23 and I received the orientation packet from Kaiser in the mail on 7/9. My orientation class is scheduled for 7/27. I know that Kaiser Bariatrics is a tough and lengthy program to navigate but it is going to be sooo worth it. I have a friend who just had her surgery this week @ Richmond and she had nothing but good things to say about the entire process. She emphasized that the Kaiser process makes sure you are totally committed to a life change and if you follow the process correctly you should have smooth sailing throughout your WL journey. I am so ready to do whatever it takes to succeed at finally losing weight. Bring it on!:biggrin2:

I just received my acceptance packet from Kaiser! I can't believe it... my orientation class is 7/27 in Fremont! I am so excited that the process is officially on it's way!:thumbup:

Brenda, is your orientation at Fremont, SSF or Richmond? How long did it take between PCP referral & the notification from the Bariatric dept that you were accepted and received the 1st orientation meeting date?

Hi Brenda! My PCP is Dr. Sumaquial in Pleasanton. She is very supportive and just resubmitted my referral for me. I'm nervous because I have the required bmi now but I'm afraid that they will deny me based on my lower bmi 5 months ago. Your note was encouraging that your friend got accepted with similar circumstances. Was that through Richmond? I'm hoping for the same result! Pleasanton Kaiser automatically refers to Richmond Bariatrics. When my PCP sent the 1st referral to Richmond, I called Richmond & asked if I could have it forwarded to Fremont as it is much closer for me. They agreed so my denial letter actually came from the Fremont office. I thought the second referral would go on to Richmond but my PCP said she sent it to Fremont. Yikes, I was kinda hoping for Richmond the second time around because they hadn't been the ones that denied me, but we'll see what happens. I have total anxiety about the whole deal! I have 1 friend who was banded in December 07 and loves it (not thru Kaiser) and I have 2 friends who are going thru the process w/Kaiser Richmond right now. 1 has a surgery date of 7/8/08! I can't wait to find out all the scoop on the procedure. One of my friends, who is thin btw, was trying to be supportive & had some stinging words for me... She said "you are a professional dieter. You've done this all your life. Just think how nice it will be to actually do it & succeed for a change". Ouch! The truth is that I AM tired of failing all the time. I AM tired of being "queen of the yo-yo dieters". It will be great to have the band as my ally & finally succeed at this life-time battle. I realized at the moment she said those words that I have to have this done. I don't want to be that person any more. Please feel free to email me anytime. I'd love to help support you in any way I can.

I am in Northern California. I was denied by Fremont. Thanks so much!

I have a question that I'm hoping someone can advise me on... I'm 5'7" and in February 08 after being on phentermine to try to shed a few pounds I had a bmi of 38.7. My PCP recommended a sleep apnea test & the results came back as "mild" so my Dr. sent a referral to Kaiser's Bariatric Dept. Because the apnea was only mild and the bmi was not 40 at the time with no other co-morbidites, I was denied acceptance to the program in April 08. I stopped taking the phentermine because I didn't like how it made me feel and I have gained back all that I lost plus a couple. I believe I'm now back at 40bmi which should allow me to now qualify. Should I ask for the referral to be resubmitted now? My PCP is supportive and is happy to do it but I am nervous that Bariatrics will deny me because 4 months ago my bmi was too low. Will I qualify no questions asked since my bmi is at 40 or will I run into trouble? Has anyone had the experience of being denied by Kaiser & then put on the weight and been accepted? Any advice? Thanks!