Kikiphiasmom

Hi trailorparkbeautyqueen, I am also going through Kaiser in southern california (Montebello/Baldwin Park) you might want to check the BMI guidlines again, as I was told by the options program that for someone to qualify to for the lap band/gastric bypass/sleeve your BMI needs to be 50 ..YES 50. I was shocked. I was approved for the program because my BMI is 48 and I have had gestational diabetes twice and have needed insulin along with pregnancy induced hypertension. I dont want to be a downer ... but before you go and waste all that money on co pays you should call and check first ... the number to the options program in Baldwin Park is 626-851-5263. The girl that I talk to there's name is Martha and she is very very nice. She might be able to give the correct # or a contact name. Good luck and I hope you are accepted.

I am single too, not skinny yet, but in the process. I don't feel as wonderful as you, but maybe one day I will. Live it up, you are young ... have lots o boys ... tee hee

-Update- Well I got a call from the bariatrics dept @ Kaiser Baldwin Park (Options Program) and <<< HORAY>>>> I was approved even though my BM wasn't 50 ... Like I had stated before I did have complications during my 2 pregnancies with hypertension/diabetes/insulin ...ect... so they approved me into the program so now I have my orientation in NOVEMEBER ..I know ... really far out ... but whatever ... I put myself on waitlist. Plus I will keep bugging her !! Its going to be a longgg process but I am so ready for it. I have already lost 14lbs (but not the good way) I am about to be separated and well the stress and all is making this losing weight thing a piece of cake right now for me. I cant eat !! But anyway ... at least now I can consentrate on me!!

:thumbup:I think it means when you fell the restriction. When you cant over eat because the band is finally tight enough to get you full with little food for long periods of time. Guud luck tomorrow!!

Ok, OK ..... update girlies So, I called the options program (Thanks Boopie) and they told me Southern California Kaisers are now doing the lap band, bypass and sleave(spelling ???) It's a fairly new thing and not alot of DOCS know about his (this explains why my MD said they only do bypass) ...anyway .... BUTTTTT .... there is a BIG butt (bigger than mine:biggrin:) different regions have different qualifiers. In my region (that's what they kept calling it:blink:) you have to have a BMI of 50 ... 50...Who the hell has a BMI of 50??? I have never seen or heard anyone one on this forum with such a high BMI...anyway .... mine is 48 so I guess thats close enough, plus i had gestational diabetes with my 2 pregnancies that required insulin ... so even though it was horrible, this might help me out ... I should know by Friday .. the girl from the bariatric program said she would know by Friday ... soooooo heres hoping yall .... wish me luck I have another question ... what is PBing and DH and all of these other abreveations on here ...just curious

Hello everyone. I just got referred to the options program through Kaiser (so cali) and am very excited to start this process. I was wondering you all can share with me your weight loss stories. How long have you had the band? Weight before/after band? What has changed in your eating habbits? Also, a little freaked out about anasthesia!! Have people actually died getting a lap band? I know the bypass is dangerous, because they re-wire you ... but the band? It seems so much less invasive !! I am happy to hear everyones experience and goals ... Thanks FUTURE BANDER ...

YOu will be fine. Granted I haven't gotten the band yet and just today got a referral from my PCP at Kaiser (So. Cali) to the "Options program", but I am sure you will be fine. They would not have scheduled the surgery, if you werent healthy to undertake it. That being said, next year or at the end of this year ... I want the same encouraging words from you when i am 1 day away from surgery ... lol ... Good luck and congratulations !!!:biggrin:

:biggrin:Hello everyone, So today was my PCP appt, and I got a referral (YAY ) but my PCP told me all Kaiser does is Gastric Bypass (nothing else :tt2:). She recommended that I do the Optifast diet, but I refussed and started crying. I am so frustrated with my weight, and then she goes and asks me to do Optifast (arghhhhhh :biggrin:) So, now my question if to Boopie (HEY GIRL :cool2:) Who told you Kaiser did the lap band?? I need your help girl ... I'm getting really irritated and and about to chop off this fat myself ... lol .... I'm really starting to hate Kaiser !!!

I'm so jelous!!! Buy CONGRATULATIONS!! I can't wait till I'm in your shoes! Everything will be fine, and you will finally be healthy ... keep us informed of your progress!!:redface:

:tt2: Why do we have to wait for over 6 months to get this lap band. Especially if our BMI's are over 40 ??? This really makes no sense. You would think that since we are morbidly obese, that we would be rushed through the process so that we can start losing the weight. I mean they make it so hard on people who are truly trying to better their situation. Think about it, we will be more of a financial liability to them if they keep us FAT!! With diabetes, Hypertension, Cancer ect ... in the long run it will be alot cheaper to help us lose this massive amount of weight!! Don't you think?? It's just so frustrating !!! I want to be healthy and thin !!!!!!:smile2:

Well I dont even know if it covers it. I have Kaiser through my work, and sometimes they dont cover WLS ... I dont know ... I am just going to go crazy until 09/10 when I see my PCP ... but thanks everyone!!

What's PB-ing?

Thank you all for your comments. I haven't even started yet, I have my PCP appt on 09/10/08 for a referral. My BMI is about 46. Another member of this forum is starting the nutrition classes for October, and was referred in late August. YES, I am in So. Cal. It's very frustrating as, I am in the very begining of this adventure. I have researched it for over a year. I am petrified of having to be put out (anasthesia), and maybe that is why I want to get it over with. It's just frustrating when you read that most people only have to wait about 3 months with other insurances. But hearing you all be so patient, might help my nerves and anxiety. I am so scared that they will find something that prevents me from getting the band. :tongue2: Do any of you know why they have to put us to sleep and not just give us and epidural or spinal block?? I would think that would be safer since that is what they did to me when I had my 2 C-sections ... I know I'm getting off the track with a new topic, but I have sooooo many questions and concerns ... ... ANYWAY .. again thank you all for the encouragement. Ok...fine .... I guess Kaiser dosent suck .... that much:tongue_smilie:

Well I am very happy for you!! CONGRATS!! On the day you get your surgery, I will be (hopefully) being referred and on my way to where you are now ... I am sooooooo beyond happy for you. Please let us know your progress .... shoot update us as soon as you are out of surgery .... lol ....jk

Boopie you are awsome. I saw your last couple of post and you have given me HOPE !! I have an appt to see my PCP on 09/10 and I hope that I get the results you did. My BMI is over 40 .. i think its 46. So I think I am a shoe in for this procedure. I am so happy that you are 1 step in front of me, so that I can learn from what you do. Thanks for blogging !!

OH MY GOSH .. I am having the same dilema. I live in Montebello, not far from pasadena. I have my PCP appt on Sept 10th and am hoping my PCP will refer me to get the lap band. But I'm confussed:huh2: Does Kaiser do lap bands or not? I see from a couple of replays that they are referring one person and not the other. My BMI is 46 I think, so I think I totally qualify. This is really getting me nervous as I so desperatly need this to help with my weight loss. I am tired of all of this YO-YOing .... HELP:blink:

Hello all !! Let me just start by saying thank god for this site. I am new to all of this, so please bear with me. I have been reading up on all of this lap band ... (stuff) an am very interested in doing it. I have been thinking about it for about 1 year now. The problem is that I have Kaiser Insurace, and don't really know if it covers it. I am 5'3" and 270lbs, so I think I would be a shoe in for this procedure. I have been over weight most of my life, but never this big. I have tried Phen-Phen (when i was 15 yrs old) and EVERY diet imaginable. I lose weight, but it always comes back double. I have been having lots of aches and pains now, and I am assuming its because of my weight. Does anyone here know what I have to do to get this procedure. I dont want the gastric bypass as i feel its too invasive and i feel I might just need a little extra help ( like with the lap band). I am tired pf taking all of the diet pill, that I know are harming my body. I am desperate to find a tool to help me with my battle. I have 2 beautiful little girls who I want to see grow up to be beautifull women someday. Please help !! Thank you so much for your help ... MP

Thank you so much for your welcome and the info. :thumbup:Unfortunatly, I have Kaiser Insurance, so going to Cedars is not in my options. :w00t: Do you know anything about Kaiser Insurance and the lap band? Does any one ?:cool2: