TheUsualSuspect

Hi everyone. I was given a referral to the Options Program, but wasn't given any information on surgical options, just the shakes and meals. When I asked the Staff, they said my Dr needs to give me a specific referral before I can talk to anyone in the program. I asked my Dr, he said the referral he gave me should have covered it. What do I need to tell him to do? It took me 4 Dr switches to get one that would even have a discussion on weight loss, most of the Dr's in the past have just said stop eating cookes and drinking soda. When I would tell them I don't eat or drink either, they would then tell me I need to calorie count. We all know where that leads. I am a bit nervous, I have tried just about everything under the sun, done nothing but yoyo, so I am looking to explore the surgical options. I am open advice, the thought of surgery is a bit unnerving. Thank you.

I have been trying to get a referral for a few years at Kaiser. My first PCP said the surgery doesn't work, switched PCP's, he refused to consider any weight loss options. I have a new PCP, he referred me to the Options Program, which gave the infamous Nestle Shakes, shots, prepared meals, and pills as ways to loose weight, but not any surgical options. When I asked about surgical options, the Options Staff told me I needed a Bariatric Referral through Options. I asked my newest PCP, he said he gave me the referral. I called back to the Bariatrics section, they told me he had not. Anyone experience this? What did you do to fix it? I have tried all the Options presented, not interested in yo-yo dieting again. Thank you.

Kaiser in SoCal does their Bariatrics in house, I have never had a referral where I had to fill anything out, the Dr does it electronically through the Chart Software they use. I am hoping someone knows how to get around it, seems at Kaiser the PCP does everything and they are the ones who determine what referrals you get, and what you don't get.