RENY33

Hi there Boopie!! Hope you remember me! I have just got the approval to start classes starting July ( when you finish) I was so happy at first for getting approved into the program ( same doctor Askafi ? Panorama City too) and to find out.....classes start July! Sad but ok) Maybe surgery next March?? Considering the sleeve. What do you think Boopie?

My BMI is 40, I am so skeptical about this whole thing. I guess I just have to be more confident. I remember a friend of mine, she was like 270 so she had to gain weight which she did she was like 298 at the time of her surgery through her insurance ( HealthNet) she ended up having her surgery with Dr. Fobi, she did lose a lot, she was down to 168 at one point. So this is my point, while other people gain weight to qualify, so how come Kaiser wants you to lose the weight to qualify for the surgery? Is that a catch? I mean, that's pretty much testing one's ability to diet and lose the weight instead of surgery, ok I do agree with the medical aspect of it, about getting through the fat.... but don't they operate on obese pregnant women as well? C-sections? I had mine c-section when I was really huge! I was just fine through the fat. I mean....I don't know what's up, I am afraid that right now with my BMI of barely ( I know it's a shame to say barely but it's right there at the entrance door) 40 If I lose 20% of my weight then they will just tell me oh well, you can exercise and diet on your own darling, next! Then again maybe I am completely wrong, any of you girls that have been or are currently enrolled into Options Kaiser, what do you ladies think or know about this issue? Thank you any input helps! What you think?

Hello, Happy New Year to you!!! My orientation is on Jan 19th also in Panorama City, after that I have to go every monday for 6 months also but I was told I am able to attend classes here where I live, so I don't have to drive all the way to Panorama. I can't wait to begin! You know, I have been reading some of the postings here and what I have learned is that at some point ( through Kaiser Options classes) they want for you to be able to lose 20% of your initial weight let me ask you this, what happens if you are not able to lose the weight? No surgery? What happens if you lose the weight then, does your chance of qualifying for the surgery slims down? What do you think?

H Wow! I also have Kaiser Souther Ca, I had no idea that the PCP has to submit like 4 referrals.....so your PCP after giving the initial orientation approval referral he/she still have to authorize pschy, nutrition and after that...still send another referral for surgery approval???? WOW! I was under the impression once approved into the Options program ( after the initial referral from your PCP to attend orientation ) you wouldn't need to have to request referrals from your PCP any longer, please confirm. Thank you and wishing all the best on your journey!

Boopie! It turned my doctor was able to send a referral out to Options, I can't believe it after 4 or 5 years I got a doctor that understood!!! Orientation is coming now on second week of Jan 09. I know my BMI is an issue at 39 and I will probably see the bariatric doc at Panorama City just like you did to see if he ok me right? Well, just wondering what's new with you, after orientation what happens? I am also attending Panorama City so keep in touch and wishing you a Happy New Year, hope this will be the year of real changes for all of us!:party:

Boopy! Thank you so much for the doc info. You see, I have recently changed docs, I have this new one that I will meet next week, and I will sure cry for a referral. The thing is, I live in Palmdale, I often go to Woodland Hills also, where I had my kids, so if it doesn't work out I will try your doc. It does get to me that they label us as OBESE right, but no help there to get us out of this group. Just exercise and eat healthy...sure! You know if it was that easy I wouldn't be bring this up to your attention dumb ass! I am sorry but I just about had it with docs that turned me down for not being FAT ENOUGH but still I am obese right?! Whatever! I just hope my new doc will give me some hope. As far as comobordies, last appointment my blood pressure was 141/80 something, which is high, I do feel joint pain, and my last pregnancy turned into hypoclampsia which I had to stay in Woodland Hills for like 5 days due to my high blood pressure that wouldn't go down, but it eventually it did go down and it was fine after couple months, it goes up and down, what do you think, do I have a valid comobordy? Also I struggle for air, snore like crazy, depression over this weight....just to name a few...I am ready this time!!!

Very cool!!! I am so happy to hear that you have decided and is serious about this. It shows you are definately not joking and you are ready to commit. I know everyone is struggling right now with the economy but I can't help but cheer for you, and please keep me posted, I wish you all the b:thumbup:est on this new journey!

I REALLY CAN'T STAND THIS! Ok so I am 5'9, 264 lbs, bmi 39, every time I have tried to get a referral with pcp with KAISER in the last 5 years, i get denied. OBESE BUT NOT QUITE OBESE ENOUGH.Last time I even burst myself in tears in front of my doctor and all, I said I am very depressed, it's not easy to just say oh exercise and eat healthy coming from a petite oriental doctor standing in front of me, she was just numb and telling me about all these rules that Kaiser has and she just can't give me the referral at all at my current weight. Meaning I would have to eat more to be a candidate? Even then, if I was to increase my BMI to 40 + I would have to have high blood pressure, to be diabetic, etc...which I am not. I am so lost here! I can try to lose the weight but it's not permanent. I would put 10 lbs extra after it's all done. I do rely on phentermine a lot for all my weight loss chapters, which I do lose but immediately after 2 weeks it wears off and I am back eating more than before and soon gaining it all back so I am so frustated and no help at all. So my plan is, I have changed pcp and I am going back to get this referral for once and for all, I can't take it any more. So let's see what happens, I am gathering all the information I can as far as my medical records, I have been on this yoyo weight for 2 years now. Please girls any suggestions? Please do share, anything you can share with me.... thank you so much!:whatchutalkingabout

BOOPIE! I am so happy for you that everything is working out so fast. I would love love love to know who was your pcp who was so cool to give you that referral just like that....let me tell you, it's not easy, my BMI is 39 right now, and 0 luck with referrals. I did speak to David from Panorama city who told me BMI need to be over 40 to be accepted, but every case is different, that I would need to speak to my current pcp which I will but I don't know I am just so ugh sad, you know what I mean and tired of getting the door shut right on my nose. There was one Kaiser pcp previously that I was assigned to, that did mention about BMI 50. So is this true?