After spending a considerable amount of time searching for information regarding Kaiser Southern California and Lap Band surgery. I sent an email to my PCP (via www.kp.org) and to Member Services. My PCP's nurse referred me to the Positive Choice department and today I received the following detailed information from Member Services:
"Members who meet the medical criteria and are interested in having bariatric surgery enroll in 'Options', a 24-week bariatric surgery preparation program that prepares them physically and emotionally for surgery and for post surgical recovery. There are complex medical and emotional effects of gastric bypass as a treatment for obesity. Our total health philosophy emphasizes members taking an active part in their own good health. Topics covered in the Options program include :
Benefits and risks of surgery
Building healthy living skills
Depression and anxiety management
Fitness and exercise
Meal planning
Post surgery lifestyles
Proper nutrition
Stress management
Weight loss
After completing the Options program, the member is referred to a surgeon specializing in bariatric surgery.
Conditions for surgery
Bariatric surgery may be indicated for members with a body mass index (BMI) of 50 or greater, BMI of 40-49.9 with certain co morbidities, or BMI of 35-39.9 with special circumstances. BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared (kg/m2).
Types of surgery and procedures offered
We perform Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYDGB) surgery, the most commonly performed type of gastric bypass surgery. Gastric bypass is the separation of a small section of the stomach into an upper pouch that provides a smaller volume for food. The small intestine is rearranged to allow the small upper pouch as well as the larger section of the stomach to be connected to the intestine.
The Lap Band also know as the adjustable gastric banding is the insertion of an inflatable silicone device into the top portion of the stomach to create a small pouch that provides a reduced volume for food and slows food moving to the bottom of the stomach, providing a longer feeling of fullness.
Medical facilities offering the Options program
Members enrolled in Options may attend at any medical facilities where it is offered. These currently include :
Baldwin Park Medical Center
Bellflower Medical Center
Fontana Medical Center
Health Pavilion in Orange
Los Angeles Medical Center
Ming Avenue Medical Offices, Bakersfield
Panorama City Medical Center
Riverside Medical Center
San Diego Medical Center / Kaiser Foundation Hospital
South Bay Medical Center in Harbor City
Bariatric surgery
Bariatric surgery is currently performed at the Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center in Harbor City, CA. We also contract with local Centers of Excellence :
UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles
Pacific Bariatric Surgical Medical Group, practicing at Scripps Mercy Hospital, San Diego
Crown Surgery Medical Group, practicing at the Inland Valley Medical Center, Wildomar
Lancaster Community Hospital, Lancaster
If this surgery is performed your co pay would be $250.00 per admission.
Kaiser Permanente : Helping our members live long and thrive.
Marteesha Facen
Member Service Online Web site Support Representative
Kaiser Permanente
Phone : (800) 464-4000"
I hope this information is helpful.
