cmelosew8

I don't have a surgery date...after the 'Options' class, I have to meet with a group of doctors who will then analyze my health record and see whether or not bariatric surgery is for me. I'm actually scared that they will not approve and I'll have gone to those classes for nothing! They say the avg. wait for a person who has gone to the classes and gets approval is somewhere between 3-4 months after...so we shall see! As for the liquids, I watch this lapbander on Youtube and her YT name is: bandedwendy She has A LOT of helpful info about everything!!! She pretty much makes a video almost every week about her lap band progress...I highly recommend you watch her...btw, she's also my inspiration!!! Another person to watch on YT is : skymoon1982...she had the lap band over a year ago.... They are very inspirational ladies, IMO...

Hey Desiree! Where and when (time) is this support group going to meet on April 3rd??? I'm interested in attending... And is it open to anyone or just those who've had the surgery?

These classes are required by Kaiser Permanente...they're called 'Options' classes and are required to be taken in order to even be considered for any bariatric surgery. There isn't even a guarantee that I'll be approved for the surgery yet, but I already have pre-existing medical conditions and my BMI is high for my height. We meet 1x a week for 12 wks. and are being taught the ABCs of how/what to eat after sugery, exercise and the pros/cons of ea. surgery. There is also a psychiatrist that speaks and helps us figure out our emotional and environmental hindrances to weight loss. We are also expected to lose 10% of our first weight they've recorded, but I've only lost about less than 5% of it so far. This coming Tues. will be my 8th week, so 4 more to go... Oh, and Kaiser decided to make these classes mandatory b/c they've had previous patients who've had surgery and then regain all the weight back!! So they obviously saw a need to educate those thinking and wanting to get the surgery...

Hi Desiree! I live pretty close to you!! I'm here in Perris...it would be great to meet other lap banders...I haven't officially gotten 'banded' yet, but I'm taking the required classes in order to get it. I see you've had yours for a couple of years now...how has it been? What advice do you have for pre-op patients? What are the pros and cons of having a lap band? ttys! :cursing:

Hi Faylee... I guess I'm considered pre-op and I live in Perris. Right , I'm taking classes through Kaiser Riverside. Anyhow, I was looking for lap-banders locally. Are you excited about your surgery coming up soon? And what made you decide to get the lap band versus the other bariatric procedures? Just curious and I like hearing what others have to say about it... well, take care and good luck! :cursing:

Hi! I know I'm posting in the wrong section b/c I think most if not all of you are from Northern Cali...(I'm down in Southern Cali). Well, I'm new to the forum and to LapBandTalk and I'm attending a 12-week options class through Kaiser as well... Does anyone know if there is a section for us Kaiser Riverside Pre-Op in southern Cali? Thanks!:blushing: