Starting Journey with Kaiser Fremont

[lsereno 2,525]

Hi all,

I've been lurking for about a month. Thanks for all the great information. I originally thought I wanted a lap band, but after learning more here and other sites, I've got my eyes set on being a sleever.

I'm a Kaiser patient and will be going through Kaiser Fremont. I met with my doctor last month to discuss getting the surgery. At that time, my BMI was 38.

I have an appt. for the Kaiser Weight Overview Class on January 11 at Kaiser Santa Clara. This is not the orientation. My Dr. said everyone has to take the overview class first.

My doctor scheduled a sleep apena testing for me, which I will do on Monday, Dec. 6. I am quite close to a 40 BMI now (5.5, 235 lb) and will for sure be there before the class on the 11th.

If you have gone through Kaiser Fremont, do you know if you have to have a BMI of 40 after the 10% weight loss? I have high blood pressure controlled by meds and high cholesterol.

Thanks in advance,

Lynda

[Wildorchids 7]

Who's your doctor? I'm having mine Dec 7 richman. Dr im is my doctor.

[lsereno 2,525]

I don't have a WLS doctor yet. My GP is Dr. Greene in Santa Clara

[JennChap 38]

I looked into surgery through Kaiser in 07 and they made it very clear that if I fell under 40 while doing a prep diet the WOULD NOT cancel my surgery Good Luck

Hi all,

I've been lurking for about a month. Thanks for all the great information. I originally thought I wanted a lap band, but after learning more here and other sites, I've got my eyes set on being a sleever.

I'm a Kaiser patient and will be going through Kaiser Fremont. I met with my doctor last month to discuss getting the surgery. At that time, my BMI was 38.

I have an appt. for the Kaiser Weight Overview Class on January 11 at Kaiser Santa Clara. This is not the orientation. My Dr. said everyone has to take the overview class first.

My doctor scheduled a sleep apena testing for me, which I will do on Monday, Dec. 6. I am quite close to a 40 BMI now (5.5, 235 lb) and will for sure be there before the class on the 11th.

If you have gone through Kaiser Fremont, do you know if you have to have a BMI of 40 after the 10% weight loss? I have high blood pressure controlled by meds and high cholesterol.

Thanks in advance,

Lynda

[lsereno 2,525]

Thanks Jenn! I am looking forward to a healthier me.

[lsereno 2,525]

Hi all,

Time for an update! I have been to the Overview class in mid-January and the orientation Feb 13. Tomorrow (march 3) I have an appt with the bariatric surgeon (Dr. Hahn), a nutritionist, and the program coordinator. I'm not sure, but I think this is the appt where I find out if I am approved for surgery.

Surprises so far: You must be approved to attend the orientation. I thought the approval came after. To be clear, approval for the orientation does not mean you are approved for the surgery. But I mistakenly thought you only needed a referral from your primary doc to attend the orientation. My BMI was not quite 40 in Nov. when I visited my Dr., so I had to make another appt to be weighed before I could attend the orientation.

Orientation was 2 hrs long and we heard from a bariatric surgeon (Dr. Chu) and a nutritionist. We also got a great booklet with a lot of details. I've been following the 1200 calorie diet, eating three times a day, and taking all the required supplements.

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Lynda

[meggiep 57]

Hi all,

Time for an update! I have been to the Overview class in mid-January and the orientation Feb 13. Tomorrow (march 3) I have an appt with the bariatric surgeon (Dr. Hahn), a nutritionist, and the program coordinator. I'm not sure, but I think this is the appt where I find out if I am approved for surgery.

Surprises so far: You must be approved to attend the orientation. I thought the approval came after. To be clear, approval for the orientation does not mean you are approved for the surgery. But I mistakenly thought you only needed a referral from your primary doc to attend the orientation. My BMI was not quite 40 in Nov. when I visited my Dr., so I had to make another appt to be weighed before I could attend the orientation.

Orientation was 2 hrs long and we heard from a bariatric surgeon (Dr. Chu) and a nutritionist. We also got a great booklet with a lot of details. I've been following the 1200 calorie diet, eating three times a day, and taking all the required supplements.

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Lynda

Lynda-

Been thinking about you today- hope you got approved!

I live in Redwood City and though I am not Kaiser I feel you are a fellow NO CA hopeful sleever!

[lsereno 2,525]

Hi all,

I am APPROVED!

My surgeon will be Dr. Hahn. I have a few more tests to complete and 15 more lbs to lose and I'll be able to schedule my surgery.

For those interested in the Kaiser Fremont process: I met with my primary care Dr. last Nov. and he signed me up for the next Overview meeting in Santa Clara. Because of the holidays, that was Jan. 11. After a couple of hiccups (correct weighty wasn't documented and Dr. misunderstood my request for referral), I was referred to Kaiser Fremont Bariatric program and attended Orientation there on Feb 13. I read the book we received in that meeting and began taking the Vitamins and following the 1200 diet immediately. Also, at the end of Orientation, I scheduled by next appt for 3/3. At the 3/3 appt. I met with the nutritionist, who was pleased with my diet, Vitamins, ,and exercise routine, the surgeon, who reviewed by med history and declared me a good candidate for the sleeve, and the program coordinator, who explained the next steps I need to take.

Next steps for me are a chest xray, EKG, tetanus shot and anemia blood test (all other tests are current), and attending at least one F2F support group meeting. After I lose another 5 lbs I will be within 10 lbs of goal and can schedule an appt with the psych. After I lose another 5 lbs I will be 5 lbs from goal and I have a worksheet to complete and return to Bariatric. Once I reach goal, I visit my Dr and have my weight documented. After that, my surgery will be scheduled. I am hoping to get a fairly quick surgery date because i can take any cancellation appt that is offered to me. If no cancellations are available, it will be 1-2 months before the surgery because Fremont is busy.

One other thing I need to do is test out Protein powders so I have some at home after surgery. I'll be searching the forum for advice :-)

I am so excited to be accepted into the program and know for sure that I am on my way to a healthier life! Guess I need to get crackin' on that weight ticker!

Lynda

[meggiep 57]

Hi all,

I am APPROVED!

My surgeon will be Dr. Hahn. I have a few more tests to complete and 15 more lbs to lose and I'll be able to schedule my surgery.

For those interested in the Kaiser Fremont process: I met with my primary care Dr. last Nov. and he signed me up for the next Overview meeting in Santa Clara. Because of the holidays, that was Jan. 11. After a couple of hiccups (correct weighty wasn't documented and Dr. misunderstood my request for referral), I was referred to Kaiser Fremont Bariatric program and attended Orientation there on Feb 13. I read the book we received in that meeting and began taking the Vitamins and following the 1200 diet immediately. Also, at the end of Orientation, I scheduled by next appt for 3/3. At the 3/3 appt. I met with the nutritionist, who was pleased with my diet, Vitamins, ,and exercise routine, the surgeon, who reviewed by med history and declared me a good candidate for the sleeve, and the program coordinator, who explained the next steps I need to take.

Next steps for me are a chest xray, EKG, tetanus shot and anemia blood test (all other tests are current), and attending at least one F2F support group meeting. After I lose another 5 lbs I will be within 10 lbs of goal and can schedule an appt with the psych. After I lose another 5 lbs I will be 5 lbs from goal and I have a worksheet to complete and return to Bariatric. Once I reach goal, I visit my Dr and have my weight documented. After that, my surgery will be scheduled. I am hoping to get a fairly quick surgery date because i can take any cancellation appt that is offered to me. If no cancellations are available, it will be 1-2 months before the surgery because Fremont is busy.

One other thing I need to do is test out Protein powders so I have some at home after surgery. I'll be searching the forum for advice :-)

I am so excited to be accepted into the program and know for sure that I am on my way to a healthier life! Guess I need to get crackin' on that weight ticker!

Lynda

Hooray ! I am so pleased for you! I hope to have good news myself soon as I am in the middle of all my pre tests.

[lsereno 2,525]

Hi all,

I can't believe another month has gone by! Last month I took the required tests and got the required shots, attended to face-to-face support group meetings, and met with a psychologist. I have one more pound to lose then I go to my primary doctor to be weighed and have my weight logged into the Kaiser system. The psychologist told me she was approving me for surgery and sending my file to the Dr. She said it takes 2-3 weeks for the Dr. to review the file and then my surgery would be scheduled. I plan to call as soon as my weight is logged. I am hoping to slip in and take a surgery appt that someone else had to cancel. I'm completely flexible on dates/times and ready to roll once the last pound is gone!

One hitch in the process: One of my root canals has failed and I will probably have the tooth pulled before surgery and an implant placed afterwards. I'm concerned about dental health after the operation, but I plan to post a question in the general forum about that. If you're concerned too, check the replies there.

Who knows, maybe I will be an April Sleever!

[lsereno 2,525]

Hi all,

I forgot to mention a couple of other tidbits:

I've been checking out Protein powders and have gone with Optimum Nutrition 100% whey Gold Standard in Double Rich chocolate and French vanilla. I'll post details about why I chose those in the Protein powder forum.

Also, the Psych asked if I had been sipping Water and I had to admit I hadn't. I was drinking the required amount, but still slurping it down. She recommended setting the glass down between sips and I've begun doing that. She said some people use a sippy cup to help pace the Water sips. Who knew? So far, setting the glass down is working for me, but I've already found it's harder to get the water in if you can't gulp a glass down.

[meggiep 57]

Hi all,

I forgot to mention a couple of other tidbits:

I've been checking out Protein powders and have gone with Optimum Nutrition 100% whey Gold Standard in Double Rich chocolate and French vanilla. I'll post details about why I chose those in the Protein Powder forum.

Also, the Psych asked if I had been sipping Water and I had to admit I hadn't. I was drinking the required amount, but still slurping it down. She recommended setting the glass down between sips and I've begun doing that. She said some people use a sippy cup to help pace the Water sips. Who knew? So far, setting the glass down is working for me, but I've already found it's harder to get the water in if you can't gulp a glass down.

Hooray for your progress! I suddenly find myself perhaps being fast tracked to having it in two weeks.

Camelback makes a great water bottle that holds 34 ounces and has a rubber cover for the straw that forces sipping without bringing in to much air.

I would love to know about the Protein powder. In fact I have a bunch of samples and I posted in nutrition looking for No CA people to get together with and taste test!

edited to add- this sipping thing is something we HAVE to get it together with! I have trouble too but it really is necessary, as is not drinking with your meals.

[lsereno 2,525]

Hi all,

I've got my date!!! May 17. I hope to have the surgery before then because I can take any cancellation appointments that crop up. My pre-op appointment is scheduled for May 6. Nancy, who schedules the surgery for Fremont Kaiser told me that during the pre-op appt I would meet with my surgeon, Dr. Hahn and he would go over what I need to do before surgery and tell me what time my surgery will be on the 17th. She mentioned blood work and something else. I was so excited, I'm not sure what else she said. Onederland, I can hear you calling me!!!

Lynda

[LisaM 3]

Hi Lynda, were you at a 38 BMI, when you were referred to have the surgery? My BMI is 36.7. I'm a Kaiser member and I'd really like to go through them, but don't know where to start. Suggestions? Lisa

[LisaM 3]

PS, congrats on your date, that's very exciting!