Hi New here

[TammyLee66 152]

I wanted to see if there was anyone going to start the option class soon I just got my approval for the orientation and I'm gonna be going to Bakersfield California and I'm with KAISER wanted to see if there's anyone out there.

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[monica91355 27]

Yes! I have the orientation to the Options program on Monday (1/23) at the Panorama City Kaiser. Hopefully will start the Options classes soon after. I live in Santa Clarita.

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[TammyLee66 152]

Thank you for the reply Monica good luck to you at your orientation.I am so excited I cannot wait to start.

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[monica91355 27]

Thank you! The orientation yesterday was great! I start the Options program on 2/10.

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[TammyLee66 152]

That is great news Monica I have my orientation on February 7 did they say how long everything usually takes before you would get a surgery date after the 12 week options class

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[SunshineUnicorn 15]

I have my orientation Thursday in South Sac.

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[SunshineUnicorn 15]

I'm scared that I'll be a couple lbs below, lowering my BMI, because I'm right at the line. What was the orientation process like? Check in, weigh in, and then the class? Did they make you remove shoes, pat you down, and then weigh? (Someone said that happened to them at another hospital so i was wondering)

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[TammyLee66 152]

Great news Sunshine are you also with Kaiser or do you have another insurance company

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[SunshineUnicorn 15]

I'm with Kaiser.

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[TammyLee66 152]

That's great I'm glad you are,that way we can talk to each other and find out what's happening with one another since we all started close to the same date

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[SunshineUnicorn 15]

I'm glad I found this app! So, what was your orientation class like?

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[monica91355 27]

At the orientation, the first hour was the director of the program talking about your three options for surgery. Only the sleeve and bypass are done in house at Kaiser. If you want lap band, then you go to a surgeon who is contracted with Kaiser at another hospital

The dietician presented for the last hour. She went over non-surgical weight loss programs offered by Kaiser and a high level overview of Vitamins required for life, follow up appointments/labs needed for life, risks of surgery, what you'll learn in Options, and steps to surgery.

They said at six weeks and twelve weeks you'll meet with the program director. After completing Options, the surgeons office will call to arrange an appointment. At the West LA Kaiser there are four surgeons - you can pick your surgeon or have one assigned to you. Assuming you have all your labs completed and are approved by the surgeon, you could have your surgery as soon as a week after completing Options. When the dietician mentioned having surgery so soon after completing Options, I found it a bit hard to believe since I would think there would be a bit of a wait. . . But hopefully I am wrong and it is a very short wait! If you have other health issues that requires approval of specialist, such as cardiology or pulmonary, then that could slow down the process a bit.

It's so great to find others who are at the same point in their journey as me.

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[SunshineUnicorn 15]

Thanks Monica. Does everyone have to go through the 12 week Options class?

I'm really excited to find others I can talk with during this process. My husband is supportive, but it's not the same lol

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[monica91355 27]

If you are with Kaiser SoCal, the Options class is pretty much mandatory. They said you can request a consult with a surgeon instead of Options but 99.99% of the time the surgeon will refer you back to the Options class.

Based on what I've read in these forums, the process is a bit different for Kaiser NorCal.

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[monica91355 27]

Oh and I understand! I'm looking forward to the Options class so that I can make friends with others who understand. I actually have not told my boyfriend yet. Only my family and three best friends know right now.

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