Kaiser Colorado

[CaribeRidge 104]

A bit of background first. I went in for my 2nd pre-op visit with the nurse pract. yesterday. My 1st visit was with a pa who put me on phentermine and topamax. She asked that I get an upper gi endoscopy because of my severe gerd and esophageal spasms. This is scheduled for June 19. I already had the therapist appt. After I get the endoscopy I will start the 6 week required classes. Then I see the therapist again and the nurse one more time. I believe at that point I will finally meet the surgeon.

On to my question. my bmi on the 1st appt was 37.2. Since they put me on the diet pills it went down to 36.7 trying hard not to lose any. I am afraid to lose too much and have them say I no longer qualify. I have commodities hbp, sa/cpap, diabetes 2, high cholesterol, debilitating arthritis on my back due to scoliosis. So I would qualify at 35 bmi. The prob is that i am not that far from 35 bmi. So I asked her several times what would happen if I went lower. I asked her which weight they submit. I even asked her if the do submit anything based on my plan or if the doc has final approval. She never gave me a straight answer. she just kept saying that if I had medicare then the weight would definitely matter but on my insurance (Kaiser) it "should" not matter. I am not 100% comfortable with "should" . This is a kaiser facility and program not contracted program. Shouldn't she have known for sure what the clinical requirements are for approval? I want to call or email someone else to push the matter and get a straight answer but I'm afraid they'll say I'm somehow unstable for worrying too much.

I can lose the weight I just cant keep it off. I've heard all these horror stories of last minute cancellations because you lost too much. But atthe same time if I can go into the surgery weighing less I wouldrather do that and give myself a leg up. What do you guys think?

[CaribeRidge 104]

Anyone have Kaiser in Colorado? I can only find information about Kaiser in California and in Washington. Even on other boards I can only find people talking about Kaiser California.

Aside from finding out what the clinical requirement/policy in CO is (or at least what was your experience) which is not available online, I really want to know if anyone has experienced any repercussions/denials/push backs because they asked too many questions the doctor's office didn't want to answer.

[timetraveler 13]

I have kaiser in Colorado and had my surgery 6 months ago. I had a BMI of 35 at my first appointment. I asked about losing too much weight and going under the 35 BMI and Terry the physiologist said I would not be dropped for losing weight. It took me several months to get my surgery date because I had to get an ok from my cardiologist. I lost 40 lbs during that time and my BMI on my surgery date was 31. I loved my experience with kaiser. I just had my 6 month appointment and I have lost 98.2% of my excess body fat. I have lost almost 95lbs total and I feel great.

[timetraveler 13]

Terry the Psychologist. Spelling is hard work.

[CaribeRidge 104]

I also have Terry. I was surprised when I saw him. For some crazy reason I had it in my head that he was a she

I am so relieved to hear about your experience. It is exactly what I hope to do. Before I saw your answer I had sent him the question too via email so we'll see what he says. He seems to be the most knowledgeable about the program of the people I have met so far.

It will also take a bit longer for me to get to surgery because of the upper endoscopy. But on the positive side, I caught a break with the classes and I only have to take 3 of them because I did the Slim for Life at Anschutz this summer.