Southern Cali Kaiser Permanente

[Mgeorge408 0]

Is anyone in Souther Cali Going through Kaiser Permanente and waiting for a surgery date?

I finished my classes in March 2021 and finished my pre-op labs in early May. I wrote to Kaiser earlier this month and they said my file was sent over to the Bariatric doctor for a surgery referral. I am just curious if anyone is in the same boat as me and what their timeline is?

[KyKym 6]

I’m just about to start the process with Kaiser so cal. Have an appointment with my PCP June 2nd to see what all I need to do. What other things pre op have you had to do? I’ve been trying to find someone else in so cal Kaiser but most are up north or out of state. Any info you can share would be great!!! Thanks!

[Mgeorge408 0]

9 minutes ago, KyKym said:

I’m just about to start the process with Kaiser so cal. Have an appointment with my PCP June 2nd to see what all I need to do. What other things pre op have you had to do? I’ve been trying to find someone else in so cal Kaiser but most are up north or out of state. Any info you can share would be great!!! Thanks!

I had to see my PCP and be referred to the options program, where I attended 3 months of healthy living classes covering multiple topics regarding weight loss surgery. I finished those in early February. Then I waited about a month to be assigned a caseworker that provided me with a list of the next steps, such as lab work, EKG, and x-rays. I have not been referred to complete a psych evaluation yet, so I'm not sure if I must complete one. I wrote my caseworker on 5/13/2021 to see what my next steps were after completing my labs, and the reply was that my file has been routed to the doctor for clearance and to receive a surgery referral. She said I would be contacted when the surgery referral process was completed, so for now, I'm in limbo:(

[KyKym 6]

Sorry you’re in limbo now, hopefully they get back to you soon! I’m so anxious to talk to my PCP and see what she thinks. I think she’ll support my desire to have the surgery. Hopefully since more and more things are opening up I can move through the process at a decent pace too. Good luck to you!

[Mgeorge408 0]

Thank you!! I think things are opening now and should help you move through the process quickly. I think if you meet their qualifications to join the program you shouldn't have any problems. Good luck!!

[Tinyhounds 57]

Hi there! I’m also going through Kaiser and have a very similar story. I did my referral process last year, and finished my 10 weeks of options classes in January. Everything was closed because of covid though so I was just in limbo. I finally got my referral approvals in the mail today and was told that I should be contacted by the surgeons office any day now. I’m in riverside county, so I’ll be going with Dr. Suh.

Looking forward to updating soon with how things are going!!

[Jesseniaq323 1]

Hello ladies,

I am also with Kaiser Options program and I am about to finish my 10 week classes this June 4th. Unfortunetly, my Vitamin D labs came back low at 22 and it needs to be at around 30. So I have beem prescribed some Vitamin d and need to recheck labs after 6 weeks. This will be delaying my process. 😔 I am doing my options program through the Downey, CA location and we were not told anything about a psych evaluation so not sure if every location is different. I was told once the labs are rechecked in 5 more weeks to be exact, I will be scheduled for a physical examination, then see a Bariatric surgeon to talk about which surgery option, and finally be scheduled for surgery. Hopefully it does not take a long time. 🤞.

We were suppose to get labs at week 3 of the classes in case anything came abnormal, but mine were not orderes until week 7 so that is why everything for me is getting delayed. Also, the ekg had to be done at week 3 for same reason. Luckily mine was normal. Good luck to you ladies!

[E1enadanvers 13]

How long after the consult appointment with the surgeon did it take you to have your surgery through Kaiser?

[Tinyhounds 57]

I finished my classes in February, got the green light for labs at the end of April, and finally had my surgery consult yesterday (7/6). My surgery is scheduled for 8/6, so it’s been nearly 6 months since finishing the classes!!!

[E1enadanvers 13]

@tinyhounds, I finished my class in June, finished my labs in June, have my appointment with the surgeon July 16, but they told me I won’t get my surgery date that day, did you get it when you met with your surgeon?

[Mgeorge408 0]

50 minutes ago, Tinyhounds said:

I finished my classes in February, got the green light for labs at the end of April, and finally had my surgery consult yesterday (7/6). My surgery is scheduled for 8/6, so it’s been nearly 6 months since finishing the classes!!!

Hi Tinyhounds,

Congrats!!! I had my surgery referral sent last week to be processed to be able to meet with a surgeon! How long did you wait for the surgery referral to process and actually meet with a surgeon? Did you receive it in the mail or on KP.ORG? Did you like your surgeon and what office are they out of? Sorry for so many questions, lol I just have been left in the dark about the whole process, and the nurses are not too friendly when it comes to answering my question.

Edited July 7, 2021 by Mgeorge408

[Mgeorge408 0]

4 minutes ago, E1enadanvers said:

@tinyhounds, I finished my class in June, finished my labs in June, have my appointment with the surgeon July 16, but they told me I won’t get my surgery date that day, did you get it when you met with your surgeon?

Wow!!! your process was fast!! What part of southern cali do you live in?

[E1enadanvers 13]

I just stayed on them I’m in the Kaiser west la, I keep calling if not they forget and they’re also super busy too. And you?

[Mgeorge408 0]

I'm in riverside county, close to the city of Temecula. I kept calling, and they were so rude and never willing to answer my questions!

[E1enadanvers 13]

I’m sorry you have to go through that. The girls at Kaiser west la have been very nice. I got my referral on a Thursday and called that Friday and left a message, ended up receiving a call couple hour shortly after with my appointment date. I think it depends on the area and how backed up they are.