Kaiser Southern California

[TrailerParkBeautyQueen 0]

Boopie! Will you go with me to talk to my doc on Thursday LOL

I am so nervous because if I am told no I usually am quick to back down and agree but I really cant handle the weight anymore, I have all the common side affects of being overweight as we all do!

Any encouraging advice, you have given so much already but I am just so anxious and nervous about the doctor I am going to see tomorrow!

Thanks for all your advice ladies! :confused:

[Vicki J 0]

Trailerparkbeautyqueen - A lot depends upon your BMI. If it is high enough, you don't need anything else. Otherwise, those common side effects are co-morbidities. Do your joints hurt, are you depressed, do you elevated blood pressure, difficulty breathing or possibly sleep apnea? Co-morbidities cover a wide range of stuff.

I went to my chiropractor and a past doctor to show past problems that they were glad to attribute to weight problems. The funny thing is my PCP was so great I didn't need the stuff.

Good luck and fight the good fight for yourself. Backing down won't get you anywhere but unhappy.

Vicki

[TrailerParkBeautyQueen 0]

Thank you Vicki!

Ya my BMI is 39.5 or something so I am definitely in the range, I have just read what seems to be horror stories with Kaiser doctors, because seriously, when I went through my PCOS diagnosis and they couldnt explain the pains I was having and it took them about 3 months to finally diagnose me with it. I just dont want to have to do a round about with this doctor! Hopefully he will agree with my decision to want this procedure! I am definitely willing and definitiely ready! I do have a great deal of depression since my weight gain, and have struggled with maintaining weight since Hs!

So hopefully it will be an easy process for me!

Thanks for replying I really appreciate it!

[Vicki J 0]

You should be ok. Kaiser is a slow process but it worked out really well for me. Where are you at? Northern CA seems to be pretty easy to get into the program. Southern CA seems to be trying to get going. I remember when I started they had only been doing the band for about 4 months. I got all the bypass information with a sprinkling of band info in there.

My surgeon kept telling me that I might not loose much more than the 70 lbs I had lost prior to surgery. He was quoting stats since they didn't have any of their own. I told him to hold onto those stats because I would blow right past them. I did and I lost all of my excess weight.

If your PCP doesn't give you the green light, change until you find one who will. I think you can appeal also. I would be SO squeaky they would give me the surgery just to shut me up.

Keep me posted on how you're doing. I've got my fingers crossed for you and a prayer said.

Vicki

[TrailerParkBeautyQueen 0]

Hey Vicki!

Well thank you for all that inspiration!

I am in Southern CA and hoping to get the ball rolling! I am meeting with a new doctor on Thursday, so if this one doesnt like what I have to say, I am going to take your advice and try another! I think male doctors are more Pro-LapBand than female doctors, because female doctors seem to be a little more stubborn about things like this, because they are more likely to be feminist who think they can do anything naturally, well I dont know but that was my case with my previous doc and it sucked, she wasnt with Kaiser though!

Sorry I am babbling!

But anyways I will definitely keep you posted, if you could add me to your friends, I am not to sure how to add people and what not still!

But thanks again for all the support, so glad you have done so well, keep the inspiration coming Miss. Vicki!

[SillyGoose 0]

I think male doctors are more Pro-LapBand than female doctors, because female doctors seem to be a little more stubborn about things like this,

I agree with you on this. My doctor is female and doesn't like the idea one bit. I've bugged her though email once to try and get my Psych and nutrition appointments out of the way and she wrote me back telling me I can't "short cut" the system. I waited about a month and wrote her a second time telling her that wasn't my intentions and that the instructor has told our weight loss class (twice) that we need to get these appointments done now. Well, she never bothered to email me back - but those other departments have now contacted me with appointments. I wrote her a 3rd time to say thank you and still no response. I'm definitely changing doctors.

Good Luck with your appointment!

[TrailerParkBeautyQueen 0]

Well yesterday was my doctor appointment to talk to my doctor about LapBand, and he said my BMI was high and was not high enough and that he didnt consider my co-morbidalities as what "Kaiser" considers co-morbidalities! I lost 15 lbs on my own so now I am at the weight of 222lbs with a BMI of 38.1...Kaiser says you have to have a 40 or higher! He said I just needed to work out for 45min a day everyday! and eat healthy! But he didnt even offer me any other solutions or assistances for weightloss! It was a waste of money and time to go see that doctor! !)(%)&%)#@&*)%@)_%)@#()%#&@%_&@#_%@_@&*#%_*

So my BMI is 1.9 off! And they still wont do anything for me!!! And then he says your overweight but it hasnt become a risk factor yet, and I probably was looking at him like are you F'n retarded! I wanted to pump across the room and tackle him down and make him fill out a referral! hahaha!

But I didnt!

I finished up with my doc appointment and he asked if I had any further questions and I was just so upset I said no, so he left and the Options number was on the wall so I called myself and left a message, and I want to talk to the women there!

My mom is going to attend my next doc appt, with a different doctor so that I remember to ask all the right things!

I dont know know what to do ladies but I dont want to give up!

Please pray for me or if you have any tips let me know please!

Thanks!

Meg :tongue2:

[Kikiphiasmom 44]

Hi trailorparkbeautyqueen, I am also going through Kaiser in southern california (Montebello/Baldwin Park) you might want to check the BMI guidlines again, as I was told by the options program that for someone to qualify to for the lap band/gastric bypass/sleeve your BMI needs to be 50 ..YES 50. I was shocked. I was approved for the program because my BMI is 48 and I have had gestational diabetes twice and have needed insulin along with pregnancy induced hypertension. I dont want to be a downer ... but before you go and waste all that money on co pays you should call and check first ... the number to the options program in Baldwin Park is 626-851-5263. The girl that I talk to there's name is Martha and she is very very nice. She might be able to give the correct # or a contact name. Good luck and I hope you are accepted.

[Philo Beddoe 0]

MY BMI is also around 38-39. I sent an email to my KP doctor and they told me to call the "Education Department" to schedule the orientation meeting, and if I still needed a referral after that to call them.

A few questions: I am in So Cal region.

1. What is the orientation meeting

2. I have high cholesterol, hypothyroidism, and a fatty liver, are those co-morbidalities?

Any information provided is greatly appreciated.

[gabi311b 0]

I am also a SO Cal Kaiser patient and my doctor pretty much told me that I don't qualify and I should just work out more. I came home completely frustrated and didn't know where to go from there. I am about to switch insurances but if there was some possible way to get it done through Kaiser I would! I'm miserable and I have some co-morbidities (high blood sugar, high blood pressure, joint pain, depression). Can anyone call that options/education line and sign up for orientation?

[Philo Beddoe 0]

I went to the orientation today. And I believe anyone can attend the orientation as long as they have it scheduled. Just call the KP Health Education dept. and they will schedule it for you.

But, be advised they are VERY serious about BMI. If you have a BMI of 50 or above you automatically qualify. If you have a BMI of 40-49 you must have co-morbidies. If you have a BMI of 39 or under you have to schedule an appointment with the bariatric docotors (number provided at orientation) and they will decide if you qualify or not.

I am kind of dissapointed. My BMI is 39, and I have co-morbidies. But based on the impression I got at the orientation I have a slim chance of getting accepted. I exercise, eat right, and take care of myself. But I have hypothyroidims which slows down my metabolism and I have a very hard time losing weight. I have even starved myself just eating salad and rice, and I only lost 10 pounds and gained it back. I don't drink beer or soda either....

[RENY33 0]

BOOPIE! I am so happy for you that everything is working out so fast. I would love love love to know who was your pcp who was so cool to give you that referral just like that....let me tell you, it's not easy, my BMI is 39 right now, and 0 luck with referrals. I did speak to David from Panorama city who told me BMI need to be over 40 to be accepted, but every case is different, that I would need to speak to my current pcp which I will but I don't know I am just so ugh sad, you know what I mean and tired of getting the door shut right on my nose. There was one Kaiser pcp previously that I was assigned to, that did mention about BMI 50. So is this true?

Edited December 4, 2008 by rrsantacruz

[Boopie 0]

Well its not as fast as I thought but Im still on track... I wasnt able to get into the Nov 3rd Psy/Diet class, they scheduled me for Jan 27... I know... A long wait huh, well they dont have classes in Dec, because of the holidays. Anyways I did see the bariatric dr and he said I qualify my BMI was like 41/42, with a few co-mobidities.... My PCP is in Woodland Hills. His name is Dr Reyzin, hes the best!!! Keep ya spirits up everyhing will work out it just takes a lil time :whatchutalkingabout

Good luck

[RENY33 0]

Boopy! Thank you so much for the doc info. You see, I have recently changed docs, I have this new one that I will meet next week, and I will sure cry for a referral. The thing is, I live in Palmdale, I often go to Woodland Hills also, where I had my kids, so if it doesn't work out I will try your doc. It does get to me that they label us as OBESE right, but no help there to get us out of this group. Just exercise and eat healthy...sure! You know if it was that easy I wouldn't be bring this up to your attention dumb ass! I am sorry but I just about had it with docs that turned me down for not being FAT ENOUGH but still I am obese right?! Whatever! I just hope my new doc will give me some hope. As far as comobordies, last appointment my blood pressure was 141/80 something, which is high, I do feel joint pain, and my last pregnancy turned into hypoclampsia which I had to stay in Woodland Hills for like 5 days due to my high blood pressure that wouldn't go down, but it eventually it did go down and it was fine after couple months, it goes up and down, what do you think, do I have a valid comobordy? Also I struggle for air, snore like crazy, depression over this weight....just to name a few...I am ready this time!!!

[RENY33 0]

Boopie! It turned my doctor was able to send a referral out to Options, I can't believe it after 4 or 5 years I got a doctor that understood!!! Orientation is coming now on second week of Jan 09. I know my BMI is an issue at 39 and I will probably see the bariatric doc at Panorama City just like you did to see if he ok me right? Well, just wondering what's new with you, after orientation what happens? I am also attending Panorama City so keep in touch and wishing you a Happy New Year, hope this will be the year of real changes for all of us!:party: