Kaiser on Monday

So I am sitting here at my desk on my lunch break at work, drinking my water, not eating because my stomachs been kind of knotted for a few days.  I have my appointment with Kaiser on Monday, to get a referral to the Surgeon.  Who knows how that will go?  I think I'm bringing a one inch binder full of information to offer to the doctor.  The doc isn't my PCP because she's on maternity leave 8 months out of every year, and doesn't have another appointment until November.  (She's been out since February).  If Monday doesn't go well I don't know if I am going to appeal.  Next month is open enrollment and I am thinking of switching to PacifiCare.  My mother’s Doctor takes PacifiCare, and I have seen her on here with high reviews of getting WLS pushed through.  My only reason for staying with Kaiser is that I've had Kaiser literally my entire life.  They have all my history, psychological or otherwise, and I wouldn’t have to get that information for them. 

Anyway, I dunno.  I'm just venting.  How's everyone elses Wednesday???

I must say that I have been a Kaiser patient my entire life & am happy with the process Kaiser Richmond has for WLS. Here is how it went for me:

 

5/25/2007 - Saw my PCP *****fered me to Bariatrics Dept.

7/20/07 - 2 hour familiarize / orientation class

9/2007 - Psych Evaluation

(my file was mis-placed/lost for sevearl months at this time!)

2/2008 - Called and made a complaint because my file was stuck in limbo & I was not being helped any longer.

3/2008 - 5 hour orientation + Get Binder

4/2008 - Saw Liz - Then saw Surgeon again - Then saw Psych 1 more time

5/5/2008 - Had RNY WLS

6/16/2008 - Had 2nd surgery to fix complications from 1st.

Everyone's time frame is a little bit different. It use to only be a 4-6 month long process. U have to lose 10% of ur current excess weight before u will be allowed to have WLS at Kaiser Richmond. U have to follow a 1200 calorie plan until the day of surgery.

I loved the process. My only issue was with Dr. Schnurr the Psych. She was a BIT** & I still to this day wish I would have had a different Psych do my eval. She was the one who lost my file 2 times each for 2 monthd.

I think u should try to do it through Kaiser. They generally approve almost everyone as long as their PCP can vouch that they have bneen trying to lose weight & have had no success. & -Ur BMI has to be over 40  + 2 comorbiddities.

Good Luck & let me know if I can answer any of ur questions about Kaiser Richmond.

Sara - Novato

Hi there, We are new to kaiser after a 20 plus year long break, and having other HMOs (which we loved).  We decided to try Kaiser again, cause its the cheapest ins. at my DH's employ.  Anyhoo, all I did was see my PCP who was totally new to me, and she said ok, made the referral, and I have my orientation in Sept
Iam in Sac, and have chosen to go to Fremont Kaiser cause there is supposed to be no WLS classes.  Also the surgeon that I want does the VSG at Fremont
Try not to be anxious about it.  It may surprize you, and go so smoothly you'll be shocked!

I am also fromt the Modest Kaiser and things were going smoothly for me until my husbands employer decided to switch insurances this month, but here is what you have to do. The PCP will send a referral to the bariatric program in Fremont. From there you will get a packet in the mail about your orientation date. You should start losing weight from the minute you leave the doctors office as they go by your doctor visit weight and you need to lose 10% of that before they will let you have surgery. Anyways, after your orientation you will make a surgeon consultation appointment where you will meet your surgeon, nutritionist and case manager. After you have lost your 10% they will schedule your Psych. any other appointments you may need. They want to know you have been excersizing and eating a 1200 calorie diet of mostly protein. Well, I hope that wasn't too much infor. at once, but if you have any questions dont hesitate to ask.

I am also a Kaiser patient in the Bay Area.  My PCP refered me to the Richmond program which I was accpeted to.  During all my research I decided the RnY was not for me and I wanted the DS.  I have researched this for over two years and know people who have had both.  That said, Kaiser does not do the DS so I asked to be refered to Dr. Rabkin in San Francisco which Kaiser would not do.  I appealed to the state Department of Managed Health Care which found in my favor and said the DS was a better surgery over the long term.

Continue doing what you are doing with Kaiser but please research all your options!  Check out the Duodenal Switch on this site and at duodenalswitch.com.  You will know which surgery is best for your lifestyle!!

Good Luck and if you have any questions, just ask.

My biggest concern is them saying no, and my inability to stand up for myself sometimes.  But I have my fingers and toes crossed and thank all of you for your support.


-Cherry

My experience with KP Richmond has been smooth and fairly quick.  I asked my PCP for a referral in mid-May 2008, and was called within 2 weeks to attend the 5-hour orientation session the first week in June.  At that orientation they actually give you your next scheduled appointment with either the Psychologist or the Surgeon.  Mine was with the surgeon and was to be August 13th.  There were 80 people at the orientation, many had appointments with the surgeon the following week.  I decided to call Bariatrics 2 days after the orientation to see if anyone had cancelled in the hopes of getting an earlier appointment.  I did!  I met with him on June 18th.  He indicated that I needed to lose 12 more lbs, in addition to the 11 I had already lost. ( This is less 10% of any weight factor that I have) I am not considered morbidly obese, but did have 2 co-morbidites ( high blood pressure and taking at least 2 meds and pre-diabetic).   My Psych appt. was then scheduled for July 31st.  I worked hard in that month and a half and lost the 12 lbs I needed to by the 31st.  Because I did hit my goal weight on that same Psych visit, I was able to have my appt. with the nurse case manager scheduled.  Saw her on August 6th, she signed me off as ready to go for surgery, went to a scheduled Post-op care class and vitamin class on Aug. 11, will have a pre-surgery visit with the surgeon on Aug 21st and my RNY is scheduled for August 28th.  Total time from orientation to surgery date............12 weeks and 1 day!

My suggestions are to ask nicely for what you want, don't be afraid to call after orientation to see if you can get in earlier ( I am told that of the approx 80 people who attend  each orientation, only about 1/3 of those people actually keep their next appointment.) and stay committed to your weight loss in the interim.  It sounds like every pound you lose before surgery makes your healing just that much easier.

Good luck to you!

 

Hello, I am currently going through Kasier Richmond.  I had my orientation around July 15th and my psych appointment is September 17th

hi There, I am also a Kaiser patient. I went to my PCP and did not refer me right away. she asked me to do someresearch and go to the 2 hr overview class.  The class is great becasue it covers all the basics and answers alot of questions runnign through our heads as newbies. I went to the class on Tuesday, went back to my PCP on Wednesday and shared what I had learned. I met the minimum qualification so she referred ..YAHOO!!!!!! So as long you kinda keep the ball moving it can happen much quicker then you think.  Keep the faith..TamiN