Boring orientation class

Well, I went to my orientation w/Kaiser today. It was such a snoozefest! They weighed me and took my heigh****ched a 10 min video. The lady lecturing us didn't really say much about the sleeve or band. But, she did say that the band could lead to lots of internal injuries and the sleeve was fairly new. There was only about 20 people and we were to be added to the waiting list of 98. She said there will be classes in Oct, Nov, Dec, and that there would be about 50 or so in each class. So, now I get to wait for the phone call. The kinda good news was that Kaiser is trying to contract with a local hospital in Bakersfield that already does wls. Then, i wouldn't have to go all the way to San Diego. I heard when you go to Pac Bar they would pay your mileage and allow your spouse to stay in the room? Then she told us that we didn't have to buy the Optifast as we could use something else. I suppose I've waited 20 years or so for the surgery, so to speak, so what will be another 6 months to get into the class, right?

Hi ya Kandis,

Think of it this way they get more practice with the sleeve before it is your turn.  LOL!  Seriously, the time will fly by and next thing you know you'll be all nerves when it is your turn.

Good Luck,

Kaiser has slightly modified their requirements for RNY surgery over the years.  Some of those patients in your future class will elect not to have surgery.  Yes the surgery is in demand, and you'll have to wait for room in an upcoming class.  Optifast was the only option some 5 years ago, unless you had proof of a medically supervised wt loss program of 6 months duration--within the last 5 years. And they would not take your word for any wt loss program to avoid the Optifast--you had to provide written proof of the class.  Mileage and or allowing your spouse to stay in the hosptial room would be a regional Kaiser decision.  One suggestion I'd recommend, is to begin attending support groups. It's at these meeting you'll hear realistic experiences from new post ops, instead of only relying on an instructor or textbook details about life after the surgery.  The surgery works well for the first 8-9 months, and then it's more up to the patient for continued wt loss.  DAVE

Hey Kandis -

Well at least it's over!  Now you can move on to the next step.  WOW so different from my orientation class.  I know it's hard to play the waiting game, trust me it killed me!  but in the big picture it will all be worth it!.   Did they go over the whole process with you?  Remember if they don't call you with in a week, call them to follow up.

Congrats on the first step :)

@Michelle-They didn't really go over the Rny. There was a small video about 3 people who chose wls but didn't go into the Rny in depth. Then the instructor kind of skimmed over the sleeve and bad mouthed the band. I am wanting the RNY. The only Options class they have now is on Tuesday's at 12p,2:30p, and 5:30p. Good thing that is my hubby's reg day off. They just told us to put our questionairre pamplet into a basket w/ the time we wanted. I put ANY! I can come morn, noon, night, just call me for the class. I will call them in a week to see what's up.
@Dave-thanks for the info. My classes(when I get into them) are only going to be 12 weeks. I heard of stories on this site that some Kaiser wl clinics make you buy Optifast but I am glad ours did not say we had to. They said we could buy similar stuff at Costco or Sam's.
Thanks for the reassurance everyone!
Kandis

You can always file a grievance to not be required to attend the classes or lose the weight Kaiser requires. Studies have shown no benefit to either the classes or the weight loss prior to surgery.

The support groups meet every Monday at 5:30pm at 4900 California Avenue, Tower A, Suite 200. Personally I was really glad I took the classes, they taught me everything I needed to know to succeed and I find myself constantly returning to things I learned from those classes. A great deal of the classes are spent on the psychological aspect of obesity which was very interesting. The only thing missing was a personal trainer, if they get some of those I would sign back up! Lol!

Hey girly, my Options class was the same way. BUT once I was in the classes they rocked. I loved them, and I lost a lot of weight. It taught me how to live with my sleeve. And now that I am 3 months out from surgery, I think my classes really lined up how it is after surgery.

It will happen sooner then you think.

I am 3 months post op, same Kaiser, same deaf instructor. A lot of the people from my class had the sleeve, they will go more into everything when your classes start. Stacey Elridge is an awesome dietitian, she will help you so much, I always looked forward to the classes she was teaching and I learned a lot, you can buy the expensive Optifast from Kaiser or Stacey will hand out a list of lots of other more affordable choices. I lost 60 during my 5 months pre op classes and I give Stacey a lot of credit for helping me do that, mine was their last long class before they cut it down to 3 months. They sure could be a lot more organized and do get confused a lot, make sure you sit near the front so you don't miss a beat, and so Bobbie can hear you and be able to give you the correct answer, make sure to turn in all your food and exercise logs each week, Bobbie had given a member of my class a very wrong answer that ended up postponing his surgery for another 10 weeks even though the whole class could vouch for the fact that it was her mistake and not his, and there was another Melissa so they had my food logs mixed up with hers so they thought I was missing 2 weeks when I had actually done 2 extra weeks during  weeks we didn't have class due to holidays. Luckily I have a friend in Kaisers administration who made them check my logs again and get it straightened out because Lew was so sure that she was incapable of making a mistake and refused to double check it when I asked her myself.
Your 12 weeks will fly by, you will get out of class early a lot, as soon as they are done talking you are free to go. I had to force myself to go sometimes, especially after working all day and it was cold and dark, I drug myself down there a few times sick because I didn't want to miss anything.
Hang in there it will be over before you know it. Best of luck, Melisa

I am waiting to hear from Kaiser regarding starting my classes also. I went to my orientation on 6/18. I just wanted to say that everyone had some good advice and it was helpful to me also  Thank u for sharing