So. Cal. Kaiser Patients CAN get the DS!!

 A little history: After doing some research, I decided I wanted the DS. My research led me to believe that A: I did not have to take Options classes if I didn't want to. B: I was entitled to have the DS surgery even though Kaiser doesn't "cover" it. 

I asked my PCP to refer me for WLS. Then I called the Fontana health education and asked what the process was. They told me that the Dr's would review the referral, and if I qualified they would send me a packet. Then they would put me on a waiting list to get into Orientation. 

The minute I got my packet I filed an internal grievance asking to be exempted from the Orientation and Options Classes because I felt they were a non-medically necessary delay in treatment for my obesity. I also requested the DS as my surgery. Within a week they called and agreed to waive the Orientation and Options requirement and said they did in fact have a Dr. on staff who performs the DS! I was given an appt. for today and this is what happened:

 I was nervous. And nauseous. Pretty much in equal parts. 
Dr. Belzberg is not a big DS fan. In huge part, (based on what he said to me) because he believes that the altered enterohepatic pathways are going to result in liver cancer down the line for DS patients, much the same way according to him that the old ileo-jejunal surgery caused liver cancer.

It was a hard appointment. It started off with him asking if I was the least interested in his professional opinion since it appeared that I'd already made up my mind. He pointed out that the pancreatic cancer patient next door didn't tell him how to treat his cancer, and that he was a physician with 20 years experience in treating bariatric patients.

And by golly he has a point. I was nervous and boisterous and hate feeling like I have to justify myself. So I interrupted too much and wasn't a very good listener. Somehow or other though he managed to get his point across, I managed to get mine... and I'm having my DS surgery on December 27th. I DID agree to lose 20 lbs prior to surgery. I understand that my outcome isn't affected by the weight loss, but the surgery is easier for him if I lose weight. I'm not going to fight with him on that. I'm just gonna stubborn my way down 20 pounds. 

After our appt. we talked a bit about how grievances and the "history" affects how Dr's perceive the patient, and that it is sometimes better to communicate with Dr's a certain way since they all have a God complex. I found him to be intelligent, and a much better communicator than most surgeons. We basically established that I value the patient physician dynamic as one where the physician is a resource and the patient makes the choices. He was clear that he'd do my surgery and he could tell I always get what I want. He's right. I pretty much do. And you know what? I'm glad he's doing my surgery and he has a God complex... because that is precisely the personality profile I want when I give my life over to him and I'm filleted open on the surgery table. 

I wish the conversation had been easier and less antagonistic to start with. I wish I'd had more faith in him that we could have a more reasonable conversation. But in the end, I am in fact getting what I want. My DS surgery is my Xmas present. I don't have to take the Orientation or Options classes. From the date of my PCP's referral until my surgery date is less than 4 months! I'm excited and scared to death in equal parts. 

Anyway, if you are willing to be an advocate for yourself, and fight for what you believe is in your best interest, you can have the surgery. It does take work. Not necessarily long amounts of time so much as a willingness to buck the system a bit. I am in a bit of shock. Can't believe I'm getting my surgery in a couple months!! ~Laura

Thanks, Laura! Great info for the So Cal Kaiser folks.

Larra