Where are all the Riverside Kaiser Peeps?

I just got my surgery referral creation today in the mail.     Finally.    I guess it is not a surgery referral as it looks like I have to go to a Pacific Bariatric seminar at Riverside Convention Center first and fill out some paperwork there.

I started Options in 9/10 and finished in 12/10.    I did my blood work and saw the doctor at Kaiser Van Buren about Xmas.   I told them I wanted the sleeve since I wanted to take pills later.

So between January and March I have sat around and waited.   Now I will wait around some more for the surgeon consult.

Becky

Thank you for your replys! I hope I get Dr. Suh also, because Cannabis would be my choice in pain relief as well. Hopefully I'll hear from Kaiser soon. I live in Murrieta, so Dr. Suh would be close for me!

I used to live in Murrieta about 12 years ago or so and visit friends there often, so having the surgery at Inland Valley felt like "home".  (The whole area sure has changed in just these "few short years"....)

I just noticed that you are planning to have the sleeve.  Unless it's changed in the last month or so, although Dr. Suh does perform sleeves, Kaiser will only pay for RNY or Band from his surgical center.  Have no idea why that is so since they allow and pay for the sleeve at other places.  I was still pretty much wanting the sleeve until I attened Dr. Suh's seminar (required) and found that Kaiser didn't cover the sleeve with him. (and becase he talked me out of it what with my higher BMI and all)  Perhaps Kaiser has a criteria that a surgeon has to have performed X amount of specific types of surgery (in this case, Gastric Sleeve) in order for those type to be covered.  However, if that is still the case, perhaps one could petition for it nonetheless.

Good luck and keep in touch!

Holly Jean

I live miles in between 15 and 215 off of Clinton Keith. Yes, I guess I'll take who ever they give me for a surgeon then. It would be nice to have the surgery close to home though. Do you smoke the cannabis or use the etables?

I am going through Kaiser Riverside right now.  I am currently in the Options class at Palm Desert and contrary to others, I am enjoying it.  Do I, a lifetime dieter and RN, know most of what they are teaching?  Yes.  But, it helps to hear it again and get my head ready for what is to come.  I also am hoping for Dr. Suh.  I have attended two of the support meetings in Redlands (thanks for the advice, Dave) and have enjoyed them and learned a lot.