completed orientation through kaiser , so when do options classes start?
My wife and I have Kaiser as well, and attended the Orientation and Options classes in Corona as well.
Here is a timeline of how our experience went through the process up to getting our surgery date:
September 30, 2010 I had an appointment with my doctor to discuss WLS (wanted the Lap Band), and got a referral to Preventive Medicine for possible Bariatric Surgery.
October 1, 2010 I received a letter dated September 30, 2010 from Preventive Medicine confirming the referral, stating the requirements for surgery, and gave a phone number to call to schedule attendance in the Options Information Session (aka Orientation). I called and was scheduled for one on October 5th.
October 5, 2010 We attended the Orientation in Corona, had an official weigh in (this weight is important as it’s the one that is used to base your BMI on for surgery approval.) filled out a questionnaire which is sent to Preventive Medicine for review and approval of scheduling for the Options class. That night I went on-line and scheduled appointments with both my Primary Care Provider (PCP) for a full physical. I also scheduled an appointment with my Endocrinologist to discuss WLS, and which one he recommended for me as a diabetic.
October 12, 2010 Received a letter stating I has been approved for the 12 week Options program, and to call and Preventive Medicine and set up for the next available class. I think they have new one starting every couple weeks. I was able to schedule both of us in a class starting on October 19th.
October 19, 2010 Attended Class 1 of 12 Options classes in Corona.
October 21, 2010 I had a full physical checkup which is required to be done within 6 months of your surgery. Also had a bunch of labs done diabetes retinal scan, and a foot examination. My PCP recommended the RNY for my diabetes.
November 12, 2010 I had the appointment with my Endocrinologist to discuss WLS, and he concurred with my PCP, and recommended the RNY for me as a diabetic.
January 4, 2011 We graduated from our Options class, and were instructed to contact Preventive Medicine to get an appointment to discuss WLS with the Preventive Medicine Doctor, and would be scheduled for whatever else is needed. I called before I left the building, and was scheduled for January 28th.
January 5, 2011 Called Preventive Medicine and scheduled both of us to attend the weekly Wednesday night Pre-Op Surgery Support Group classes in Corona.
January 18, 2011 I learned from another OH member that Kaiser does RNY through Crown Bariatric in Corona, or Pacific Bariatric in San Diego. I was frustrated not being able to do anything, and didn’t want to waste time, and learned that there was a couple things that could be done to expedite the process. I contacted Crown Bariatric and scheduled for two mandatory prerequisite classes, the Bariatric Seminar and Patient Education class both held at the Bariatric Center at the Southwest Healthcare System in Murrieta. Both of these classes are scheduled each month, at various locations. Also learned that you must attend at least one Post-Op Surgery Support Group meetings, which are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at Kaiser on Van Buren.
January 24, 2011 We attended the mandatory 2 hour Bariatric Seminar with Dr Suh in Murrieta. We were very impressed with him, and decided he was going to be our surgeon of choice.
January 28, 2011 We had our appointment with the Preventive Medicine Doctor, went over our charts, discussed which surgery we wanted, and which surgeon we would like to have if possible. We were scheduled for a bunch more labs, stool sample, chest x-rays, abdominal ultrasound, and EKG. We were told after we completed everything to call and let them know, and our file would be submitted for Kaiser Board approval.
January 28, 2011 We finished everything except the ultrasound, which was scheduled for February 4th.
February 2, 2011 Had the ultrasound, and contacted Preventive Medicine before leaving Kaiser. This is where the wait begins to learn if you’re going to get your insurance approval, and your referral to see the surgeon. They tell you it will take 3 to 6 weeks to obtain approval.
February 3, 2011 We attended the mandatory Bariatric Pre-Op Education class in Murrieta.
February 10, 2011 We attended the Post-Op Surgery Support Group meeting at the Van Buren Kaiser.
February 28, 2011 We received a call from the Kaiser Case Manager stating that our approval had been received, and that we should be getting a letter in the mail shortly. They said it could take up to 3 weeks to get a surgeon consultation appointment.
March 8, 2011 Received a call from Dr Suh’s office that our referral had been received, and they wanted to make an appointment for the surgeon consultation. The next available appointment was on March 31st.
March 31, 2011 We had our surgeon consultation with Dr David Suh in Corona, he recommended the RNY for both of us, and we were referred to see the Psychologist for a mandatory psychiatric evaluation which is scheduled for April 6th. We then spoke with his nurse and got our surgery date of April 20th.
April 6, 2011 We’re scheduled to see the Psychologist over in Rancho Cucamonga.
April 20, 2011 We’re both scheduled for our RNY by Dr Suh at the Inland Valley Medical Center in Murrieta.
In all from start to finish the entire process took just over 6 months, but if it hadn’t been for some advice from some of my OH friends that have Kaiser Southern California, it probably would have taken a few months longer to get everything done. A couple other words of advice is to work hard to lose 10% of your excess body weight during the Options class. Attend the weekly Pre-Op Surgery Support Group classes on Wednesday nights in Corona. Study all you can to help you decide which WLS is best for you, and to understand all the life changes you have to make, for the rest of your life. Exercise daily, and make healthy food choices. Drink 64 oz of water every day. Keep a positive attitude, you can do it, and this will happen. Overall, I feel that Kaiser Permanente Southern California has one of the best programs preparing you for WLS. The surgeon Dr David Suh commented that he really likes Kaiser Patients, as they’re well educated, prepared, and have the highest success rates.
Best of luck to you as you journey into your new and healthier life.
Martin
If you had the orientation class, I'd assume you're accepted. You may want to phone Kaiser's bariatric department and ask if you've been accepted. Classes may be delayed some weeks, as was my case. Patient demand for wt loss surgery is higher than in the past, so you may have to wait for room in a class. They only have so many instructors, so scheduling may be the issue at this time too. I also had Dr. Suh, and he has some very good support meetings in Corona, Murietta and Redlands that seem to be most convenient to most in southern CA. DAVE
Dave Chambers, 6'3" tall, 365 before RNY, 185 low, 200 currently. My profile page: product reviews, tips for your journey, hi protein snacks, hi potency delicious green tea, and personal web site.