Kaiser's Process - timeline?

I have finished the Options classes Kaiser requires, my last test (echo cardiogram) is scheduled for tomorrow.

Can anyone share how long everything is taking? I'm hoping to have my surgery date in July, but I believe my file still needs to be sent for approval, then it has to be forwarded to whatever surgeon and then I need to meet the surgeon and discuss choices, and get a date. 

Is July a reasonable time to hope for a surgery date?  thanks

Hi there,

I am in S. Ca. My Options class ended Jan. 25th and my surgery date was Apr. 13th. So about 2 and a half months wait time for me.

I think July is reasonable.
Good luck on your journey!

Kandis

Hey Kandis -

How are you feeling, at 2 weeks out? 

Time line will vary due to several things--how many patients are waiting for surgery--the surgeon and the hospital designated for surgery--etc.  My surgeon had me do additional tests due to a concern he head.  You can always ask to take any available surgery cancellation dates too, once your surgeon is selected.  DAVE

I agree, time WILL vary. I think there are alot of reasons why. I finished my Options class Feb 3rd and my surgery date is May 23rd. What slowed me, was that I thought I had already had my physical, but I hadn't. Good Luck!

Not to keep dragging this timeline question out but I havent found much info for SoCal patients. What is the whole timeline for you guys? From start to finish? And what is the order it was done in? I had my referral sent in and am waiting to hear back from the surgeon, was wondering how long it took most of you? Any info will help! Also is it true that the Options class is now only 6 weeks? Yes, yes, I'm a litle impatient! :D

I'm impatient too (I've always said, patience isn't my strongest area).... any way, I finished classes that were 12 weeks long... however we were told at the 9th week of class, that they were changing the policy about being able to start the lab work process and seeing the preventative medicine doctor.... my frustration was I needed an echo cardiogram and it was over a 3 week wait just to get it scheduled, and I called at least 3 times a week trying to get a sooner appointment. I finally got the echo done and I was in the room approximately 20 minutes so I don't understand if I was willing to go to any facility to have it done, how many of them are they doing that the wait is 3 weeks and more!

I am now waiting to find out what to do next; I'm understanding that when the results are all in is when they'll send my file for approval for the surgery, then I still have to actually be assigned a surgeon, schedule an appointment with them, and finding out what his requirements and timeline are.  so I understand and wish there were more responses. (My classes were done April 22)

I started Options Nov 11, 2010.
Finished Feb 17th 2011. Had completed pre-op testing before finishing the classes.

Once I finished, it took them until April 1st to call me and tell me "my file" was complete and being forwarded to the surgeon.

April 5th - got a call from the surgeon's office to set up appointment for 2 days later.

April 7th - met with the surgeon. Was told the wait was 6-8 weeks.

When I called the last week of April, I was told I had to wait another 8-10 weeks. That's the last of the info I had. If that is accurate, I could be looking at a surgery date 5-6 months AFTER finishing Options. It's BS, but it might depend on your surgery type, location, etc. I elected to have the VSG done, and they sent me to W. LA.

Thanks! It seems like Kaiser, at least SoCal, is pretty slow with the whole process. And it seems they don't tell you much and just keep you guessing. I'm not sure if they do that to discourage you or what. It seems that people who have different insurances or people who have NorCal Kaiser have a much easier time. I guess it's all a waiting game. My PCP isn't really for WLS, and it was a process for him to even refer me, so I'm kinda worried to email him and ask what the next is... He did have me do a bunch of labs the same day he referred me though... I guess I have to wait and see!

I finished the Options class the end of 11/10, did not tests and saw the Preventative Medicine doctor which was a group meeting.   I had to have my PCP doctor give me another BP medication and the first part of 3/10 got my doctor's referral to Pacific Bariatrics Group.  I had to go to a Pacific Bariatric info-seminar in which they gave you 12 pages to fill out and fax back.   A few days after that I got an email to go on 4/4/11 to go see the psych, internist and surgeon.  After that you had to wait 15-21 business days for a surgery to be set which I did and I then called them up and my surgery is 9/6/11.