Nurse Practioner Question?? Kaiser Help??

 Hello All,
I am new here although I have been lurking the forums for quite awhile... So I got a refferal from my Kaiser PCP on 4/21/2011. I have an appt with the Bariatric Nurse Practitioner on 5/19/11. My question is, is what exactly does she do??? I am so nervous.. My BMI is just barely over 40 and I hope that they approve me... Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
TIA!

Most likely she will discuss your wish for WLS and your goals.  If you have any comorbidities (diabetes, high blood pressure, joint problems, etc) it will help.  IT is my understanding that the Kaiser rules are a BMI over 40 or a BMI of 35-40 with comorbidities.  After you talk with the nurse practitioner, you will most likely be scheduled for an informational lecture.  For me, after the lecture, I was scheduled for my Options classes which are 12 weeks long.  After that, you will most likely meet with the NP again and get some testing done and if everything is a go, then you will get a referral to a surgeon.  Good luck.

Thanks So Much for the Info, as I said I am so nervous about this whole entire proces.. I hate going in blind and your info helped alot

I have Kaiser, and had RNY 5 years ago with a 39.5 BMI, with 3 comorbidities.  This is a process, and it's just one of the steps. Final choice of surgery options with Kaiser will probably only be fully decided when you speak with surgeon.  I'd really suggest you attend some local support groups for post ops, where you'll hear them speak, and you can ask questions of these patients. Each surgery had plus and minus issues, and your choice of surgery may depend on your personal use of certain script meds, your fears of dumping, your continued desire to eat some foods, etc.  DAVE

Hi,
How did everything go for you? I'm just starting with Kaiser and I was wondering if I will be weighed at the Weight Loss Info class I'm scheduled for the 14th in San Jose :)
thanks for your help!

Moji