Kaiser permanente

I had my surgery through Kaiser. But I had mine done 10 years ago. It was very simple with me. I had bad knees, I had diabetes on medication, Sleep apnea, High cholesterol (but no medicine), I have PCOS, plus I was over 350 at the time. I had bad back, breast where killing me. So My doctor told me if I don't loose the weight I will die i 5 years. I was to big to go to the gymnasium. Always out of breath. Falling because my knees would give out. I couldn't fit in a car or even or exercise equipment. I could barely breathe. So my doctor did a referral. I went to the bariatric doctor. They revised me and I got accepted. I went to a small class......within the week. Just to know what to expect. Then I had a appointment with Pacific Bariatric. That is who they where contracted at the time. Within the next week. I went to San Diego. Saw Dr. Zorn (Great DOCTOR). I saw him, Saw the psych, and another evaluation. Now I had to do a lot of paperwork to show that I had TRIED to loose weight before showing that I needed this surgery.

I did Phen Phen years ago (The one they took off the market because of heart problem). Shame too because i lost 30 lbs that month. I also did Xenical (Prescription....paid over 120 dollars for a month supply out of pocket)....this is what is now called ALLI what you can buy at walmart. That medicine worked......but it caused more problem than anything. I ended up having surgery because it worked TOO WELL (the medication if you eat to much fat......you have to go to the restroom) Sometimes accidents happen. It worked....but it caused me to have surgery because I was tore myself from to much toilet paper. Funny, I lost 30 lbs that month too.....but it I ended up with a surgery for an anal fissure. Ironic. I had to prove to them and show that I was a member for MANY years at many gymnasiums (family fitness which is 24 hours, golds, ballys for 3 years). I Had to show that I was a member at over eaters anonymous, Jenny Craig, I did nutrsystem (showed I tried it for 2 months), I did meridia and of course weigh****chers. They really needed to see back then I TRIED many ways to loose weight before they dished out the 16,000 which I hear is MORE for the surgery today. I Have had kaiser for over 26 years now. I pay monthly a lot of money because I have a lot of medical problems (so anywhere else insurance is going to be high for me). I am 36 now. When I had surgery I was 26. They also had a list of all the medical problems I had and the medications I had to pay OUT OF POCKET.

That was the hardest part I think. Filling out all those forms and proving to them that I really would benefit from this surgery. I got approved really fast.......I just had to bring all those forms and show that I had tried everything. Then Pacific Bariatric Ok me really fast.......and within a month I already had my surgery date and having surgery.

What motivated me. Was Carnie Wilson. I saw her on tv.....do it live. I said I am going to exercise and try. Then a year went by and I couldn't believe how good she looked and I got worse. My mom was against it. Because she worked with Dr. Fobi...and saw many complications and was against it. She was against me having it. That Christmas I got carnie Wilson's book and loved it. Got her second book and loved it again. Then finally when mom saw how she did....then she agreed. I went to kaiser. Got referral. Showed all the paperwork they requested....turned it in. Small class. Not like today. I hear there is a waiting list.......you have to take a class and learn how to eat.


I wish I did have to take a class. Because I had no information. I couldn't eat meat for a year....and drink protein shake and some vitamins and take a protein shake. I will call myself a guinea pig because I was brand new......I was one of kaisers first 100 people to do the surgery.

I did have complicatios.....and to todays date. I still have complications. I have lost  A LOT of weight and gained a bit but lost it and still losing. But a lot of complications. Would I do it again. YES.

Now I did do have a panneculetomy and kaiser paid for it. Now that was tricky...because that one you have to show that it is MEDICALLY necessary. (Believe me......rash.....and a lot of other stuff and many appointments and loose weight before they agreed). I was amazed. But that changed a lot. I lost more weight after that. I got a lot of loose skin everywhere but they wont do any more surgery because they consider it "COSMETIC now".

They will do a breast Reduction (I complain my back hurts). That I know they will do. But they wont do a breast augmetation......which I know I will need. That is cosmetic.

Kaiser has strict rules. I was lucky to have my surgery so fast......but like I said. I had to prove and show that I had tried MANY ways of losing weight and show I had a lot of medical problems.

I had mine done at kaiser Fontana is my home doctor. I would like to know......of the new people that are having the gastric by pass now through kaiser.....what is their wait time for having surgery........how long are the classes......and how fast did you get your surgery(or where denied).

I am on Kaiser and am going through the Options program.  I thought I needed a referral to join but was told it is a self referral program.  You will just need to meet a certain criteria in order to be approved for any WLS.

Kaiser Options program is a self referral program.  Once you make an appt. you will see a coordinator who will ask you for some documents to see if you qualify.  Which is proof that you tried a weight loss program for at least 6 months within the last 5 yrs.  Also you will need to show that you have a high BMI with co-morbidities.  If you meet these criteria you should qualify.  Then you will meet with Kaiser programs doctor and have to take some required nutrition classes.  You will as have to take a mandatory 24 wks class called Options.  You will then need to attend a seminar at Pacific Bariatric.  Once you complete the classes you will get blood work and depending on whether you have lost 10% of your starting weight, your file will then be sent to the surgeons.  I am not sure how long it take to get scheduled for the surgery after all is done because I am on week 14 of the mandatory classes. 

I hope this helps you.  You can add me as a friend and I can keep you updated on the process.

I live in Folsom...I asked my doctor to refer me for the surgery.  My height 5'4, I was 258 lbs, diabetic, no other problems, when I asked for the referral in September 2013. When I went to the surgeon I was at 253, I had to get down to 238.  I am  at 231 now and my RNY surgery will be on December 26, with Dr Yemunula.  You do have to meet their goal weight for surgery, you have to keep a food and exercise diary, attend a minimum of 1 group meetings, have a psych eval, ekg, chest xray and blood work.  When you reach your goal weight they send you to the psych, then to the nurse to schedule your surgery.  I have not experienced any problems through Kaiser. 

I wish you the best of luck.  I know I am getting excited about the surgery!

I actually work for Kaiser in SoCal.  I asked my Primary Care Doc for a referral and got it right away.  I met all the criteria (at least 40 BMI, diabetic, sleep apnea, the whole shebang!!).

Here are the steps (for SoCal, anyway)

1.  Referral from your PCP.
2.  Once the referral is in, you will be contacted by Patient Education.  In order to be seen and scheduled for surgery, you must attend 12 weeks of classes called OPTIONS.  These classes meet one a week; they basically discuss the whys of weight gain, what to expect before, during and after surgery...I guess this would be considered the psychological portion of the journey.

3.  During the Options phase, you will be scheduled for Pre-Op Labs, including blood work and stool samples.  The stool sample is to make sure you don't have any "gut bugs".  If you do, you have to be treated for that before surgery is scheduled.

Also, KP requires you lose at least 10% of your starting weight before you are scheduled for surgery.  They do this so they can see that you are committed to changing your lifestyle.   You also have to keep a food and exercise diary.

4.  Once Pre-Op labs and the Options classes are complete, you will be scheduled for surgery, depending on how busy the OR schedule is.

I started classes in November 2012, finished Option classes in March 2013, and had my surgery June 7th, 2013.

As of today, I am down 92 lbs, very close to my goal.

KP SoCal has an EXCELLENT Bariatric Program.  They follow you very closely (for three years) to ensure you are successful.

I hope things work out for you!  Good luck!