Loni, fantastic news! God knows just what you need and when. The chapel looks beautiful. I wish you, and your blended family a lifetime of love and happiness... =)

Has anyone been approved through CalViva?

My DH, Mike B and I have both been through Kaiser's Fontana program. Both of us have reached goal and are doing well. This forum is really slow, you might have more success connecting with others on the surgery specific forums. We both frequent the VSG forum often. There are other Kaiser peeps there too. Welcome to OH.

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).

Hi ,

Do you live in Santa Rosa,. Or at least Sonoma County? My name is Brenda aka reddy299. I live in Windsor.  I know Dr. Woodbury and his wonderful wife and staff, they truly care so much, believe so much in what they do,...without judgement. I was, unfortunately not covered with the right insurance when I began my journey so was turned down by his practice. Not that they wanted to have to do that. But, I've gotten to know him, his philosophy, his heartfelt caring for those suffering from the disease of obesity through attending the monthly support meetings at Wells Fargo Center. He and his staff, his wife,...for them it's NOT about the money and growing wealthier off of the patients who come to them seeking help. His heart is in it. You are truly blessed to have him as your surgeon, and good for you!! Can I ask what insurance you have that they did accept? No problem if you don't wanna say, just curious, cause I thought I had pretty good insurance, but that is neither here nor there, (whatever that phrase is supposed to mean anyway)

I also had the RNY Gastric Bypass in March 2012 at San Francisco's UCSF. How are you doing? Only a bit more than a month out, wonder how you feel? Exciting times ahead of you,...you will amaze yourself.

Hey, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR COURAGE!!