Revision Surgery through Kaiser, White Marsh

I had the Fobi procedure in 1992 and regained the weight. I take full responsibility for this but want once more chance and really need to do this for my health (arthritis and need a knee replacement).  Does anyone have experience with Kaiser, Maryland?  I very recently received my medical insurance coverage and have to pick a primary care doctor immediately.

I have Kaiser Permanente/Mid-Atlantic and recently had the VSG.  My surgeon was Dr. Brian Cantor with the Kensington center.  I'm not sure if he does other hospitals than Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring... or has on office in other centers or not though.

I too was told I HAD to have WLS or Kaiser Ortho surgeon wouldn't do my hip replacement (osteoarthritis in both hips, severe in left).  At first I was angry and resentful being told I was too obese and even if I lost on my own they wouldn't do it because of the risk of regaining and ruining the new hip. 

Now.. I realize it's a win-win!  I'll get to lose and keep off my weight, get my surgery and will have an easier recovery as well.

I can't recommend a PCP in your area as I live in Mongtomery County, MD.  But best wishes on your journey back to health and a successful revision surgery!

 Hi Mitzi,

Thank you.  I am so happy to see such a large online community for WLS. Dr. Cantor's (and his affiliation with Kaiser) name came up on Google with this website.  I am thinking the "have to have the WLS" along with the knee replacement is the way this is going to happen for me without all of the arguments. My fingers and toes are crossed.  Just a second chance that I'm not going to mess up this time.  I have my MRI referral from my non-Kaiser PCP and a liaison within Kaiser as I got insured under a program for those who lack health insurance and don't qualify for Medicaid/Medicare and "low income" which I wasn't until I lost my job. One good thing about unemployment? LOL  

Beachie

If you need a PCP at the White Marsh location, I recommend Dr. Alan Halle. I'm not longer with Kaiser, but he was my PCP in the past and both of my parents still go to him. He is blunt and will tell you like it is, but he's good. I liked him a lot.

 Hi, Brandi, and thanks for posting. I saw your name, etc. while browsing the boards this weekend.  Dr. Halle is on my plan but he is showing up as "not accepting more patients."  I am hoping there could be a way around this as in my own research, he came up as my first choice.  I have to make my call to set up the PCP in a few minutes.

BTW, are you or anyone *****ads this familiar with the six month program that has to be completed with Kaiser before WLS? Does this apply to revisions?

MITZI (if you read this):  You said, you were required to have the WLS before your ortho procedures.  Were you required to undergo the six month program before the WLS?

Beachie

I am a Kaiser patient and am going the the hoops right now.  Unfortunately, I do not know about revisions.

It involves a weight loss class, four one-on-one classes with the nutritionist and two additional classes (one to explain about the types of surgeries and one where you learn to prepare menus for all phases) and a psych eval. Also you are required to attend two support groups at the hospitals that Kaiser uses (Holy Cross and George Washington Medical Center). If you have Kaiser Select, then you may be able to have the surgery done at a Baltimore area hospital.

Hi EthelMae,

I have an appointment with the nutritionist for Monday which is a path I should have followed years ago but without insurance that wasn't an option.  I tried doing it on my own but ... you know the story.  Had bloodwork done today.  Seeing the ortho about my knee on Monday. Xrays were done last week.  The six month program is for revisions, too, I discovered.  At first it depressed me as patience is something I work on.  Then I figured, I can do more than sit here counting months. Go through the program, talk to the ortho about physical therapy for the knee (is there a swimming program at a gym that can be covered? Swimming is my thing but no pool here at my complex.  That was my thought today while dealing with getting the bloodwork appointment.).  If I can swim, that would take off calories, get me in better shape.  If I can do this on my own over six months, make the first surgery work if possible, then I will be happy. :)  If not, then the revision lies down the road as the solution.  I am kicking myself for thinking for the past maybe six to nine months that I thought, I can just get the revision and lose it.  So, here I sit with a plan and feeling in control of my life which is what I needed to do all along. Sometimes I need a kick or bite in the butt to wake up and see the trees.

Beachie

Hi Beachie, sorry I didn't respond sooner.  Since you didn't reply directly to my post, I didn't receive notification and didn't check for updates on your post until today.  And I see you already got your response regarding revision. 

Yes, I had to go through the 6 month program and it didn't occur to me until later I wondered if I'd 'pushed' for it if I'd have been able to shorten or avoid it.  Alas, I wouldn't have as Dr. Cantor is very strict... he's also very good. He's not rude, he listens to you and answers each question. But you do things his way, or find another surgeon.

I've lost 64 lbs since I started my 'WLS Program', but my hip pain isn't any better.  If anything, it's worse because of relying so much on the right leg, which also has osteo-arthritis and bursitis it's almost as bad now as the left.  So it doesn't matter how much weight I loose, I won't be putting off Hip Replacement.

As for the pool, I do aqua-therapy and it is wonderful on the joints and let's me walk unhindered because of bouyancy.  Anyway, try a local YMCA or County Recreation Dept Indoor Pool.  Access is cheaper than a gym with a pool which is what I'm using now.

Best wishes to you on your journey!  We'll get through this and be healthier, thinner and pain free in the near future!

Hi, Mitzi,

I want you to know that you were on my mind Monday at Kaiser.  We are at the same weight right now.  I saw the numbers and it strengthened my resolve.  On my way back from Kaiser today, I followed the suggestion of a primary care physician I had back in 1998 when I was fortunate enough to have had insurance for a while but that doesn't make a lot of difference when you're in a marriage that existed for the benefit of the other spouse.  He was very knowledgable regarding nutrition and he gave me advice on the hypoglycemia. Protein...protein...some fats...complex carbs. I stopped at the grocery and picked up a half gallon of light soy milk, fresh and frozen fruit and yogurt.  As soon as I can get over to Towson, I'm going to Trader Joe's to pick up a can of egg/milk protein powder.   I've been there done this before and know it will work for me but life got in the way of thinking clearly for too long. 

I have an appointment with Dr. Sheerer sp? in orthopedics (don't know if I said that somewhere on the board lol) for Monday.  I spoke at length with his office to prepare myself if he was one who will demand the weight come off before the knee is fixed.  Hopefully he will work with me knowing that I am determined to succeed at this one way or another. My unemployment may end in July and I was just this past week able to get insurance through the Bridge program - for the purpose of fixing the knee so I can walk like a normal person and find a job.  You know the drill. Who is going to hire me when I can't walk without a limp and even if they do, that means I quit to fix it or forego it for the sake of working again like I did for ten years without insurance.  In 22 years as a paralegal, not a single attorney I've ever worked for has provided health insurance. After my divorce in 2000, I've been on my own.  If I had access to medical care back then I don't think I would have gained the weight back like I did. Well, access to medical care and the strength to get rid of my husband? LOL

The plan for now is I have six months to see if the surgery failed or I failed the surgery. I think it is the latter. :)

Thank you for walking with me on the journey.

Nice to know I'm thought of occaisionally, fondly I hope! 

You're on the right path, and it sounds like you know what to do to get back on track.  Trader Joe's is our favorite grocery store now!  They have delicious spiced chicken sausages and patties that are great sources of protein and low in carbs!  

Sorry, but I don't know what your previous surgery was, never heard of it. (I'm not well versed on all WLS types)  Since you seem so motivated is there any chance you can avoid revision by going back to basics as you did when you first had surgery  Or can you follow the typical bariatric dietary guidelines of today and see if that wil get you jump start your weight loss.