Hi, I new here, any advise regarding Kaiser?

Hi all, my name is Amy, I have just been introduced to this site from a friend.  I am in the process with Kaiser.  I hear it can be quite a long haul with them, any advice??

Hi Amy: I had my surgery thru Kaiser.  It does take a while to jump thru all of their hoops.  They do require you to take their 12 week freedom from diet class before you go to their orientation.  After that, you will have several appts with Julie, the medical social worker and Brenda the dietician. Depending on what you weigh, they require you to lose atleast 10% of your currant weight.  Yhey also want you to keep a food diary and exercise journal and will ask to see it when you go to the meetings..  They have a support group meeting on the 4th Saurday of each month at the new Sunnyside building over just adjacent to Kaiser Sunnyside hospital..  The support group meeting starts at 10am and usually lasts till noon. Hope this helps some,  Hope to see you at the support group meeting. Peggy

Hi Amy, I haven't had the surgery yet, but I'm with Kaiser as well--going thru the same things you are probably, so I thought I'd introduce myself!   There are so many helpful people on this website!  So many have shared and informed us of the steps we will be going thru.    It has been a tremendous help!  I love it!  I've learned so much!!!   I'm registered for the mandatory 12 week class (Freedom from Diets) that starts July 30th.   The support group meets tomorrow @ 10, but unfortunately I will not be able to attend - which disappoints me because it's the first support group I have been aware of  , and I can't make it....Aaarrrggggg!!!  Oh, well...next month!  Hope to see you there then!   Gretchen

Thank you peggy and gretchen.  i am registered for the support group at sunnyside, I will see you there tomorrow! amy

Hello Amy, I am just starting the process thru Kaiser too. One piece of advice I have been given that I would like to share with you is as long as you follow all of the steps and demands (not sure that is the right word) you will get your surgery. I have been told it is different for each person as they have their own hurdles to over come before they are approved but as the 1st poster said you will meet with both of those ladies and you will have to keep the 2 journals mentioned above (That was universal from what I understand from the Kaiser Support group I just went to). I was also told that you can take the 5wk Weight Management class too if you are not close to the location where the 12wk Freedom From Diets is offered (I live in Longview so too far of a drive lol...thought I have to go to Sunnyside for everything else). The 12wk Freedom From Diets is the one class the Kaiser actually recommends though. I was told there have been a few people that actually took it more the once...at $150.00 a pop I think I would just really pay attention the first time and really try to apply everything to my life. I Heard from Jenna that it may take 6-12 maybe even 18 months from start to actual surgery and then my from my Dr. I was told it could take 18-24 months so again I think this is where each person individuality comes into play?? I wish you luck and heck maybe you, Gretchen, and I will be going to some meeting together with some of the other OH members?? :) would be cool to have a little starter group!