Kaiser - Freedom From Diets

It's been a LONG time since I've posted anything, but wanted to share that I have had my referral to the bariatric program thru Kaiser and I'm currently attending their required course, "Freedom From Diets".   12 weeks!  Wow!  Seems like a long time and each class is 2 hours long, but I'm hoping it will be helpful and teach me something I don't know already.   That's most of my problem...I KNOW what to do - what I'm SUPPOSED to do....it's the DOING it part I have issues with...  Due to some miscommunication, I signed up a week late and missed the first class - but I did attend last night's class.   Just curious if there's anyone on here who is attending this course? Gretchen

I attended the classes at the end of last year. The idea is to get you jump started on your weight loss. The social worker and nutritionist will not refer you to the surgeon until you have lost approx. 10% of your weight. This is a VERY long process and it has a lot of hoops. You have to be patient with Kaiser. I went to the information group at the end of December and had my surgery on 6/22/07. I only had 1 week left of the Freedom from Diets class by the time I went to the group and it still took 6 months. Suesan

Yes, that is what I have heard from so many people who have gone thru Kaiser.  I think it may be good though to show that you are taking initiative by getting some of our weight off before the surgery.   I wi**** could happen sooner, but I understand why they have you do what they have you do - I guess...  I'm expecting to not have the surgery until summer-fall of 2008 if I'm lucky.   10% of my body weight seems like a lot to lose!!  Hee hee.... So, how long were you in the hospital for?  How long til you were back @ work?   I would love to hear any information you have - since you've already gone thru what I'm preparing for!! 

I went home the morning of the second day after surgery. I went back to work part-time after 2 weeks and worked part-time for 2 weeks. I work a desk job so I did not have to do any lifting. I have an 8inch verticle scar on my upper abd.  I know I was curious about how big the scar would be. I know for me the hardest part was the waiting. Make sure you keep a food and exercise journal for the nutritionalist. Brenda will ask to look at it. Feel free to ask any questions. That is what I did. Suesan

Very good to know!  I have a desk job as well, and luckily the company I work for I know would be accomidating in that way as well....I hope!     I was curious to know about the scar, but felt a little uncomfortable asking about it...   So, thank you for sharing!!!!  I'm sure it's not that bad, it's not like I'm used to showing off my tummy anyways!  Hee hee.... You went home really soon!  Sooner than I would expect - especially since it's an "open" surgery!  Wow!  How was you pain level after you got home?   Did you have to share a room?  Did you feel you had privacy?  How are they w/guests? Gretchen Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my inquiries! 

Yes, unfortunately I had to share a room. They have the seperation curtains but you can still hear everything. So as far as privacy goes-not so much. They were great with my guest and I had quite a few. There was someone with me most of the time. I was really sleepy and cranky. They had me on a morphine pump for the first day - no pain there. After that I was on pill meds. The only real time I felt pain was coughing, sneezing or moving too fast. Suesan

Bummer!!!  Oh, well....  I will have someone with me most of the time as well - that was why I was wondering about guests/privacy issues. 

I guess only being there for a couple of days isn't so bad. 

Glad to know you weren't in any pain - other than when strained.   So, how much weight have you lost since your surgery (again...)?

29 pounds so far. 

  That's great!   Congratulations!!!!!!!

Yes!  I am pretty excited. I have gone from a size 28 to a 20 or semi-tight 18. I feel more comfortable in the 20s. I don't think it is too shabby for 6 weeks out. I know you will do great too. It is a great feeling.  Feel free to ask any questions. You can private message me if you think they are too personal for the board but I am a pretty open person so fire away. Suesan