Kaiser - Freedom From Diets

Wow, Susean!!! That's really great!  Congratulations, I bet that DOES feel wonderful!  I can't wait to feel healthy and be in a "normal" size (not to have to worry about the size of the seat, etc...).   I'm in a 28 myself, and have clothes ranging in sizes 16-28.... I can't wait to see some of the clothing in the "smaller" sizes again!   They're definitely more "fashionable" and "put-together" like.   The clothes I wear now seem so blah! What a great motivator clothing can be!    Hee hee.... I feel so inspired by your story!  So, do you feel like a whole new person?  Are you able to live a fairly "normal" life - as far as activity goes?  Do you work out?  What types of things do you eat? You're FABULOUS - keep up the good work! Gretchen

I don't feel like a whole new person quite yet but I can tell it is coming soon. I am still struggling with my energy level. I can now do most things I just get wore out by the end of the day. I do water aerobics 4x a week and "walk away the pounds" 1x a week. The only thing on the pre-op diet that is giving my problems post-op is meat. It seems to take FOREVER to chew it. Then it is a wait and see if a bite will stay down. I am ok with lunch meats it is the really dense meat that seems to not agree with me yet. Suesan

I've not attended the course, but I'm very curious about the title.  Anyone who goes into weight loss surgery thinking they will be free from dieting is sadly mistaken.  Yes, you will lose your appetite for a while, but you will forever have to worry about what you eat and how much.  There is no such thing as freedom from dieting. Linda

They focus on a lifestyle change.  That is why they have named it freedom from dieting.  Important to make the lifestyle changes for long-term success and it is what is necessary in order to properly use the "tool" of the weight loss surgery.  

They're trying to get people (like us) to not look at eating healthy as a "diet" but more-so as a lifestyle.   That's why they call it "Freedom from Diets."  The couse is supposed to help teach us how to live normally w/food, develope good eating habbits, and make healthy food and lifestyle choices. 

 

I am currently working with Kaiser and yes it is a long process. I was enrolled last August, but wasn't able to get into a class until the start of Feb. and finished the class in May. I am currently waiting for my appointment with the surgeon at the end of the month. Once I got done with my class it seemed like things progressed fairly quickly, but still not fast enough The key for the amount of time it take is how the social worker and nutrionist look at you. Make sure you are keeping a food and excersize journal. They want to see 5 days a week of at least 30 min arobic excersize. They want to see that you are eating dry meals, that you are taking your vitamins and calcium, that you are eating 5 to 6 small meals a day, that you have support, if you are of child bearing years they want you to be on birth control, they will also talk to you about your plans of having anymore children. They will also ask about your support and your past and if you have dealt with emotional issues that contributed to being heavy. When I saw them the first time I had to go back a little later because I didn't have my excersize and other things to the level they wanted to see.  When I went back the second time I was a changed person (oh also you have to be completely off of carbonated beverages) and they moved me forward. Another key timing thinig is they have a meeting once a month called committee. At this meeting all of the doctors, socials workers, surgeions, physical therapist, etc get together and decide who is ready to move on to see a surgeon. They only have these once a month so if you miss it you have to wait. I was called on July 23 and told I passed committee. I got a call on the 25th of July to schedule my appointment and August 27th was to soonest appointment.  As I understand the surgeon at this appointment can decide you are ready and schedule a surgery date, say you aren't ready, maybe they don't think you are a good canidate, need more testing...etc. It also appears that the typical wait time for a surgery date is about 6 to 8 weeks. I hope this info helps. Sorry the post is so long, but I wish I had info when I was going to the process.  Gretchen did you get your surgery date the first time you saw the surgeon? How long did you wait and which doctor did it? How was the pain and being at the Kaiser hospital. Can you explain a little bit about your experiances while in the hospital? Thanks, Brenda

Oh my goodness, I am no where near that far in the process....  I have only had the referral to the bariatric dept. from my PCP & started the Freedom From Diets couse (2 weeks in - and ending Oct. 22nd). 

Thank you soooo much for sharing your experiences thus far!    The information in regards to "child bearing years" is VERY helpful!  I am not on birth control currently - and really don't want to be - although I'll do whatever I have to.  I am in a committed relationship w/my boyfriend of 5 years, and want children very badly.  NOT NOW though - that's one of my biggest motivators to have the surgery.  I want to be healthy and have my issues w/food dealt with before I start trying for children.  My PCP has assured me that having children after the surgery is very possible, and actually your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and baby afterwards is increased tremendously.   I have recently started to eat smaller meals more often.  I have also started a food journal, so I will make sure to keep for the nutritionist to look at!!    I also have started going back to Curves 4x a week.  Hopefully that will be sufficeint as far as the 30 minutes of aerobic activity is concerned. 

I'm sad to know you have to be off carbonated drinks...    I love Caffine Free Diet Pepsi...  Oh well....Hee hee....   Your experience through Kaiser seems to be going faily quickly (I'm sure not quick enough for you though...) in comparison to others I've talked with who went through Kaiser.   I would love to hear updates on your journey!  You're on your way!!!   Congratulations!!!!!!!  Only a couple of more weeks til' August 27th!!!  Yippee!  I'm so glad for you!! 

Gretchen

P.S.  What did you mean about the nutritionist wanting to see that you're eating "dry" meals???

To give you a little more info. When you have WLS you can't eat and drink at the same time or else you won't get enough nutrients. They want you to start practicing before surgery. When I saw the social worker I was working out 3 to 4 times a week and it wasn't enough. They want 5 times. I was also still drinking only 2 cans of diet pop a day and you can have carbonated beverages after surgery either.  In regards to having children they won't want you to even consider until 2 years after surgery and I am guessing they will really want you to discuss it. They said several women haven't gotten on birth control and before the surgery and when they started loosing weight got pregnant, or even after the surgery.  I have two friends that I met at my Freedom from Diets class that are going through the same process. Are you coming to support groups. I go to the Saturday ones at Sunnyside Kaiser. If not they will want you to start going to a support group. My friends are basically where I am. One is also waiting for the surgeon appointment and the other had birth control issues and had to wait 6 weeks to go back to see the nutrionist and social worker.  So far I have lost 40 lbs and about 24 lbs in the last two months. That is really what got me past is they realized I was taking it seriously. Now I am just hoping that the surgeon feels the same way. I have been doing a combination of swimming, walking, and toning 6x a week.  One thing that will give you an advantage is take advantage of the class. I didn't at first. I took down the info, but didn't get serious about loosing weight because I felt like I was waiting for Kaiser. Then when the time came I realized that Kaiser was going to be waiting for me and I got busy and have changed my life. 

You have given some really great detailed information. I have had a tubal. so I didn't even think about the birth control thing.  As for when I got a date it was the first appointment with Dr. Moiel. He asked the same questions about diet, exercise, family support, take care of any outstanding health issues (if a pap smear is due schedule it now).  A surgery date was scheduled for 5 weeks later. I had a few more things to do in the mean time-EKG, blood test, another group and pre-op appointments with surgeon, Mary Lou and anastisia (sp.) Suesan

I am really trying to take the class seriously.  I really am ready to feel my age.  My weight as added so many years to how I feel.   I know Kaiser does make you go thru "hoops" and what-not, but I totally understand - and to some extent  agree - why they have us do what they have us do.  They want to make sure we aren't going to gain all of the weight back after surgery.   I have not gone to a support group meeting, yet....  I was unable to attend the last 2 months (which were the first I knew about).  I am planning on attending this month's meeting tho.  Is it the 3rd or 4th Saturday of every month?   Wowie!  24lbs in 2 months!??!!  That's AWESOME!!!  How great for you!!!!!   What kind of "diet" are you following??   I guess I'm gonna have to bump up my work-outs to 5 days....  Oh, well!  Hee hee....