Kaiser anybody?

My pcp wants me to get the surgery as soon as I can, I am still meeting with Julie and Brenda. what does the surgeon require before you have the surgery? I have so many health issues that can be solved by the surgery. I am exercising 5 times a week, but I still weigh 493, 10lbs more than when I went to see them in mid November. Brian

Brian, Have you ever thought about going to Mexico to have Surgery. The Doctors are amazing. $9400 Total cost.

HI Brian, I had my surgery almost one year ago. One thing that will hold you up is not loosing weight. Julie and Brenda wont send you on the see the surgeon unless you have lost weight. I went on Atkins and worked out and lost about 20 lbs before surgery. The reason Julie and Brenda wont send you on is beacuse the surgeon will send you right back to them because of the weight loss. I was right around your weight when I started too. I dont think they require as much weight loss when you are "heavier then the average person" who goes through Kaiser. That is the impression I MYSELF got from them. I know it is hard loosing the weight. I have been there, but I also told myself I wanted this surgery and in order to do so I would have to loose it somehow. Please email if you want to and good luck!! Sarah G. 2/16/04 -179

Brian, I had the same experience as Sarah. They required me to lose about 30lbs before I was ok'ed to see the surgeon and I started out at 405. Be sure you have started an exercise program and are journaling your daily food intake and what exercise you are doing. Good luck! Shanna

I really want to get this procedure done, can anyone tell me how to go about getting started? What is involved? Peggy

Peggy, You will need to start with your PCP for a referral...read my profile, I have written out all the steps that I had to go through, these (or most of them) are required by everyone going through Kaiser's (northwest) program. Email me if you have any other specific questions...good luck to you!! Shanna