Help Needed Please

Hi Everyone: I am very new to this. I live in Salem and I am a Kaiser patient. I have been trying to have surgery for about 2 years. I was referred for surgery over a year ago and this last year I have attended all the prerequisite appts that I needed to do and I have lost approx 25 lbs. I am currently 350 lbs. I finally have my appts scheduled with the nutritionist and social worker on the 27th of this month. I have a few questions, What can I expect at these appts ? Any tips ? What can I expect next ? It is so hard jumping through all these hoops and not knowing when I will get a surgery date ! I am also getting a bit nervous about the surgery and I keep hearing about people who have passed away and I am wondering exactly how common is it that people die after the surgery ? I have friends who had the surgery and they are A-okay Any help, tips, advice or support would be much appreciated ! Jen

Jen When you go see the Dietician and Social worker, make sure you have a food diary and exercise diary with you when you talk to them., they will also expect you to attend some support group meetings before scheduling your appt to see the surgeon. I have been on this journey since February 23rd, 2005, and when I went to see the dietician, I hit a brick wall , she wanted me to lose 60 more lbs before I am scheduled to see the surgeon. It's all up to you, they told us it takes anywhere from 6 - 18 months before the surgery gets scheduled. feel free to E-mail me any time.. Peggy

Kaiser has some benefits when it comes to costs, but you have to jump through more hoops than a Roy and Sigfried tiger to get what you need. But you gotta get what medical coverage you can. I had blue cross and it only took 6 weeks to get approval for my surgery, and I only weighed 270 lbs. Like a lot of us, I couldn't get the weight off and keep it off. If I could have lost 60 lbs on my own like you are being asked to do i wouldn't have needed the surgery. If you have other medical problems like I do or did have ( like diabetes or high blood pressure) that adds points to your side for being approved for the surgery. I wish you all the best for being able to get your surgery. Don't give up. It will be worth it in the end. Jerry