Need Bypass friendly DR. in Hillsboro, Oregon

Hello I've just gotten a new job that offers Kaiser Permante...which I will be eligable for in Febuary 2006. I know I'm qualified to get started in the process of the gastric bypass program they offer... but I've heard many of the PCP's are not keen on giving you permission to enter that program... Has anyone had it done and can tell me which doctor gave them the referal to join the weight loss/gastic bypass program?? Thanks so much!

Dr. Bakkee in Beaverton was very helpful in giving a referral. His participation pretty much ended there (with a letter via computer to the bariatric dept. program). Once you are accepted into that program, the PCP doesn't have much to do with the process. Dr. Bakkee was sympathetic to the slow process and didn't agree with some of the requirements asked of me to move forward, but didn't play any big roll in the picture. I'm sure he would give you the referral, which is all you really need from your PCP. I did enlist him to order some of the tests that I knew were going to be ones I needed further down the line (i.e., sleep study) because everything takes time at Kaiser. Get entered in the Freedom from Diet class ASAP because that is another scheduled thing you want to get behind you. It is about nine week course and you have to wait to get into the next one. You could try to get scheduled to be in the February class. Collect your current documentation of weight progression and diet efforts to present to the program team. Have your doctor weight you now, and then if you lose weight before February I would make them count that as an indicator to the "committment to lifestyle change" they want to see. Call and ask if they require the Freedom from Diet class or can you take one outside of Kaiser (like weigh****cher) to suffice that requirement. If so get it documented. If you can start a regular exercise routine get someone to printout your check in at the front desk, or mark that you attended the walking group, etc. They will be looking for that proof that you are exercising. Food journals/diet journals/exercise journals are big ones for them. I was pretty much making one up at one sitting, which I think is so dumb. If they help a person great - suggest it, but to make me pretend I keep one to go forward just seemed dumb. People do get WLS at Kaiser, but you have to be aggresive in working the system. I feel they stall, stall, stall, hoping people will drop out, get different insurance, give up. You have to be proactive and I'm sure you will get through. Good luck to you! Patty