Kaiser process????
Hi!
So I have finally decided to take the plunge! I have Kaiser and they cover 100% of the Gastric bypass! I am more than excited because all of my appointments are this week... (Nutritionist, Physical Therapy and some class. Do you have Kaiser and if so, how long was the process from when you decided to do it, until your actual surgery date????
THANKS!
I use Kaiser in Springfield and had RnY in Jan 04 at GWU. I had no problem getting approved.
The only problem s are
Kaiser doesn't have any support groups for us after we have surgery. and
Everytime I go a Kaiser doctor for any reason I have to remind her that I have had a RnY as she is prescribing medication for me so I will get medication that is OK for me to take and in the right dosage. They don't seem to be given any training on dealing with the needs of someone who's had a Gastric Bypass.
PM me if you want any more info.
The only problem s are
Kaiser doesn't have any support groups for us after we have surgery. and
Everytime I go a Kaiser doctor for any reason I have to remind her that I have had a RnY as she is prescribing medication for me so I will get medication that is OK for me to take and in the right dosage. They don't seem to be given any training on dealing with the needs of someone who's had a Gastric Bypass.
PM me if you want any more info.
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Worry looks around, Sorry looks back, Faith looks UP...
Cathy Alphin
OH Certified Support Group Leader & Coach
Orlando, FL
Hi!
I've been working my way through the process at Kaiser Springfield as well. I started my nutritionist appointments in August, and met all the requirements mid-February. The approval board meets every other week, and they are only doing ten referrals per meeting now. Fortunately, I lucked out and got my referral right after their next meeting - March 13. I called GW right away and went to their required information seminar within 2 weeks. I had an appointment with the surgeon about two weeks later. Kaiser gave me my final approval for surgery on April 20, and GW was able to get me scheduled two days later. I have to go to the nutrition class and tour of the hospital floor tomorrow, and my final appointment with the surgeon, Dr. Juliet Lee, on May 21. I'm currently scheduled for surgery on May 21.
Nine months may seem like a long time from start to finish, but all in all, it went by pretty quickly. The only thing I can recommend is that when Kaiser tells you to buy all the vitamins for your final nutrition appointment, SAVE YOUR RECEIPT. GW wants you to use Optisource. Fortunately, I still had mine and was able to exchange for more protein drinks at the Vitamin Shoppe.
Let me know if you have any questions - I'll be glad to answer them if I can!
Sandy
I've been working my way through the process at Kaiser Springfield as well. I started my nutritionist appointments in August, and met all the requirements mid-February. The approval board meets every other week, and they are only doing ten referrals per meeting now. Fortunately, I lucked out and got my referral right after their next meeting - March 13. I called GW right away and went to their required information seminar within 2 weeks. I had an appointment with the surgeon about two weeks later. Kaiser gave me my final approval for surgery on April 20, and GW was able to get me scheduled two days later. I have to go to the nutrition class and tour of the hospital floor tomorrow, and my final appointment with the surgeon, Dr. Juliet Lee, on May 21. I'm currently scheduled for surgery on May 21.
Nine months may seem like a long time from start to finish, but all in all, it went by pretty quickly. The only thing I can recommend is that when Kaiser tells you to buy all the vitamins for your final nutrition appointment, SAVE YOUR RECEIPT. GW wants you to use Optisource. Fortunately, I still had mine and was able to exchange for more protein drinks at the Vitamin Shoppe.
Let me know if you have any questions - I'll be glad to answer them if I can!
Sandy
Wow, that seems like such a looooooooooooonnnnggg time. I appreciate all the info. I guess I was hoping it would be a faster process. I mean I have been fighting this for so long, I just cant take it anymore. I emailed my DR last week and got three appts scheduled this week (Physical Therapy, Psyciatrist and Nutritionist.) It seems like things would move pretty fast??
I have heard people 90 days from start to finish and then people like you, who have hung in there for months........
THANK YOU so much for giving such s detailed response. I have heard so much conflicting info!
I have heard people 90 days from start to finish and then people like you, who have hung in there for months........
THANK YOU so much for giving such s detailed response. I have heard so much conflicting info!
Hello Lisa,
I went through the Kaiser Process and actually I think it is a great program.
Kaiser takes you through a six month process.
I had to do a weight loss class given by Kaiser.
2 gastric bypass classes given by Kaiser.
A psych evaluation.
Monthly appts. with the nutrionist. Including a daily food record. And I was required to lose 3% of my body weight.
They want you to be really informed about the surgery.
My process started in September 2008 and I finished Feb. 2009 and was approved for surgery March 2009. I have meet with Dr. Paul Linn of GWU he will be doing my surgery. Now I'm waiting on my appt with his nutritionist and my surgery date, I'm requesting mid June surgery date.
The process did seem long but when you think of whats at the end of the journey is all worth it.
Good Luck!! can't wait for both of us to be on the losers bench.
I went through the Kaiser Process and actually I think it is a great program.
Kaiser takes you through a six month process.
I had to do a weight loss class given by Kaiser.
2 gastric bypass classes given by Kaiser.
A psych evaluation.
Monthly appts. with the nutrionist. Including a daily food record. And I was required to lose 3% of my body weight.
They want you to be really informed about the surgery.
My process started in September 2008 and I finished Feb. 2009 and was approved for surgery March 2009. I have meet with Dr. Paul Linn of GWU he will be doing my surgery. Now I'm waiting on my appt with his nutritionist and my surgery date, I'm requesting mid June surgery date.
The process did seem long but when you think of whats at the end of the journey is all worth it.
Good Luck!! can't wait for both of us to be on the losers bench.
Thank you soooo much.... I have completed a few of my appts but sadly I can not schedule my Nutrition Classes to get the ball rolling until I complete the Gastric Bypass class which is not until MAY 26! I am soooooooooo bummed.
I was hoping not to hear a 6 month wait, but I understand the reasoning. I guess I dont want to continue my life this way....
I appreciate your detailed response!
I was hoping not to hear a 6 month wait, but I understand the reasoning. I guess I dont want to continue my life this way....
I appreciate your detailed response!
The six months seemed like forever, but I must say that when I went to the first mandatory information session at GW Hospital, the Kaiser patients are 6 months ahead of everyone else. They were all just finding out that they would have to have at least 6 months of medically supervised weight management, and I was so glad to have mine behind me.
Strange that you can't scheule your other classes until you have the Gastric Bypass class. I had one or two nutrition appointments before i was able to go to the class.
Strange that you can't scheule your other classes until you have the Gastric Bypass class. I had one or two nutrition appointments before i was able to go to the class.
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