Hi:

I too have Kaiser, and just had the surgery last week.  I had no problem getting qualified through Kaiser, and had wonderful support from my PCP, my Kaiser nutritionist, as well as the surgeon, Dr. Paul Lin at GWU and his medical staff. 

I am a lot older than you, and do worry about the skin, but figure that is a long ways down the line, and the most important thing to me is getting the weight off to improve my quality of life and general health status.  

I chose to go the lap Roux N Y rather than banding as you don't get the health benefits with banding that you do with the full gastric bypass.  

I feel great at just one week post op, went for a 5 minute walk outside yesterday, have been going up and down the stairs multiple times a day, and have very minimal pain already.  I am getting my 60 grams of protein in a day without problems, and next will work on trying to up calories as soon as given the okay.

I don't regret the decision, and though I know I am early in the process, can already see the positive benefits of having made this change in my life for the better.  

OMG, I just posted if anyone had Dr. Halmi and I stummble on to y'alls post. It is good to see someone else with him. I met with him once and when I was getting all these test done done' my doctors would tell what a good Doctor he was. Made me feeel good. I now have finshed up everything on my end so things will be submitted today . So I am waiting on approval. Next to see others with my Doctor.
Kendra

As long as you meet the required 100pounds overweight or have comorbidities than the weight loss will be a plus for you, it will just be less that you have to loose after surgery.But keep an eye on that marker. I am sorry about your pain issues,and hope that if you have any surgery related issues that you will not hesitate to ask. When are you hoping to get a date scheduled? Keep us informed and best of luck. Pam

I  have been in the process of doing all the pre-surgery work I need to do. I really need this surgery for many reasons--weight not being number one. I have a crushed and collapsed knee that I can't have replaced until I lose weight. I live in EXTREME and chronic pain. I have limited mobility and limited life right now. I was finally put on what I call a pain patch that helps with the pain about the same time I started my 3 month medical supervised diet. I had put on more weight since the knee accident,and because help with pain allowed me more movement I actually lost some weight during the diet. I am with Southern Health/ Coventry obtained through my husband's employee, the city of Charlottesville. The policy has a bariatric rider on the policy. Because I lost weight will I be rejected for surgery? Does anyone know? Has anyone worked with Southern Health? I am going to Martha Jefferson Hospital and Dr. M. Trahan. I am Desperate for this surgery so I can have my knee replaced. My orthopedic doc says he will do my replacement just months after WLS. He isn't going to make me wait until I lose all the weight. I am sorry I sound pathetic, but any help would be very, very appreciated.

All in good time Caroline. Worry about your health first and foremost.

Diana