Question:
Do you have Kaiser Southern California as your insurer?

Hi Everyone ... I'm writing for help tonight. In the Southern California area we are very limited in our choices of facilities that can do the RNY surgery for us. We can go to Pacific Bariatrics in San Diego or UCLA in Santa Monica/Westwood. Today I learned that if you want the open RNY done at UCLA, there is now only one surgeon taking new patients. For many of us San Diego is a long drive with added expenses because of the need to stay in the area after the surgery. Wouldn't it be great if we could have more facilities to choose from locally for our surgeries whether lap or open. It would help with the long waits too once approval is given by Kaiser. <BR><BR> I am hoping some or all of you in this area (So. Calif) will take a moment whether you are pre or post op and write 1 letter but send a copy of it to two people listed below stating that it would be great if changes to the program could be made and why you think it would be beneficial: <BR><BR> Dr. JoCarol Hiatt, MD <BR> Kaiser Permanente - Walnut Center <BR> 393 E. Walnut Street <BR> Pasadena, CA 91188 <BR><BR> Richard Cordova <BR> Kaiser Permanente - Walnut Center <BR> 393 E. Walnut Street <BR> Pasadena, CA 91188 <BR><BR> If we don't speak up, we won't be heard. Thank you. <BR><BR> If you know of other Kaiser Patients willing to write a letter, please pass on to them too.    — [Deactivated Member] (posted on May 14, 2003)

May 14, 2003
Mary: Did you know that there is a Kaiser WLS support group on Yahoo? I can't recall the exact group name but if you search using the keyword Kaiser I'm sure it will pop up. That would be a great place to post this information. Best of luck to you.
   — antiques55

May 14, 2003
I know that the following clinic is trying to get approval for Kaiser-Southern California along with Century City Hospital .... Sure hope they get approved. At least two of their talented surgeons are surgeons who were highly respected and UCLA and now have gone on to this clinic to work: <BR><BR> Surgical Weight Control Center<BR> Carson Liu, M.D., F.A.C.S.<BR> Medical Director<BR> 2080 Century Park East, Suite 101 <BR> Los Angeles, CA 90067<BR> Appt Line 310-201-8290 <BR><BR> In my letter, I also mentioned that I hoped they would approve the Surgical Weight Control Center and Century City Hospital. <BR> I am not a member of the yahoo group, please feel free to pass the information here to them also. The more letters we can send as members, the better.
   — [Deactivated Member]