Question:
Has anyone with Kaiser Northern Cal.

had the Gastric Banding done?    — Amy M. (posted on June 22, 2001)

June 22, 2001
Hi! Kaiser only approves for the open RNY - not lap RNY or anything else. In a few years after enough trial, they *may* finally approve for other WLS's.
   — careywatkins

June 22, 2001
Hi, Kaiser Northern CA does ONLY the Open Roux n Y surgery. Go to your Kaiser hospital's Health Education department and ask for the little lavendar booklet entitled "Gastric Bypass Surgery for Severe Obesity". It explains about the Roux n Y surgery and also what Kaiser requires as far as BMI, co-morbidities, etc. They are VERY strict. Basically you have to be half-dead from co-morbidities if you have a BMI under 50. And the wait for committe approval and then your consult and surgery is currently running about 8-9 months, and sometimes longer. Sorry to sound negative, but just trying to give you the current dope on Kaiser. Aside from those insurances that have exclusions, Kaiser is the most difficult insurance carrier to deal with that I've seen in posts on this website. Hugs, Joy (whose PCP just sent her papers into the Approval Committee this past Wednesday, and who is settling in for the long wait now)
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 1, 2001
I AM A NO.CA. KAISER EMPLOYEE AND AM PURSUING SURGERY. tHEY RECENTLY STARTED DOING THE LAP RNY. AS A MATTER OF FACT THEY WOULD MUCH RATHER DO THE RNY LAP THAT THE OPEN RNY(IT'S MUCH LESS TRAUMATIC ON THE PATIENT, SHORTER HOSPITAL STAY-MUCH MORE COST EFFICIENT
   — [Anonymous]