Question:
Does anyone know of a Dr. at Santa Teresa that will do the Lap Band?

I am 23 with a BMI or 47. I am looking for a Dr. at the Santa Teresa Kaiser that is open to the Lap Band.    — Amy M. (posted on June 14, 2001)

June 14, 2001
Hiya...I too have Santa Teresa Kaiser...I had a supportive PCP that recommended me for the surgery and the first step is to go to the nutritionist for a program they make you take for a FULL YEAR. I too have a BMI of 47. Currently Northern CA Kaiser is only approving surgery if you have a BMI of 50 or more (the nutritionist actually told me I wasn't fat enough that if I gained 30 lbs I would qualify). They do cases where the BMI is 40-50, but only if there are "life threatening" co-morbidities, like sleep apnea. They do not consider GERD, incontinence, depression, anxiety, or anything that hasn't been recorded by your doctor previous to your request for consideration to be "bad enough." The nutritionists are also ill-informed and do not know the differences between the surgeries. Mine actually told me that the RNY was a lap band procedure and she told me that I would "gain all my weight back, there are people who can eat whole refrigerators full of food." In other words, they're incompetent there. Also, they do not do the surgery at Santa Teresa, you have to go to South San Francisco to have it done and the doctors performing the surgery are still in the process where they area learning the surgery. The only operation they offer is an open RNY at this time. This information is correct as verified by myself going through the procedure in April, 2001. There is an excellent Dr. in Burlingame who does lap RNY's named Dr. Wetter. So, even if you have to change insurances it would be faster than waiting the year in the nutrition program all the while getting more discouraged, and fatter. I hope this info helps. Email me if you would like to know more info or go to a support group and meet people who have had the surgery. *hugs*
   — sandieguy