Kaiser Fremont Bariatric patients

Hi!  I have just reinstated my journey to gastric bypass.  I kind of backed out a while ago.  I am still feeling confused but I am getting to old to just let this go.  I would love to spend some of my life at a decent weight. 

I am trying to connect with anyone who has had their surgery done at or will be having it done at the Kaiser facility in Fremont, CA.  My doctor will be Dr. Eric Hahn.  I would love to find out what your experiencs have been.

Thanks!  I am going to try to start gathering informationa and will be checking in here as much as I can.

Sharon

Hi Sharon
I'm also going thru Kaiser..in fact, my surgery is schedule for March 16. You kinda confused me calling the facility Fremont...had to check their website (www.kp.org) to find out that it is called both Fremont and Richmond Bariatric facility.  My doc is Dr Judith Parks.  I started back in October with my orientation meeting, had my psych appt the next day...a month or so later met with Dr Parks, was given my target goal weight for surgery. Once I reached that, the journey has just taken off.  I met with Liz, the case manager, had a bunch of blood work done, including an EKG...met w/her again just last week (4hour class), will meet with Dr Parks again on the 12th, meet up with a PA for history and physical (2 hr appt). Then surgery on the 16th!!  While I'm some what scared...I am (finally!) beginning to get excited about getting this done ^_^     It definitely is a 'process' with Kaiser..gotta meet each requirement before moving on to the next...and they don't allow any falling backwards...Liz emphasizes religiously: once goal weight for surgery reached..DO NOT go over...stay at or below (she really wants you to keep losing right up to surgery day) goal weight..surgery will be postponed if you are over!  So far, my experience has been great! I haven't met anyone who has complaints and the staff at Richmond are very very supportive!  This is long but if someone will tell us, I think we can communicate thru private email..but someone else will have to tell us how LOL  Stay in touch! You've picked a great facility.
Nancy aka Sunray

Hi Nancy and Sharon..

Richmond and Fremont are two different surgery site programs....South San Francisco is the third program for Kaiser Northern California.  It does get confusing!!  All three have very similar program requirements and processes (just as you described)....very different from the southern California Kaiser requirements.  Even more confusing!!!

If you want, you can personal message anyone with the "contact" button and the bottom of each post....

Thanks for clearing the confusion up Laura.  I feel like I am staying confused nowadays.

Laura
Can we choose which site we go to?
JoAnn

Hi!  I didn't realize how many different facilities there are.  I should have.  This is Kaiser Permanente.  My doctor is at the City of Fremont facility.  They do the surgery in Hayward I believe.  I live in Modesto and go to the support groups out here.

Sunray, I wish you the best on your surgery and I hope to hear from you after surgery.

Hi sharon, I had my surgery at kaiser Fremont and Dr. hahn was the dr who did my orientation meeting, I had Dr. Chu as my surgeon. you are in very good hands.  the surgery is done at the Fremont hospital and I received excellent care. good luck!

Well, as they say..it's  good thing to learn something new everyday LOL  Thanks for setting me straight, Laura.  Maybe I should tell Richmond they aren't the only duck in the pond :-P   It was my understanding from my Primary that surgery was only done in 2 facilities..Richmond (actually he said San Francsico) and San Diego.. go figure.  from what I have read here, seems each facility has their own protocol...and man! are they different.

I wish you well on the beginning steps...keep in touch..would be interesting to compare notes ^_^
Nancy aka Sunray

I think I saw today was THE DAY!! Congrats on coming so far. How long did the process take you? I was approved 4 yrs ago and then for various reasons didnt go through with it. Now, Im back to contemplating it and have to start the whole process all over again.

I would love to hear about your experience when you are feeling up to it.

Kari

Hey Kari
Each facility is different...even within Kaiser, each facility does things differently.  I was very very fortunate that it only took me 5 months from date of orientation to surgery.  And although I'm only 2 days post op...I am still convinced I did the right thing FOR ME!  I'm almost 60 years old and facing the fact that I could always get the weight off...but never as much as I wanted and never had been successful at keeping any of it off.  I lost 28.5 lbs before surgery..but that was only because Liz at Richmond Kaiser kept me honest and not let me get away with any head games..i.e. I'm below surgery goal wt, don't need to keep losing, etc etc.  I wish you luck with whatever your decision is.. just make sure it is the best one for YOU!
Nancy aka Sunray