Anyone have Kaiser?

Definitely contact your PCP and get referred to the Bariatric people with your Kaiser (not sure if you are Nor Cal or So Cal) but this initially doesn't matter cause it's just the 1st step.

In reading your story your old RnY is totally different then today's RnY where the stomach is separate...if you sutures separated and now you have a "normal" stomach then THAT part of the DS will be easier because it's the putting together of the RnY stomach and then creating the DS/VSG stomach that is PART of the complication of this surgery.  The other part is resecting your bowels.

Depending on your BMI you may not need this part because if you were successful with your old RnY stomach then it could very well be the restriction that you are NOW missing and them creating just the stomach portion could be all you need.  Of course it's the first step and meanwhile education that is the beginning of your journey.

Much success.

On a side not you are NOT and ever will be a failure.  You have to turn that inner anger into OUTER anger and start DEMANDING some answers and referrals and tests etc and EXPLANATIONS from those tests etc.

You are NOT a failure...

Ms Shell

Hi. I am not sure about where you are or your situation that you are in. I just wanted to wish you well and hope that you can have a revision. I am with Kaiser so cal and I have just started my journey. I start the options classes on July 24th and they are now only 20 weeks if you have to take them. I have heard that you can grieve them and not take them. There is a 5 month waiting list for the classes now. (just as a guideline)

Just know that this board is full of help and support. I will keep you in my prayers.

Nathalie

Do you think you could PM me the options phone number?  I'm in So. Cal as well.

Hi Ginger, I did my Option Classes at Kaiser Fontana from 2007-2008. In addition to Pacific Bariatrics (Pac-Bar), there is Crown Bariatrics in Wildomar. That is Dr. Suh's office. I am a Zorn baby (Dr. Zorn at Pac-Bar). During my process I wasn't required to lose 10% of my weight. I believe that is up to the individual surgeons. I was told not to gain any weigh aftr my surgery consult. I don't know what the revision procedures are, but wanted to chime in with my .02 cent's worth. Good luck and I hope you find answers to your questions.

Gingerkat, if you are in Northern California, Kaiser has its own program, they do not outsource.  depending where you live you will be assigned to their bariatric program at either Fremont, Richmond or So. San Fran (I believe there is 1 more but I can't recall the center).  I had my surgery at Fremont Bariatrics and it is the best program as far as not requiring so many hoops and taking the least time to get to surgery day.  Go see your primary doctor and have him refer you to the program, then take it from there. you will only know if the surgeon wants to do another surgery after you talk to them. try it, can't hurt.

I'm located in So. Cal.  Why does this insurance company vary so much just from No. Cal to So. Cal?  Seems a little ridiculous to me.  My doctor already sent off a request to the Options program, but I'm hoping I'll be able to get past that stage and talk to a surgeon about a revision. 

Every night since I found out my stomach is "normal" (funny, the one time I don't want to be normal - lol) I've had nightmares and bouts of crying.  My poor husband just doesn't know how to help me.  None of my friends know, so it's been a secret eating my insides out.

I hope everything goes well for you.

RANT: The difference between No Cal and So Cal Kaiser is really annoying to me. My mother is a Kaiser patient in So. Cal. It seems like everytime she goes to visit my sister in Santa Rosa (No. Cal) she ends up in the local Kaiser hospital for her anemia.

Their medical records systems seem to be completely separate. She even has two medical record numbers -- one for So. Cal and one for No. Cal. And we've even had difficulties having her paper medical records transferred from No. Cal to So. Cal. (The No. Cal medical records people didn't want to release her records to her So. Cal PCP -- even though we filled out medical record release forms for both parts of Kaiser.)

Ginger, Kaisers Bariatric program even varies from 1 Norcal center to another. The soSan Fran program and Richmond program is totally different than the Fremont one. Do not know why but it is very upsetting for the people in those areas, and I've actually encouraged a couple to transfer to Fremont because it flows different, much faster. Fremont Bariatric does not require any classes prior to surgery, which is a big reason it goes so much faster. I wish you the best, I hope it goes as fast as possible for you.

I just wanted to say Thank you to everyone here.  I appreciate you taking the time to post and give me advice.  A special thank you to Larra for her extra help.

I was proactive today and called the program.  I'm going into see a doctor next  week,  I think he does the evaluations and goes from there.  I told the lady that it wasn't a problem and I was willing to do whatever it takes. 

I'm just starting to get frustrated with Kaiser in general. My doctor ordered an "urgent" endoscopy done on me.  When I called, the next appointment is Sept 9th.  Really?  What if it's a very serious situation?  Damn!  Good thing I'm so persistant and made buddies with one of the guys in that department.  He called me with a cancellation and I'm going in tomorrow.  I guess I'll be kissing a lot of ass in the next few months.  I'm getting ready to pucker up.

Ginger, I'm so glad you're getting that endoscopy so soon. You have the right approach, you have to be proactive and stay on top of things, and not just accept whatever is dished out to you (though it also helps to do this in a nice way). For you this is esp true as you are dealing (almost for sure) with a complication from your prior surgery.
    Please let me know the results of the endoscopy and we'll go from there.

Larra