KAISER CALIFORNIA APPROVAL QUESTIONS

Hi Gang,

I am posting a question, out of curiosity for a friend. I am post op RNY and had Blue Cross PPO and no issues getting approval.

My friend has Kaiser, she has already been approved, had a psych but needs to lose 10% of her body weight to get the surgery scheduled.  She is struggling with her last 13lbs. Is there any advice that you can provide on how she can lose this weight? She is discouraged and it is disheartening.

Main question being, if she doe**** her number where she can schedule the surgery, what happens if she gains some weight back after the surgery is scheduled? Has anyone been through this before with Kaiser? Any suggestions on how she can get this last 13lbs off and will she get to keep her weight even if she gains some back before going under the knife?

Thanks!

Meg

I am in Kaisers Bariatric Options classes, it is a 20 week track where you have to go one night a week to the class. Some of the classes are taught by the nutritionist, the psych Dr. on behaviors that make us want to eat, and by the nurse practitioner. They told us we had to loose our 10% by the end of the 20 week session and have turned in all the food and exercise logs weekly before you are ever referred to the surgeon. I saw someone else on here that had skipped all this somehow, Kaiser here will not fast track it no matter what. I at first thought it was just jumping through their hoops, but I now realize how valuable these classes are, I am following a diet and loosing at least a couple pounds a week. Kaiser offers lots of weight loss classes or she could make an appointment with the nutritionist who will give her a good diet to follow. I have heard that a few people have been sent back and surgery canceled when they showed up on surgery day and had gained weight back. I am shocked that I am 1/2 way done with the pre-op program and have lost more than 1/2 of my 10%

Thank you, this is great info.

I am kaiser south San Francisco,   Has she done the classes?  Also all of us have a s psych appt, but also meet with a nutritionist one on one.  I recommend that she contact her nutritionist for some ideas.  BUT the plateau buster diet is also an option.    At kaiser ssf, they do the scheduling.  Hope this helps!

Thank you this is great info. I know she is with Kaiser in Fremont-- the Bariatric program there. I will inquire with her on if she has done these classes.

Hi-
For what it's worth- I am with Kaiser Bellflower,Ca, and I finished the Options program in September. We had to complete 24 classes-6 months worth. I didn't lose my 30%, weight during class, nor did I turn in a food log every week. I considered myself a work in process, and  I wasn't the only one . I think they (Kaiser)  wanted us to learn and practice new habits for our own benefit and safety, not a bad idea. Shoot, if it were that easy we wouldn't need the help in the first place.

I am scheduled for surgery on 11-24, at Kaiser South Bay-Harbor City. And the journey continues...

I see you are going to have the VSG! I am so thrilled to see they are approving them now. I was a low BMI patient so with BCBS it wasn't even an option for me (38.5 +sleep apnea) but I think its a great surgery. Best of luck to you and thank you for the info!

Hi-
Yes, in fact the VSG was mentioned in class as a passing thought. When I met with my surgeon, Dr. Zane, he said that the majority of his surgeries lately is the VSG and he is expecting it to become a gold standard soon. I'm a happy camper. I wish your friend  lots of good luck.

Hi
I am going through Kaiser So Cal in Fontana. I was required to attend the Options program. It was lessened to 20 weeks. We were not required by Kaiser to lose 10% but it was recommended. We were also not required to do a food journal to turn in. It was just recommended for our own benefit.

To lose weight it we were given guidelines of a 1200-1500 calorie diet a day and possibly supplement a protein shake for a meal or 2 a day. We were also told that we should start cutting caffeine and soda. I did this and so far have lost a little over 20 lbs. Even if you don't lose weight in the Options classes (at least where I am going) they will graduate you. On the other hand if the surgeon wants you to lose weight then he can require you to lose it for safety reasons. (shrink the liver) I have not met with my surgeon since I have 1 class left. But I have heard that if the surgeon wants you to lose weight they wont do surgery until you lose the weight and will cancel if you gain.

Tell your friend to make sure she asks the surgeon to clarify with them since every surgeon is different. Hope this helps.

Nathalie :)

Thank you good stuff!