Kaiser - northern cal

Hi, In 2007 I was referred to the Fremont Kaiser weight loss program. The doctor tried to push the gastric bypass, even though I researched and told him I preferred the lapband procedure. He said I had to lose 10% of my body weight before they'd consider me for surgery. I did. I notified the program via phone and then him via e-mail, but I got no contact back. I have since regained that 10% plus some. In the meantime, I told my friend in Boston about my decision. During the same time (this past year), she contacted a doctor, only had to lose 10 lbs, and then had the surgery. A year later, she has lost 56 lbs. I am so envious. I asked my dr to refer me to the SF Kaiser weight loss program. I am hoping that this Kaiser doctor will accept me as a lapband client. I know the reason that they don't want to do lapband - because it requires post-op care and adjustments through the port. Has anyone on this message board had lapband surgery through Kaiser? What were the difficulties? Any surgeon to recommend? Thank you!

Let me start by saying I didn't have the Lap Band. I had the bypass. However, the Lap Band was always an option. My PCP actually recommended it. I went through Kaiser Richmond and they gave everyone the option of which surgery they would like. I have met a couple of people at the Richmond office who've had the Lap Band (with great success) and didn't have any issues with the post op care. I was required to lose 10% of my weight, but each surgeon is different. Hopefully, this info helps you on your journey.

Thank you for your reply. How long have your friends had the lapband? Did they have any complications? How much weight did they lose - was it all that they needed (or 5o% as claimed in the literature)? How often have they had to have a "fill" (where they make adjustments to the lapband. I'm really surprised that more people don't get the lapband. If you ever have cancer, you need to be able to remove (reverse the  procedure) so you don't have any complications with chemo (though knock wood, we don't want that!).  Many thanks for your reply. I just want to be healthy!

I had lap band at Kaiser SSF last year and they were awesome and still are.  No surgery was pushed, we talked and I chose the band!  Great classes and staff.  Good luck!

hi Ann
I'm so excited to have finally contacted a Kaiser member who had lap band surgery. Which Kaiser doctor did you get? How long from the time you signed up until the date of surgery? Time is going by so fast that I'll be in a nursing home, I feel, before I get the surgery! I have no illusions about beauty and a fine figure - I just want to take care of my health. You had the lap band last year. How many pounds have you lost. Was it a nice gradual weight loss? Did you have a lot of loose flesh that had to be surgically removed? I think that is the disadvantage of gastric bypass, when you lose too much too quickly. Happy New Year!

I got tired of waiting on Kaiser and swiched to Blue Cross....waiting to see how it will go!!  Good luck to you!

 Hi! I'm still pre-op but am going through Kaiser Richmond and having Lapband surgery. My surgeon is Dr. Fisher and I was very impressed and felt very comfortable with him at my surgeon consult. I started at 297.5 and he wants me to get down to 270 before he'll schedule surgery. I'm currently at 281. I'm hoping to be at my pre-surgery goal by 1/31 and to have surgery before the end of March. It's nice to find some people going through the Kaiser process, it's much different from other insurance programs!