I would select anything but Kaiser.  My friend has been denied by Kaiser because her BMI of 40 is not considered 'life threatening'.  If she develops hypertension or diabetes, she might get approved.

Hi There!

Did anyone out there have bariatric surgery with ODS insurance?  I called up to find out their requirements, and they said they couldn't tell me.  They said they do it on a case by case basis. The gal at OWLS is having a hard time figuring it out, too.  Just wondering if they are going to make me go on a 6 month supervised diet, have a year of weight records, etc.  I just want to know how long it's going to take and how hard it's going to be to get approved!! Curious on your experiences.

Thanks!

I'm another patient of Dr. Patterson. I highly recommend her. As others have mentioned, she's not the sweet,cuddly type personality, but that isn't what I wanted in a surgeon. She really knows what she's doing and tells it like it is. I really like her. She has an excellent reputation. I have all my post op office visits at her Portland office now, but my surgery was done at SW WA Medical Center in Vancouver. Dr. Smith was her assistant when I had my surgery, but he's doing surgery on his own through OWLS now and he's good too. He's very nice, knows what he's talking about and besides, he's nice to listen to (English accent lol).

I certainly wouldn't try to pull one over on the psychologist... but I'm nervous there are certain things to say / not to say!! Any tips?

Sounds, great, Lisa with what you're doing - especially being able to swim 5 times a week.  I belong to the tualatin hills park and rec and also 24 hour fitness.  My work shifts are 12 hours, so I figured with both locations, I can get to some pool.  Unfortunately, I have one favorite - the temp is 89 degrees and feels so good on my muscles, that my 24 hour membership is kind of a waste.  I'm off work now due to health issues, upcoming hernia surgery, don't know when yet, so am more able to get to the pool.

I've found to try and get the protein up to at least 80 grams a day helps with weightloss, of course trying to keep refined carbs low.  I don't do alot of bread, but I'll buy the protein bread and high fiber english muffins, at the orowheat bread store to sneak more fiber in.  I've done it all different over the years as far as sugar goes - at times, cutting out all refined sugar and more recently, since I got back in the losing mode, was to allow myself a few bites or small piece of something occasionally.  I've cooked with splenda and have found like if I make banana muffins with splenda, soy flour, very little oil, flaxmeal, protein powder, etc., I am happy with one because it's not high sugar/high fat combo which makes me want more.  Since I don't do sweets on any kind of regular basis, I've lost alot of my sweet tooth, I think.  My average calories is probably at about 1100, which doesn't allow for much extra.  I drink at least one protein drink a day, sometimes two,to get the 80 grams in.  I like Costco's ready to drink chocolate Premier drinks or I'll mix BSN Lean Dessert vanilla protein and mix with frozen blueberries strawberries or banana chunks, sometimes mixing a little of the SF dry pudding, cheesecake flavor, in there with the berries, along with a little bit of vanillla extract.  I like the ease of the protein drinks - kind of a no-brainer to get 30 grams in easily.

I weighed myself today and kind of frustrated - stuck at 144 for almost one month.  Don't know if I'm done  losing.  I did meet with a plasic surgeon last week as I'm thinking about having a tummy tuck while they do the hernia repair.  She thinks I might have 10 lbs. extra abdominal skin, so maybe that would put me in the mid 130's.  I'm just 5'1, but my bone structure is not really petite,and that may be as good as it's going to get.  At some point, I'll just have to accept where my body ends up - kind of out of my control, if I keep doing what I'm doing, I think, as far as the healthy eating and exercise.