Help with dealing with kaiser - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

shygoddessdiva · 02-28-2006, 07:32 AM

I'm 24 years old i've been overweight my whole life. It now has gotten to the point where I need help. I'm 459 pounds my bmi is 74.1 and unable to lose weight on my own. I've went through kaisers healthy ways program and that didn't help me. I talked to my dr. about gastric bypass and here is the response i got from him in an email
"I am glad that you went to the Healthy Ways Program. I hope you have found some benefit to going. In regards to Gastric Bypass, I think there should be someone at Healthy Ways who can direct you to who you would need to contact. Let me do say if you are evaluating the Gastric Bypass, it is not always the miracle cure that people expect it to be. I have seen people lose lots of weight with gastric bypass. I've also seen them die from complications in the surgery. For those who do have the surgery, there are many who have problems with anemia and electrolytes for many years later because their body no longer absorbs the nutrients it needs to. I've spoken with people who develop horribly painful spasms because they cannot regulate their calcium, for example.

Certainly feel free to look into the program, but if you are seriosly considering this, you need to ask a lot of questions. I still think that diet and exercise are the way to go to lose weight."

Well I finally got him to send in a referal so i'm going to an obesity surgery info group today. But i'm feeling a bit down i've heard alot that kaiser is hard to get the surgery through. I've researched the surgery and I believe it is the best option for me. I'm finally ready to make a huge step and I feel like I have no support from my dr. Also it's gotten to the point where I can't even reach to wipe myself. It's really hard to not beable to do everything for myself anymore. I'm 24 I wanna have kids and a long life I just don't know what to do. Also I'm more the qualified in the work force but I don't get hired because of my size. I saw this site and thought this would be a great place to get help and support thanks so much

chrisie_92020 · 02-28-2006, 08:57 AM

My heart goes out to you, I know it is so hard to be MO, and so many people just don't understand what we endure in our activities of daily living. The Dr. is entitled to his opinion, but so are you. The things he said are all true in regards to the complications and so on. You have come to the right spot for the support that you will need on this journey.

SaturdazeChyld · 02-28-2006, 09:10 AM

HiYa Goddess! We're glad yer here!

I know from experience too that once we get up to that kinda weight it's UnBeFreakinLivably hard to EXCERcise ..

I hope you find the support you are looking for to make an informed choice for what is right for you and what you want to do!

brookscn · 02-28-2006, 10:04 AM

Goddess:
Welcome! In some ways, that doctor is right about the long term effects of the surgery, but that is where good surgical follow-up and support groups are imperative. I'm not sure what program Kaiser has, so please do a lot of research.

You are feeling what all of us have felt - you don't necessarily get a lot of support from your PCP - I'm beginning to wonder if they're feeling like THEY failed somehow, but don't want to admit it to themselves. My PCP was ultra-supportive, and recommended Dr. C (who runs this forum). At 24 years old, you have your whole life ahead of you, and you should want the things that everyone has (children, normal life, ability to get jobs based on your qualifications and not your body type). The surgery isn't a cure, it's a tool, but it's the last successful resort that most of us have found - we came to the brick wall and made the realization that what we're doing wasn't working - and started our research on this surgery.

I recommend that you get the "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies" book - it's well worth the purchase. And please, please do a lot of research on Kaiser and their bariatric program - just to make sure that you're going to get the support and follow-up that you need. I'm with Blue Cross, and they have designated bariatric "centers of excellence" (basically, the only programs they will approve).

And, remember that this forum is an excellent way to get some answers and a LOT of support.

always · 02-28-2006, 11:18 AM

first do you have diabetes or high blood pressure....or any medically related illness due to your weight...if so...you need to not be so polite with your physician...you tell him your "life" is what is at stake and you truly feel without the surgery he is jeopardizing it...then he will get upset...god forbid...you must contact the patients advocate...kaiser has a corporate office in san francisco...if you feel no response and i mean a response within 2days you call them or email them...but i would call them and again state your concerns...kaiser riveside, ca recently started to contract the surgery out to a dr suh, crown surgical in corona ca...they do not have the surgeons nor the capacity to do the surgery...they also rather than allowing this surgeon take out your gallbladder if you have stones which would be the pratical course...they want him to put patients on priolosec prior to surgery then have an additional procedure at kaiser to remove your gallbladder...they do not want to pay for an ultrasound of gb as well...do not give up...if i can help trust me they just get my blood boiling....DO NOT GIVE UP.......sharon

michelleJC · 02-28-2006, 11:59 AM

CHANGE DOCTORS!! You most definetly need a PCP that is on your side and will help you with this process.