Need help picking a PCP at Kaiser in No. CA - ThinnerTimes

beagoodgirl · 06-20-2008, 07:48 PM

Hi, my name is Brenda and I am new to this forum and loving it. I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions for finding a doctor in any of the northern California locations (Fremont, Hayward, Richmond, SSF) that made the referral process easier rather than harder?

I am willing to do whatever they ask, I just want to at least get the chance....I've read so many different variations of how kaiser's approval process is, I figure if I can get a PCP who doesn't have some preconceived hang up about weight loss and how it should be achieved I'd have a better chance of getting the referral.

Thanks so much for any help you might be able to give. Have a wonderful weekend.
Brenda

Nyn · 06-20-2008, 11:55 PM

Hi there! I'm also in Northern California Kaiser. At the time I decided to look for serious weight loss options (May 2006), I was living in Davis, and using the Kaiser there. My nutritionist there had me sign up for Kaiser's "Healthy Ways" nutrition classes, and I think having that as proof of my attempt at weight loss really helped my approval process because I really had no other hard documentation of such attempts when I started the process. It also gave me a documented starting weight. I lost 20 pounds during the 6 week Healthy Ways program (summer 2006), which really helped, too. As soon as I finished that class, I asked my PCP for a referral for weight loss surgery. She quickly agreed, asked me a few questions, and easily filled out and sent the referral via her computer as I sat next to her in the exam room. Many weeks later I was contacted by the Bariatric program and assigned to the Kaiser Fremont Bariatric Department. They scheduled me for my orientation in November 2006, and I had my first appointment with my surgeon (Dr. Hahn) in December '06. They told me that I had to lose 10% of my body weight (a minimum of 33 pounds) before I could get a surgery date, and they used my beginning weight with Healthy Ways as my starting weight, so I already had a bit of a "head start" with the recent 20lbs loss. Then, I had some non-related health issues, which delayed me for several months with other surgeries and recovery. After I finally got my life back in order, I lost the last 15 pounds of required weight and then got a call within a week to schedule surgery (which happened on September 24, 2007). I asked the scheduling nurse for extra time to prepare before surgery (it can be a bit scary when it gets that "real"), so that, combined with my other health stuff, is really the only reason why my surgery occured over a year after I got my initial referral. I found it all to be rather straightforward, not hard to get referred or approved at all, and I did really love my surgeon. It's all worked out well for me so far!

But, back to answering your specific question, the PCP I had for my referral is Dr. Michelle Chang, but like I said, she's in Davis, so not too close to the areas you mentioned.

Best of luck to you on your journey!

beagoodgirl · 06-21-2008, 07:36 AM

Thank you so much for such great information - I am feeling SOOOO much better about this process right now. I am going to sign up for that class right now (my coverage starts July 1st) and this will make a great place to start.

Wow and congratulations on your successful journey. Please know that just reading your words makes all the difference to someone just starting out and feeling excited but lost....

Again, thank you so very much....appreciate it and look forward to sharing my story some day.

Nyn · 06-21-2008, 09:51 AM

Hey, no problem. I'm still close enough to remember where you are right now. You sound really positive and excited, which is great!

Since you are new to Kaiser, I also suggest getting together any other documentation of previous weight loss attempts (dates you were in Weight Watchers, if your previous doctor had you try something, etc.) for at least the last 5 years. I had to fill out lots of paperwork, too, with that information, plus times I had gym memberships, etc. The psych consult part of the bariatric approval will also ask you what you are doing now, and plan to do after surgery for exercise and nutrition. They ask when was the last time you ate fast food, drank soda, if you're exercising, stuff like that. I think they just want to know if you're taking it seriously, and it sounds like you have a great attitude already. Let me know if you have any other questions

beagoodgirl · 06-21-2008, 11:50 AM

Hi there,

You rock....I am gathering that stuff as we speak....I have recent WW weigh in books, Curves membership initial weight info and measurements. I just signed up for the Healthy Ways class (now ten weeks) and the WLS Informational class and the prerequisite for the Healthy Ways class, a one half day weight loss seminar. I've got receipts for Nutri - Systems food for two months, JennyCraig as well. If they want, I can take a picture of my library of weight loss books....it looks like a section at Barnes and Noble.

I should have no problem documenting my clothes buying pattern (Lane Bryants, Sizes Unlimited and so on)....LOL...I am so excited that they took the weight from the start of the Healthy Ways class for you....it gives me hope and time to prove myself prior to actually getting the referral and approval - since I can sign up for them prior to my coverage effective date of July 1st.

So many thanks to you for this - it really is making the wait so much easier and the apprehension is alleviated a bit - as I feel like there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel I can do this....

Gwrenchgal · 06-27-2008, 04:31 PM

Hi, I am a Northern California Kiaser patient, but from San Jose. Dr. Julia Lewis is great there. My surgery was done by Dr. Alami at the SSF location and he was wonderful!

beagoodgirl · 06-27-2008, 04:35 PM

I am hoping that my appointment (scheduled for the 9th of July) with my PCP in Union City/Hayward results in an easy referral. Thanks so much for the reply and information - and congratulations on your surgery and success...

Have a great weekend...Brenda