Re: ****Please help with any info*****

[Guest guest]

Hi Lore,

First of all, it is not YOU that is a failure. Your surgery has failed. It is mechanical, not moral. ;-) And it happens often, especially with lap banding. Kaiser does not even perform that procedure because it has a much lower success rate.

If your PCP has recommended you for gastric bypass surgery, that is a good thing. Since you are starting at the beginning in the Kaiser process, go to the "files" section of this list and start doing research. There is a lot of information there about Kaiser's requirements and how the whole thing works. Also check out my post called "Pre-Op Weight Loss Requirement" of a few weeks ago. I can't find my copy right now, but you can search the archives on our Yahoogroup and find it.

Go through the Kaiser process and if you get denied, appeal appeal appeal. Then appeal through the Department of Managed Health Care. A huge percentage of people denied by Kaiser will get approved through the DMHC. You can check out their web site at www.hmohelp.ca.gov

I know this seems like an overwhelming amount of work, but you need to do it if you want Kaiser to pay for your surgery. It's going to involve a lot of research and a lot of foot work, but you can do this! And it will be worth it in the long run, as it certainly sounds like you need a revision to gastric bypass surgery.

Hang in there and let us know how it goes,

Laurie W.

****Please help with any info*****

Hello all.....

I hope someone can help me...

In 2001 before the lap band was approved in the US..I had it done in Mexico and paid for it myself. Well now I am having complications with the band and I did lose like 123 pounds and got pregnant which I had not been able to in the past. I am still heavy at 289 pounds...I did add about 30 pounds after pregnancy and have not been able to get rid of the weight. I just went to the Dr in Mexico that did my surgery and he told me I was better off getting the Gastric bypass and that he would do for a ridiculous ammount of money.... I talked with my PCP and she is really behind me and will help me in any referral I need to get the bypass done here in the states and have Kaiser pay for it. I am not sure what the process is besides I was told that I needed a phsycology eval, several classes with a dietician and 6 months of me being on a diet?? I have the lap band wouldnt this be considered enough??

I have bad pain where my port site is at....severe.

At the moment the lap band seemed the right choice for me since I wanted something to try and get pregnant that would help me lose weight and I accomplished that. I do not feel comfortable having the bypass done in Mexico especially since after my last visit with the MD he totally made me feel awful that I was not losing any more weight.... I now need something long term and I need to get healthy for my baby. Has anyone heard of anyone having the lap band and then a gastric bypass?? And where do I go now?? I think my pcp did a referral allready who do I check with to find out?? where at kaiser??

I live in Modesto, CA.

Anyone with any info....heck if all the members can give me support I would really appreciate it since I am so nervous and frustrated that I feel like such a failure with the lap band....

Thanks,

Lore

[Guest guest]

Thanks Laurie for the info... I truly appreciate it!

My PCP is doing a lot of footwork on trying to get me approved quickly. (Im

keeping my fingers crossed) So did you get approved already?

Lore

[Guest guest]

Yep, I got approved. And surgicized, LOL. My RNY was 06/26/03 at Pacific Bariatrics.

Laurie W.

Re: ****Please help with any info*****

Thanks Laurie for the info... I truly appreciate it! My PCP is doing a lot of footwork on trying to get me approved quickly. (Im keeping my fingers crossed) So did you get approved already? Lore

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your support....I truly appreciate it...

Lore

Hi

I cannot help you but to offer my support in your journey. I know you will find a lot of it here.

I do know that there was a man in my preop classes that had had the intestional bypass and had regained all his wt and Kasier had okayed him for a redo on it and then a gbs so I am sure that all will eventually be done

gl 2 u

bee

5*10*2004

ssf

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Sorry to take so long to respond to your post for help. I was out of

town all weekend and just check the messeges from the site.

I live in Manteca, really close to Modesto.

It's my understanding that the process for Modesto is much easier than

Stockton (which my PCP sent me through). Your PCP simply sends in

your paperwork to SSF Kaiser. Depending on your BMI you may need to

have 2 comorbities for approval. You can call SSF directly to find

out if you have been approved within 10 business days of your PCP

submitting your paper work.

Here in the valley there is no 6 months of following a diet. You do

need to have a diet history that is documented. Plus the required

pscyh evaluation and visit to the nutritionist.

I am sorry, but i have no experience or knowledge about the lap-band

procedure. I hope you are getting some help from your PCP for the

pain you are experiencing.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Best of luck on your journey,

D

with a dietician and 6 months of me being on a

> diet?? I have the lap band wouldnt this be considered enough??

> I have bad pain where my port site is at....severe.

> At the moment the lap band seemed the right choice for me since I

wanted

> something to try and get pregnant that would help me lose weight

and I

> accomplished that. I do not feel comfortable having the bypass

done in Mexico

> especially since after my last visit with the MD he totally made me

feel awful that

> I was not losing any more weight.... I now need something long

term and I

> need to get healthy for my baby. Has anyone heard of anyone

having the lap band

> and then a gastric bypass?? And where do I go now?? I think my pcp

did a

> referral allready who do I check with to find out?? where at

kaiser??

> I live in Modesto, CA.

> Anyone with any info....heck if all the members can give me support

I would

> really appreciate it since I am so nervous and frustrated that I

feel like

> such a failure with the lap band....

> Thanks,

> Lore