Weight Loss Surgery Process

There are so many different steps to this process that I wanted to share it with others who are thinking about gastric bypass surgery for themselves.  Not all providers have the same process, but this is mine through Kaiser and more information will be added as I advance in the stages.


Nov. 8, 2013: Contacted Kaiser to request an information packet about bariatric surgical options.

Nov. 11, 2013: After receiving the packet, called and reserved a spot for a Bariatric Information Session (called the OPTIONS program).  Also reserved a spot for the Lifestyle & Weight Management class, which is required prior to beginning the program.

Nov. 21, 2013: Attended the OPTIONS information session and learned more about the entire process from here to to the surgery.  The director stated it would be approximately nine months all said and done.  Received the program questionnaire to complete.

Nov. 22, 2013: Faxed in the program questionnaire.  I should hear back from the director within two weeks.

Nov. 27, 2013: Called program director to ensure they have received my faxed questionnaire.  She confirmed it has been received, reviewed and now is in the hands of the medical staff before moving onto the lab work.  This part of the process should take 2-3 weeks.

Dec. 2, 2013: Attended the Lifestyle & Weight Management Class.  We were given a sample 1,500 calorie food plan to follow if we so chose for help with weight loss.  Also learned strategies such as meal planning, label reading, etc.

Dec. 6, 2013: Received a message from Kaiser that my next step in the assessment process is to go have lab work done.  So I need to get a urine test, fasting/routine lab, EKG and stool test.

Dec. 9, 2013:  Completed the lab work, urine test, stool test and EKG.  When all of my test results are received, I will then be contacted to schedule an appointment with the doctor who is in charge of the OPTIONS program.

Dec. 10, 2013:  Received a call to schedule an evaluation appointment with Dr. Ray on Dec. 17th.  He's the doctor in charge of the Positive Choice clinic.  This is the next step in the evaluation process where we will discuss my test results, surgical options and what's coming up next.

Dec. 13, 2013:  Received a message stating my lab work showed a deficiency in my vitamin D level.  Will need to take six pills with 50,000 units each of vitamin D.  After these pills are done, will need daily D3 supplements of 2,000 units each day.  Follow up non-fasting lab in March.

Dec. 17, 2013:  Met with the program doctor and he has approved me for surgery.  One of the nurses will be contacting me in a week to schedule me into the pre-op class.

Dec. 18, 2013:  Received voicemail message from the program director to schedule the pre-op classes.

Dec. 19, 2013:  Scheduled into the Options classes, which begin on Monday, January 20th.  They will run every Monday from 5:00-6:30 p.m.

Jan. 20, 2014:  Pre-op class #1.  Basic overview of the Options program.

Jan. 27, 2014:  Pre-op class #2.  Topic - Establishing a New Relationship with Food.

Feb. 3, 2014:  Pre-op class #3.  Topic - Embracing Change.

Feb. 10, 2014:  Pre-op class #4.  Topic - Reasons Why We Often Overeat.

Feb. 17, 2014:  Pre-op class #5.  Topic - Benefits of Exercise.

Feb. 24, 2014:  Pre-op class #6.  Topic - Asserting Myself.

March 3, 2014:  Pre-op class #7.  Topic - Surgical/Medical Information.

March 10, 2014:  Pre-op class #8.  Topic - Importance of Nutrients.  Also did pre-op class #20 (out of order because I'll be missing that class on the regular schedule).  Topic - What Do I Need to Know?

March 11, 2014:  Spoke with the program director about concerns with having the surgery done before I begin grad school in the fall.  She advised me that if I lose my 10% goal weight and complete all my appointments on time, I should be able to get in to have the surgery 4-6 weeks after the classes end in early July.

March 17, 2014:  Pre-op class #9.  Topic - Healthy Physical Activity:  Building Exercise Into My Life.

March 24, 2014:  Pre-op class #10.  Topic - What is Addiction?

March 31, 2104:  Pre-op class #11.  Topic - Assessing My New Relationship with Food.

April 7, 2014:  Pre-op class #12.  Topic - Healthy Physical Activity - Resistance Band Training.

April 14, 2014:  Pre-op class #13.  Topic - Understanding My Surgery.

April 21, 2014:  Pre-op class #14.  Topic - Choice and Taking Responsibility.

April 28, 2014:  Pre-op class #15.  Topic - Post-Surgery Eating I.

May 5, 2014:  Pre-op class #16.  Topic - Post-Surgery Exercise.

May 6, 2014:  Attended an information seminar with Dr. Zorn from Pacific Bariatric.  Surgical options were discussed and a packet of information was given to complete.

May 12, 2014:  Pre-op class #17.  Topic - Managing My Anger.

May 13, 2014:  Faxed the surgeon's questionnaire and written exam to Pacific Bariatric.

May 19, 2014:  Pre-op class #18.  Topic - Post-Surgery Eating II.

June 2, 2014:   Pre-op class #19.  Topic - Creating Healthy Habits.

June 9, 2014:   Pre-op class #20.  Topic - What Do I Need to Know?

June 16, 2014:   Pre-op class #21.  Topic - Body Image.

June 23, 2014:  Pre-op class #22.  Topic - Creating a Healthy Lifestyle.

June 30, 2014:  Pre-op class #23.  Topic - Managing My Stress and Stress Eating.

July 7, 2014:  Pre-op class #24.  Ending class.  Went over exit paperwork and discussed next steps.

July 9, 2014:  Scheduled fitness test for next Thursday, July 17th.  This requires walking around the Positive Choice building five times.

July 17, 2014:  Completed the fitness test.

July 22, 2014:  Received an email notifying me that my labs have been ordered and it is now time to go in to have those done.  They require a 14-hour fast with nothing other than water consumed.

July 23, 2014:  Completed lab work, which required 8 vials of blood and a urine sample.

July 24, 2014:  Received all lab results online.  Now waiting for an email from Positive Choice with an authorization to contact Pacific Bariatric to schedule consultations.

July 30, 2014:  Called Positive Choice to check on the status of the consultation authorization.  It is due to come back from the records office tomorrow.

July 31, 2014:  Received the email from Positive Choice with the authorization information.  Placed a call to Pacific Bariatric to schedule the appointments.

July 31, 2014:  Pacific Bariatric was able to quickly schedule my three consultations (psychiatrist, internist and surgeon) on Tuesday, August 5th.

August 5, 2014:  Met with psychiatrist, internist and surgeon for the consultations.  The scheduler should be calling me back in a few days to schedule the surgery, provided nothing came up in the reports from the doctors.

August 8, 2014:  Called to check on the progress of scheduling the surgery.  The surgeon is still reviewing the reports from the internist and psychiatrist, then he will be forwarding everything to the scheduler.

August 11, 2014:  Called Pacific Bariatric to check on status.  They were ready to schedule the surgery date, which is next Friday, August 22nd.  A packet will come in the mail with paperwork I need to complete, prescriptions I'll need to fill, lab work to do and pre-op instructions.

August 14, 2014:  Received the packet of paperwork and instructions from Pacific Bariatric.  It includes forms I need to complete as well as three prescriptions that need to be completed.

August 21, 2014:  Pre-op appointment completed.

August 22, 2014:  Surgery done at 7:15 a.m.!

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Nice info about weight loss surgery. for know more click here

Grocery said...

As a gynecologist I must appreciate your way of expressing the thoughts on weight loss surgery. thanks for your valuable information. Keep in touch with us at for best weight loss specialist in Chennai bariatric weight loss surgery in chennai | bariatric weight loss specialist chennai

Anonymous said...

Interesting and amazing how your post is! It Is Useful and helpful for me That I like it very much, and I am looking forward to Hearing from your next.. magen verkleinerungs op

Post a Comment