YES, you really have to lose 10% of your wt before surgery.

[Guest guest]

In answer to this question, which I don't think anyone has addressed

(the discussion got off onto sweeteners)...

YES, if the program you're enrolled in says you have to lose the 10%,

then that's what you have to do to get surgery.

Not all Kaiser programs require that you do 10%, but I believe they

all require you to lose some amount of weight. Once you are approved

and referred to a Kaiser WLS program, their requirements are YOUR

requirements. It is quite difficult to change which program you're

referred to. And of course, if you want to change programs because you

don't like the requirements of the Kaiser program where you're

assigned, that tends to be interpreted somewhat negatively. I mean, if

someone got into medical school, and then said " I can't pass the

requirements (insert excuse here) but I want to get a degree anyway " ,

what would you say to them? If they were allowed to graduate anyway,

would you expect them to do good work after that?

Losing the preop weight is the #1 hurdle of preops, but even though it

might take longer than we want it to, almost everyone does it.

Martha

[Guest guest]

Well said Martha and I agree with you.

Pam Marsh

--- nursefera2 nurseferatu@...> wrote:

> In answer to this question, which I don't think

> anyone has addressed

> (the discussion got off onto sweeteners)...

> YES, if the program you're enrolled in says you have

> to lose the 10%,

> then that's what you have to do to get surgery.

> Not all Kaiser programs require that you do 10%, but

> I believe they

> all require you to lose some amount of weight. Once

> you are approved

> and referred to a Kaiser WLS program, their

> requirements are YOUR

> requirements. It is quite difficult to change which

> program you're

> referred to. And of course, if you want to change

> programs because you

> don't like the requirements of the Kaiser program

> where you're

> assigned, that tends to be interpreted somewhat

> negatively. I mean, if

> someone got into medical school, and then said " I

> can't pass the

> requirements (insert excuse here) but I want to get

> a degree anyway " ,

> what would you say to them? If they were allowed to

> graduate anyway,

> would you expect them to do good work after that?

> Losing the preop weight is the #1 hurdle of preops,

> but even though it

> might take longer than we want it to, almost

> everyone does it.

> Martha

>

>

>

>

>

__________________________________

Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click.

http://farechase.yahoo.com

[Guest guest]

>

> In answer to this question, which I don't think anyone has addressed

> (the discussion got off onto sweeteners)...

> YES, if the program you're enrolled in says you have to lose the

10%,

> then that's what you have to do to get surgery.

> Not all Kaiser programs require that you do 10%, but I believe they

> all require you to lose some amount of weight. Once you are approved

> and referred to a Kaiser WLS program, their requirements are YOUR

> requirements. It is quite difficult to change which program you're

> referred to. And of course, if you want to change programs because

you

> don't like the requirements of the Kaiser program where you're

> assigned, that tends to be interpreted somewhat negatively. I mean,

if

> someone got into medical school, and then said " I can't pass the

> requirements (insert excuse here) but I want to get a degree

anyway " ,

> what would you say to them? If they were allowed to graduate anyway,

> would you expect them to do good work after that?

> Losing the preop weight is the #1 hurdle of preops, but even though

it

> might take longer than we want it to, almost everyone does it.

> Martha

>

thanks martha for the info.....

[Guest guest]

>

> > In answer to this question, which I don't think

> > anyone has addressed

> > (the discussion got off onto sweeteners)...

> > YES, if the program you're enrolled in says you have

> > to lose the 10%,

> > then that's what you have to do to get surgery.

> > Not all Kaiser programs require that you do 10%, but

> > I believe they

> > all require you to lose some amount of weight. Once

> > you are approved

> > and referred to a Kaiser WLS program, their

> > requirements are YOUR

> > requirements. It is quite difficult to change which

> > program you're

> > referred to. And of course, if you want to change

> > programs because you

> > don't like the requirements of the Kaiser program

> > where you're

> > assigned, that tends to be interpreted somewhat

> > negatively. I mean, if

> > someone got into medical school, and then said " I

> > can't pass the

> > requirements (insert excuse here) but I want to get

> > a degree anyway " ,

> > what would you say to them? If they were allowed to

> > graduate anyway,

> > would you expect them to do good work after that?

> > Losing the preop weight is the #1 hurdle of preops,

> > but even though it

> > might take longer than we want it to, almost

> > everyone does it.

> > Martha

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

> __________________________________

> Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click.

> http://farechase.yahoo.com

>

[Guest guest]

My best advise (from my two-year posie perspective) is grit your

teeth and follow the program to the letter. Everything is in the

requirements for one reason: it works. How well has doing things

your way worked? Isn't that what got you here in the first place?

Repeat afer me, " If I could LOSE 10% of my weight, I wouldn't NEED

the surgery! " Isn't that how most of us felt, when we were told of

the 10% requirement? Personally, I was so ready for it, that if I

had been told that I needed to stand on my head for an hour a day to

get it, I would have found a way.

I know it's disappointing to learn that you can't get the surgery

and become magically thin overnight, but there is method behind

Mamma Kaiser's madness. First, the 10% rule makes you demonstrate

your committment to the program and your ability to comply with its

requirements. Second, it makes the procedure easier for the

surgeons and safer for you. And finally (and most important) it

gives you time to " act as if, " to practice adopting the post-op

lifestyle and give yourself time to mourn those things you will be

losing. (Trust me, the things you gain from this journey will be so

much more important than what you lose!)

I know losing the 10% feels like climbing Everest, but it can be

done, one step at a time. You can do it!

Tim -240

>

> > In answer to this question, which I don't think

> > anyone has addressed

> > (the discussion got off onto sweeteners)...

> > YES, if the program you're enrolled in says you have

> > to lose the 10%,

> > then that's what you have to do to get surgery.

> > Not all Kaiser programs require that you do 10%, but

> > I believe they

> > all require you to lose some amount of weight. Once

> > you are approved

> > and referred to a Kaiser WLS program, their

> > requirements are YOUR

> > requirements. It is quite difficult to change which

> > program you're

> > referred to. And of course, if you want to change

> > programs because you

> > don't like the requirements of the Kaiser program

> > where you're

> > assigned, that tends to be interpreted somewhat

> > negatively. I mean, if

> > someone got into medical school, and then said " I

> > can't pass the

> > requirements (insert excuse here) but I want to get

> > a degree anyway " ,

> > what would you say to them? If they were allowed to

> > graduate anyway,

> > would you expect them to do good work after that?

> > Losing the preop weight is the #1 hurdle of preops,

> > but even though it

> > might take longer than we want it to, almost

> > everyone does it.

> > Martha

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

> __________________________________

> Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click.

> http://farechase.yahoo.com

>

[Guest guest]

Well said, Tim...and I second that emotion. I struggled with my 10%, it took me five months or more, and I only had to lose 26 lbs. I finally realized that I had some emotional hurdles to get through before I was really ready to undergo this journey. This isn't a magic pill or fix...and even now, just five months after the surgery, I am having to watch behaviors that are not problematic now...but could become if left unchecked.

This time is vital...use it wisely by practicing the no drinking with meals (I still struggle sometimes with that), taking your vitamins religiously...and getting into a sound exercise program that you can do for life. These are habits that you'll need to get down to goal and to stay there.

I started at 261, and lost 26 lbs before the surgery. Since my surgery on June 8th, I've lost down to 168. My goal is 135, although frankly, most people think I'm at 135 right now. (Tim's theory is that most of us have pretty dense bones from having carried all of that weight for so long...so that the charts are a little skewed for most of us.) But after 5 months, and I'm still losing...I definitely can see that my appetite has increased a bit. The point is, if you don't get those routines and good habits down cold, you could find yourself in a position where you can gain the weight back. I'm not going to do that. So, I'm being mindful all of the time. It's not a huge burden, it's just the way it is. ANd you know what? Unless you are a teenager...most people watch their weight. They find balance. My skinny friends exercise and say things like, "OK, I'll have the pie later on so I better pass on the

bread...and maybe have fish instead of fried chicken and mashed potatoes...because I WANT that pie!!" And you know what...most of them don't eat the whole piece, even after doing this whole balancing act.

So, we will not be immune from having to make choices like, "OK, I'm working out 5 times this week, because I was a bit too hungry all week, and I think I ingested too many calories." It's calories in, calories out. If you want to lose weight, you have to keep those calories down...they count. And get your exercise up. There is no way around it. And while the weight falls off easily post surgery (I've lost more than 70 lbs. in four and a half months, and I didn't have as much to lose as others...I'll be at normal weight BMI in another 13 lbs.)...I know that this will slow down, and then I'll be in maintenance...and that's where the work begins. But, if I do everything right...it won't be that much work. It will just be my lifestyle.

So, get started on the lifestyle, now...and consider it a blessing...because it will give you a taste of what maintenance will be like. Although, trust me...it's easier to maintain a hot body wearing a size 6 or 8...because you have that instant gratification of looking in the mirror.

You can do this. You can. Some of our people have lost close to 100 lbs. Our Ron (BBQ man) is well on his way. It can be done. We're here to help.

RobynnUncle Timmy wrote:

My best advise (from my two-year posie perspective) is grit your teeth and follow the program to the letter. Everything is in the requirements for one reason: it works. How well has doing things your way worked? Isn't that what got you here in the first place?Repeat afer me, "If I could LOSE 10% of my weight, I wouldn't NEED the surgery!" Isn't that how most of us felt, when we were told of the 10% requirement? Personally, I was so ready for it, that if I had been told that I needed to stand on my head for an hour a day to get it, I would have found a way. I know it's disappointing to learn that you can't get the surgery and become magically thin overnight, but there is method behind Mamma Kaiser's madness. First, the 10% rule makes you demonstrate your committment to the program and your

ability to comply with its requirements. Second, it makes the procedure easier for the surgeons and safer for you. And finally (and most important) it gives you time to "act as if," to practice adopting the post-op lifestyle and give yourself time to mourn those things you will be losing. (Trust me, the things you gain from this journey will be so much more important than what you lose!)I know losing the 10% feels like climbing Everest, but it can be done, one step at a time. You can do it!Tim -240> > > In answer to this question, which I don't think> > anyone has addressed> > (the discussion got off

onto sweeteners)...> > YES, if the program you're enrolled in says you have> > to lose the 10%,> > then that's what you have to do to get surgery.> > Not all Kaiser programs require that you do 10%, but> > I believe they> > all require you to lose some amount of weight. Once> > you are approved> > and referred to a Kaiser WLS program, their> > requirements are YOUR> > requirements. It is quite difficult to change which> > program you're> > referred to. And of course, if you want to change> > programs because you> > don't like the requirements of the Kaiser program> > where you're> > assigned, that tends to be interpreted somewhat> > negatively. I mean, if> > someone got into medical school, and then said "I> > can't pass the> > requirements (insert excuse here) but I want to get>

> a degree anyway",> > what would you say to them? If they were allowed to> > graduate anyway,> > would you expect them to do good work after that?> > Losing the preop weight is the #1 hurdle of preops,> > but even though it> > might take longer than we want it to, almost> > everyone does it.> > Martha> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > __________________________________ > Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click.> http://farechase.yahoo.com>

[Guest guest]

> >

> > > In answer to this question, which I don't think

> > > anyone has addressed

> > > (the discussion got off onto sweeteners)...

> > > YES, if the program you're enrolled in says you have

> > > to lose the 10%,

> > > then that's what you have to do to get surgery.

> > > Not all Kaiser programs require that you do 10%, but

> > > I believe they

> > > all require you to lose some amount of weight. Once

> > > you are approved

> > > and referred to a Kaiser WLS program, their

> > > requirements are YOUR

> > > requirements. It is quite difficult to change which

> > > program you're

> > > referred to. And of course, if you want to change

> > > programs because you

> > > don't like the requirements of the Kaiser program

> > > where you're

> > > assigned, that tends to be interpreted somewhat

> > > negatively. I mean, if

> > > someone got into medical school, and then said " I

> > > can't pass the

> > > requirements (insert excuse here) but I want to get

> > > a degree anyway " ,

> > > what would you say to them? If they were allowed to

> > > graduate anyway,

> > > would you expect them to do good work after that?

> > > Losing the preop weight is the #1 hurdle of preops,

> > > but even though it

> > > might take longer than we want it to, almost

> > > everyone does it.

> > > Martha

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > __________________________________

> > Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click.

> > http://farechase.yahoo.com

> >

>

[Guest guest]

My surgeon (Dr. Umbach, KSSF) told me to lose 40lbs, and he'd do me

open. We didn't even discuss lap. That was in December 2002. I

had my surgery (laporoscopically) on July 30, 2003, after losing 65

lbs. Another benefit of losing as much pre-op weight as you can.

Tim

> > >

> > > > In answer to this question, which I don't think

> > > > anyone has addressed

> > > > (the discussion got off onto sweeteners)...

> > > > YES, if the program you're enrolled in says you have

> > > > to lose the 10%,

> > > > then that's what you have to do to get surgery.

> > > > Not all Kaiser programs require that you do 10%, but

> > > > I believe they

> > > > all require you to lose some amount of weight. Once

> > > > you are approved

> > > > and referred to a Kaiser WLS program, their

> > > > requirements are YOUR

> > > > requirements. It is quite difficult to change which

> > > > program you're

> > > > referred to. And of course, if you want to change

> > > > programs because you

> > > > don't like the requirements of the Kaiser program

> > > > where you're

> > > > assigned, that tends to be interpreted somewhat

> > > > negatively. I mean, if

> > > > someone got into medical school, and then said " I

> > > > can't pass the

> > > > requirements (insert excuse here) but I want to get

> > > > a degree anyway " ,

> > > > what would you say to them? If they were allowed to

> > > > graduate anyway,

> > > > would you expect them to do good work after that?

> > > > Losing the preop weight is the #1 hurdle of preops,

> > > > but even though it

> > > > might take longer than we want it to, almost

> > > > everyone does it.

> > > > Martha

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > __________________________________

> > > Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click.

> > > http://farechase.yahoo.com

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

> >

> > > In answer to this question, which I don't think

> > > anyone has addressed

> > > (the discussion got off onto sweeteners)...

> > > YES, if the program you're enrolled in says you have

> > > to lose the 10%,

> > > then that's what you have to do to get surgery.

> > > Not all Kaiser programs require that you do 10%, but

> > > I believe they

> > > all require you to lose some amount of weight. Once

> > > you are approved

> > > and referred to a Kaiser WLS program, their

> > > requirements are YOUR

> > > requirements. It is quite difficult to change which

> > > program you're

> > > referred to. And of course, if you want to change

> > > programs because you

> > > don't like the requirements of the Kaiser program

> > > where you're

> > > assigned, that tends to be interpreted somewhat

> > > negatively. I mean, if

> > > someone got into medical school, and then said " I

> > > can't pass the

> > > requirements (insert excuse here) but I want to get

> > > a degree anyway " ,

> > > what would you say to them? If they were allowed to

> > > graduate anyway,

> > > would you expect them to do good work after that?

> > > Losing the preop weight is the #1 hurdle of preops,

> > > but even though it

> > > might take longer than we want it to, almost

> > > everyone does it.

> > > Martha

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > __________________________________

> > Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click.

> > http://farechase.yahoo.com

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>