Re: Re: Kaiser vs. other programs.

[Guest guest]

Stayed to the 1200 calories and no matter what pain I had I forced myself to exercise every morning first thing, I got up early enough to do it first thing or I knew I wouldn't. So I put it in my head I had to and I have alot of pain due to fybromyalgia, arthritis, screws in my feet and bad knees (one may still need replaced some day), but I didn't use pain as a way out. I also made sure I drank all my water and took my vitamins just like they are teaching you for the life long journey. I couldn't walk, do treadmill, aerobics and all with all my health issues. So I started out with chair dancing from the Kaiser Education center, I did it faithfully everyday. I started at 270 pounds, I did finally start doing some walking before surgery at 228 pounds. Now at 138 I can walk 5 miles, ride my bicycle, do swim aerobics, I just painted my bedroom, bathroom, garage, did all my yards and moved lots of furniture in the last 4 weeks, I believe

anything can be done now. I still have pain, I've learned to life with it and that it is a part of my life. I know that when I don't exercise I get much stiffer and it's harder to do the moving. So I exercise all the time and am very active. It takes telling yourself you have to do this to get where you need to be. I love it. I will be gone to Colorado as of Saturday, no computer and looking forward to a great vacation. Take care. Donnadamaris wrote: Donna, what did you do to lose the 10% so quickly? damaris

> > > > I had seen the gastric bypass shows and I

was wondering if anyone > else > > had the same reaction as I did. I was shocked that the woman was > > eating lettuce and tomatoes and complaining that she couldn't keep > > food down. I had seen a few shows in the past and the running > theme > > is that they wanted the surgery and got it. No classes no > lifestyle > > changes. While the people who had the surgery were in need of help > it > > seemed that the after care was not there. The one man that was bed > > bound was drinking soda! It was the only thing that he could keep > > down. Is there different criteria for different surgeries? Is > Kaiser > > the only health plan that is requiring that you go to classes? > > it does seem like a pain but I think in the end it is more helpful > > that you have someone around to help with the life changes that you

> > have to do in order to lose and keep the weight off. > > > > > > > __________________________________________________ >

[Guest guest]

Keep your chin up . I would call someone in the bariatric office and ask them if it is taking that long, before you take that to heart. I can not believe that is true. My pcp told me it would take up to 2 yrs. wrote: I absolutely agree that we are blessed to be in a program that offers a wealth of information, training, and support. I know that the "extended" time this program takes will allow me to learn what is neccesary so that I do not gain the weight back or develop complications. As much as I know this,

I still cannot help but get frustrated with the lenght of time. I guess for me it took a long time to make the decision and get the initial referal from my pcp so I feel like I have already been waiting years for this to happen. In addition, I have been currently waiting for three months now just to get an appointment for my psych eval. Supposedly, there is a really long waiting list and lots of people try to get the surgery. So now, according to the nutritionist I saw, this has become a two year process instead of one. There are definetly days when the waiting gets to me and I want to be able to move on with a healthier life. I know, I know, I must be patient and remind myself that each day is another opportunity to learn, grow, and improve healthy behaviors and that even after the surgery this is a lifetime process. > > > > > > I had seen the gastric bypass shows and I was > > wondering if anyone > > else > > > had the same reaction as I did. I was shocked that > > the woman was > > > eating lettuce and tomatoes and complaining that > > she couldn't keep > > > food down. I had seen a few shows in the past and > > the running > > theme > > > is that they wanted the surgery and got it. No > > classes no > > lifestyle > > > changes. While the people who had the surgery were > > in need of help > > it > > > seemed that

the after care was not there. The one > > man that was bed > > > bound was drinking soda! It was the only thing > > that he could keep > > > down. Is there different criteria for different > > surgeries? Is > > Kaiser > > > the only health plan that is requiring that you go > > to classes? > > > it does seem like a pain but I think in the end it > > is more helpful > > > that you have someone around to help with the life > > changes that you > > > have to do in order to lose and keep the weight > > off. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > __________________________________________________ > >

[Guest guest]

Donna, HOW HAS IT BEEN WITH NO ANTI INFLAMS? I AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT SINCE I HAVE TERRIBLE PAIN W/O THEM.Donna Jordon wrote: Stayed to the 1200 calories and no matter what pain I had I forced myself to exercise every morning first thing, I got up early enough to do it first thing or I knew I wouldn't. So I put it in my head I had to and I have alot of pain due to fybromyalgia, arthritis, screws in my feet and bad knees (one may still need replaced some day), but I didn't use pain as a way out. I also made sure I drank all my water and

took my vitamins just like they are teaching you for the life long journey. I couldn't walk, do treadmill, aerobics and all with all my health issues. So I started out with chair dancing from the Kaiser Education center, I did it faithfully everyday. I started at 270 pounds, I did finally start doing some walking before surgery at 228 pounds. Now at 138 I can walk 5 miles, ride my bicycle, do swim aerobics, I just painted my bedroom, bathroom, garage, did all my yards and moved lots of furniture in the last 4 weeks, I believe anything can be done now. I still have pain, I've learned to life with it and that it is a part of my life. I know that when I don't exercise I get much stiffer and it's harder to do the moving. So I exercise all the time and am very active. It takes telling yourself you have to do this to get where you need to be. I love it. I will be gone to Colorado as of Saturday, no computer and looking

forward to a great vacation. Take care. Donnadamaris wrote: Donna, what did you do to lose the 10% so quickly? damaris > > > > I had seen the gastric bypass shows and I was wondering if anyone > else > > had the same reaction as I did. I was shocked that the woman was > > eating lettuce and tomatoes and complaining that she couldn't keep > > food down. I had seen a few shows in the past and the running > theme > > is that they wanted the surgery and got it. No classes no > lifestyle > > changes. While the people who had the surgery were in need of help > it > > seemed that the after care was not there. The one man that was bed > > bound was drinking soda! It was the only thing that he could keep > >

down. Is there different criteria for different surgeries? Is > Kaiser > > the only health plan that is requiring that you go to classes? > > it does seem like a pain but I think in the end it is more helpful > > that you have someone around to help with the life changes that you > > have to do in order to lose and keep the weight off. > > > > > > > __________________________________________________ >

[Guest guest]

, I don't mean to get all religious here on you

but one thing I know for sure. The three facilities

at KP that do the surgery do things differently as we

are all reading about. I hear man say that it can

take one to two years but I have learned that prayer

and being faithful makes a world of difference. Man

don't always have the final say so about what happens

in our life. God is truly concerned about you and

your health and what effects/affects you and your

life. You pray about the situation and then you leave

it with God and allow Him to do His perfect will in

your life. I am going to pray about you and your

situation and whatsoever God has in store for you we

are just going to have to trust Him. If I were there

I would give you a big hug but since I can't I am

sending you this virtual one. Be encouraged and God

never fails...NEVER.

Pam Marsh

--- wrote:

> I absolutely agree that we are blessed to be in a

> program that

> offers a wealth of information, training, and

> support. I know that

> the " extended " time this program takes will allow me

> to learn what

> is neccesary so that I do not gain the weight back

> or develop

> complications. As much as I know this, I still

> cannot help but get

> frustrated with the lenght of time. I guess for me

> it took a long

> time to make the decision and get the initial

> referal from my pcp so

> I feel like I have already been waiting years for

> this to happen.

> In addition, I have been currently waiting for three

> months now just

> to get an appointment for my psych eval.

> Supposedly, there is a

> really long waiting list and lots of people try to

> get the surgery.

> So now, according to the nutritionist I saw, this

> has become a two

> year process instead of one. There are definetly

> days when the

> waiting gets to me and I want to be able to move on

> with a healthier

> life. I know, I know, I must be patient and remind

> myself that each

> day is another opportunity to learn, grow, and

> improve healthy

> behaviors and that even after the surgery this is a

> lifetime

> process.

>

>

>

>

>

> > > >

> > > > I had seen the gastric bypass shows and I was

> > > wondering if anyone

> > > else

> > > > had the same reaction as I did. I was shocked

> that

> > > the woman was

> > > > eating lettuce and tomatoes and complaining

> that

> > > she couldn't keep

> > > > food down. I had seen a few shows in the past

> and

> > > the running

> > > theme

> > > > is that they wanted the surgery and got it. No

> > > classes no

> > > lifestyle

> > > > changes. While the people who had the surgery

> were

> > > in need of help

> > > it

> > > > seemed that the after care was not there. The

> one

> > > man that was bed

> > > > bound was drinking soda! It was the only thing

> > > that he could keep

> > > > down. Is there different criteria for

> different

> > > surgeries? Is

> > > Kaiser

> > > > the only health plan that is requiring that

> you go

> > > to classes?

> > > > it does seem like a pain but I think in the

> end it

> > > is more helpful

> > > > that you have someone around to help with the

> life

> > > changes that you

> > > > have to do in order to lose and keep the

> weight

> > > off.

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> __________________________________________________

> > >

[Guest guest]

I have pain and some swelling w/o them, but I've overcome when I have the pain even when it's bad. I do know with all the exercise, it keeps me from getting stiff and I can do things much better. Drinking all the water also has helped, with the water and the exercise my feet and legs swell so much less, and with all the weight loss, it is just amazing. I'm off so many medicines that I use to think I could never be, you'll be so surprized how this really helps your health. Take care. Donna Rhinehart wrote: Donna, HOW HAS IT

BEEN WITH NO ANTI INFLAMS? I AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT SINCE I HAVE TERRIBLE PAIN W/O THEM.Donna Jordon wrote: Stayed to the 1200 calories and no matter what pain I had I forced myself to exercise every morning first thing, I got up early enough to do it first thing or I knew I wouldn't. So I put it in my head I had to and I have alot of pain due to fybromyalgia, arthritis, screws in my feet and bad knees (one may still need replaced some day), but I didn't use pain as a way out. I also made sure I drank all my water and took my vitamins just like they are teaching you for the life long journey. I couldn't walk, do treadmill, aerobics and all with all my health issues. So I started out with chair dancing from the Kaiser Education center, I did it faithfully

everyday. I started at 270 pounds, I did finally start doing some walking before surgery at 228 pounds. Now at 138 I can walk 5 miles, ride my bicycle, do swim aerobics, I just painted my bedroom, bathroom, garage, did all my yards and moved lots of furniture in the last 4 weeks, I believe anything can be done now. I still have pain, I've learned to life with it and that it is a part of my life. I know that when I don't exercise I get much stiffer and it's harder to do the moving. So I exercise all the time and am very active. It takes telling yourself you have to do this to get where you need to be. I love it. I will be gone to Colorado as of Saturday, no computer and looking forward to a great vacation. Take care. Donnadamaris wrote: Donna, what did you do to lose the 10% so quickly? damaris > > > > I had seen the gastric bypass shows and I was wondering if anyone > else > > had the same reaction as I did. I was shocked that the woman was > > eating lettuce and tomatoes and complaining that she couldn't keep > > food down. I had seen a few shows in the past and the running > theme > > is that they wanted the surgery and got it. No classes no > lifestyle > > changes. While the people who had the surgery were in need of help > it > > seemed that the after care was not there. The one man that was bed > > bound was drinking soda! It was the only thing that he could keep > > down. Is there different criteria for different surgeries? Is > Kaiser > > the only health plan that is requiring that you go to classes? > > it does seem like a pain but I think in the end it is more helpful >

> that you have someone around to help with the life changes that you > > have to do in order to lose and keep the weight off. > > > > > > > __________________________________________________ >

[Guest guest]

It is a exercising VHS or DVD depending on the Kaiser, that you get it from. You can borrow it or buy it, it does exercises that you do totally setting down. Looks funny watching it, and using paper plates for some of the exercises, but once you start it when your heavy, and not use to having exercise, you'll be surprised that it does really work you out. This was the only way I could of started exercising, I am so thankful. Ask at the Education Center at Kaiser, they have lots of information there. Take care. DonnaShelly wrote: im just curious what is chair dancing? Donna Jordon wrote: Just start with the chair dancing, make things work for you. You can do this, you must do this, you have to change the way you think and it will work for you. Take care. Donnadamaris wrote: yeah i am using the pain--knees and back as a way out of exercisingand telling myself i am doing the right thing by not exercising...ihave to change my way of thinking.....damaris>

> >> > > I had seen the gastric bypass shows and I was wondering if anyone > > else > > > had the same reaction as I did. I was shocked that the woman was > > > eating lettuce and tomatoes and complaining that she couldn't keep > > > food down. I had seen a few shows in the past and the running > > theme > > > is that they wanted the surgery and got it. No classes no > > lifestyle > > > changes. While the people who had the surgery were in need of help > > it > > > seemed that the after care was not there. The one man that was bed > > > bound was drinking soda! It was the only thing that he could keep > > > down. Is there different criteria for different surgeries? Is > > Kaiser > > > the only health plan that is requiring that you go to classes?> > > it does seem like a pain but I think in the end it is more helpful > > > that you have someone around to help with the life changes thatyou > > > have to do in order to lose and keep the weight off.> > >> > > > > > > > > > __________________________________________________> >

[Guest guest]

Starting your vitamin regimen is a good thing once you start your 1200 calorie meal plan, it will help you feel good as you cut down on your food intake. Plus you will be on a vitamin regimen for the rest of your life once you have WLS and this helps you prepare. I can't remember how much everyone else takes, I take more than most due to my body doesn't absorb them well. The vitamins are calcium citrate, iron, multivitamin (I take Flinstone w/iron) this is on top of my iron, and B-12 sublingual (melts under your tongue). I won't tell you how many since my case is different. Someone else can chime in for that, or ask the Bariatric department. Take care. Donna Rhinehart wrote: You guys are truley an inspiration. I need your encouragement . I am waiting for my acceptance letter any day now. I will start the 1200 cal next wk and an exercise program. Do I need to also start on the vit regimen, and what should I take?manisodream wrote: Donna: I did the same things you did. I followed the 1200 calorie meal plan to the letter, and I exercised for one hour a day, 7 days a week. I lost 35 lbs in two months (from Orientation to Surgery). My total pre-surgery weight loss was 51 lbs. I changed my mindset about exercise and eating. I viewed it as

medicine that I needed to "take" in order to get better. I encouraged myself instead of beating myself up. I was a man with a plan, and there was NOTHING or NOBODY that was gonna get in my way to have this surgery. I was focused on me, my needs and my goals for the first time in my life. It was MY turn to take of MY needs first. I gave myself the permission to take care of me. It was incredibly empowering and necessary in order to get to goal. Francisco > > > > > > I had seen the gastric bypass shows and I was wondering if anyone > > else > > > had the same reaction as I did. I was shocked that the woman was > > > eating lettuce and tomatoes and complaining that she couldn't keep > > > food down. I had seen a few shows in the past and the running > > theme > > > is that they wanted the surgery and got it. No classes no > > lifestyle > > > changes. While the people who had the surgery were in need of help > > it > > > seemed that the after care was not there. The one man that was bed > > > bound was drinking soda! It was the only thing that he could keep > > > down. Is there different criteria for different surgeries? Is > > Kaiser > > > the only health plan that is requiring that you go to classes? > > > it does seem like a pain but I think in the end it is more helpful > > > that you have someone around to help with the life changes that you > > > have to do in order to lose and keep the weight off. > > > > >

> > > > > > > > __________________________________________________ > >

[Guest guest]

I was doing Bariatric Advantage, then prenatal, then Flintstones. My body works best with the Flintstones, maybe because there chewable. Not sure just absorbs more. They have all of them doing the right thing now since I take extra, my labs are staying good. So a few extra vitamins and now I'm like a kid, look forward to my Flintstones. Take care. Donnapegmo1212 wrote: I take the same except instead of the Flintson's they have me taking two prenatal vits every day. Don't know why those but at least they go down

easy. PEGGY > > > > > > > > I had seen the gastric bypass shows and I was wondering if > anyone > > > else > > > > had the same reaction as I did. I was shocked that the woman > was > > > > eating lettuce and tomatoes and complaining that she couldn't > keep > > > > food down. I had seen a few shows in the past and the running > > > theme > > > > is that they wanted the surgery and got it. No classes no > > > lifestyle > > > > changes. While the people who had the surgery were in need of > help > > > it > > > > seemed that the after care was not there. The one man that was > bed > > > > bound was drinking soda! It was the only thing that he could > keep > > > > down. Is there different criteria for different surgeries? Is > > > Kaiser > > > > the only health plan that is requiring that you go to classes? > > > > it does seem like a pain but I think in the end it is more > helpful > > > > that you have someone around to help with the life changes > that you > > > > have to do in order to lose and keep the weight off. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > __________________________________________________ > > >

[Guest guest]

Hey everyone, I just got my acceptance letter in today's mail!!! WoooHooo!!! (are the pre natal vits rx and if so does Kaiser pay for them?) I am stoked!! Monday starts my 1200 calorie plan and exercise. I need all hands on deck to say more than just a little prayer for little ole me. Hang in there guys who are still waiting. It will come. YEEHAW!!!pegmo1212 wrote: I take the same except instead of the Flintson's they have me taking two prenatal vits every day. Don't know why those but at least they go

down easy. PEGGY > > > > > > > > I had seen the gastric bypass shows and I was wondering if > anyone > > > else > > > > had the same reaction as I did. I was shocked that the woman > was > > > > eating lettuce and tomatoes and complaining that she couldn't > keep > > > > food down. I had seen a few shows in the past and the running > > > theme > > > > is that they wanted the surgery and got it. No classes no > > > lifestyle > > > > changes. While the people who had the surgery were in need of > help > > > it > > > > seemed that the after care was not there. The one man that was > bed > > > > bound was drinking soda! It was the only thing that he could > keep > > > > down. Is there different criteria for different surgeries? Is > > > Kaiser > > > > the only health plan that is requiring that you go to classes? > > > > it does seem like a pain but I think in the end it is more > helpful > > > > that you have someone around to help with the life changes > that you > > > > have to do in order to lose and keep the weight off. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > __________________________________________________ > > >

[Guest guest]

, CONGRATS! Kaiser does not pay for the

vitamins/iron/calcium/b-12 but they do cover the EKG,

labs, hospital stay procedure.

Congrats!

Pam Marsh

--- damaris wrote:

> CONGRATULATIONS denise....happy for you, dama

>

>

>

> > > > > I think that all the doctors leaving

> Kaiser has benefit for

> > the

> > > NON

> > > > k people...they will benefit from the same

> program we have been

> > > > blessed with. One of the docs is part of

> my clients and I

> > chuckle

> > > > when I see the preops questioning the hoops

> they have to get to

> > > > instead of the okay i want the surgery

> give

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