Tripler's WLS Program

The 1st thing you do is go to your PCM (primary care manager) and ask for a referral to the bariatric clinic at Tripler.

To qualify for WLS (weight loss surgery) you need to be 40+BMI or 35+BMI w/2 co-morbidities. Some co-morbidities include the norms plus PCOS, infertility, & no ovulation counts!

From what i've researched the program is about 4-6 months. If you are really consistent on doing what they want you to do and seem like you are really into doing the program by showing up at the wednesday Lean support groups & wednesday evening walks.


Basic outline of their program...

Info Session
Lean Seminar
Bariatric Seminar (you'll get orders in the system to do an EKG at Tripler, which is really fast, and some fasting blood work at this seminar)
Lean counselor Appointments (normally 2 appointments minimum)
Nutrition Appointments (no limit, they determine when you move on based on what you've done to change your diet and your understanding of the process)
Psychology Evaluation (min. of three appointments)
Pre-op
Surgery

So you do all of that above, plus they have meetings (lean support group) on Wednesday's and a walk in the evenings.
They want you to go to at least 4 of the meetings & 4 of the walks. BUT they want to see if your really into the program, so the more you go.. the more you show how serious you are. They wont let you move on in the program until they think you are ready.

Your weigh in to determine your eligibility is on the same day as your first info session.

You'll have to lose 5% of your body weight before surgery.

TIPS:

Start your food log now!
You don't have to be on a diet, but they want a baseline for your eating habits. Write down what you eat, and calories, at minimum. You can use fitday.com or mydailyplate.com or spark people, it doesn't matter which, but they want a 30 day food log before you can see your lean counselor for the first time. You'll be keeping a food log during the whole program and after the surgery.

I use fitday.com and I also input the info into Excel program. It's more organized and I will print it out and bring it with me to my aptmt with the Lean Counserlor. You can just write in down in a journal if you want. Here is a sample of what I do..Click to zoom in.