Nervous - ThinnerTimes

Tawanda · 01-18-2006, 12:19 PM

Tomorrow is my appointment with my cardiologist. I'm hoping that I will be able to convince him to write an intensive letter about my valve condition and why it is life threatening and medically necessary for me to have WLS.

I'm very nervous and stressed. Not only is this letter very important for my appeal (obviously), but I also HATE going to see him in the first place. He's brutal. I just know he's going to look over his glasses at me and scowl. I can hear it now...."And just WHY haven't you been following the dietician's recommendations from two years ago?"..."Do you want to be dead by the time you're 50?"..."I told you that you need to exercise more...you've put on 15 pounds since I saw you two years ago, you're supposed to be LOSING!".

Grrrrr....grrrrrr....and more grrrr....

I'll bet I will be bawling my eyes out by the time I leave his office.

ajmoe · 01-18-2006, 12:25 PM

Tawanda, that is horrible. I am so sorry that he treats you like that. What does he think you are seeking the surgery of course it is because you want to be healthier and lose weight and sustain it. So you are doing what is necessary for you not to be dead at 50. We all know that diets just don't work no matter how many doctors think they should. We have all came to this decision to pursue weight loss surgery so that we could lose the weight and keep it off.
Good luck with your cardiologist. If he is serious about wanting you to lose weight and be healthy he should write a very convincing letter. Just tell him to look at the studies that show this does work.
GOOD LUCK!!!

Domus · 01-18-2006, 12:46 PM

Be honest with this man! Look him in the eye and tell of the anxiety he's caused you. Then tell him that you expect him to treat you with the respect a fellow human being deserves, and not to treat you as a child to be chastised. And finally, tell him that until he walks a day in your shoes, he can't even begin to understand why it is not always simply eat less, excercise more!

(She gets down off her soapbox..lol)

LizardQueen · 01-18-2006, 02:35 PM

You shouldn't ever have to go pay someone to treat you like that! Just tell him what you have told us-this is a matter of life and death and you need his help to get healthy. If he continues to be rude tell him to drop dead and find a new doc. If he makes you feel bad tommorrow, I want you to really consider finding a new doc that treats you with the respect you deserve! Now, you go to that appt and lay down the law for him! You don't have to take any crap!

blvnhm · 01-18-2006, 03:30 PM

Amber said it....YOU PAY HIM...and if he treats you like that, tell him to kiss it and find a new doctor. You might want to also suggest to him to educate himself about the MO as well. Inform him that only 2% of the MO can lose weight with diet and exercise and unfortunately, you're not part of the 2%. Losing weight is always easier said than done. Good luck girl and dont let him intimidate you!

BethBaugh · 01-18-2006, 03:36 PM

I love people who can quote statistics and help make words that validate what I'm feeling. Take care of yourself and don't beat yourself up. We've all been there. Usually the fear of the visit is worse than the visit. Here's a little prayer that the doc is either more kind and understanding or his on call doctor is, and is called in when he is called away.

Beth B. in TN
319/277/206/150

I haven't weighed since in DEC. I go for my 6 month checkup on the 26th. I'm nervous too and my docs wonderful.

Bypassingme619 · 01-18-2006, 04:13 PM

Twanda go in there prepared. You seem to already know what he might say, have all you info ready. Have all your facts and satistics ready for him. Don't back down be stern about this. Even if he doesn't want to write the letter then you know you when in fighting. If things don't go good with him remember you have the right to a second opinion. He word is not the final word if it isn't what you want. Stay strong, you'll do fine.

Tawanda · 01-18-2006, 04:29 PM

Awww girls...thanks for all your words of encouragement.

The thing is...my cardiologist is the one who recommended that I have this surgery in the first place...almost three years ago. But he wanted me to try yet another dieting/exercise plan first. I know he's not against WLS, since he brought it up, actually.

He referred me to the surgeon and sent his findings over there to be in the packet to my insurance company the first time around. But the surgeon's office says that his explanation of my condition was not severe enough to sway the insurance company the first time around and that is why they want me to go talk to him again.

I'm just having anxiety over the fact that I didn't succeed at his alternate suggestion. It's like being one big failure. And I know him well enough to know that he is going to pounce on it.

I wish I could just somehow get his scowling and adamently judgemental attitude to be directed in a letter to my insurance company, rather than at me. And I'm not very good at begging, especially when I'm already in the dog house for not sticking to his suggested alternate plan.

Ack!

okiegrl · 01-18-2006, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tawanda

I'm just having anxiety over the fact that I didn't succeed at his alternate suggestion. It's like being one big failure. And I know him well enough to know that he is going to pounce on it.

I wish I could just somehow get his scowling and adamently judgemental attitude to be directed in a letter to my insurance company, rather than at me. And I'm not very good at begging, especially when I'm already in the dog house for not sticking to his suggested alternate plan.

Tell him that since he is so good at intimidating his patients, could he please use that intimidation with the insurance company

Best of luck for you tomorrow.

coptergirl · 01-18-2006, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Domus

Be honest with this man! Look him in the eye and tell of the anxiety he's caused you. Then tell him that you expect him to treat you with the respect a fellow human being deserves, and not to treat you as a child to be chastised. And finally, tell him that until he walks a day in your shoes, he can't even begin to understand why it is not always simply eat less, excercise more!

(She gets down off her soapbox..lol)

Took the words right out of my mouth!! Tawanda...add some raised-in-the-air- fists to drive your point home

Hang in there sweetie!