It's time...Now I need your help. - Page 5 - ThinnerTimes

Mavisavis · 02-04-2006, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustAnotherVictim1

Good morning everyone

I was wondering if some of you could explain to me your first trip to your Family Doctor, and how he reacted and what not when you finally told him your decision.

I know all stories are different, but I was just hoping to get an idea of what it'll be like...I am really nervous

Mine was surprisingly supportive. I thought because I was not too far over the line for qualifying that she might try and convince me to continue trying other things. But I lost 30 lbs not long before the visit and was heading back up and could not get it under control. I mentioned it to her then as something I was thinking about looking into. She simply said, "That's something you might want to consider." She had patients with great results and had been there to see the highs of my successes and the lows of the mounting health issues and regain. I am very greatful for the help and support she gave me.

AThinnerSandyFor2006 · 02-04-2006, 05:36 PM

Welcome to the forum.

JustAnotherVictim1 · 02-04-2006, 05:39 PM

Thanks Sandy.

lealphachienne · 02-04-2006, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustAnotherVictim1

Are you serious? She could do my eval.?

It was good enough for my insurance and surgeon.

As for my PCP, she recommended WLS before I even thought I qualified for it. She was proactive after I was seeing her consistently for 4 years. She acutally had me on a medicaly supervised diet in preparation, and I didn't even know it. She just wanted to se me monthly to oversee me weight loss efforts. She had seen me go up and down the whole time she knew me. When my health started to suffer, she jumped right in and advocated for me.

JustAnotherVictim1 · 02-04-2006, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lealphachienne

It was good enough for my insurance and surgeon.

As for my PCP, she recommended WLS before I even thought I qualified for it. She was proactive after I was seeing her consistently for 4 years. She acutally had me on a medicaly supervised diet in preparation, and I didn't even know it. She just wanted to se me monthly to oversee me weight loss efforts. She had seen me go up and down the whole time she knew me. When my health started to suffer, she jumped right in and advocated for me.

That's great.

I know I won't like this 6 month wait (if it comes to that), but it's something I have to do

AngelsKisses · 02-04-2006, 08:31 PM

I am 100% on your side and I feel your pain... I am 22 and I don't mean to discourge you in anyway, and I know things have changed so much in the last 4 years which is how long I have bee looking in to WLS. Everytime I have built up the courage to ask a doctor if I would be right for the surgery or what I would need to do in order to get the surgery they all have just said that I was too young and that people who quilify for the surgery are out of options but that because I was still "young" that I had not spent the time required to have WLS. This time I just ran into the perfect Nurse practionier... It was a total fluke too.. my appointment was at 9:45am but they were redoing the parking lot that day and I was 5 minutes late because I couldn't get a spot! This was after I danced around making an appointment for weeks scard of what the doctor would say... When the girl at the desk told me that they skipped me cause I was late I was so mad! I didn't make it a huge deal about it but the nurse practioner came out and said she would see me at 3 if that would be okay with me and that she was sorry but it was cold season and she had a lot of appointments. I agreed but almost called to cancel at least 5 times. When I made the appointment I said that I had a sore throat because I was embarrassed to tell the desk that I wanted surgery options like no on could tell that I was fat by looking at me. So when the nurse came in to check me out I said that my sore throat was gone but I kept my appoinment to talk about the Gastric Bypass. I then continued to explain to this woman who is probably only a size 3 how much I wanted it and although I was young I was more then prepared to handle the surgery and it is what I wanted more then anything!! I always have had a hard time talking about my weight with anyone even more so when they are so thin. But instead of brushing me off like all the other doctors she encouraged me and said that she totally understood everything and she would so what ever was in her power to help me acheive what I wanted. I almost cried... She said that she had helped many people prepare for GP and She set me up to get some blood work done and told me that we would complete the write up to my insurance to send me to a specialist! I then found out that was her last day before she was taking 3 months of medical leave and she stayed late to see me and then stayed later to get everything compleated! That was so far the best doctors appointment that I have ever been! So far I am not too much further but I am getting ready to turn in my first packet to Dr. Callery so I can have my first consultation.

Sorry for the excessive post this is just my first post after checking out this site for over a month... I guess I am just getting a little excited....

JustAnotherVictim1 · 02-04-2006, 08:40 PM

Yeah, lucky you!!

If worse comes to worse...I will try another PCP...

Dcycle · 02-05-2006, 08:30 AM

First wlcome to the forum this is a place of a lot of caring people.I too spent my childhood always dieting and trying to loose weight but didnt get to the critical point until my mid 20's.I had my surgery in March of 2001 and had spent the previous 10-12 years bustin my tail in the gym and working with trainers and nutritionist trying to drop the pounds.The worst thing was that with each failure I ended up gaining more than I lost.

My Primary care physician at the time I sought out WLS was not suportive at all and was not a fan of WLS and as far as I know is still not(I am no longer with the same medical group).That being said there were too many thing's he couldn't look past about my physical condition or my years of dieting.He was basically forced in to sending me for consultation as he knew I would go over his head.Documenting your journey is critical as because of mine my PCP realized that the usual liquid fast would be useless and it wasnt prescribed.

After I had lost my weight I had the oportunity to meet a 16 year old at church who had stopped going to school bacause being 400 lbs the ridicule was relentless.His mom approached me and had me talk with him and after we had a lengthy conversation he went to his doctor and explained his desire.His doctor recomended him for consult and was able to have the surgery.He met his goal weight and as far as I know has kept it off.I have heard all the non medical excuses for not letting teenagers have WLS and for everyone of them I can give you one as to why they should,especially if they have honestly made a concerted and determined effort to loose weight.My gosh we have 15-16 year old girls getting breast implants because of their supposed self image problems.Give me a break were talking about something life threatning not some vein cosmetic issue with a spoiled teenager.

I know by your post here you have weighed the pro's and con's.You have seen where you have been and where you want to be.Go in with all your history,explain your plan of attack(which must include exercise,this is the most important post op activity you will have FOREVER) and be able to tell him how this surgery is not only going to help erase the emotional scars but help you avoid the physical and medical problems that will end your life way sooner than it should.THIS IS ABOUT YOU AND YOUR CHANCE AT LIFE,PERIOD!

You are very inteligent and have been doing your homework.I am not a doctor but if it was up to me and I was,I would do whetever I could to see you got your desire.I wish you the best of luck and I'm sorry for the long reply but I am very impressed with your maturity and am pulling for you.I could say more but will leave that for after your surgery as I can share execise tips and such with you.Right now getting the surgery is the goal,but do try to esercise prior as the better condition before the easier the transition to exercise after.

JustAnotherVictim1 · 02-05-2006, 08:37 AM

Oh absolutely. I like walking, but I hate a lot of other things.

I am glad to see that you are for me getting the WLS, even with my age.

Right now for paperwork I have Weight Loss Attempts (SIX of them, none going over 20lbs weight loss). For my last diet (September 27th, 2005 until last month, 5 months or so) I have detailed information. When I weighed in, what I weighed, if only I could find out what I could eat. I could probably explain it in a paragraph because I ate a lot of the same things daily.

I also have a list of Doctor Visits (breathing/chest pain, asthma, endo. specialist visit, phys. ed. waiver *excessive activity at my weight*)...most of which are through THIS family doctor.

But yes, thanks for the support. I really do appreciate it and it really DOES boost my confidence level (even though it is already pretty high). For some reason I think it relies all on my PCP (who I think will be against it), but it really doesn't...

Mavisavis · 02-05-2006, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngelsKisses

I then continued to explain to this woman who is probably only a size 3 how much I wanted it and although I was young I was more then prepared to handle the surgery and it is what I wanted more then anything!! I always have had a hard time talking about my weight with anyone even more so when they are so thin. But instead of brushing me off like all the other doctors she encouraged me and said that she totally understood everything and she would so what ever was in her power to help me acheive what I wanted. I almost cried... She said that she had helped many people prepare for GP and She set me up to get some blood work done and told me that we would complete the write up to my insurance to send me to a specialist! I then found out that was her last day before she was taking 3 months of medical leave and she stayed late to see me and then stayed later to get everything compleated! That was so far the best doctors appointment that I have ever been!

I was nervous when I went to the required Psych eval and the women was about that size! lol But she was awesome. She was so kind and supportive, and actually told me she has seen much success. I have consciously worked on not discriminating against all thin folks just because of the behavior of a few. I have gotten as much support and encouragement from thin women as I have heavy ones. It's all about the heart.