Re: Great physical exam from Primary Care Physician

I had my yearly physical with my primary doctor last week. Great news. I've never been more healthier. I feel good. My cholesterol dropped 21 points from 181-160 since my 7-05 physical. Both LDL and HDL(good and bad cholesterol) were normal. My blood sugar was normal. I was borderline diabetic before surgery. I got off 1 dosage of Protonix, now only need to take 1x day. My primary care doctor said I should be the office poster child for gastric bypass. He's so happy I had it done. At 1st he said I shouldn't do it. He said I should have tried the good old diet and exercise route. I could have done it but it may have taken me along long time to lose what I have in 1yr. He had a change of heart everytime I came in to the office either for a sick visit or for my yrly physical. I always weighed less. The Jewish holidays ended tonight(Hooray). Tired of temple. It was a long 2 weeks to prepare for. Anyways, there are about 400 people that my mother-in-law holds services for. All 400 or so came up and told me how great I look. I liked hearing it a few times but not every moment. Although it was nice to hear, it also got old. I see my surgeon on 10-19-06. 1yr and 1 day after my surgery. Hope I do well. Had a few bad weeks, but hopefully I put that behind me. Thanks for listening, Lisa J. in Mass

Lisa, you and me both, we're the poster children for WLS! The NP in my doctor's office, who I first asked about WLS, said she didn't think I was a good candidate, said I should try diet and exercise, she really discouraged me. I am SO GLAD I didn't listen to her. I thought about it long and hard, and a few weeks later, wrote a letter to my MD, explained my weight history to him, outlined my health risks, and explained why I thought WLS was right for me. I said I needed a medical team that would back me up and support my decision and asked if their office was the right place for me. So...now a year later, when I go in to to their office, they tell me how great I look and what a good decision I made! I hope they will be more supportive of the next person who is seeking WLS. Healthy cholesterol levels, healthy blood sugar levels, good for you! That's what it's all about. Yes, being more slender is nice and all, but it's the health indicators that have me really excited about all of our progress. Lisa, you're living a healthier life, and probably a longer life, and definitely a more enjoyable life. We stand every chance of living our later years having fun and being active, instead of confined to wheelchairs, taking insulin shots, needing dialysis, suffering strokes, and taking pills every day for blood pressure, cholesterol, heart disease, and all the other evils that come with excess body weight. Congratulations on your wonderful success! Sheryl