TAMMY???

Hi Tammy, just checking in - how are you doing?? Maureen

Thanks Maureen! I'm doing just okay - actually I've not been eating like the doctor wants me to - eating like I've already had the bypass surgery - which is kind of ridiculious because if I were able to eat like I had the surgery then I wouldn't bother with it now would I? I've been eating like a "normal" person would eat - which as you know isn't how "we" are supposed to eat........anyway - I'm in good spirits although I'm totally not looking forward to my appointment on 5/28 - I'm still having circular thoughts......how are you?

Hi Tammy,

I've been thinking of you often.. & sending good thoughts your way.

I know Dr. R is a little hard core.. It took me a long time to build a relationship with him as a patient.  A good year.

He really is no nonsense.. but I have to give him his props.. he truly cares for our well being & success.  If it wasn't for him taking me on with my mess I don't know where I would be with my health.

He keeps in touch with me (& his office) just checking in to see how I'm feeling/concerns etc. 
He has sent me to a hemotologist as my blood counts are once again in the crapper. (Lower than when I was internally bleeding a year ago.)  I have heard from him & his office more in the past year as a patient than with my former Dr who I was with for 3 years. 

I'm not in for a good time next week.  I'll be having a major overhaul done to my blood next Wednesday and I've been warned that it will not be a cake walk & I'll be very ill for a few days.  

However I believe if it wasn't for Dr. R being overly thorough and as "hard core" as he is, I wouldn't have received the care that I'm getting now. 

I dread appointments & the scale.. (He knows this) but he also knows that there's a balance & I do everything I can to play by the rules of by-pass.  We talk about it each time I see him.  He is encouraging and supportive.. everytime I see him he asks the same questions.. 
Protein intake
How are you feeling
Excersice (he also is a BIG health nut) 
Next steps to take.

I believe he gets a little "hard" on those that aren't using the tool to the full potential and it's more dissappointment (like a father to a kid) than anything.  I've heard him get very angry over a patient smoking & refused to do the surgery.  He really is no nonsense and believes in the surgery.

Hang in there Tammy.. I'm sending you lots of support & hugs.. please holler if you
need anything

HUggaroos

Thanks Mickey - my last appointment went sooo much better - Dr. R explained that he thought I wasn't committed to the revision surgery and apologized that I was upset at the last appointment - now that we are both on the same page, things are much better - I know where he's coming from and you are right - we talked extensively how he is not pleased when people don't follow the rules - he was not pleased that I was only taking in about 45 grams of protein a day - he really stressed that I need to be eating 110 a day and was very informative. He also took a lot of time with me and I just feel so much better and more confident with him. I'm glad I gave him another chance, he definitely does seem like a surgeon who does care, and wants to see people win the battle with obesity.... Anyway - How are you doing?