Now more confused than ever!

I talked to a friend tonight who had RNY with Dr. Freeman in Anniston, AL in July, and she is just thrilled with her surgery. She's lost 45 lbs at 2 months out, she started at 275 lbs. She says she has never dumped, and other patients with Dr. F never have either. Dr. Freeman is a lot closer, and he's also had the surgery himself which is a big plus in my book. But then I see all the revisions to DS and wonder if I should just cut to the chase.... I just don't know. I'm planning on having the surgery if possible over my next quarter break (in December--my Christmas present to me!), but I just don't know. The two surgeries seem to have about the same pros and cons, and both Dr. Appel and Dr. Freeman are on my insurance, but I've also seen that USHC tends to not want to pay for DS but will pony up for RNY... I have decided though that I will be calling both doctors this week and set up consultations with both. That's probably going to be my best bet--go straight to the horses' mouths, so to speak... I probably should explain why I'm fretting about how far a drive it is--my husband is a very taciturn person and I'm not altogether sure how he feels about my having WLS. I know he won't want to drive 2 hrs to Dr. Appel, and probably won't be real thrilled about driving to Anniston altho it's only about 45 min away. I want to make it convenient for him...or should I say ta heck with you, this is for ME... Argh. Lorri

I think consults are very wise to help you make your decision. I had lap RNY a little over a month ago and I am very pleased with everything. My husband and I had to travel appx 1.5 hrs to the surgeon and hospital. Perhaps a good heart to heart discussion with your husband about how you feel about the surgery and explaining what they do will help. He will be your most important support person through it all. My husband says it is not something he would ever consider for himself, but that he supports me in my decision to have it done. He has been wonderful through it all. Hugs! Tracy

Lorri, do the consults. After which you should have a better idea of which direction you will want to go. Talk to your husband now. Just ask him how he feels about you considering the surgery. I know I had to break mine in nice and easy...nothing too serious at first mention...just a "I'm looking into...." type comment. My husband is real slow to warm up to things....but broken in gently, he is and has been very supportive. As far as the drive, my husband went to the hospital with me for the surgery...otherwise I've gone to all my appts. without him, so it did not effect him either way. Not dumping....well, I haven't dumped, been nauseous (?sp) or had any of those issues. But many do, and you just don't know if you will until after the fact....unfortunately. But I'm willing to bet after your consults you will be ready to make your decision based on the Dr.'s and the info. you have researched. Good luck to you. AJ

Angela, my Mike is like your husband, very quiet and not one to comment much. I've already done the "I'm seriously looking at..." and have tossed around some comments like "If I have WLS my stomach will be this big" and such...I also reported all the things Crystal (my AL friend I talked to) had told me. But this morning I took the bull by the horns and told him this was most likely going to be happening. He said he would support my decision, his only concern was the timing (I was laid off in June, and I'm on COBRA right now and on unemployment while I finish school). We're basically living on unemployment and savings right now. I told him I understood that, but that without the surgery I didn't think I could work in massage therapy because it hurts my back and legs so. My diabetes is getting a bit difficult, and the hypertension and high cholesterol medicines make me feel bad all the time. The surgery should at least let me cut back on the medicines if not get rid of them altogether. I told him I wished I'd thought of doing this before I was laid off, but I didn't. But I do know that COBRA will run out in 18 mos, and there is no way I can get other insurance at a reasonable rate. GA is one of the states that requires insurers to carry high-risk people like me who don't have any other options, but at what cost?? I feel like I'm backed into a corner now about my weight--I can continue to ignore it and tell myself that I can lose it with diet and exercise (which has worked so well for the past 47 years! NOT!) or I can go ahead and do something about it. He thought for a minute and said, "Well, I wish the timing was better, but I respect your decision whatever you decide to do, and I'll support you." So THAT'S good news. I see my PCP Thursday and I'm telling her this is what I'm going to do. Hopefully she won't be dead-set against it. I'm also calling Dr. Freeman tomorrow and arranging a consultation next week. Lorri