Totally frustrated and not feeling the "love and support"

Hey there everyone, Well after a nightmarish trip with my first psych evaluation, I made it through the second. I think I did alright. I went with one of the recommendations from my surgeon's office. One thing that has been said over and over, everytime I tell someone I'm planning on having "the" surgery..is the..."are you sure that is what you want to do, this surgery is for people that are compulsive eaters. thats not you!???" I just dropped $500 for the psych evaluation, took 3 hours from work to drive to somewhere far far away, I'm thinking..."im here..im going through all the poking and prodding and dropping $500 for you, what do you think??" Today I went to see my endocrinologist for a followup on my diabetes. I mention to her that I've talked to my PCP about "the" surgery and that the PCP totally approves of the idea. Right off the bat, she starts in with the good ole..."that surgery is for people with eating disorders. thats not you. You are just insulin resistant. This surgery will not solve your problems" Then she went on and on about how I have to give time for my body to ajust to the meds and that soon the weight will be coming off with ease. Hello...I'm 40 yrs old and as of today..im officially on 13 medications! I told her about how I think one of the meds she gave me is making me gain weight because since i started this med 2 months ago, I've gained 8 lbs with no significant changes in my eating habits! I explained to her that I did some research on the internet and many people claim that this medicine has not only caused weight gain but also has caused spikes in their blood sugar (my hba1c went up too). But nooooo, she didn't want to entertain my thoughts on the surgery or on my internet findings, all she wanted to do was lecture me on patience and that WLS is not for me. Has anyone else come across these problems?? My surgeon seems to be the only one that is totally gun ho about this. My PCP is supportive too but definitely doesnt have the same level of enthusiasm as the surgeon. I'm starting to get very cynical on all ends wondering if this is all just a money issue and wondering *****ally has my best interest at heart. With the surgery, its obvious the surgeon has alot to gain and the endocrinologist has more to lose. Is it all about money or what????? Is this surgery really for people with eating disorders like the dr(s) said or can someone like me who gained the majority of this weight from overprescribed steroids in a ten year period, really benefit from this surgery?? to add insult to injury...blue cross ppo gave me my first rejection citing that i need to provide 5 year history of morbid obesity and treatment of such. This is such an uphill battle! Thanks everyone for giving me the forum to vent Roxy

I don't know who is telling you that this surgery is good FOR compulsive overeaters and people with eating disorders. But that's pure crap. The most successful WLS patients (and the ones who have had the easiest time losing) that I know are the ones that didn't have to deal with issues of emotional eating and compulsive behaviors. The surgery only fixes your stomach not your brain. I still binge eat; I dump and it doesn't make me stop because my eating has a compulsive nature to it.

Yeah thats what I figured too. If you don't binge eat or have some eating disorder, it just makes it a bit easier without that compulsive component to eat when physically you can't handle that much. I'm totally out of sorts right now. I just read my psych eval and although I passed all the test, the psychologist says that perhaps I need to "investigate other avenues of weight loss, rather something as drastic". sighhh

Roxy, When I read your post,I just had to respond(you'll understand why).I had open RNY on 11/30/2004.My co-morbids were type 2 diabetes,high cholesterol,high blood pressure,PCOS.I was on 7 different types of meds.Today,I am MED FREE!!!!This is one main reason for my surgery!I've lost 70+ pounds.My hbA1C test (on 2 meds)was 7.4 prior to surgery.My may 17th hbA1c (on 0 meds) was 5.9 !!!My triglicerides(on 3 meds) was 875 prior to surgery.They are now(no meds) is 182.(Normal is 25 to 199).My cholesterol prior to surgery =253 (3 meds), now 161(no meds).Normal is (100-239) You see what this surgery has done for me? !!!!! I so strongly encourage you to do this surgery for your own good.I would do this again(in a heartbeat,without hesitation). I take a multivitamin twice daily,instead of 7 different meds.I've lost 70+ pounds.I feel super.I have lots more energy.I wore a tight womens size 26 on the day of surgery.I'm now in a comfortable size womens 14.(WOW!)And I'm still losing.I've got about 50 more pounds to go. Please feel free to write me.My PCP wants to have the surgery for herself,after seeing my lab results(she's blown away!!!) Paula Feel free to write me(I love to encourage people,especially what it's done for me!!)

Wow Paula, thats amazing and quite inspiring! As of this morning I am on 14 medications and its just very intimidating that at my age will I even make it too see my kids graduate college and get married and have kids! Reading your post and everyone else's post only reaffirms that I'm making the right decision. Thanks for sharing! roxy

Addison Il? I grew up in Addison and am still there DAILY! How strange

I am a compulsive eater. What the surgery has done is given me a tool to help battle and set the limits I can't. I dump, thankGod--because I know I would find ways around the surgery, test the limits until I found the crack. I think life after surgery would have to be easier if someone is not dealing with the "head hunger" issue. Me?, I believe in WLS, it has given me a new life--definately longer. And know that even though Drs, and nutritionists are "educated", it is up to you .Please keep learning, and find the way that is best for you. Good Luck, Bek