Getting records

Hi all, I just posted about this on the main RNY board, but thought I'd share with ya'll too. I made up a list last night after my consult about where all I was going to try to get records from, and in between interviewing at work today I picked one at random to call and see what I had to do to get records. Honestly it was a Dr. I saw for weight loss a LONG time ago, and I wouldn't have been surprised if there weren't any records left. But they found them in a minute and told me the charge and stuff. I took off about a half hour early and ran to pick them up. I had monthly weigh ins, blood tests, blood pressure and cholesterol tests (both were borderline even back then) urinalysis, what diet pills they put me on and everything. Best part, it was more than about 9 months worth, when I believe I will need 6 months for my insurance. Problem is it was from 1998 and early 1999, when I stopped because I got pregnant. So I'm hopeful this will be sufficient for my insurance but am worried about it being almost 10 years old. Funny part, I remember this woman that worked in there and I remember her always being gruff and intimidating and even a little rude, and today while the other woman was getting my copies she asks me if I'm having surgery. I couldn't believe she just asked me like that! Too funny. I said I was thinking about it and then she asked me if I was going to St. Vincent's. Then the other woman asked me if I was considering the lap band and I said I was considering the bypass. They then started discussing the pros & cons and told me I should consider the band. Then they said they give B-12 injections there so if I get the surgery I'm welcome to come to them for that. I just laughed about it, but kind of brings home why I'm seriously thinking of keeping the whole thing to myself. Boy, people sure don't hesitate to give you their opinions! I didn't mind really, but I didn't go in there planning on discussing my potential surgery with total strangers! Anyway, hope everyone's having a good Thursday evening. Almost Friday! If anyone knows if a really old physician supervised diet is sufficient for insurance approval please let me know! Guess I'll find out one way or the other before too long though. Kim

Hi Kim, I can't say if the supervised diet will qualify for your insurance, but I thought I'd put my 2 cents in about talking to people about your surgery (yes, even fellow wls patients feel the need to offer their opinions without being asked ): Whether or not you tell anyone is definitely a personal decision. Personally, I told anyone who would listen. I was too excited about it to keep it to myself. And I found people to be very curious. And sometimes very opinionated, but always because they had my best interests at heart. Whether they agreed with my decision to have the surgery or not, they only wanted what they perceived to be best for me. Consequently, I learned to take it all in stride. If they thought the surgery was a bad idea, I just thanked them for their concern and explained that I thought it was the best decision I could make to improve my health. Most of the time, they would back off and accept that I had made up my mind. I found all the support I got from the people who agreed with me to far outweigh the negative reactions I got. And since my surgery (I'm eleven months out now and down 76 lbs), even the "naysayers" have complemented me on the positive changes. Whatever you decide about telling people, eventually they are going to notice the changes and ask about it. Take whatever positive comments you get and ignore everything else, because in the end you are having this surgery to improve your life and well being. Nothing anyone else thinks about the methods you use to to do that counts for anything. You are the only one who can make these choices and you will live with the consequences of those choices. Thank goodness they are such GOOD consequences! Here's wishing you a safe surgery and speedy recovery! Cindy