Any advice

Hello everyone, I am new to this site and this is my first post. I am hoping to RNY. I currently attend the support group in Crofton (Love all you ladies). I am going to a seminar in July on the 10th for Dr Schwitzcher (sp) and then my first appoinment in August 13th. The reason for my post is this. I was asked my Dr S office to bring a letter of medical necasary with my from my primary doctor. I saw my doctor today and he told me that he was not going to write one until the surgeon told him what he need to write. I do see a endo doc and he wrote me a letter of necasary. Today was very depressing as this is my first of many bumps in the road. You see I lost 60 pounds from Aug 2005 til Aug 2006 with the help of metfromin. I had to stop the medince though due to reactions I was having. And now I find out today that I have gained 10 pounds back. I called the Weight loss program at Bayview and they can not see me until July 16th. The program is going to be 600.00 there about and I am not sure if I can afford that or not. I was wondering if I should wait for the weight loss program apt or shoudl I try a weigh****cher type program until I can see them. Anyone have any advice I would greatly appreicate it. Thanks and I can not wait to be on the loser bench with the rest of you. Kellie

Kellie, I saw Dr. Schweitzer on Monday after an almost 3-month wait for an appointment and didn't bring anything with me other than his form from his website.  He wasn't fazed by that at all.  He's a nice guy; doesn't bite at all.  He gave me a sheet with a list of things to do, including the letter from my primary.  He told me to call his secretary, Debbie, and find out what to include in the letter.  I emailed her and she got right back to me, so I wrote up a some thoughts for my primary and faxed them to her.  I'm waiting for her to send the letter and my medical records to him. If you don't get the letter before you go, there'll be time afterwards, because to complete the to-do list he gives you, you have to have a nutritional evaluation with his nutritionist and a psych eval.  I'm using my own shrink and get get the psych eval quickly, but I had to wait a month to see the nutritionist. So, take a deep breath, join Weigh****chers Online and hang in there. Edie

Oh, and tell me about how to find the Crofton group.  I live just north of there. Edie

Edie, The group meets at the crofton libray the next meeting is the 21st at 6pm - 8 or so. It is an excellent group of people. If you want other dates fo the meets let me know and I will ge them for you. Also if you keep an eye on the posting in the maryland forum KellyW post the meeting dates. So there is a pinic coming up also if you want I can get that date also. Let me know if you need something else. Kellie

Hey kellie I emailed you back before I read this post. So hopefully you got that already also the picnic is full . We cant have over 100 people in the pavillion and it is maxed so I cant add anyone else.

So I guess for now I am uninvited.  Please let me know if anything changes. Also when is the date for the zoo??

Hi Kellie, welcome I too am still pre op and can relate to those bumps in the road. I will tell you one of the things I hear with consistency about weight loss surgery. It shouldn't be your second, third, or maybe  even your tenth choice for help with weight loss. It should be a last choice because it is a life altering procedure with risks. In my opinion, anything that will help you right now should be an option. I'm struggling with the pre-op diet myself.  I wish you the best in your journey. Mark

Wow...so much info in one post!  :-) Lets see...where to begin.    The first thing you need to concentrate on is finding a surgeon and program that you like.   In the beginning, don't worry about the cost.   That can be worked out as things progress.   You need to be really sure you like and trust your surgeon.   You should also take time to talk to the support staff that is available.   You will spend almost as much (if not more time) dealing with them then the surgeon.  

Without a surgeon you like and trust and good program surrounding that person, you are in for a long and rough road.   I spent almost 2 years going to seminars, scheduling meetings with surgeons and just stopping into offices to see what I thought.   I even attended support group meetings for the programs I had in my short list, before I ended up chosing the one I did.   But remember that the Dr and program that is right for me may not be anywhere close for you.   It is a very personal thing.    As for the weight loss...I will second what Mark said.   This surgery is a last resort.   If you could do it with WW or Slim Fast or anything else, then don't go through this procedure.   As he said, it has risks, and WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE.   Watch the posts closely on these boards and you will see some that really struggle with life after WL surgery.   It should not be taken lightly.   Also remember that it is not a magic bullet.   You still have to work at it...and it can be defeated.    But if you have tried all else and truly want to change and are ready to comit to life long changes and exercise and all the ramifications that go along with it, then jump in and see where the tide takes you.    On a personal note, my Primary Care had put me on Metformin (supposedly for weight loss) about 2 years ago.   It had worked to some extent, but over about a year the effects wore off.   I mentioned it to him, but he kept me on it.  I later found out, that he really had me on it because my blood sugar was high.   How high?  I was diabetic...but he failed to mention that to me.   I found that out when I started going for my pre-op testing.   Metformin is a medicine used to treat diabetes.   They just found that it sped up metabolisim and could be used, in limited cases, for weight loss. If you do start this whole process, you will need to have your primary care on board.   Talk to him and ask if he thinks this would be right for you?   If he says Yes, then ask why?   He should have some good reasons...and those are what needs to go in the medical necessity letter.   But if he is asking what needs to be written then I will bet he has never dealt with someone going through RNY before.   Ask if he has any other patients that have had weight loss surgery.    I have seen several folks that actually switched primary cares because they were unwilling or just did not know enough about the procedure to be of much help.   As this proceeds you may be asked to complete a 6 month Dr. supervised diet.  If you are, then you will have to see your Doc every month (and I mean EVERY month) for 6 months.   They have to take good notes on your progress and what they are doing to assist.   If your PC is not on board, then this process will be a nightmare...if they are on board...then it can almost be fun!   Well...maybe not fun...but I did get to know the nurses in the office!  :-) I know that is a lot to digest.   Take your time.   This is a big step and you need to make sure that you are ready.  Your Primary Care is ready.   Your family is ready.  (yes...your family....you will have major surgery and lots of changes...it can be just as hard on them as it is on you).    I know some of that sounds really hard and not necessairy positive, but you need to be ready for what is coming.   There are a lot of things you will need to overcome...but if you are prepared and determined, you will have no problem! The pictures are great.   Was that this past new years or the year before??? Stay positive!

Dave, Thank you for your reply it means alot. My primary care is all for the surgery. He actual told me that if I cam to him some years back that he would have told me no way. He states that the surgery has come along way and I agree with that. I have an apt with the john hopkins weight loss program in july, so we will see what they have to say. I am at the point where I am willing to do whatever it takes to get this weight off. I am tired of being heavy.

The pictures are from this past New Years Eve ringing in 2007. My financee' proposed that night at 11:50pm. It was an amazing night. I could not have asked for a better night or propsal for that matter. In case you are wondering there is no date set. We are trying to get a house and with me trying to get the surgery I want to wait. I am hoping that we will get married in 2009 though. I think that it is going to take a year to get where we need to be for the house. Only God knows it is all in his hands. Are you the one with the telescope and Cow ice cream. If you I hope to meet you some day. Take care and I hope that you have a great weekend.

Hi Kellie, It is great to see you posting!!  I have to second everything that dave said!!   Indeed he is the Telescope guy and I went last Friday but did not get to meet him.  I didn't know he had car trouble so never made it.  i met up with Aime and we had a nice time until the weather changed on us and we had to cut it short. lol I hope to see you again soon. hugs,