worried/unsure

I have been waiting for surgery for a very long time. I had my referral sent to Halifax in 2004, and the wait was so long my doctor sent another referral to Bathurst. Anyway, I have been going to a Registered Nutritionist for over a year. Well I got a letter in the mail about 3 weeks ago inviting me to an information session in July. I am was and kind of still am excited to have another step down. I told the lady I am seeing for weight loss about my session coming up and she told me that surgery won't work for me. In my weight loss journey this past year and a half, we have tried everything from high protienand low carb, to low protein no carbs etc. So she believes that no surgery will work. But to be honest what we have tried doesn't seem to be working either. She told me she has a lady coming to her now who had band surgery and has lost nothing. She said it is enable the lady to get enough food in for her to lose weight. I'm worried that she maybe right that surgery may not work. But at over 300lbs still even after over a year of trying it the "normal"way, I was so excited to finally be getting closer to a chance at a healthier, more mobile life. I was so sure this was the right decision, and once it was my turn to get surgery that  it was going to be a beginning to a new chapter in my life. Now I don't know, I feel like I have been kicked in the gut. So nothing will work? I feel like a Failure, not even WLS will help me?
I apologize for the rant, I am just at a loss.

Thanks

 Oh my goodness - I can't believe anyone would tell you surgery won't work for you. Nutritionist or not - how can she/he know? As you said - other approaches have not worked for you. You have nothing to lose by going to an information session. You have thought about and prepared for possible surgery for a long time. Go to the session - talk to the people there - and the doctor as well when the time comes for an appointment with him. Together you can make the decision that is right for you. Do not apologize for the rant. You are just venting. Do not feel like a failure. I think your nutritionist failed you with her comment! Take care.

I call BS on your nutritionist, how dare she?!  I'd stop seeing someone who's negative but that's just IMO. The lapband is very different from the VSG surgery which I suspect they'll recommend for you. Many surgeons  aren't even doing the lapband because of their dismal results.

Like you, I've had my referral in since 2004. I had a consult in Halifax in 2005 but only had the gastric bypass as an option so I passed on that but kept my name on the list. I've had my first referral in Moncton and am now waiting for a date for my all day info session.

Don't feel like a failure. Only those going through the process or those who have been there can truly understand, something I doubt your nutritionist can relate to. I'd suggest sticking with the process, talking to veterans at the info session, reading the forums (VSG and New Brunswick)  and talking with your surgeon.  Please keep us posted on your journey, it's a very exciting time!

 At 5 ft 10 inches and over 350 lbs in Feb of this year...I went on to the Atkins plan full force for 2 full months and lost 20 lbs before I even did the 2 week shake diet...surgery was May 10th , and I can now say I am down a total of 53 lbs since that day in Feb.......I too am from Charlottetown, and can't figure out who you are seeing, but honestly there are very few people over here who understand the whole surgery process let alone support it.....My doctor is so impressed that he has written down all the info so that he can refer anyone else that wants to go.....He first sent a referal for me in July 2003....but Dr B didn't get it until 2007....ANYWAY.....I don't know too much about the process in Bathurst...but it can't be too much different than Moncton......there are 3 of us from PEI here on this form that have had the sleeve done in the last 6 months or so....so lots of support...just ask or we could/should start meeting monthly or something.....

Anyway...there is no such thing as ranting...it is just all good questions and issues that come up...keep us updated and good luck.....

i also agree with the above statements.  by going to the info session and dr meeting, you are out nothing.  it will give you the tools you need to form the opinion for yourself.  i also went to a dietician/NUT for bout a year before she dropped me because she couldnt do anything more for me.  i waited since 2004 and was sleeved on may17th.  it has been a little harder than i thought (even though i thought i was mentally prepared for it) but i am losing weight and settling in for the long haul. guess i am proving all the nay sayers wrong :)

Your story is very familar to me.  I also went to a dietican for some time before I had my surgery and she also made me feel like I was an utter failure and would be for life.  I will tell you honestly from my experience that having the VSG surgery was a life send and the only thing that was able to get me to where I am today.  I had people tell me that surgery would not work. Those people were so wrong.  The surgery literally kick started my metabolism in a way that diet and excercise alone could not.  For one thing I had no hunger after surgery and when I ate my food was immedately metabolized into my system whereas before my system was sluggish.  I eat now and have instant energy instead of eating and becoming tired.  This energy has caused me to want to be more active and instead of the downward spiral I had been on I now am on a different course.  I was over 300lbs at one point so I can relate to where you are at.  I just wished I had the surgery when I was much younger.  When you attend the info sessions and clinics they will explain that surgery is just a new tool and it is no quick fix.  It will help you move past where you have not been able to on your own as long as you still stick to good sound nutritional principles and be more active. If you are able to do this then I cannot see why this would not work for you.  The first step is the mentally believe that you deserve your health and that you are committed to it.  Let go of those failure feelings.  Failure is not believing in yourself.  You have the opportunity to improve your health and you should grasp a hold of it.  You are so worth it! Living a healthy active life is so worth it! Sappy and cliche as that sounds it is so true and I think this everyday.  Best of luck! 

Thank you everyone, you have made me feel so much better. This is why I love this site, everyone is here to help each other. I am going to do what is right for me and not what some people believe is right for me. I can't wait for July 4 to hear all about the surgery and meet the people who will be helping me in my journey. Thanks again you all are amazing people and huge inspirations.