Dr. Bauman Question

I am scheduled to meet with Dr. Bauman for the first time in May. According to the papers I downloaded with the information from them, they strongly advise bringing a family member with you. I am going to bring my DH. Can anyone tell me 1.) what purpose will he serve, and 2.) what is going to be done and discusessed. Is it a physical exam or just a talk? My husband and I get along great, but I am not open with him about how much I do weigh or the intimate disgusts I have with myself. Last time we went to the obgyn for consult I think he accidently saw the dr's notes where it said "weight 222". We've never discussed it but I was absolutly mortified that is was in his view. I guess I need to brace myself for embarassment but I'd rather be prepared for it.~~~~~~~Nancy

Funny you should mention the hubby not knowing your actual weight...I've been married for 32 years and my husband was clueless about how much I really weighed until he ran an errand for me and picked up my completed packet of medical records for me from my PCP. He was real quiet when he gave them to me and never mentioned looking at what was inside but I know somehow that he did. The good news is that he is now very supportive of the surgery where he wasn't so sure before. He understands now how much I really need this. It will all work out. Be honest and then you can celebrate your success together later. E

The purpose for bringing a support person with you is Dr Bauman wants to make sure you have a support system in place. You will both watch a video about the surgery and it explains in detail about what will take place. I think the whole idea is to make sure you are aware of the seriousness of the surgery and so is your support system. If they know more about what is going to take place with you they may be more help when you need it. After you watch the video (which is boring unless they've updated it since I last saw it) you will meet with Dr Bauman and he will ask you lots of questions and give you an opportunity to ask whatever questions you may have. He is very thorough and is a straight shooter. I think he checks your abdomen but you won't be unclothed. You will be asked personal questions about your weight and your habits. I took my husband with me and my thoughts on the whole thing was he sees me naked, he knows I'm obese so hearing it out loud from a Dr isn't gonna change a thing. Good luck! Carly

Usually it is also a requirement of most insurance plans.

I was very glad to have my husband with me on my first visit with Dr. Bauman. What you are going thru is so big that I think you would want your spouse to know what you are doing. That video explains it so well. Your support person even has to sign a paper agreeing to be your support person. My husband never found out what my starting weight was until I told him last week. That's the first time I ever told my husband my accurate weight. He was a little surprised but it hasn't changed anything. Dr. Bauman's office is really respectful in the protection of weight information. You don't have to talk about any intimate disgusts you have with yourself. It is a very postive experience. I hope you enjoy it and this amazing journey! ...Jill

I agree that probably Dr. Bauman wants you to bring someone with you because you will need the support, if not now, eventually and it is good that that support person be in on the proceedure from the beginning. Dr. Bauman is wonderful, very thoughtful, and has done this many, many times. Yes, they will weight you, just tell the nurse that you do not want your husband to know what your weight is, however, my advise would be to deal with it now and get it out of the way. Obesity is nothing to be ashamed about, it is a condition we have, not a defect. You will probably have to have a psychological evualtion in order to have surgery and you might want to discuss it with the psychologist at that time. As far as the physical, my exam involved my laying flat on the exam table and Dr. Bauman looking at my stomach. No sweat! I think you will find Dr. Bauman is very kind, patient, down to earth and he knows his stuff! Good Luck !

My support person was my mother, if she agreed to be my support person than she signed a "kinda" contract that said that she would be here for me with support. Have all your records with you if you can for the past 4-5 years. It really does help and have them make a copy of them and you keep the originals for yourself just in case if you need them later in life. Have you checked your BMI? A friend of mine by looking at her you would says she would qualify and looking at me you would say NO way. But when she went to the visit her BMI was on a 33 and she did not qualify. Get an insurance book from your insurance company explaining your benefits, it is always good to check on things ahead of time. to check your BMI you can go to this site, have someone check your height without shoes, to confirm your height (i had decreased in height since I was younger and had no one check for at least 20 years) http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/ type in your height and weight. you have to have 255.00 even though your insurance covers it, they will later submit this to your insurance where your co pay comes into play Hope this helps some.

Dr. B office, esp dr b takes this surgery very seriously i every way. They wont let your hubby find out what you weigh, dont worry lol I thought the video was real helpful for my husband since they show a real surgery (yes the beginning is kinda boring if youve done your research already). Lots of great charts to review and stuff. We even did a pre nurtritional class as a duo with another couple (not the norm to do it with someone else) but that was great. Seems like so long ago and the process at the time seemed so long but gosh now its been 4 months and seems like it was just yesterday we started. And if u have a friend u could bring them instead if your more comfortable. Ive seen people bring sisters and such.