Doctors, who knew.....

Hi, just an update. I guess I wont be having wls after all. My doctor was supposed to send my Ins co. another paper or something and when I call to see if he had done it yet.( I and OSHU were getting antsey) and he told me he was not going to send it in. Ready for this he thinks I'm doing so well with losing weight the last few months, that I should wait a year or so OR not at all. At first I was angry and then I thought he knew something I did'nt... like I was going to be hit by a bus in two days.and I would'nt need it then. (The mind plays weird things on you) I'm disappointed ,but if he thinks that I should'nt then thats ok too. So if your Dr. has enough courage to change his mind about you, and surgery how do you argue with that. I guess that says alot about your Dr. I'ts been confusing to me. Like where or what should I be doing. How many calories etc.. now drink water with my meals and such. I'm still worried because I can usally lose so much weight , but it never stays off! So I'm going to take it one day at a time and pray alot,that this time is going to be better. So be careful how much you lose before all your ducks are in row. I lost 64lbs in about 10 months most the last two or three months thou. Good luck to everyone...but dont think you are going to get rid of me that easy I'm here to stay at OH-- "Oregon" & Washingtons the best you know CJ

Oh dear CJ! I think it's great that your doctor has faith in you, but as you say, losing the weight and keeping it off is the really hard part. In fact, most research shows that morbidly obese people are not capable of sustaining the weight loss once they lose. I hope he knows that. I do hope you're successful with your weight loss and that you will manage to keep it off. My prayers are with you too. Linda

CJ - after I sent this, I realized I forgot to say that I think it fabulous that you have been able to lose that much! Congrats! Linda

I understand your concerns fully. There must be something that your doctor feels very passionate about to have changed his/her mind. Just remember to keep record and if you feel you are gaining the weight back, perhaps you can jump right back on board. I too am a successful loser yet I always gain it back....not that you will, it has just been my track record. Again, I understand the confusion you must be feeling. Darla

I think your first reaction of anger was right on. You may be doing well with losing now but as you say and most of us have been through---we NEVER keep it off. Why does he get to make this decision for you and without telling you since you had to call him. I don't call that courage on his part. He owes you more than just telling you that he changed his mind. I'd be finding another primary care physicain and give this man a piece of my mind. Unless he can offer you more medical reasons than you are losing so well now, I would not be happy. Remember, you are paying the bills and he is employed by you. It is his job to help you and should be more responsive to your wishes and needs. If he has more specific reasons you should not do this, he should be letting you in on the secret! You have put a lot of time in getting everything ready for your surgeon and your primary M.D. is just kissing that off!! Well now that I have ranted on and on, good luck and I will be praying that you will continue to do well and not need this surgery. I believe it is your decision weather to have this surgery, not mine or an uninformed and seemingly uncaring physician. Keep on doing good and hang around here with us!! P.S. My primary care physicain is also a friend of mine and she basically didn't want to take the time to write the referral letter. She was all for me doing what I wanted and having this surgery but just did not want to take the time to write the letter to the insurance. She felt the surgeon should do it, but she is the one with my records and history and the insurance should be most interested in that information. She said she did that for someone once and they backed out at the last minute. I learned a whole different side of her with that. I told her I was not planning to back out and she could write the letter and charge me for the extra time if she wanted to. She did not charge me but did write a very good letter and is very happy with my results. I hope she learns from this and doesn't whine to any one else about the time it takes to do the letter. Julia

Definitely don't give up. OH has a section for non-ops, too. There are several people who have lost 100+ pounds without having surgery but are using this place as a forum for support. I think you should suggest only 6 months with your doctor, though. Why? If you have insurance that will cover the surgery (I can't remember if you do) then you may not by next year. So if you ended up decided to pursue surgery you'd obviously want to have it this year. Good luck whatever you chose to do! Lori

CJ, I am so sorry that your doctor has done a 180 on you!!!! I completely understand his joy about you losing 64 lbs in such a short length of time but no one knows you better than you know yourself. If you believe that WLS is the right thing for you in the long-term then he shouldn't have the right to just say no! I am thrilled to hear about your weight loss but I know that I couldn't have gotten this far without WLS. If my doctor hadn't approved it... I would still be carrying around that extra 165 lbs. Is there anyway to get a second opinion? Even though your take on this is very positive, I just don't want to see you give up on this. Without WLS, I wouldn't be going camping with my 5 year old this year, LOL no way I would be able to fit in our tent. Take care CJ and please... don't lose hope, there will be a silver lining some where. Support you 100%, Karene Open-RYN, 05/20/2003 ~ 334/169/150