Worrying Too Much!?

My PCP was all for the surgery, even when I decided to go with a different hospital because of their excellent program.  A good PCP should have your best interests at heart, and I can tell you as we have very similar stats.  My BMI was over 51, I had Type 2 Diabetes and was on insulin, and I'm 42 years old.  When i told my doc I was considering VSG, he told me to reconsider and check out RNY because in 95% of cases is "cures" diabetes.  Getting WLS will change your quality of life.

Last March I had the initial blood work done with my surgeon and my A1C was 8.5 (it was 10.7 last December).  I had a blood draw on 11/11 for my 3 month follow up and my A1C is now 4.9.  I have not taken any medication for diabetes since a week before surgery when I went on a liquid diet.  

If your PCP is resistant, find another one who is willing to work for you and help you achieve a better, healthier quality of life.

You have the profile of the people that WLS was designed for.  In fact, I'm very surprised that your PCP has not already suggested that you consider WLS.  If your PCP is not positive about the WLS and cannot tell you a clear medical reason, and rather gives you a vague opinion that it is risky, etc, find another PCP because staying at your current weight with your side issues is dangerous.  Many PCPs are not well versed in weight issues and would rather hand you another diet to follow (even though they know that only 3-5% of people are successful longterm) than research the current state of WLS surgery.  

Remember WLS is major surgery, so you need to seriously investigate it. Have you gone to one of the doctor's public info meetings?

If you already have a letter of recommendation from your endo, schedule your appointment with the surgeon, let them know you are willing to take a cancellation appointment - that might get you into the pipeline sooner than 18 months. Ask to talk to their billing person and make sure that you are meeting the pre-surgery insurance requirements. 

Good luck - and continue taking those deep breaths!!

I just wanted to let you all know that I sat down and wrote my doctor a letter tonight telling her I want to have the surgery and was very open and honest about how my weight affects me on a daily basis and how I understand that the surgery is not a quick fix. I think I gave her a good, solid case for why I should have the surgery. I will drop off the letter at her office tomorrow and she will most likely call me tomorrow evening. I could have scheduled an appointment to go in and talk to her in person, but some of the office staff have such snotty little attitudes that I didn't want to deal with them. They'd have to know exactly what I wanted to talk to my doctor about and be smart alecks. Anyhow, I think my letter will get my point across pretty well. I feel better after writing it.

Please research a procedure called the Duodenal Switch. The DS has the highest success rate at resolving or preventing diabetes AND high cholesterol. It also has the very best long-term, maintained weight-loss stats, especially for those of us with a BMI greater than 50.