Ever Feel Like You're Smarter Than Your Doctor

First post, so be gentle.  I went to take a company physical this morning at a hospital I absolutely hate.  This was the same hospital I was admitted to when I first found out I was diabetic, with a 530 blood glucose in fact.  Anyway, I give blood, urine and do all of the usual tests.  When the doctor comes in, I am waiting for him to comment on my weight.  He asks me, how much exercise do you get?  After a little hesitance, I tell him, other than work, not much.  He says that I need to start exercising, this and that.  Well when I tell him I am in the process of having WLS, he says, well why do you want to do that?  You just need to make some lifestyle changes.

Part of me really wanted to engage this guy in a serious debate.  I tell him, well, I have a BMI of 50 with diabetes and knee problems(torn MCL about 4 years ago)  Didn't you see that I had a hard time squating on a bad knee?  I just politely ended this conversation since he was not my primary care doctor, who fully supports the WLS by the way.  I also found out that I have a slight umbilical hernia as well, which I already figured out long before I saw him.  When I have my surgery, Dr. Richardson will take care of that for me.  Anybody else go through something similar?

I don't feel like i'm smarter than my doctor, but I definately know my body better than my doctor does or every will.

You're new - but you said be gentle cause you KNEW some things you said were gonna get a response........ ready?

You DO need to make some lifestyle changes - NOW - just because you're in the PROCESS of getting WLS doesn't mean you don't do chit until you get cut.  Ok - bad knee, I get it - what about your arms?  can you not do walks around the block, basic weight lifting?  find a pool you can use - great for easing pain and pressure on the joints.

AFTER WLS, you will be doing all this shiot, right?  so umm, why not do SOMETHING now??  WLS is not a magic bullet - if you are lazy now, you'll be lazy later.  If you aren't looking for things you can do now - you'll be less creative later. 

BTW - I started out at 386, with a degenerated disc in my lower lumbar, pre-diabetic, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, yadda, yadda.  I started exercising 6mos before WLS (as soon as I decided I would pursue it) and did what I could, when I could, for as long as I could until I got cut - then I stepped up my game. 

I'm not saying you don't need WLS - but you can't wait until after to make the changes that will make the whole process a success.  So to me, the doc ain't THAT dumb...... and neither are you.

  oh yea!  Welcome the board......

It also helps your recovery process if you start to become more active before your surgery. It is good to makes some changes now so when you have your surgery, it will be easier for you to transition into your new lifestyle.

Thank you for the welcome and the advice.  I know that I will have to start exercising again.  Nothing wrong with exercise, although I will admit when I separated from the Navy in 93 I let myself go.  I went from daily exercise of many forms to a pretty sedentary lifestyle, by my choice and my choice alone.  I could have persued this surgery years ago, but I always thought I could do it on my own and in my own way.  Getting diabetes was the final straw for me.  When I was diagonosed, I make a determination that I was going to beat it.  Making changes to my diet and hitting the treadmill daily helped put it in control. 

I get regular checkups with my PCP for my diabetes and I have not had an A1C above 6.5% since my inital health scare.  I can admit that I was content to just have it in check, but my kidney function test was slightly above normal on my last test and that is really what broke the camel's back for me.  I get it about the exercise and appreciate the advice.

BRU REAL TALK THE WEIGHT WILL FALL OFF AT THE BEGINNING BUT IF YOU DONT WORK OUT YOU WILL HAVE SAGGY TITTIES AND SKIN ALL OVA THE DAYUMMMMM PLACE. I DONT KNOW YOU MIGHT WANT THAT BUT IF NOT YOU BETTA START GETTING IN THE HANG OF THINGS , AND QUICK. WALK THE TREADMILL OR SOMETHING.

??????  saggy tit-tays?????

Weren't you the one who thought dumping the weight routine would be a GOOD idea??????

   and


I LOVE it when the newbies become 'self aware' like A. I. !!!!!!!! 

YEA MM I LEARNED QUICK. I DONT WANT NO *****S I WANT A FIRM CHEST SO WHEN ITS  TOUCHED  , IT FEELS NICE AND HARD. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHH

Don't want saggy titties, dude.  I just want my old pecs back.

DITTO to what both the MM said. They are telling you the truth. So go ahead and start geting on board with the exercise thing. Trust me it gets easier.