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Honest Feedback PLEASE

Hayden D.
on 6/26/07 12:34 pm - San Pedro, CA
  First off, I want to say thank you to those who have welcomed me to OH with open arms.  I feel a great sense of hope and relief.   I also find myself facing a new possibility for a "normal" life and that is a scary feeling.  I have battled my weight all my life and now find  myself at 304 lbs (6')  for the past 3 or so years. I sadly (in my life) have discriminated against me because I was BRIEFLY skinny for various points in my life.  Keep in mind I was NEVER able to maintain it for longer than 5 months....EVER :(  So, it is frustrating.  My recent doctor visit had me asking her for advice on gastric.  SHe pretty much shot me down and said I could do it on my own WITHOUT the aid of surgical help.  Now, if you read my story, I had tried EVERYTHING.  I am just so tired of the failed results.  I also read a statistic that states 90% of morbidly obese individuals gain all the weight back within 5 years of dieting.  That is NOT reassuring me to me....especially since I found it to be true.    Here's my question:  Do I try things ONCE AGAIN? or do I pursue this procedure?  I know it's a LONG fight (insurance, tests, etc) and it's also a HUGE life changing event.  Will this procedure benefit me, or is my doctor right?? I am reading a book on WLS and am interested.  On the same hand I am SO scared of the possible side effects.  I am SO fearful of the possible hernias, ulcers, etc.   I am now 30 years old and I already have so many health problems. I fear what would happen to me, if I continue this yo-yo pattern any longer.   On one hand, I feel I am young.  On the other hand I feel I am too young to feel like this.  I feel I would have best results if I do it soon.   What is your HONEST feedback? Thank you everyone.  You are all kind.  I greatly appreciate it all! p.s.  Anybody with similar background as me with stories they would like to share?   I currently live in Southbay area (torrance, San Pedro, Long Beach area).   I also have GreatWest Healthcare (PPO) and fear they won't cover it.   Any great doctors or surgeons in this area? preferably in Torrance or Long Beach, CA area.
Sean N.
on 6/26/07 12:48 pm - TX
I hate to hear your Dr shot it down.  Mine stated that the sugery is of course the last resort as it is perminant.  I too have tried all other diets and yes have gained all plus some back.  i went through a compant called NeWeigh.  They act as the facilitator between you, the Dr, and more importantly the insurance company.  My insurance company denied me at first, I had to do 3 months of diet stuff,  BUT - it was approved on the appeal.  Try to find a company like that in your area.  In my opinion, i would do the extra step and go through it again.  I just had mine done on Monday.  I would not change anything. Good luck and keep us posted.
Sean 422/383/244
OH Certified Support Group Leader
Pasadena Support Group 2nd Monday at 6:30pm
Katy Krew Support Group 4th Monday at 6:30pm

'This is my glock, There are many like it, but this one is MINE.'  R Lee Ermey
Dx E
on 6/26/07 12:59 pm - Northern, MS

David, Well, First, Welcome to the Men’s Message Board. Honesty (and sometimes bluntness) is the normal state of affairs here. Second- Bariatric surgery is really “The Last Option.”  Reserved when all else has failed. It’s a major surgery, and comes with the risks that involves. It is a “do over” that gives post-ops a chance to completely “re-boot” their life style and eating habits. Third- “I also read a statistic that states 90% of morbidly obese individuals gain all the weight back within 5 years of dieting.” Where did you read that dude? It’s off by about 60%.  According to the New England Journal of Medicine, the Journal of the American Medical Association, the American Surgical Association, and the American Society For Bariatric Surgery, the stats are- For those losing weight with Diet and exercise alone- 90% failure rate, resulting in 30% of cases in a regain higher than the initial weight. (based on 5 to 10 year follow-up) For Diet and Exercise added by Bariatric Procedure? 70 to 85% success rate. (based on 5 to 10 year follow-up) For those 30 to 15% who fail to maintain the loss of 60% or more of their excess weight? They tend to maintain 40% loss of excess weight even when being counted as “failing” at complete success. I’d recommend that you read up more on Weight Loss Surgery. There are several different types of procedures, the RNY, Lap-Band, DS, and VSG being the most popular, and they all work for different reasons. If you’ve got the chance to drop your weight with a diet plan? Go For it! If you’ve tried MULTIPLE TIMES, only to regain? Then look into Bariatric Surgery as an Option. I started at 385+lbs and have been at a constant 180 to 185 for the past 3 years. My experience in that regard is typical.  At least the same for 7 out of 10 WLS Post-Op patients. Seriously, where did you “read” those figures? Hope you find all of the info, experience and support that this bunch has to offer. Best Wishes- Dx

 

Ben
on 6/26/07 1:22 pm - Fresno, CA
If you have really tried everything else, get another Dr.I live in the valley of California so I dont know much of Dr.'s there, sorry.
"To Realize One's Destiny is a Person's Only Obligation" Ben
Andre S.
on 6/26/07 2:23 pm - Salt Lake City, UT
Well David you sound like your in the right frame of mind. Honestly look at both sides of the issues positive and negative like you're doing. You sound a lot like me when I was debating what to do. I eventually self paid for the lap band and it has been a major success. I don't have "major" food issues like I did before. Just minor ones. I've lost 90 lbs in a year and have been out about a year and a half. This surgery did exactly what I expected it to and that was to diminish my hunger enough to not make it my number one priority. The hardest thing is once you hit your goal weight is to realize that you will always be on a diet. You can't quit because you just can't eat as much or the same foods. It's a lifelong diet, but it's easier as time goes on and you just get in a habit of food that you eat.  My advice is to read as many profiles as possible and understand exactly what your getting into. Talk with WLS survivors and as every question you can think of. Most of all, realize that you need to do this for yourself. My wife said to me after I continually complained about adding more debt to lives by having the surgery,"What's the price of your happiness?" How much would you pay to be healthy and happy? Is it $15,000?" I said yes and I can now say it's worth the amount I paid.  Good luck, knowledge is power.  Andre
carrtje
on 6/26/07 2:46 pm - Chico, CA
Welcome to the Locker Room!

All I can say is that when you're ready to have surgery (If you become ready) you will not care what anyone else says. If you feel the need to try again, then you probably need to do that.

Don't be afraid of the process (insurance, appointments, etc). It's as unpredictable as Californian politics. My insurance approved my surgery before I was home from the appointment and knew what hit me.

I would never trade the surgery. I actually wish I had done it earlier.
--Jake
Gus H.
on 6/26/07 3:07 pm, edited 6/26/07 3:08 pm - La Puente, CA
I say you continue with your weight loss surgery journey. Continue to take the time to learn more about it and try to attend various seminars. I did when I was preop. I also talked to many people about it and just learned so much. I think the risks out "weigh" the cons. Good luck!
Dx E
on 6/26/07 3:23 pm - Northern, MS

Hy-Jak--- Gus!! OMG! Who’s that little kid on your Avatar!?! You have Done Great!!! Amazing! Glad to see you here.  Seems like just yeterday you were starting out…. Keep up the amazing Work, And “No Complications!!”  steer clear of the cheese! Best Wishes- Dx

 

GoingMobile
on 6/26/07 3:25 pm - San Dimas, CA
David, I was in the exact same spot you were in in January. My PCP gave me the whole, you can do on your own WLS is not necessary, you'll only lose 3-4 lbs a monthe with WLS anyway. Bottomline was he had no idea about WLS, so he was against it. I am currently looking for a new WLS friendly PCP. I am also meeting with WLS surgeons and asking them for referrals to PCPs that they have good realtionships with. Go to the seminars, BTW UCLA is having one Saturday at 11AM they are free and dispense gret info. You also get to meet the Drs there. Another Dr option locally to you is Milton Owen, you can look him up on OH or google. Hes in your area and seems very good, I have met with him and like him and his office staff has been amazing.
Beam me up Scottie
on 6/26/07 3:31 pm
I think you should be asking yourself...where will you be in 10 years if you don't have WLS.  Will you be at the same weight?  MORE?  I asked myself that question and I realisticly would have been over 700 lbs (i was gaining 50 lbs a year). Thank GOD for WLS.  Depending on which surgery you want....3 of the top DS surgeons in the world live in california (4 if you count that the Rabkins are 2 brothers in 1 practice and not just 1 surgeon...lol)...but it's the Rabkins, Dr. Husted, and Dr. Kershiane (sp?).   As far as insurance goes....you live in california...it's almost a given that you will get WLS paid for either by a wililng company or through external appeal (california has a great external appeal process).   If your PCP won't support you..find another family doctor that will....WLS is the only proven treatment of MO.  Scott
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