good guy - bad guy

I got this very strange call from my doctor's office yesterday.  My surgery is scheduled for October 19th and so they called yesterday morning to ask "would I mind giving up my surgery time so that another patient could have WLS surgery so she could get pregnant?"  WTF.

I live in the part of the world where there are only 20 surgeries available each year.   They are all committed for the remainder of this year. That mean's I wouldn't know when or if the next date would be available.  The surgeon has already selected me for this spot because I have demonstrated the need and the initiative to change my lifestyle.  I feel a bit like a creep for saying 'sorry but you won't be able to use my spot because I would like to live my life better."

I am being totally selfish by doing something for me?

Blake

No, you are not being selfish. The other patient is. Hold your ground and remember that your life is important too. Just as you would have to wait, she can wait as well. Six months waiting in line is not going to change her pregnancy or fertility. I agree that you should decline.

WTF indeed!

No.  Her husband probably has a how sperm count and her obesity likely has nothing to do with her being able to get pregnant.

 That request is a load of crap.  Let her wait her turn.  You've been waiting long enough.

Thanks guys for confirming what I suspected.  much appreciated.

I agree.  It is just a timing question.  She isn't really giving up anything more than they are asking you to.  She will still be able to get pregnant, she may just have to wait a little longer.

The reality is that you have serious health problems or you wouldn't do this.  So they are asking you to take a chance that one of those things, like a heart attack, will not happen in the next six months so she can have a baby in October instead of April?  What's fair about that?

I've got to agree with everyone else. You have to make your health your priority and there is no telling when they will be able to fit you in. Just keep your spirits up and good luck with surgery!

Bill

I totally agree with everyone here!!!! If she wanted to get pregnant by a certain time, she should have started her journey sooner! When I turned 29, I decided it was time to make some serious changes in my life. I stopped smoking by 30, and decided I was going to get my weight and general unhealthiness under control by 35. What they are asking you to do is the equivalent of me asking someone to give up their time so that I can have surgery by 33... it is a self imposed time line, and doesn't matter.

The only way I would have considered it was if they said, "Look, we don't think she is going to live another year unless she has surgery now, but we think you would be fine waiting 6 months." Other than that, everyone makes their own path. She should have started sooner!

Good job! As you well know, this process isn't going to just carry you to healthiness, you have to WORK and FIGHT for it. This was just another small battle along the way. I say, YOU PASSED the test!

I don't know what you decided, but in my opinion I would tell them that it's BS and not re-schedule.  I'm sorry but there's enough people on this planet, to get delayed a little bit for their breeding, they can wait.