junebug38

Thank you for all the responses....it helps! I can definitely use some of those ideas!

I'm so sorry you have to deal with that. I think it's really good that you stood your ground! Hopefully she will come around! I'm 38, single, and have not told a soul I'm doing this because I don't want to have to deal with reactions like that. All my friends are thin or only slightly overweight....they just don't understand what it's like. I have lost and regained the same 30lbs just about every year for the last 10 years. I have finally realized I need to do something else! But the decision feels very private to me, so I don't think I'm going to even tell my parents. I don't want them at the hospital, and I don't want them telling all their friends, which they have a tendency to do. I do feel bad that I will have to lie to them and tell them I am going out of town on a work trip so they will watch my dogs for a week... Ok, I'll stop there. I guess I have a few things to get off my chest too!

My first consult was similar to the other poster. I had filled out a good sized packet on health history prior to going in. They gave me some more forms to fill out, and gave me a pee-chee type folder with copies. I am also using this to store everything. I also added a blank page where I write down my questions for the next appointment. The nurse took my vitals (height, weight, blood pressure, temp, and pulse). When the surgeon came in, he had already reviewed everything I had filled out, and asked me a few questions about my history. Then he went over the types of surgery they do (band, sleeve, and bypass). He asked which one I wanted, and I was able to ask as many questions as I wanted and never felt rushed by him. I also saw the nutritionist for just a couple of minutes - she gave me some info on post op diet to read, and we talked about the 3 month program my insurance requires. Then I met with someone else and she scheduled all my appointments over the next several months, including the surgery date and first post-op appt! (I was not expecting this!) I was super nervous for that first appt....to the point that I thought about canceling it. But I have to say, they were the nicest, most compassionate and helpful medical staff I think I have ever encountered. I never felt any judgement that I guess I have come to expect from doctors. I walked out of there feeling very good and at-ease. I hope your experience is as good!

I had my initial consults this week - one with the surgeon, and the other with the bariatric internist. I told both of them that I was thinking I wanted the sleeve, but also asked each if there was one they recommended over the other, or if they would recommend RNY for me specifically over the sleeve. The surgeon told me that the weight loss in the first year is a little higher with RNY, but what they are seeing from the initial long term studies of the sleeve (I think he said at 10 years? The sleeve is newer so there are not as many long term studies) is that it evens out with RNY (ie, is the same). He said he considers them comparable, but that bypass has faster results curing diabetes and some other metabolic issues (that I do not have). The internist said that "off the record" if she had a weight problem, she would choose the sleeve. But she also said that she would recommend RNY over the sleeve if the patient were diabetic OR had a big sweet tooth. I am possibly a weird one in that I really don't have much of a sweet tooth. I'm not saying I NEVER eat sweets, but I typically do not crave them or eat them in large quantities. I will get a craving for ice cream every once in awhile. But if I buy it at a grocery store, I end up having a scoop or two, and then the rest of the carton gets cat tongue and dies in the freezer. Nachos or pizza on the other hand.......

I already take Atenolol for my blood pressure, but an effect of it is to lower your heartrate. I'm guessing that's why they gave it to you, but I agree with the other person that if you have questions, you should ask the doctor. PS - my resting heart rate used to be around 80, and is now about 60.

I'm glad to hear others feel the same. I am just in the initial stages of the process - just met the surgeon this week and am starting the 3 month long "multi-disciplinary program" my insurance requires. My surgery date is tentatively scheduled for October, which feels so far away right now. I haven't told anyone yet, and I'm not sure I will. I mentioned to an acquantance that I was thinking about having the surgery, and she immediately said something like "you don't want to do that!". I think most people don't have any idea what it's like to have 100+ pounds to lose, and therefore, really don't understand. Pretty much all of my friends are thin. I wouldn't say that I'm embarassed or ashamed, but at this point in my journey, I don't want to hear remarks like that. I'm not even sure I will tell my family (at least not right away). I may have to ditch them on Thanksgiving this year, lol. But I may be more open to sharing after I have had the surgery...time will tell. Oh, plus since I don't have insurance approval yet, I'm worried that something will happen and I won't be able to get the surgery...so I definitely don't want to tell anyone/everyone and then have to tell them it's not happening!