Did Your Doctor and/or Surgeon Give You Confidence?

[Alex Brecher 10,515]

Doctors can be intimidating. It can be hard to open up to them when the issue is something that’s embarrassing and super important, which is definitely the case with obesity and weight loss surgery.

Some primary care physicians frown on weight loss surgery, and can make you feel guilty about considering it or scared to take that next step. Others can support you and give you the confidence you need to go ahead.

Bariatric surgeons can also influence you. They may talk down to you or fail to give you the time and explanations you need. This can make you feel that WLS may not be for you. Or, they can informative, helpful, and supportive. They can make you feel that WLS is something you can do.

I know people who have spoken to the first – the negative – type of doctors and surgeons and nearly given up on their ideas about WLS. Then they’ve gone to a more positive environment and decided to go through with it.

Did you have any negative-seeming doctors at first when considering WLS? What did you do? Did you just ignore them and move forward? Did you find another doctor or surgeon? Share your experiences and tips for not letting a doctor scare you off!

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Ha! Nobody scares me.

And no -- my PCP and my bariatric surgeon don't intimidate me. They are both awesome. They're very smart and great listeners. They invite and welcome all the questions I can come up with, which can sometimes be a lot. They never fuss at me for saying, "I read on the Internet that ...." (which could get a bit old for any professional). They're both straight shooters.

Frankly, I adore them both and think I'm so lucky to have them on my healthcare team.

One other thing -- Hubby and I are in our 70s, and a few years ago we realized we needed for all our healthcare providers to be in their 40s. We don't want to be finding and breaking in new doctors when we're in our 90s. So our PCP and our surgeon are both in their mid 40s.

[sassyfrass23 525]

Lucky for me, my PCP was on board from the get go and was actually the one to suggest I consider WLS. I had been seeing him for a few consecutive months and even with appetite suppressant prescriptions, I still wasn't making much progress with weight loss.

My surgeon was a blessing in disguise. At my second appointment, I had gained 2 lbs. Rather than reaming me out, he stated that he was able to figure out what type of redirection I needed and understood that each of his patients respond differently. He didn't think that the "in your face" lecture would work for me, so he approached it with a gentle yet realistic reminder of why my life depended on this surgery. By the next appointment, I was down those 2 lbs, plus an additional 4. He was 100% correct about how I would respond and I appreciated his efforts in getting to know his patients on that level.

At my final appointment, he told me I was going to be his poster child and he was already so impressed with my determination that he was planning to ask me to speak at our monthly Support Groups once I was in recovery and making progress.

I've seen horror stories of some surgeon's and am very grateful mine is nothing like those.

[Dub 9,922]

My surgeon has been very straightforward and easy to talk with about all aspects of my WLS.

He has been highly insightful and direct. His message has been consistent and his advice very timely.

He has been very encouraging.

I am immensely grateful for his impact on my life.

[ange117 93]

My surgeon did not answer my questions to my satisfaction at all. He was trying to give me the 'simple 'answer when I wanted the cold hard facts. When I left his office, I really wasn't sure about continuing on with the surgery.

My PCP, however, was brilliant. She specializes in weight management, so she was extremely well informed and has a lot of bariatric patients and could provide a great deal of insight and support from the outcomes of other patients in her practice. I have loved my doctor for years and this has only sealed my decision to stay with her as long as possible.

[2goldengirl 2,076]

My PCP's understanding of bariatric surgery is that it's a "definitive treatment for obesity". She, my surgeon, and the program therapist all described me as "the ideal candidate".

That said, I'm like @VSGAnn2014. Nobody scares me.

[kaitlynm 335]

My GYN is also my PCP and he is actually the one who recommended the surgery to me. We tried all kinds of other methods and nothing worked. We worked out at the same gym every morning so he knew it wasn't related to lack of exercise. He and I have had a really good relationship for 8 years now.

My Surgeon is also very good. I'm not quite as comfortable around him, but I wouldn't say that he intimidates me. He helped me make an informed decision, and gave me lots of facts about the different options for WLS. I have had no complications so I haven't seen him much post op. I went for my 3 month and he said I was doing great and to come back in 6 months.

[stacyrg2 350]

My surgeon is one of the most awesome human beings I've ever met. I am not exaggerating. To echo VSGAnn2014, my doctor never rushes you, will sit as long as necessary to make you understand and will let you ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable. Prior to surgery we had a long discussion about procedures . . . he laid everything out clearly and did not push me to a particular proceedure, but made it clear he had definite opinions. After surgery, when I had concerns about my rate of loss, he sat with me and went over food, activity level, etc. At one point, he asked if I understood a point he was making (it was a fairly scientific point) when I said yes, with hesitation, he told me it was his job to sit there all day with me until I understood, so I should be honest with him. He's friends with my primary care doctor and does not hesitate to get her on the phone when issues arise or just to keep her in the loop on my progress. He saw me through my VSG, my gallbladder removal, a blood cholesterol issue and now a fairly significant issue with GERD which may require a revision. He lets me cry on his shoulder when my issues become overwhelming and he cried when I walked into his office at my one year follow up appointment and handed him the medal from my first half marathon which I ran 2 days before. I am thankful every single day that this man is in my life and grateful for the life he helped me to achieve.

My one piece of advice to newbies is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with and will give you the level of support YOU need. If your first choice doesn't offer that, find someone else!

[Jessica Ellison-Correa 66]

My pcp is awesome and works with my surgeon in a capacity that is awesome I love my surgeon she is so personable and we work out with her if we need to

[Alex Brecher 10,515]

Wow, these are great responses! I am so glad to hear there are so many great doctors and surgeons out there, and that you seem to be finding them! I really respect those PCPs who either already know about WLS, or who are willing to learn what they need to in order to help you, their patients, be successful. I also really respect and am grateful for the surgeons who have the integrity to be patient with their patients. They can (am some do) very easily rush you, pressure you, and keep their dealings with you to a minimum. It sounds like many of you have found surgeons who are the opposite.

[Sajijoma 1,324]

My surgeon was amazing! I was geared up expecting to be talked down to-as I have been in the past, but I didn't have that experience with my surgeon. He was kind, caring, thorough and never made me feel like I was a loser or less of a human being for being in my condition. My PCP was also amazing and she was so happy for me when I walked in her office for my yearly checkup over 100lbs lighter than last year.