Need Help...Confused after initial visit with Dr.

[chrissyd0425 0]

So I haven't ever posted on here before but I really need some honest advice from you guys!!! Let me say this: I am 24 and 290 lbs...I went for my initial intake today with the Dr/surgeon...this is what happened:

The Doctor said you know, I'm not going to tell you which way to go...but pretty much you're so young and have no health issues against you (other than the weight!) and if you came to me at 40 and had diabetes etc I'd say, yes surgery is what to do for you. Right now, he's not convinced of that. He says I'm not telling you to work on your weight for 10 years and come back and see me, but if you would really work at it with our team for a year and see where you are...i'd like to see that. I said you know, I am torn...I don't know if I want that kind of device in me for 50 years and have to abide by all it requires...but at the same time, i don't see being able to lose 100 lbs doing this behavioral thing so he said well...we'll put you on the surgery track but i'm going to talk with the psych. and nutrition. people and have them aware that if you are really making progress and grasping it all...you might not follow through with surgery.

So...I don't know. I guess it doesn't hurt to do the behavioral track as a "last resort" before surgery...

we'll see what happens...I'm going to hold off on going tomorrow night though until I know for sure which way I'm going...I figure I still have months to go and can attend that meeting anytime down the road, doesn't have to be tomorrow.

I do have 2 appointments scheduled for October with nutrition and psychological "intakes"-so we'll see what happens.

What do you guys think of all this? Experiences? Opinions?

[ParrotheadCathy 0]

Chrissy....I'd be pretty darned confused too! So don't feel bad.

Only you know the answers to these questions....so ask yourself.

1. Have you made a concerted effort to lose weight in the past?

2. Have you been successful only to regain weight?

Now, if you're like me, you've tried to lose weight more than once, probably starting at a young age. I would suggest going to see a different surgeon entirely. Go to the free seminar and talk to the doc and/or staff and decide what YOU really want to do.

Good luck with whatever route you choose.

[jbgvscamg 0]

((((Hugs))))

I feel for you-- your post was very interesting to me too b/c I am almost 39 years old with 40 right around the corner.

I think your surgeon is being super-responsible and maybe you want to follow his/ her advice. Give conservative measures one more try... you are very young and maybe you can lose the weight and keep it off with good medical supervision.

Remember: the lap band isn't an easy answer-- it is just a tool.

As a counterpoint, my story is this:

Like I said, I'm almost 39 and weighed 193.6 in the surgeon's office at 5'4 when I went in to see her (Dr. Ren in NYC.)

Though I have to go the self-pay route b/c I have no health conditions, the doc immediately indicated me for the surgery.

I believe the reason she did so was primarily b/c of my extensive weight loss attempt history (been trying my whole life and have lost and gained repeatedly) and probably b/c of my no-nonsense attitude and approach. I happen to be a health professional and she didn't mince words with me. I asked:

Is there any chance I can do this myself-- and she said, looks very unlikely... IF YOU WERE in your TWENTIES, I'd think differently-- but you've been trying for years without success.

See?

What I am trying to say is that you may have an opportunity to get medical help to lose weight and not have to have surgery. The upside is that if you DON'T do well with medical intervention, you'll already be under the care of a bariatric surgeon and can take the next step within the next year or so.

I hope this helps and makes sense...

[JosieK 120]

hi chrissyd,

everyone here is giving good perspectives on your post.

i have to say...i wish i had done mine years ago. i put alot of my personal life on hold because of my weight.

the lapband is not magic....

it is a tool and you still have to work at losing the weight. but it helps....especially in helping not to feel hungry. previously i was hungry 24/7.

see a few more doctors to get their perspective. also try and scout out some of the younger bandsters on this site to get their input

good luck in whatever you decide.

josie

[Blazed 1]

I'm sorry your confused! I would be too. I'm 20 years old 5'5" and 247 pounds. Luckily my doctor didn’t tell me to wait. I personally have been on every diet known to man I was probably the only 5th grader to be on weight watchers . For me I know I’ve tried everything including starving myself to lose weight. Maybe it be best if you see another surgeon and see what their opinion might be. If you really feel that you should continue to diet do it :tongue2: maybe it will work this time, and it never hurts to try again before making a big decision. I’ve been thinking about this since I was 15 so I know this is something I want to do. Good luck with your decision if you ever need to talk I’m here.