Poll, sort of. Tell us about the first time you...

heard about Weight Loss Surgery...

Did your primary talk to you about it or did you bring it up to your primary?

Did you know someone who had it and wanted to have it based on his/her success?

Did you learn about it through a media source such as a newsstory, documentary, celebrity that had it?

How much research did you do before you knew you wanted it?  Tons or not that much?


For me I brought it up to my primary and he honestly didn't have much to say.  I didn't know anyone personally who had it.  My sister had mentioned it to me about 25+ years ago because she had heard it had been done.  It was certainly not as common knowledge in 2002 when I first talked to my primary.    As soon as I discovered that insurance covered it, I was sold and determined.  I accepted the surgeons word and did very, very little research.

I work in health care.  I've known about WLS for many years.

Neverin my life has a primary doctor, medical provider, or ANYONE - nobody ever told me I was overweight.  You'd think DUH, look at me.  But nobody wanted to say that to me.

I researched it for a year.  One day I came home from work, after downing a large sized cheesecake ice cream with heath bars and fudge from cold stone.  Ate the whole thing.  And cried.  And cried some more.  Then I got off my butt and made an appointment for the informational meeting.  Didn't tell ANYONE I was going.

The rest is history.  Best decision I've ever made in my life! 

 

Kelly

i went to a geral surgon.  to see about getting my hernia fixed.  she suggested doing wieghtloss surgery.  i sign up for it.   sad part is i have had the surgery and still have the hernia.  they decide not to fix it on the table.  bah I say.  means more surgery for me.

Hi Paul......

My niece had WLS.....however....she died from a brain tumor less then one year later. That is how I found out about WLS. I have three cousins that have had WLS since then and are doing great.

My pulmonary doctor suggested it and my PCP agreed. The rest is history.

I did research it for about two years before I went ahead and had the surgery. I have no regrets about choosing to do this surgery.

Hugs, connie d

My OBGYN asked if I had thought about RNY. She knew I had struggled with weight since I was a kid and could sense how frustratred I was. If it wasn't for her I'm not sure when/ if I would have taken the step to attend the info session at Fairview. I've been considering surgery for years, but only lap bad, never RNY. After the info session I came to the conclusion RNY would be better for me. Well, I've re-considered the band a few times, but still think I'm going RNY (as of today).

My primary doctor who I don't have a very personal relationship with suggested I try Alli first, before taking such a drastic step as surgery. I didn't want to mess with any poop issues, so I didn't ever take it. Have 1 month left of 6 month supervised diet, and hope to have surgery late November.

OH has been my main source of research. 3 of 4 people I know who have had RNY are glad they did it. One is not, due to an esophogus problem & divorce she says wouldn't have happened if she didn't lose weight.

I knew several people who'd had it - from my monster-in-law (not terribly successful, but not the tool's fault...), a SIL (she's a lazy SOB - bigger now than before WLS), my old college roomie (lost 150 & looks WAY better than before!), another college friend (she's short - lost 80, didn't follow up or get any support, gained back 50).   NOT a great success ratio for people I knew.

And with all the surgeries I've had, I SWORE the next time a knife went into me, it would be for an autopsy.

Then my PCP asked me if I'd ever considered it.  I gave him an evil look and left it at that.   3 months later, he asked me if I'd ever considered it.  So I said "well, SHOULD I??"   He told me he had a few patients who had done really well with it, and he thought I'd be an excellent candidate. 

So I made a weekend date to visit my old college roomie.  We talked a lot, and she loaned me her books.  I went to the PNC info session, and discovered OH.   I did a LOT of research before I sent the info paperwork in - but it was something in the Barbara Thompson book that just clicked with me, that made me believe WLS was the RIGHT answer for me.  So I sent in my paperwork on my 45th birthday and never looked back!!!

I LOVE WLS!  It certainly isn't the answer for everyone, but dang it - if you're ready, you're ready. 

I can't quite remember what got the ball rolling but I honestly think it was one of those LapBand commercials. My mother saw it and brought it up as a thought... just 'a thought.' It was the first time that I felt like she didn't fully blame me for my inability to keep the weight off.

I started looking into it 3 years ago (when I was 250), but after going to a meeting and seeing all the overweight old people (sorry...lol) I thought to myself "I'm still young...and not that fat"... this is too drastic.

WELL, it took me 3 years later and 50 more pounds to realize my foolishness.


I research my butt off....trying to choose between the RNY and band... lots of endless hours on OH, meeting people, talking to people.... we had to be sure. And then, May 13th came and.... life has never been better.

My PCP , who I'd been seeing for seven years prior, had recommended WLS at an annual physical March 2006.  Attended FVSD info meeting the following week, then with immediate smoking cessation, had WLS RNY with my requested gall bladder removal four months later.  Also, had worked at Medica nine years, (grandfathered in from UHC, then Allina) and in 1999 the company had approved WLS across the board for all employees who so desired.  I'd  attended support/informational group at Abbott NW for seven months in 2001, and had been scheduled for RNY w//gall bladder removal for 12/14/01.  However, on 12/02/01, had awakened with horrific visual disturbances which led to ER visit and subsequent hospitalization with multiple sclerosis diagnosis 12/05/01, where I'd realized I'd still be in  FVSD by the 14th and canceled WLS at that time.  Therefore, I'd had prior knowledge of WLS and was pleasantly shocked by  progressive methodology improvements  both designed and implemented by the recommended surgeon just five years later.  Am forever grateful with respect for the PCP who'd recommended this amazing second chance at literal 'rebirth' just over two years ago.Am elated, feeling younger at 52 than ever in my 20s, 30s, or 40s lugging all that extra weight around!  Am actually feeling 27, though gratefully with all the accumulated life-knowledge!

20 years ago my DH's cousin had his stomach stapled, gained all the weight back.

My last 3 visits to the OBGYN she gave me a 20 minute lecture about being overweight...go to WW.  I explained that I had put off my 3rd visit for over a year because of the last lecture and she proceeded to lecture me some more.  I don't see her any more.

I began to see my GP for my yearly and she suggested WLS.  I said "Oh, I couldn't do that, that would be the easy way out."  I so regret saying that.  Well I went in a year later and hadn't lost any weight, so then I asked her to tell me more about WLS.  Went to the information session.  Called a different cousin of my DH who had RNY 2 yrs. ago and asked all kinds of questions.  Didn't do much more research and 6 months later had my RNY.

I've never been happier in my whole life.

The thought of WLS had crossed my mind off and on during the past 10 years, but I never seriously considered it until January of 2006. Due to some changes as work, I had to get my own individual insurance and was turned down - based solely on my weight. I had no other health issues. I had lost about 40 lbs. on WW in 2002, but had gained it all back plus a few more. When I was denied insurance, it made me realize thatmy weight really was putting my health and future at risk. I was able to get insurance through MCHA - high risk insurance - and they covered WLS. I started researching and learned about the Lap Band. It was like the answer to my dreams. I'd been asking my PCP for years for something to help me feel full faster. I loved the idea that it could be adjusted to meet my needs. I had surgery in October of 2006 and it's the best thing I could have done for myself. Thanks goodness for WLS!!!
Jean B.