New here... beginner questions...
Well hugs to you, Shannon! Because I've been down that road - as has everyone else on here I suspect. That is real low feeling when you see your highest weight on the scale and feel there is no hope to get to a normal weight again. So, I'm sending you hugs because I've been there.
If you're tired all the time, do have your PCP draw some lab work, though. Check your B12, iron, etc. I had to have a sleep study done prior to my surgery due to being tired all the time and I was borderline narcoleptic, plus had sleep apnea. So if your vitamin levels check out, perhaps you'll want to have a sleep study done as well. Sleep Apnea is considered a co-morbidity and I hate to say they are helpful, but in the WLS insurance realm, they are.
Your PCP, as already stated by others, should not be the determining factor to whether or not you pursure WLS. It is your decision solely.
With HP, you may need to do a 6 month doctor supervised diet, or phone calls with one of their nutritionists. While it's not what you want to do when you've determined surgery may be your best route, it may be required. So, just grin & bear it. Many of us have.
Definitely start attending the free info sessions on WLS at the local hospitals. That is invaluable IMHO. You'll learn about the surgeries, be able to ask questions directly to surgeons, see post-op patients, etc. I also feel this is the time you'll connect with a program or surgeon and will find where you want to have surgery & who with.
The most common WLS talked about at the info sessions are the LapBand and RNY/Gastric Bypass. I always am sure to tell newbies that another option exists which is called the Duodenal Switch ("DS"). We have 2 surgeons (Dr. Ikrammudin and Dr. Buchwald, both at the UofM Fairview) in MN performing so it IS an option for you! I highly recommend looking into it. www.dsfacts.com for more info and there is a DS forum on this site as well.
Stay on the board - we're here for you! Best wishes.
If you're tired all the time, do have your PCP draw some lab work, though. Check your B12, iron, etc. I had to have a sleep study done prior to my surgery due to being tired all the time and I was borderline narcoleptic, plus had sleep apnea. So if your vitamin levels check out, perhaps you'll want to have a sleep study done as well. Sleep Apnea is considered a co-morbidity and I hate to say they are helpful, but in the WLS insurance realm, they are.
Your PCP, as already stated by others, should not be the determining factor to whether or not you pursure WLS. It is your decision solely.
With HP, you may need to do a 6 month doctor supervised diet, or phone calls with one of their nutritionists. While it's not what you want to do when you've determined surgery may be your best route, it may be required. So, just grin & bear it. Many of us have.
Definitely start attending the free info sessions on WLS at the local hospitals. That is invaluable IMHO. You'll learn about the surgeries, be able to ask questions directly to surgeons, see post-op patients, etc. I also feel this is the time you'll connect with a program or surgeon and will find where you want to have surgery & who with.
The most common WLS talked about at the info sessions are the LapBand and RNY/Gastric Bypass. I always am sure to tell newbies that another option exists which is called the Duodenal Switch ("DS"). We have 2 surgeons (Dr. Ikrammudin and Dr. Buchwald, both at the UofM Fairview) in MN performing so it IS an option for you! I highly recommend looking into it. www.dsfacts.com for more info and there is a DS forum on this site as well.
Stay on the board - we're here for you! Best wishes.
Hey Shannon. I am a newbie too. I actually saw my PCP the beginning of June and attended an informational session at Fairview Southdale June 17th and met with the clinic the following Tuesday. It actually went very quick. I have BCBS and I have to do the six month waiting period but I have actually found it very helpful. I have plenty of time to loose my 10 pounds and get all the appointments in that they require and lots of time to hang out here and learn from all these wonderful people. I can totally relate to you! I also have 3 under 5, life is crazy. Best of luck on your journey!
Hi Shannon,
I agree with the above statements. I let my pcp talk me out of having this surgery a few years ago. I did go through with the surgery in March. I have seen my pcp once this summer and was over 50 pounds lighter than when I saw him earlier in the year. He could not find a lot to say about my lower cholesterol, bp and overall health except of course good things. Hopefully he will be more enthusiastic with the next patient to present this idea to him.
Bottom line, if your pcp does try to disuade you from surgery, you can still go to the barriatric specialists in the cities or elsewhere as Darla said and pursue the surgery yourself.
Good luck,
Sandra
I agree with the above statements. I let my pcp talk me out of having this surgery a few years ago. I did go through with the surgery in March. I have seen my pcp once this summer and was over 50 pounds lighter than when I saw him earlier in the year. He could not find a lot to say about my lower cholesterol, bp and overall health except of course good things. Hopefully he will be more enthusiastic with the next patient to present this idea to him.
Bottom line, if your pcp does try to disuade you from surgery, you can still go to the barriatric specialists in the cities or elsewhere as Darla said and pursue the surgery yourself.
Good luck,
Sandra
Most Active
Recent Topics
