Dr Recommends Gastric Bypass over lifestyle

MB_Positif

Definitely get a new doctor. Did the doctor give you specific reasons why you need the weight off more quickly? I think it's just him trying to make more money. It's horrible to bully someone like that.

ladyinredflush

um..Do you think it money could possibly be involved with the pushing of the surgery? He might have ulterior motives.

bodiva88

The only one of my doctors who ever pushed me toward Gastric Bypass was my gyno, who is a surgeon. It was my primary who suggested My Fitness Pal. My endocrinologist never recommended surgery, often suggested I work with a dietician. And when I showed up 40 pounds lighter to my annual visit in December he was thrilled and took the info on MFP for his dietician. Whatever tool works they're happy to incorporate. I also saw the gyno in Dec and could tell his idea for my goal weight does not match mine. Honestly, I know what I look and feel like at my goal and what I look and feel like lighter, and I'll be fine at 150. When I saw my primary a few weeks ago she was absolutely thrilled for me. So all of medicine is not reflected by my experience or by the dystopian rantings of others, either. If you are in a large enough metropolitan area, I think you'll be able to find a good endo who is willing and able to support you through your lifestyle change.

And anyone who thinks surgery doesn't involve a lifestyle change just as severe (or maybe even moreso) really doesn't know what it entails.

By the way, I experienced an infection that caused gastroparesis. If that had happened after I'd had bypass I'd be in a passel of trouble. As it is, with medication it's not affecting me much. And in a way, the fact that I process food slowly means I almost never really feel hungry, which is a blessing as I slowly reduce my caloric intake as I move down the steps toward my goal.

Find a new doctor who will support you, they ARE out there. And good luck to you as you continue what has to be really rewarding and self affirming progress.

josarahm

I think we have to acknowledge the benefit of this surgery in certain people. Co morbidity risks may make the surgery preferable. Sometimes, time has run out. I have a brother in law who died from complications of obesity at 48 years old leaving a 12 year old behind. Surgery could have saved his life. Diet and exercise could have too but he had not made those choices. The radical gastrectomy removes the hunger trigger and has shown by research that it reduces co morbidities.
It is not for everyone. It is also not a big money maker for hospitals even though people pay cash. Surgeons who do this are usually vested in the outcome. There are lots of easier ways for Docs to make money, trust me.
I am going the diet and exercise path but don't discount surgery. it will save some peoples lives!

arewethereyet

OP Great job on 45 pounds lost! Keep up the good work. I could totally see your doctor making this comment if you were the same weight, or up a few pounds, but to make this comment when you are down 10? Just doesn't seem right. No wait. IT WAS TOTALLY WRONG!

It has been said ad nauseum, but get a new doctor OR............dun dun dun........does this doctor know you very well? Was he having a very bad day? Is he usually like this?

I say all this because he is human, after all.

All that being said, my PCP wrote the scripts and tiredly said "lose weight". Did so for 10 years with me as my weight climbed. Then I appeared for my 6 month check up 35 pounds lighter!

I said "Well Doc I HEARD you the last time you whispered 'lose weight'"

God, I thought that man was gonna cry! He made me get on the scale and weighed me again, clapping his hands. (he shows no emotion this man, LOL.........loved seeing that!)

He did his best for all those years with me. Started out fervently saying " J, you have got to stop putting on weight. It isn't blah blah blah" Each visit less excited. Each time knowing I wasn't going to do what he said any more than my ex-husband quit the smoking. Each time up another 3,4,5 pounds.

When I did? He celebrated! THAT is what your doctor should have done.

Keep up the great work and PROVE that sucker wrong. Get a new doc, lose 100 pounds and go BACK! :drinker:

StarChanger

OP Great job on 45 pounds lost! Keep up the good work. I could totally see your doctor making this comment if you were the same weight, or up a few pounds, but to make this comment when you are down 10? Just doesn't seem right. No wait. IT WAS TOTALLY WRONG!

It has been said ad nauseum, but get a new doctor OR............dun dun dun........does this doctor know you very well? Was he having a very bad day? Is he usually like this?

I say all this because he is human, after all.

All that being said, my PCP wrote the scripts and tiredly said "lose weight". Did so for 10 years with me as my weight climbed. Then I appeared for my 6 month check up 35 pounds lighter!

I said "Well Doc I HEARD you the last time you whispered 'lose weight'"

God, I thought that man was gonna cry! He made me get on the scale and weighed me again, clapping his hands. (he shows no emotion this man, LOL.........loved seeing that!)

He did his best for all those years with me. Started out fervently saying " J, you have got to stop putting on weight. It isn't blah blah blah" Each visit less excited. Each time knowing I wasn't going to do what he said any more than my ex-husband quit the smoking. Each time up another 3,4,5 pounds.

When I did? He celebrated! THAT is what your doctor should have done.

Keep up the great work and PROVE that sucker wrong. Get a new doc, lose 100 pounds and go BACK! :drinker:

This!!!!^^^ THIS is what we hope for when you come into our offices.

Edited for removal of rant...the above still holds true. We WANT you to be healthy.

JoelleAnn78

I am a WLS patient. I struggled for a long time prior to surgery to control my BRAIN and get on track mentally before I felt I was even ready for surgery. For me it was necessary to make the lifestyle/diet change PRIOR to surgery. Even with the changes personally, I felt that that surgery was still needed to address my issues with persistent hunger. I had a larger than normal stomach and a smaller than normal metabolism. I chose the procedure that removes the part of the stomach that produces the majority of the hunger hormone ghrellin but does not change the way my body absorbs food.... I am VERY happy with my surgery and I've lost 30 pounds since my surgery 10 weeks ago... which is about a pound a week faster than I was losing before my surgery, but I don't care much about speed.. it's the fact that I can now be physically satisfied with smaller portion sizes that I am thrilled with.... So I'm speaking here as a very happy WLS patient....

You are absolutely right the surgery does not control your brain... and your doctor does not know what is going on inside you mentally. It's one thing to recommend a surgery and tell you about the benefits/risks.... but it's quite another to make you feel that there is undue pressure to have it. Surgery can be a wonderful tool for SOME people but it is not the right thing for everyone. I know personally I would have responded very poorly to anyone, even a medical professional trying to force WLS down my throat. It's a DEEPLY personal decision and not one to be taken lightly at all as it is definitely not a quick fix or magic pill. If this doctor continues to push the WLS and not support you on the path that YOU have already proven is working for you then I think you have no choice but to fire him and find a doctor who will be a bit more supportive of assisting you down the path that is right for you.

I wanted to add my 2 cents here as well -- I am a three year post WLS success story. I spent many months in therapy addressing why I was so overweight in the first place, attended every information session I could find and continued support groups for a year + after my surgery. While, I agree, surgery is not for everyone - it was for me. I was not looking for a "quick fix" as so many comments on this thread indicate WLS to be. I did not find a quick fix. I found a tool and I worked my *kitten* off to save my own life. Not every story is a horror story - those are just the ones you always hear about.

I say BRAVO to the OP who is making a go of it without surgery. Best of luck to you - I hope you are as successful as you hope to be. To the person I quoted above -- Best of luck to you as well.

This is one hell of a tough road regardless of what method you choose. We could all use the support of others and the support of a Dr - this Dr sounds like I would have wanted to punch him as well. Nice bed side manner, Doc.