Doctor suggested gastric bypass--freaking out!

Options
24

Replies

  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,464 Member
    Options
    I agree with you. Talk to PCP again. There is a lot of risk with surgery. Congrats with your success to date.
  • MondayJune22nd2015
    MondayJune22nd2015 Posts: 876 Member
    Options
    I view it as the Doctor, believing that she should lose the weight; as soon as possible & obviously the surgery would be quicker, than dieting; to restore her breathing but at her weight, I don't believe that a surgeon; would even work on her & especially since she is losing weight, on her own.
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,008 Member
    Options
    1) Always get a second opinion before taking a major medical step, like surgery to irreversibly alter your anatomy and vital functions of your body.
    2) You are not required to take medical advice, whether it's a drug prescription or a surgery recommendation (barring institutionalization, court order, etc.).
    3) The response "the gastric bypass is better for maintaining the weight loss long term and he would strongly recommend that option" seems pretty weak. Did you ask him for studies to support that conclusion? How do those studies account for differences in motivation -- do they actually randomly assign participants to weight-loss surgery and no weight-loss surgery? There are plenty of people who manage to regain weight even they lose it after weight-loss surgery.
    4) Unless the pulmonologist has other residencies, training, or experience not reflected in that title, he's not an expert in nutrition, weight loss, weight-loss surgery, or success indicators for individuals pursuing a variety of different weight-loss strategies.

    I'm an inch shorter than you, was about 10 lbs heavier than you are currently before I started on MFP, and had several borderline-high factors (blood pressure, blood glucose, and triglycerides, and low HDL), and my doctor, while advising me to lose weight and urging me to go to Weight Watchers, which I didn't feel was for me, and holding the threat of blood pressure medication over my head, never remotely hinted at surgery as a recommended path at those stats. I actually was over the class II obesity line (about 36 as I recall) at that point. (This was all two and a half years ago; I now hover right around the overweight/obesity class I borderline, and am more focused on maintaining than on losing more, since all my blood work and BP numbers have been fine at this weight, and I'm again able to squat and stand without holding on to something, tie my shoes without fat rolls getting in the way, etc. I also lift, walk/run, dance, and do yoga, among other things, but getting rid of the everyday-life impediments that had crept up almost without my noticing that was the real icing on the cake of improving my health stats.)

    To me it sounds like you have very good reasons for not wanting the surgery, which like you I have always thought of as a desperate measure, when the risks of general surgical complications combined with the radical alteration of your digestive system are outweighed by the imminent risk of maintaining your current weight.

    I think I tend to question doctors a lot more than the average patient does, and I can't imagine getting surgery for no better reason than that presented by this pulmonologist (he may be math-challenged, but your BMI is not "near 35" in comparison to 30 unless you consider 75 to be "near 100" on a 0 to 100 scale; it seems like any surgeon that would actually perform this surgery on you is bending the qualifying threshold just to generate more surgeries). Honestly, I would be tempted to ask him what his professional qualifications are for recommending this surgery, and what his financial connections are to the surgeon he wants to refer you to. After which he would probably kick me out of the office.
  • besee_2000
    besee_2000 Posts: 365 Member
    Options
    I think your doctor may have a quantitative brain and a lack of tact. Here's the problem x and if a and b are both true then answer y can happen. Some patients are looking for the easy fix and maybe he had 20 in a row begging for the band. There may have been a series of events for the suggestion.
    However, I agree its too aggressive of an answer especially with your measurements. If this is a first offense shake it off. If there have been a few subtle tactless suggestions on your health look for another doc.
  • Owlie45
    Owlie45 Posts: 806 Member
    Options
    I'm sorry but I don't know why you were upset by this. He was simply suggesting it as an option and that he would help you to get it. Maybe hes had a few patients that have done well after the surgery. He wasn't saying you had to do it. If you don't want it then don't have it. It's as simple as that.
  • MostlyWater
    MostlyWater Posts: 4,294 Member
    Options
    It sounds like you have things under control. Surgery is definitely a last resort. Don't you have to be a hundred lbs overweight to quality for it, anyway?
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Options
    Nope, nope, nope! I was 213 pounds at 34, then I lost 73 pound in a year just by eating less and moving more. It's entirely unnecessary to do something so drastic.
  • cafeaulait7
    cafeaulait7 Posts: 2,459 Member
    Options
    There's something financial going on, I bet. I wouldn't go to him for your sleep issues now, either.
  • DawnieB1977
    DawnieB1977 Posts: 4,248 Member
    Options
    You can definitely lose weight on your own! I'm 5'6 and was 220lbs not long after my 2nd baby, and I got down to to 154lbs on my own. Gained again in my 3rd pregnancy and have lost most of it. Here in England they'd never suggest surgery unless your life was at risk!
  • ki4eld
    ki4eld Posts: 1,215 Member
    Options
    Read this for my opinion... http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/33777376/#Comment_33777376
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    Options
    Just because your Dr recommended it doesn't mean you have to do it. Dr's are used to treating issues by medical intervention such as surgery or meds, it's usually their 1st line of defense for everything.

    I'm of the opinion that if you can lose the weight on your own, which you've already proved you are, and your issue isn't eminently critical, which it apparently isnt, then you should just keep doing what's already working. At the very least, get a 2nd opinion.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 27,988 Member
    Options
    colorfulmosaic wrote: »
    ...I didn't think I was at such a bad point that surgery would be recommended. What do you guys think? Any feedback would be appreciated!

    You're not :)

    Losing a little over 30 lbs in the past 6 months is great! I'm a little taller than you, and about your weight, and the idea of me needing WLS is mind boggling. I wonder if your pulmonologist gets a kick back for referrals.
  • colorfulmosaic
    colorfulmosaic Posts: 9 Member
    Options
    Thanks so much for all of your posts, guys! They have been very helpful and reassuring! I did contact my PCP, and she said she doesn't see any need for the surgery at this point. The good news is, though, that she is linking me up with a weight loss program through our health system that has no cost and does not involve WLS. With my insurance, apparently I'd have to go through 6 months of preparatory work before being approved for the surgery anyway, and by six months from now I hope to no longer be obese.

    Thanks again for all of the replies. I have calmed down a lot since earlier this afternoon thanks to your posts. I did wonder if maybe my pulmonologist gets some kind of kick-back for recommending the surgery because he spent a good while talking about how great the surgery is and how it's a "miracle" for many people. It just seems kind of weird that he was so persistent about the recommendation given that WLS is major surgery under general anesthesia and permanently alters your digestive system.
  • zanalugo
    zanalugo Posts: 2 Member
    Options
    I actually was is your same position. About a year and half ago my doctor mentioned WLS. It had never even crossed my mind. After a year of thinking and freaking out and going through all the insurance hoops I ended up having gastric sleeve in Aug. I just kept moving along in the process knowing I could change my mind. But to my surprise I was seeing more of the life long benefits. It has been a roller coaster journey and it is not for everyone, but for me it saved my life and gave me back my life. I was 100lbs overweight at least. I have no regrets but I also would not wish this on anyone.
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    Options
    colorfulmosaic wrote: »
    As for why the doctor didn't recommend a CPAP machine, I think it's because he said a positional device would keep me off my back, which is the only position where I had interrupted breathing, and the CPAP machine would be too drastic since it's noisy and uncomfortable, and I'm fine when I'm not on my back. I found it ironic that he considered the CPAP drastic and not the surgery, but I'm not the doctor...

    It was just really hard, as a former anorexic, to hear that I'm at the point where weight loss surgery would be recommended. Honestly, most of my overeating came from not being able to manage cravings, and I don't see how the surgery will really help that--I mean, the cravings will still be there, right? Plus, selfishly, I'd like to be able to eat a Snickers bar once in awhile without "dumping".

    What?? That can't be best or good or even meh practice! Holy moly! He's a doctor but he's not doing a great job of it. No, do not listen to him, get a CPAP for now, talk to your doc, keep doing the great work you're doing... if it were me, I'd write a letter to that office. That is just irresponsible!

    And yeah, no kidding you'd prefer to not "dump" for life (!) than maybe be slightly uncomfortable during sleep for a couple of months! Yikes!
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    Options
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    I would suggest getting a second opinion from another doctor, and also explain your current life style change to that doctor.

    Does your current DR know that you are currently losing weight?

    my two cents would be to continue to lose weight the regular way without the need for surgery; however, I have no knowledge of your current situation or what the risks are if you do not have surgery.

    This. Op your post made me so angry ( not at you ! At your doctor !) First of all, your not even that obese IMO. Secondly, your doing great on your own losing ! Third your history should've been taken in account when he recommended that.
    I'm not a doctor. But I think you can do this on your own !
    ( BTW, I started at your size and am 135 lbs now and have been maintaining for 2+ years just by using portion control moderation, and counting calories ! You can do this too !!)
  • emily706em
    emily706em Posts: 3 Member
    Options
    I have known a clue of people to get gastric bypasses and it is a complete lifstyle change. I have also worked along side surgons to complete this surgery and unfortunately it is more common than people think. That being said This Is A Major Surgery and things can go wrong, not saying they will but they can. If you feel that you are making progress on your own that is the safest and healthiest option. A BMI of 30 or 35 is right at the minimum amount my doctor's used to justify this surgery. However BMI charts are made for the sole purpose of insurance. I personally would never recommend this surgery to anyone, but I am biased from seeing what can go wrong. Ultimetly it is your decision and if you don't want to do it then don't. This is not a quick fix surgery and often patients are left with other health problems, not to mention baggy skin from rapid weight loss. Do what is best for you.
  • kimberlyseyboldt
    kimberlyseyboldt Posts: 3 Member
    Options
    Sounds like you are on the right track without seeking surgery. I admire you for taking things seriously and knowing it isn't just about putting food in your mouth - you are also getting the help through therapy you need as well. Find a lifestyle that works for you.

    I supplement with a nutrient dense protein shake to get my macronutrients balanced (carbs, protein, fat). And I also found a cellular cleanse I love. Cleansing toxins out of your body not only helps with weight loss but also energy and mental clarity. Sustainable and not a quick fix is exactly what you should be doing. If it doesn't feel right in your gut (no pun intended
  • RetroPolkaDot
    RetroPolkaDot Posts: 83 Member
    edited December 2015
    Options
    As it is a highly invasive surgery I'd get a second opinion and even a third. Even if you met with a specialist about it they can't force you to actually get it done. One thing you must consider is the risk of the surgery itself and also the risk of secondary issues related to surgery. Surgery should never be taken lightly because it comes with risks.
    Plus even if you wanted it it could take some time to get insurance approval. You'd probably be better off continuing as you have been.

Categories