SKCUNNINGHAM

Last Thursday I went to get a sonogram of my gall bladder as required by my surgeon. I was a little grumpy because I was hungry and couldnt eat until after the sono and felt like I was waiting forever to be called. So finally the tech calls me into the room and tells me to lift my shirt and lower my pants so she can get to my gut region. She asked me why I was having the sono and I told her that I was pursuing weight loss surgery. She squirts that warm gel on my tummy and immediately goes into a story about how she used to be overweight and lost 80 pounds in two years by swimming and changing her diet. She went through a bad divorce and decided that since her kids were grown up and out of the house that she wanted to focus on herself and get healthy and lose weight. She said she went swimming early in the morning counted her calories during meals and went swimming in the evening when she got home from work. She’s telling me all this, and I'm just listening, trying to keep calm, because she's saying it in a sort of condescending tone; almost like she's trying to convince me not to have WLS. She goes on and on about what size clothing she used to wear and what she wears now, and I still listened, but I didn’t say a word. I'm the type that will usually take on a challenge, but all I wanted to do was get outta there and get my bacon and egg english muffin samich. Then she said those effin words..."I would never do the surgery, that's the EASY WAY OUT" and everything started to move in slow motion for me...like in the movies when a bomb is about to explode. I had to do everything in my power not to jump up off that exam table and cuss her out. I dont know what she said after that because I was literally trying to figure out a way to tell her that I wasnt interested in her opinion and didnt appreciate her trying to make me feel bad about having weight loss surgery. I took a deep breath and relaxed. Her opinion was her own and meant nothing to me. However, I did feel the need to put her in her place.
I'm so proud of myself....I said to her, "I'm happy that you were able to find a way to lose weight by swimming and counting calories. Unfortunately for me, I dont have the time in my busy day to go swimming in the morning and evening, as I have an entire family to take care of in addition to my full time job. I've tried countless times to lose weight with conventional methods and have failed every single time. You said it took you two years to lose 80 pounds? Well hopefully with my surgery I will lose 80 pounds in half that time, and can focus on maintaining it with my diet and regular exercise, but I know for a fact that it will not be an easy way out." (I was real sassy when I said that last part).
She then begins to apologize about not meaning it "that way", that she was just explaining to me that since she was able to put her mind to it and focus she was able to lose her weight “naturally”. My response was "Well, I'm puttin my mind to this surgery and will focus on it and lose my weight “naturally” too. I took one of them huge hospital paper towels, wiped that gunk off my tummy and wished her a good day as I sauntered off into the hallway.

I am taking notes - what a great come back to an ignorant indiviual. What courage you have!!!! Best wishes on your journey!!!! you will be very successful. This is not an easy or wreckless journey we take upon ourselves and our families. From the posts on this site, one can see that the people here have fought long and hard to do something that comes easy to others (I never can trust people who's legs don't rub together). We research, ask questions, query doctors and fight ourselves over this decision that is for the rest of our lives. Nothing about the surgery is easy, we will be focused, determined and SUCCESSFUL!!!!!!! YEAH FOR US!!!!!! THE DOERS OF THE WORLD!!!!

Tex:
A lot of folks go through this fear. I thought it was perfectly normal. Yes, there are those who argued me and said I should only be excited but you can't fake feelings. But here's the one thing I knew that is absolutely true: Of all the future surgeries you are looking at, this is the least risky and the one that will have the most positive impact on any future surgeries.
I decided I'd rather have one sleeve than 2 knee and 2 hip replacements. Or one sleeve that would make any future open heart surgery so much easier to survive and survive well. A friend of mine's Mom needed open heart. The doctor gave her 6 months to get ready. She was not fat but she, at 74, used that 6 months to lose 25 pounds and get herself lean and strong. I've never seen anyone breeze through open heart the way she did. Three weeks out she was going out to dinner in the evenings! My Mom, on the other hand, was about 40 pounds overweight and it was a struggle from day one for her.
This one surgery can have more positive impact on you than anything else. I work for a very large company and know a lot of people who've had WLS and none of them have had any serious problems. And the issues they do have are due to being non compliant. You won't be an exception. As others have said, you've done your research and teamed with someone you trust. You wife will be very happy with the new you. And this surgery will probably mean you'll be with her many extra strong years!
Good luck. You'll do great.

Hi Tough Texan;
You are tough, because you can admit you are scared. Totally normal response. This is elective surgery with minimal risks. You have done your homework, researched your surgeon, VSG surgery with pro's and con's. This surgery will change your life. Not always an easy road walk as you will be relearning how to eat, drink and reevaluate your lifelong relationship with food.
Good news - you need to turn that fear into excitement. Since you played sports, you know you can use that adrenaline for good. Think of this as the weeks before a start of a new season. You will go through hell week...aka your pre-op diet. Then you will practice often to learn new skills over and over until you know them by heart without consciously thinking about making a move. You will slow down when you eat, you will chew 20 times before swallowing. You will diligently watch to make sure you are hydrated well. You will take supplements’ to ensure you are healthy.
Be thrilled that you can win by a big (weight) loss with the sleeve.

I am getting married July 30. We didn't have a long engagment, so as soon as I got engaged I went and bought a wedding dress, size 14. Back then I thought that was pretty good because wedding dresses run very small, and at that point I was a size 14/16 in clothes.... so I figured I'd lose some weight, possibly have to take it in, but it'd be fine.
Well, I was having wedding dress remorse (it was "blush" aka pink) and decided to pop into a small dress shop on my way home from work. The woman asked me what size I am and I told her probably a 12 or 14 depending on the style. She looked at me and said "Are you sure? You don't look like a 12/14". So I just let her grab a bunch of dresses for my to try on.
I FIT IN A SIZE 8!!!!!!!!!! Granted it was a corset back and pretty snug, but OMG. I walked out of that shop with the BIGGEST smile. And a problem.... I was trying to find a cheap dress to replace my pink one.
Well, I went to the shop where I got the pink dress and explained my situation to the saleswoman who was SO nice. She let me do an even exchange and the dress fits me so I don't have to pay for many alterations! Never in a million years did I think I would be wearing a size 8, mermaid style dress (I had always gone for a-line bigger stuff that flatters big hips!).
Here is a pic in my original size 8 inspiration dress.... although it is gorgeous I couldn't afford it But I got something similar

:P :P :P
My wedding rings fit! YEA!

Find someone else for your follow up, pronto. Then, write a detailed letter to the doctor, recounting your experience at his office. Copy the local AMA / professional society. Go on sites that recommend doctors, and provide honest feedback about your visit. This should not be tolerated.