BarbieJ

My husband suggested the same thing and plans on recording the conversation when we go on Monday. I still have a hard time believing his behavior. I had heard he was a little stern with his patients but at no point did I expect to be treated in such a manner. To not even have an opportunity to discuss any issues I may have been having or struggles I was dealing with was very frustrating. I told the nurse I have had poor eating habits all my life and just like it took years to gain the weight it will take years to lose it and develop good eating habits to sustain it. It is no fun having someone make you feel like a failure. I was proud that I have lost weight since having the surgery and trying to make this a positive experience but the appts have been difficult. I suggested that maybe he should connect some of his more successful patients with those that were struggling or maybe needed some extra support but his response was he did not want the ones with bad habits to negatively influence some of his more successful patients. I try to be proud of the small victories I have accomplished but contrary to what most say words hurt and are very harmful especially when they come from someone you thought was there to help you. There are only 2 doctors in my area that perform this surgery and I am sure he has lost patients to the other doctor. I do appreciate the words of encouragement. They are greatly appreciated. Funny how strangers can bring a smile to your face or make you feel better.

Hey all. I was banded May 2010 and to date have lost about 25lbs and had 2 fills. I am currently up to 2 miles a day and writing down everything I eat and watching my calories. My problem is that my doctor is not very encouraging and the last 2 appt's I have had have been absolute nightmares reducing me to tears each time. My first appt I was told that I was his worst patient ever. That out of the 3,000 surgeries he had performed I was the worse one. Even though I had lost weight he felt it was not enough and belittled me for not having lost more. He told me that I had probably already damaged my band as well by continuing to eat the wrong foods. Now I admit to being no angel but I had adhered to the post op instructions. My second appt was even worse. Again I had lost weight but this time not only did he chastise me for the amount I lost but he also got up and stormed out of the office leaving me there alone. He told me that it was obvious that I did not care about myself and that I was wasting his and everyone else's time. As he walked out he laughed a little as though to add further insult to injury. His nurse came in not long after and I was in complete tears by that point. Once again I left his office completely devastated. I have had 2 fills and though I do feel a slight restriction I still feel I can eat whatever I want and do not have a full feeling as I have heard described. I have another appt on monday and I am already filled with dread and anxiety because though I have lost weight I fear he will again put me down for not having lost as much as he feels I should. I do notice a change in my clothes and people who do not know I have had surgery have remarked that I have lost weight. When I told the doctor that I felt the difference in my clothes he basically said that was not possible and it was all in my mind. He said that I had to be continuing to eat the same high fat foods and not exercising because if I was then the change would be seen on the scale. I am trying to brace myself for what may be in store for me on this next visit but everytime I think about going into that office I am reduced to tears. I know my health is improving and I have to be making some progress. My primary care doctor has already reduced my diabetes medicine and is talking about reducing/removing my high blood pressure medicine. I am thinking about switching doctors but the only other doctor that performs the surgery in my area charges a 250.00 transfer fee and cannot see me until the end of September. I feel like I need to get another fill in order to make the other changes I have made more effective but I am truly filled with dread.

The first appointment I tried to explain it but I was told that I could not possible be doing the things I described. I admitted that though I had followed the ruled in terms of eating I had not fully committed to exercising. I attributed the lack of solid exercise to the little amount of weight loss. The second appt he literally walked in the office, spoke to me, saw what I had lost, went off on me and stormed out of the office. he was in the office with me less than 3 minutes and did not return. His nurse came in and I was hysterical to the point I was hypervenilating and it took me a moment to regain my composure. I was in such shock and disbelief I did not have time to react to his behavior. The nurse explained that he did not have the best bedside manner and had often been accused of being less that mannerable when it cmae to some of his patients. I went through the detail of just how much I had changed my eating habits and the progress health wise I had made. She basically just made excuses for his poor behavior and handed me some literature on addiitonal changes I could make and a low cal diet she had developed that may help she some additional lbs. This will be my 3rd fill and I have already cancelled the appt once because I was just not ready to face him. I can stick up for eveyone else in my life but have not managed to be able to stick up for myself in this situation. I am determined to make this appt but I am already not sleeping well and my anxiety is through the roof. My husband is going with me this time so hopefully that will deter some of the negative behavior.

I was banded 5/4 and it has been a bit of a struggle. I had a lot of bloating and gas that was quite painful. It finally started to break up but it was rough going for a moment. I also find that I am quite emotional. Is anyone else experiencing this? I finally got out the house today and got a mani/pedi and that made me feel better. The spa chair really helped as well. The massaging to my lower back was like a godsend..LOL I did have a lot of shoulder and back pain as well but luckily I have had some wonderful support from my husband and mom. I did not have any appetite at first but today I did get down some egg drop soup. Not drinking as many fluids but I am working on that as well. Looking forward to the journey.