Can I let off a little steam here?

Got my band date of Oct.29.

In advance, I thought I would be proactive and get a few health checkups out of the way.

Got my physical and my doc was very supportive.

Went to my GYN, my doc was very supportive.

I have never had a colonoscopy, so I figured since I am over 50 I should get this done before banding. So today was my doc appt. I explained it just as it is, I am getting banded on Oct. 29th and want to have a colonoscopy before that date. And instead of saying, Glad you are doing this, or that was a good thing to consider, here is what I got.

Nurse 1 - why are you getting that done you don;t look that big.

Nurse 2 - gastric banding, isn't that a little extreme

The Doc - how much do you weigh, I told her 220. She said that's about what I weigh and I don't consider my self fat.

Then I got the run down, well where are you getting it done?. Who is doing it? Did you think this through?

What does that have to do with my colon??

All I went in there for was a date for a colonoscopy. I probably should have never said I was getting banded, but after the reaction of the first two docs, I thought the butt doc wouldn't care.

It kind of sealed it for me not telling anyone else about the surgery.

I wouldnt worry about it. You are going to get both good and mixed reviews from who ever you tell. That is what I have been finding. But, I know it is the right thing for me, so I dont let the nay-sayers get to me. But, I totally understand how you feel.

Everyone is going to have an opinion. I was going to keep it relatively quiet until I realized my 11 year old is the town crier. I really don't care what they think. My Blood Pressure at my initial consult was 165 over 123. yesterday it was 128 over 77 and that is off medication. That is what is important. Your health.

Greg

I have had some people ask me the same ?. I am currently 225 and 5'6". If they had the pain in there backs like I do, they would not ask.

Yours and mine reasons are our own, just be proud of yourself for wanting to improve your quality of life/health.

I still have 5 months of pre aprroval MD followed diet to get threw.

Best of luck

I agree with everyone, you're definately going to get mied opinions. Stand firm on your decision and keep it moving......good luck

Nurse 1 - why are you getting that done you don;t look that big.

Nurse 2 - gastric banding, isn't that a little extreme

The Doc - how much do you weigh, I told her 220. She said that's about what I weigh and I don't consider my self fat.

Unless your Doc is about 6’6” (which I doubt) she is fat. She may not consider herself fat, but she is fat. You are doing this for you. This is one medical opinion I would not take too seriously. It’s been my experience that some people that don’t want to see fault in themselves try to convince us from doing the right thing, it somehow validates their own poor choices.

For me my cardiologist actually suggested the surgery and helped me get going, my former primary care doctor however was a whole other story, she was not very supportive about it at all and made it slightly difficult to complete the process but I did not let it get to me and went through with it and got the band October of 2008. She is also no longer my PCP after the lack of support and then with the physical before surgery my insurance was being a pain and denied some initial appointments from the surgeon and then denied the physical but the surgeons office resubmitted and insurance paid, her office did not. When I saw my cardiologist in July he sent me to a new PCP because I suffer from migraines so I need access to a doctor to get my meds for that.

Just be glad you learned early on not to share your surgery with anyone who doesn't "need to know."

The lack of information and education on LBS from others can really get under your skin. I decided early on to tell only those closest to me; it is the best decision I ever made.

You are the ONLY one who knows what is best for you, don't listen to anyone but yourself and your doctor.

For me my cardiologist actually suggested the surgery and helped me get going, my former primary care doctor however was a whole other story, she was not very supportive about it at all and made it slightly difficult to complete the process but I did not let it get to me and went through with it and got the band October of 2008. She is also no longer my PCP after the lack of support and then with the physical before surgery my insurance was being a pain and denied some initial appointments from the surgeon and then denied the physical but the surgeons office resubmitted and insurance paid, her office did not. When I saw my cardiologist in July he sent me to a new PCP because I suffer from migraines so I need access to a doctor to get my meds for that.

Seriously? What brilliant advice did your PCP have considering that you had a BMI of 54? Medifast or some other worthless program?

Thanks Everyone.

I am not going to let this discourage me. It was hard for me to believe that a medical professional would question or judge my decision.

But you are right it is one opinion, and opinions are like (you know what), everyone has one! :smile:

let them question all they want your not getting banded to satisfy anyone but you .... This is your journey not there's and 220 lbs can be very diffrent people I know when I was 220 I didn't feel fat but I was

Water off a duck's back. I have a friend who weighed 500 pounds. She went on some diet that involves injecting herself with urine (?) and eating about 500 calories a day. Now, granted she's now down to 399 pounds after a year, but she's arguing with me that the lap band is an extreme fad? ROFL.

We decided to agree to disagree. Fortunately, my own family is extremely supportive, but even if they weren't, that's their problem.

Water off a duck's back. I have a friend who weighed 500 pounds. She went on some diet that involves injecting herself with urine (?) and eating about 500 calories a day. Now, granted she's now down to 399 pounds after a year, but she's arguing with me that the lap band is an extreme fad? ROFL.

We decided to agree to disagree. Fortunately, my own family is extremely supportive, but even if they weren't, that's their problem.

OMG I did that back in the 80's didn't know they even still did that. It's supposed to be horse urine, they also gave me pills and ya anyone eating 500 calories will lose. Of course I got the band cause I put it back on again and again!