Guest guest Posted May 5, 2000 Report Share Posted May 5, 2000 Carol, I am so sorry. Most research programs only have to follow patients for 5-6 years to prove efficacy, unless it's a study in which the results take years to develop. The research that I have found says that with a large amount of weight loss on your own, regain at 5 years is 95%, ----so the means that 95% of people will have gained the weight back. With successful weight loss surgery, you have a 95% chance of keeping your weight off for at least 5 years. That's not saying that after 5 years everyone will gain their weight back, that's just as far as the researchers have decided to follow up. There are many WLS patients out there that have had their surgery more than 10 years ago. Many of them have lives and don't take the time to join support groups. Where do you live? There are several live groups in Florida where WLS patients get together in person, and alot of " old-timer " patients will attend these. Do a look up at egroups and see if there are groups that can be joined there. We were discussing this in another group I belong to, and someone mentioned that there is one for long term patients, and you could at least read their messages, even if you couldn't post. But if your doctor does not support you in something you feel is right, is this the right doctor for you? My physician, even though she told me that she was not wild about WLS (at least she was honest) after talking to me, decided that I had done the research and knew what I wanted. She already has another patient of DrR's who she says is happy with her weight loss. She did offer to write me a script for Meridia---I would have felt her remiss if she hadn't..but when I told her that I was done with the pharmacological game of weight loss, she said okay, and that she would support me. Don't stay with a physician who doesn't see your pain, and who seems to be denying you this because it's a control issue. jmho fg At 08:46 PM 05/04/2000 -0000, you wrote: >Well, I finally had my doctor appointment; I've waited a month now! >I went in sooooo prepared, I had a binder all made up with all my >research and my history of weight loss I EVEN HAD A PICTORAL of my >weight loss and regain, tell me that was not the most painful thing >to put together, let a lone show someone. This doctor has been my >doc for 4 years and has watched me go through hell with my weight. > >Well, she looked at me and said " Oh Carol, if only you would put >this >much effort (and pointed at the book) into losing weight " I said, >Dr. >Lawson, you know how hard I've tried! Then she told me " I >know I feel >like I've failed you, when you came in the first time 4 years ago >you >were gorgeous and you were having trouble keeping the weight off that >you had lost (100 pounds off for 2 years). " Then she added, > " BUT I >want you to give it one more try. " So she gave me Phentramine >and >told me to come back in one month. She further added that she did not >believe WLS was the answer b/c " the long range success is low, >people typically regain their weight. " And she told me to try to >find >research for people who had WLS for 10 years or more. > >I started to cry, I swear I tried not too, but when she said, > " You >just need to figure out why you eat and stop " I lost it! I told >her >that I had been in an eating disorder clinic that I have had therapy >for my over eating, I've tried it all. But she said the WLS was >not >the answer. > >SO, now I'm really confussed and very bummed out! > >Does anyone know where I can get data on people with WLS that are 10 >years or more post-op. I've not been able to find any research >findings older the 6 years, is she right? > > > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >GET WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE FREE! GET THE OFFICIAL COMPANION >TO TELEVISION'S HOTTEST GAME SHOW PHENOMENON PLUS 5 MORE BOOKS FOR >$2. Click for details. >http://click.egroups.com/1/3014/1/_/453517/_/957473220/ >------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com >Please visit our web site at http://clos.net >Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 5, 2000 Report Share Posted May 5, 2000 Carol, I am so sorry. Most research programs only have to follow patients for 5-6 years to prove efficacy, unless it's a study in which the results take years to develop. The research that I have found says that with a large amount of weight loss on your own, regain at 5 years is 95%, ----so the means that 95% of people will have gained the weight back. With successful weight loss surgery, you have a 95% chance of keeping your weight off for at least 5 years. That's not saying that after 5 years everyone will gain their weight back, that's just as far as the researchers have decided to follow up. There are many WLS patients out there that have had their surgery more than 10 years ago. Many of them have lives and don't take the time to join support groups. Where do you live? There are several live groups in Florida where WLS patients get together in person, and alot of " old-timer " patients will attend these. Do a look up at egroups and see if there are groups that can be joined there. We were discussing this in another group I belong to, and someone mentioned that there is one for long term patients, and you could at least read their messages, even if you couldn't post. But if your doctor does not support you in something you feel is right, is this the right doctor for you? My physician, even though she told me that she was not wild about WLS (at least she was honest) after talking to me, decided that I had done the research and knew what I wanted. She already has another patient of DrR's who she says is happy with her weight loss. She did offer to write me a script for Meridia---I would have felt her remiss if she hadn't..but when I told her that I was done with the pharmacological game of weight loss, she said okay, and that she would support me. Don't stay with a physician who doesn't see your pain, and who seems to be denying you this because it's a control issue. jmho fg At 08:46 PM 05/04/2000 -0000, you wrote: >Well, I finally had my doctor appointment; I've waited a month now! >I went in sooooo prepared, I had a binder all made up with all my >research and my history of weight loss I EVEN HAD A PICTORAL of my >weight loss and regain, tell me that was not the most painful thing >to put together, let a lone show someone. This doctor has been my >doc for 4 years and has watched me go through hell with my weight. > >Well, she looked at me and said " Oh Carol, if only you would put >this >much effort (and pointed at the book) into losing weight " I said, >Dr. >Lawson, you know how hard I've tried! Then she told me " I >know I feel >like I've failed you, when you came in the first time 4 years ago >you >were gorgeous and you were having trouble keeping the weight off that >you had lost (100 pounds off for 2 years). " Then she added, > " BUT I >want you to give it one more try. " So she gave me Phentramine >and >told me to come back in one month. She further added that she did not >believe WLS was the answer b/c " the long range success is low, >people typically regain their weight. " And she told me to try to >find >research for people who had WLS for 10 years or more. > >I started to cry, I swear I tried not too, but when she said, > " You >just need to figure out why you eat and stop " I lost it! I told >her >that I had been in an eating disorder clinic that I have had therapy >for my over eating, I've tried it all. But she said the WLS was >not >the answer. > >SO, now I'm really confussed and very bummed out! > >Does anyone know where I can get data on people with WLS that are 10 >years or more post-op. I've not been able to find any research >findings older the 6 years, is she right? > > > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >GET WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE FREE! GET THE OFFICIAL COMPANION >TO TELEVISION'S HOTTEST GAME SHOW PHENOMENON PLUS 5 MORE BOOKS FOR >$2. Click for details. >http://click.egroups.com/1/3014/1/_/453517/_/957473220/ >------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com >Please visit our web site at http://clos.net >Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 5, 2000 Report Share Posted May 5, 2000 That sounds great Liz. I made an appointment with my PCP specifically to discuss the procedure. I figured she could charge my insurance company for the consult. I had the manual, I told her that I didn't want to put her in a difficult spot, but that she already had a patient who had the surgery (she had given me her name) and after talking for about 30 minutes, she agreed. If a doctor won't listen to the facts and support you, then obviously they are not progressive and I do not want them taking care of me. It's not like my doc had to refer me or anything, she just had to agree to run a few lab tests every so often, perhaps remove staples, etc. Not that big of a deal. She's very nice also, and was very sympathetic.....I told her that I had avoided doctors the last several years because of my obesity,....she told me that was precisely the time when I needed to go. But not all doctors are that empathetic (she, however is a bean pole). fg At 06:54 PM 05/04/2000 EDT, you wrote: >In a message dated 5/4/00 6:11:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time, cmsm97@... >writes: > ><< Even if they don't automatically cover WLS they have the ! > resources to advise you with the names of some Dr's who might be more >willing to help you. (I'm wishing you both all the best in the meantime!) >> >, That is a very good idea. I have a feeling I'll need it come time >for my visit with my PCP on Monday. Does anyone have a good idea for how to >ask the question. I am imagining saying something like, " Dr. M, as you very >well know, I am morbidly obese and nothing we have tried over the years has >made any impact whatsoever. I have not given up hope however, and in my >search to reclaim my health, I have found out about WLS specifically the MGB. > It is a laproscopic....blah blah blah and then tell her that I would like >her opinion and unless she can reveal something that all the post-ops and the >Dr. R has hidden that I have made up my mind to have the MGB. I will then >tell her that I will need a physician who will agree to moniter me closely >for nutritional deficiencies and perform a complete Physical to be forwarded >to Dr. R. And I will then say, " Will you agree to moniter me and see me >after this procedure is done? " And I will show her what I have in my " book " >and tell her I will copy as much as she would like. What do you all think of >that? Liz > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >You have a voice mail message waiting for you at iHello.com: >http://click.egroups.com/1/3555/1/_/453517/_/957480889/ >------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com >Please visit our web site at http://clos.net >Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 5, 2000 Report Share Posted May 5, 2000 That sounds great Liz. I made an appointment with my PCP specifically to discuss the procedure. I figured she could charge my insurance company for the consult. I had the manual, I told her that I didn't want to put her in a difficult spot, but that she already had a patient who had the surgery (she had given me her name) and after talking for about 30 minutes, she agreed. If a doctor won't listen to the facts and support you, then obviously they are not progressive and I do not want them taking care of me. It's not like my doc had to refer me or anything, she just had to agree to run a few lab tests every so often, perhaps remove staples, etc. Not that big of a deal. She's very nice also, and was very sympathetic.....I told her that I had avoided doctors the last several years because of my obesity,....she told me that was precisely the time when I needed to go. But not all doctors are that empathetic (she, however is a bean pole). fg At 06:54 PM 05/04/2000 EDT, you wrote: >In a message dated 5/4/00 6:11:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time, cmsm97@... >writes: > ><< Even if they don't automatically cover WLS they have the ! > resources to advise you with the names of some Dr's who might be more >willing to help you. (I'm wishing you both all the best in the meantime!) >> >, That is a very good idea. I have a feeling I'll need it come time >for my visit with my PCP on Monday. Does anyone have a good idea for how to >ask the question. I am imagining saying something like, " Dr. M, as you very >well know, I am morbidly obese and nothing we have tried over the years has >made any impact whatsoever. I have not given up hope however, and in my >search to reclaim my health, I have found out about WLS specifically the MGB. > It is a laproscopic....blah blah blah and then tell her that I would like >her opinion and unless she can reveal something that all the post-ops and the >Dr. R has hidden that I have made up my mind to have the MGB. I will then >tell her that I will need a physician who will agree to moniter me closely >for nutritional deficiencies and perform a complete Physical to be forwarded >to Dr. R. And I will then say, " Will you agree to moniter me and see me >after this procedure is done? " And I will show her what I have in my " book " >and tell her I will copy as much as she would like. What do you all think of >that? Liz > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ >You have a voice mail message waiting for you at iHello.com: >http://click.egroups.com/1/3555/1/_/453517/_/957480889/ >------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >This message is from the Mini-Gastric Bypass Mailing List at Onelist.com >Please visit our web site at http://clos.net >Get the Patient Manual at http://clos.net/get_patient_manual.htm > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2000 Report Share Posted May 7, 2000 << She further added that she did not believe WLS was the answer b/c " the long range success is low, people typically regain their weight. " And she told me to try to find research for people who had WLS for 10 years or more. >> ElsbethLiz: there are NO stats for the ten year picture for the MGB that Dr. Rutledge performs for us. He's just started this procedure; it's only about three years old. He's presenting at a conference in June (in Tennessee) and you may want to ask him if his paper will be downloadable to our MGB website once he's presented it. I'm about 4-and-a-half months post-op and I've dropped 75 pounds and many, many inches. I was huge before Dr. R performed my MGB. I'll never be " petite, " ElsbethLiz, but I now have a chance to live a healthy, productive, longer life. I'm a cancer survivor and I've faced some serious health challenges as a result of my morbid obesity. If your doctor wants to hear from another doctor about how this procedure can turn a life around, she's welcome to call my PCP here in Michigan: Dr. Schacht ( " Shot " ) and ask him. He's going to give her his cautious response...but I'm banking that what he's seen happen for me will help her nervousness. His number is: ; that's the health center number. He's not going to tell her about anything EXCEPT what's he's seen happen for me. Keep in mind that it's only been a little over four months. The other person that I'm aware of up here is also having excellent response from her doctors after this procedure. She's on our MGB list: ...her procedure was done in mid-December 1999, just like mine. Check out her e-mail address and perhaps she'll share her doctors' numbers so that you can forward those to your own doctor for her research. It's true, the old ten procedures (before the MGB) were very prone to failure. This is not the same procedure. Finally, there is NO magic bullet for any of us, ElsbethLiz; the MGB is still only a tool for our return to a healthy life. Once you're on the more normal side of your body's weight, you will still have to live a balanced and active life. Please go over Dr. R's website with a fine-tooth comb and study everything that you find there. Your doctor isn't trying to be obstructionist; she's worried that what she knows about the old WLS procedures is true of the MGB. She doesn't want to see you go through this procedure only to re-gain your excess weight. Does she have Dr. R's website address? Give it to her. Does she have the NEW info on his procedure to show how it differs from the old WLS procedures? Don't allow yourself to fall back into your cellar, ElsbethLiz! You can do this. Educate your doctor; give her all the reasons she needs to support you. Whatever she's worried about, get her answers; whatever she's heard, get her refutations. She'll be your biggest fan if you continue to help her find ways to say " yes. " You are loved with an Everlasting Love, ElsbethLiz. God never sends us where He hasn't already gone ahead to prepare the way. Sit outside and bask in the warmth of His love and His sunshine; remember how special you are. You are unique. There is no one in all the world like you. No one. Your spirit, your heart, your very being...each is unlike anyone else. Enjoy your individuality, ElsbethLiz! Embrace it, celebrate it! Give thanks to God that you are wonderfully and fearfully made. Remember the old story: if you were presented with the opportunity to purchase a perfect pearl...would you not sell everything that you have to obtain it? YOU are that perfect pearl, ElsbethLiz. You. The price is already paid. We just celebrated that fact a few weeks ago. In the eyes of God, you ARE a priceless pearl. He gave everything that He had to purchase you for eternity. I'm so glad that you're considering the MGB, ElsbethLiz. Your life is before you and you do have the strength and courage to get through this. Dee in MI (16 Dec 99) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2000 Report Share Posted May 7, 2000 In a message dated 5/7/2000 9:51:40 AM Eastern Daylight Time, yarnmama@... writes: << n the eyes of God, you ARE a priceless pearl. He gave everything that He had to purchase you for eternity. I'm so glad that you're considering the MGB, ElsbethLiz. Your life is before you and you do have the strength and courage to get through this. Dee in MI (16 Dec 99) >> Such a beautiful response Dee!!!!! A Little Scared, but wanting to be on the other side, Cathy in Lenoir, NC BMI 42 " A Journey Of A Thousand Miles Begins With A Single Step! " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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