Re:work

[Guest guest]

Hi Meli:

I'm in the medical field, as well, on the financial side. While I

totally understand your reason, I did tell people. First, I have a

very long medical history and people are used to me being ill. I've

had chronic immune dysfunction (chronic fatigue syndrome) for the

same amount of time I've been MO. Before I began seeing an

acupuncturist I routinely missed about 20 days/year due to illness. I

knew the rumors would start flying when I was gone for six weeks and

then came back as the shrinking woman. Everyone was concerned for me

and I did get some bad horror stories about WLS, especially from our

ER nurses. But all they'd ever seen or heard about were the old

bypass procedures from 20+ years ago or the RNY. (They especially

don't like the RNY!) I've tried to educate them on the differences

and each time they see me I'm carefully looked over. They can't

believe I'm doing so well and they've NEVER seen me look this

healthy. It's a little irritating, but I can live with it.

In the obstetrics unit I work on there are now 9 of us who have had

WLS, mostly RNY's. There are just two of us DS'ers. The RNYer's can't

believe that we can eat. It's kinda nice, though, we have our own

support group here, regardless of what type of WLS.

And many, many MO people at work have already asked me about the DS.

Some are trying to get going finding a surgeon and getting approval.

My PCP and my mom's PCP routinely refer patients to me to give them

info on the DS. They really like knowing there's an alternative to

the RNY out there. My hope is that someday soon there will be at

least one doctor in Florida to perform the DS.

P

> Dawn, I also have told just a handful of people. I'm a nurse, and

I

> love my coworkers but they all have huge opinions on all issues

> medical. None of them have serious weight problems either. I dont

> want to hear the horror stories, thats for sure.

> I dont want to be defined by this surgery, it is only a part of

who

> I am. With the Rny getting all the publicity, I dont want to have

to

> explain that no, I dont dump, and no, I dont have to chew my food

to

> applesauce,etc. I dont want to continually be naming the pounds

I've

> lost, just dont want to be a spectator sport in general.

[Guest guest]

> Hi Meli:

> I'm in the medical field, as well, on the financial side. While I

> totally understand your reason, I did tell people. First, I have a

> very long medical history and people are used to me being ill. I've

> had chronic immune dysfunction (chronic fatigue syndrome) for the

> same amount of time I've been MO. Before I began seeing an

> acupuncturist I routinely missed about 20 days/year due to illness.

I

> knew the rumors would start flying when I was gone for six weeks

and

> then came back as the shrinking woman. Everyone was concerned for

me

> and I did get some bad horror stories about WLS, especially from

our

> ER nurses.

I am an ER nurse, . And we do see the worst possible

complications from all kinds of surgery or illnesses. It sort of

jades us.

Obviously, I will be changing befor their very eyes. And there

will naturally be questions. I'm not so silly as to think that I can

keep this a secret forever. I have told one close friend who had the

Rny, and I told my boss. People just dont keep secrets in general, I

know that.

If it comes out, so be it. I guess I would rather it was on my own

terms, and when I am totally healed and adjusted, though.

Sometimes I think that the truth would set me free, I wouldnt have

to give evasive answers. Other times I think why the he** should I

have to discuss my private medical history? So, I'll just " be the

leaf " floating down the stream in whatever direction it takes me.

Be well, Meli (-45lb)

I start back to work on Saturday, so I guess I'll see.