I am new and thinking about WLS

[Guest guest]

I dont know if it is shame or what but the thought of talking to my

doctor about WLS feels overwhelming. I have struggled all my life with

my weight, and as soon as I graduated high school I started to gain...

In high school I was swimming 5 hours a day so it helped to keep the

weight off... but as soon as that changed I instantly started to gain

weight. I am now almost 300 lbs at 28 years of age. I have sleep

apnea, endometriosis, chronic fatigue etc. How has your experience

been with Kaiser? Are the doctors receptive? Or do they look you

like,,, well you just need to try harder and give you yet another six

months to loose weight? I guess I am just wondering what I am in

for....

Thanks

[Guest guest]

Hi Jenni,

The doctors are individuals...I have heard stories that show their

opinions are all over the place. Personally, the first time I

talked to my PCP about it, I felt like he brushed me off. He wasn't

for it...but was vague with his comments. A year later I asked him

again and this time, he was all for it. I asked him why and he said

that in part he was working off my " energy " . The first time, I was

rather indecisive...the second time, I was more knowledgeable about

the subject. He said it is a big deal that should only be

undertaken by someone who is serious about it and didn't want to

talk me into anything I wasn't ready for the first time I brought it

up.

He also said he felt better about Kaiser's program the second time.

It used to be we had to fly to San Diego to have it done. Now there

are three locations in the Bay Area, and they have the procedure

down pat. So he now feels better about recommending Kaiser's GBS to

his patients.

So you may need to try more than one doctor. There is nothing wrong

with getting second and third opinions. Since you have co-

morbidities, that should make them more interested in you getting

into the program. Good luck and remember to me your own advocate!

>

> I dont know if it is shame or what but the thought of talking to

my

> doctor about WLS feels overwhelming. I have struggled all my life

with

> my weight, and as soon as I graduated high school I started to

gain...

> In high school I was swimming 5 hours a day so it helped to keep

the

> weight off... but as soon as that changed I instantly started to

gain

> weight. I am now almost 300 lbs at 28 years of age. I have sleep

> apnea, endometriosis, chronic fatigue etc. How has your experience

> been with Kaiser? Are the doctors receptive? Or do they look you

> like,,, well you just need to try harder and give you yet another

six

> months to loose weight? I guess I am just wondering what I am in

> for....

> Thanks

>