Re: DEFEATED AND DEPRESSED

October 11, 2000

First of all, thanks Flo in land and Trudy for your well wishes on my

packet, BUT, the dreaded answer from Dr. Rutledge came today AFTER I HAD TO

CALL their office to find out the status of my packet.

He disapproved lap surgery for me due to a hernia repair that the incision

was above the belly button where he said a port incision would be made. I am

so distraught because it feels after all the research, clinic visit, etc.,

that I put myself through, was all in vain....or was it? HAS ANYONE, anyone

within listening range, ever been disapproved for lap surgery due to these

circumstances, and was there an alternate route? I was soooo looking forward

to getting this procedure done, I, for one, have battled weight loss/gains my

entire life, I am divorced, and its hard as heck trying to get into a social

scene when no one wants to accept large people. Please please, if anyone has

experienced this kind of disappointment with NOT being able to have lap

surgery due to uncontrollable things in your own personal life such as hernia

repairs, please contact email me and tell me the other route I may can go.

THanks in advance because I consider you all my online friends, and friends

in heart, mind and spirit. This situation has left me with a numbness that I

do not want to affect me negatively, I want to find the answer, the right

answer for my situation.

Thanks again, I really need your support now if ever before.

Marcia in North Carolina

October 11, 2000

Jon, That was such a caring and intelligent reply. Proud to know ya!

PhillyJude

October 11, 2000

Marcia,

So sorry to hear of your situation. I can sympathize -- I was

depressed after I was denied early in the summer for RNY surgery by

my insurance company. It's important that you know that you're not

alone -- and that there is help in dealing with such disappointment.

Here are a few suggestions.

First, of course, stay here and talk with us. We're all willing to

help.

Second, if you don't have a shrink, get one pronto. This is a

genuine crisis in your life and it's important that you not let the

disappointment spiral out of control. Ask the shrink whether

medication is appropriate. (I'm a fan of Prozac class of

medications; they've changed - rescued - my life, and are especially

good for crises.)

Third, treat this as a problem to be solved. The problem is to find

WLS surgery that you're eligible for given your situation. OK, maybe

MGB is superior to RNY, but that's no longer an option. Now look at

RNY, both lap and open. The good news here is that there are many

more surgeons who perform these techniques and with a success rate

that is almost as good as for MGB. Go to ASBS.org and find a surgeon

in your area, or ask Dr. Rutledge for a referral.

Keep us informed of your search. We're glad to help. If you like, e-

mail me personally and we can get in touch and talk about it in more

depth.

As my grandmother used to say, " Keep your chin up; it's easier to hit

that way! "

Best,

Jon in Tuscaloosa

> First of all, thanks Flo in land and Trudy for your well wishes

on my

> packet, BUT, the dreaded answer from Dr. Rutledge came today AFTER

I HAD TO

> CALL their office to find out the status of my packet.

>

> He disapproved lap surgery for me due to a hernia repair that the

incision

> was above the belly button where he said a port incision would be

made. I am

> so distraught because it feels after all the research, clinic

visit, etc.,

> that I put myself through, was all in vain....or was it? HAS

ANYONE, anyone

> within listening range, ever been disapproved for lap surgery due

to these

> circumstances, and was there an alternate route? I was soooo

looking forward

> to getting this procedure done, I, for one, have battled weight

loss/gains my

> entire life, I am divorced, and its hard as heck trying to get into

a social

> scene when no one wants to accept large people. Please please, if

anyone has

> experienced this kind of disappointment with NOT being able to have

lap

> surgery due to uncontrollable things in your own personal life such

as hernia

> repairs, please contact email me and tell me the other route I may

can go.

> THanks in advance because I consider you all my online friends, and

friends

> in heart, mind and spirit. This situation has left me with a

numbness that I

> do not want to affect me negatively, I want to find the answer, the

right

> answer for my situation.

>

> Thanks again, I really need your support now if ever before.

>

> Marcia in North Carolina

October 11, 2000

Marcia, The reason is that the surgery you had and the MGB are in the same

spot. But you are a perfect candidate for an open procedure. Don't get

down; get up. Find a new doctor, one who does open surgeries, and start

again. Doesn't mean I don't understand your disappointment. I would be too.

But it's just a diversion, not a conclusion. And we'll still be here for

you. Please get that chin up, and fight for yourself and the good life you

deserve. In my heart, PhillyJude

October 11, 2000

Thanks for your e-m. Well, I've been there. There's no shame in

seeking help and receiving it. This isn't a moral issue, it's a

medical problem. Best regards.

P.S. See? I'm good for something besides bawdy jokes!

> Jon, That was such a caring and intelligent reply. Proud to know

ya!

> PhillyJude

October 11, 2000

Marcia,

I know you must feel just AWFUL. All of your feelings of defeat and

depression are WELL justified. Dr. R's decision (I'm sure) was for

your operative safety. I would investigate the options of an open

procedure, but I would first start by praying and asking for God's

direction. I will be praying for you to experience supernatural

peace during this most difficult time.

> First of all, thanks Flo in land and Trudy for your well wishes

on my

> packet, BUT, the dreaded answer from Dr. Rutledge came today AFTER

I HAD TO

> CALL their office to find out the status of my packet.

>

> He disapproved lap surgery for me due to a hernia repair that the

incision

> was above the belly button where he said a port incision would be

made. I am

> so distraught because it feels after all the research, clinic

visit, etc.,

> that I put myself through, was all in vain....or was it? HAS

ANYONE, anyone

> within listening range, ever been disapproved for lap surgery due

to these

> circumstances, and was there an alternate route? I was soooo

looking forward

> to getting this procedure done, I, for one, have battled weight

loss/gains my

> entire life, I am divorced, and its hard as heck trying to get into

a social

> scene when no one wants to accept large people. Please please, if

anyone has

> experienced this kind of disappointment with NOT being able to have

lap

> surgery due to uncontrollable things in your own personal life such

as hernia

> repairs, please contact email me and tell me the other route I may

can go.

> THanks in advance because I consider you all my online friends, and

friends

> in heart, mind and spirit. This situation has left me with a

numbness that I

> do not want to affect me negatively, I want to find the answer, the

right

> answer for my situation.

>

> Thanks again, I really need your support now if ever before.

>

> Marcia in North Carolina

October 11, 2000

Marcia,

Has Dr. R ever done an open MGB?

Did you ask? He still seems to be the very best... but he knows what he's doing

and if he says no, I am sure there is a very good reason.

There is a doctor that does the rouxen y in chicago.. but I know of no one

who does the mini-gastric-bypass like Dr. R.

Maybe some one can help you on here.. sorry Trudy

Re: Re: DEFEATED AND DEPRESSED