My GP says I am crazy!!

Excellent ! now you can just get in with it and prove to her that it is/was the right decision for you :-)

What great news!

I know I wouofeel more more comfortable if my GP knew more about it..... Glade to hear yours is a little closer.
G x

Update, went back to my GP yesterday. She obviously went away, did more research and now says it will be good for me to loose the weight. She still says she believes I can do it other ways but agrees that this will be a good tool for me.

I feel much better now- phew!!

Duromine almost bloody killed me... Haha... But funny enough I wanted to keep taking it. I have a blood condition and as a result had to have my spleen removed in 2010 and I face a life of blood tests to ensure my platelet levels aren't dropping below normal levels. I was prescribed duromine and they plummeted.. Took 18 months to come good again.. Even had to have a transfusion...

but I lost weight! 👍🏽

I have already tried duromine, it gave me massive heart palpitations, my anxiety was out of control. My mouth felt like a desert. I had insomnia. It was the worst few weeks of my life. It DID stop me feeling hungry all the time though. But seriously, I didnt sleep for more than 2 hours a night and then I couldnt concentrate at all. So I will never touch that again.

I hope that once I have had the surgery and its too late then she will understand and just support me. I am happy for her to have a different opinion but the first "I told you so" then I am out.

Thanks for the replies, I really appreciate it. Its hard not having somebody to talk to about all of this

Just in case you haven't tried it, and were thinking of going down the Duromine route, Shibachey (or anyone!) I'll tell you my experience with it (which is not to say that this would be everyone's experience!)  My long time GP prescribed it for me a few years ago, but would only give me a 1 month  script, and made me book an appointment for 4 weeks later (both good things!). That first lot was like a miracle drug for me, I thought I had found 'the answer', it allowed me to make good food choices, and I felt free from the constant hunger and thinking about food all day long. I had NO side  effects (well, maybe a dry mouth , but that just made me drink more water) the only thing it did was significantly reduce my appetite - oh, joy !!! I lost quite a bit of weight, but my appetite returned after a couple of months. I went back and asked for another script, and he gave me one more month, but said never to ask him again, as he would say NO. This time, I felt nothing- no side effects, and NO appetite suppression whatsoever it was like I'd taken a placebo - it was 30mg, middle range dose. I went to a few random 24 hr clinics after that , and think I took it about 7/8 times all together. It NEVER worked again. I took the highest dose- 40mg, then I even tried taking 2 lots of 30mg a day - nothing. The GP who referred me for the sleeve prescribed it once (I didn't tell him I'd tried it so many times) and when it didn't work and I said a couple of months later maybe I should try it again, he said no, if it didn't work then, it won't work. So happy he gave me the referral, though !!! Some people have terrible reactions to it - insomnia, dry mouth, paranoia, head aches, the shakes, heart palpitations, etc. I was very nervous the first day I took it, but then probably took some stupid risks with it when I didn't have those side effects. That's desperation for you , I guess ! Duromine (phentermine) is banned in USA and several other countries, so while surgery certainly has it's risks, so do pharmaceutical alternatives !!!

My GP was against me going down the surgery road too. We kept on bringing it up and asking her opinions and for me personally my age played a big factor in her not wanting to do the surgery path. She told me if I was 20 years older she wouldn't hesitate in giving me one. In the end I told her truthfully that it was the right path for me so she said she would do a referral and send it on. I went into her last week and she asked if I had seen the surgeon yet and I truthfully told her I hadn't but I was booked in. She admitted that now that she has read a little more about it she believes it is may be the best option for me. I think the best thing is to honestly just give your GP all the facts and make sure you have every point covered. If my GP had flat out refused me a referral to a surgeon I probably would have gone and found one who would give me it. But like you my GP is honest and has worked with me for a lot of things so I really wanted her support with it in the end.

Shibachey I agree with the other comments, I suspect that your GP just doesn't understand that just eating less will not do it for you.

Gingerchicken I had a prescription for Duromine but after reading the side effects I never got it made up. I lost a lot of weight in the 70s with an appetite suppressant but of course put that back on and then some.
Story of my life, and I suspect the story of all of us here. If it were that easy we would not be on this site.

If either of you ladies have decided the sleeve is for you, and I know that neither would mke that decision lightly, then you need a GP that will support you.

My GP gave me the referral but probably didn't think I would go through with the surgery, but after weighing the pros and cons I figured I had to do it for myself as I could not continue the way I was. The pros outweighed the cons.  But then I had other issues like a brother with type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea, high blood pressure to name a few.

Hopefully you will find out from your chosen surgeon whether this operation is appropriate for you. They are the ones best placed to know.

Hey there shibachey,

I think some doctors just don't understand. 

My reg doctor..... Who I really like... Said to me she thought it was a bit drastic. She said I should try optifast for a few weeks (on my own free will!!) just add extra Veges to the soups. ... Then she prescribed me duromine. Whaaaaaaat!!! I tried to explain its been such an ongoing battle for me and she pretty much said, you just have to eat less. I sat there, almost in a daze. she tried to be tender and gentle...... But just didn't get it. I think most people who have not battled with weight and who have never been desperate like this and who don't know anyone who has..... Just don't get it.

She did give me a referral though, which I was grateful for.

I hope this is the start of something great for you Shibachey!

Ginger x

P.s
This is also the dr's office, who, every time I go in there, I get asked to get weighed and height measured so they can collate a data base on patients at risk of diabetes and try to highlight who needs attention. Oh the irony!! 
I avoid getting weighed at all costs.... How humiliating!

I'm so sorry this happened to you. I know you said you are not angry at your doctor and I understand that she's probably a fantastic doctor in other ways but I agree with BOJ when she says that it sounds like your doctor doesn't understand obesity. Yes there are risks with the surgery (and like you I suffer from anxiety so I've spent a long time weighing those up!) but as you are quite obviously aware there are risks in remaining the way we are.

If you are happy with your decision that's the main thing.

I reckon you will.  I'm swimming, doing aqua aerobics, walking, cycling.

Wow box of jewels, that is amazing!!! I am hoping this means that I can get back into sport. I have always loved it, just impossible now at this weight.

Thanks denzel, I will go armed next time I see her. I knew there was a reason I have kept my surgery a huge secret from everybody. Because I just cant handle justifying my actions. Its none of anybodies business!!

Fat-to-fit, I will check that video out. Family history really does make you scared hey? I am looking forward to my new life when family history is the only risk factor :)

Hi Shibachey, sorry to hear that your regular GP gave you such a hard time. I actually went to a different GP for my referral as well. The GP I've been going to for over 23 years is an old school type of guy. Normally the thing I like about him is that he's a straight shooter, no nonsense type of guy, but for this I knew he'd tell me to pull my head in and do it myself, and I didn't need that. I went too GP I'd seen a few times about iron deficiency, and he was fantastic. He listened to my story, and also, interestingly, asked what I was looking at , and when I said the sleeve, he said "good that's the only one I'd recommend for you". 

It's not like you go in and the surgeon says yes to anyone who walks in the door! My SIL was really grilled by the psych & the surgeon told her he wasn't here to take her money , he had to to the right thing by her. No doubt your surgeon has considered your case and feels it's an appropriate way forward for you , and he's the one who has the knowledge and expertise where bariatric surgery is concerned , not the GP. 
The nurse at the clinic I'm going through suggested I have a ok at a video on hormones & obesityon their Facebook page , which I found interesting - & it was like it was describing me ! You don't have to "Like" the page , you can just go on FB and search Darebin Weight Loss Surgery and you can watch the video - might be worth a watch, it basically explains why you can't lose weight past a certain 'set point' no matter how damn hard you try !!!!
You're so right about just doing nothing and ending up with diabetes or whatever. That's a big part of why I'm doing it, and why my surgeon said it was a good option for me ( my BMI is 33) my dad probably had high cholesterol and died a of a massive heart attack at 60 (I'm 46)I have high-ish insulin & my brother died of insulin related cancer. I want to do everything I can to prevent both of those! Family history is a significant consideration -I'm surprised your GP wouldn't refer you because of that alone ! Anyway, you're on your way now , and you can look forward to going back to that GP a slimmer, healthier, happier you , with a great body and fabulous blood work !!! 😄

Wow - @Shibachev, your GP sounds totally non-supportive.  I had a couple of friends like that.
She should appreciate the fact that you have disclosed to her that you are going to have WLS despite her having 'declined' (!) to have given you a referral.
She should also appreciate the fact that you are a health professional and that you would have, as I did, devote a lot of time and effort into researching all about it first.



You may want to go through it, pick out the relevant studies, print them off and give them to her!
All the best!
Wow - @Box of Jewels! A great post, and congratulations on your achievements!
Here is a great webpage, it's got some great articles on dieting and outcomes, and weight loss surgery and outcomes.


http://compare-phc.unsw.edu.au/content/systematic-reviews

All the best,
:)

Here's what I think - your doctor has bias against WLS, and thinks that it's only for the no-hopers.  

I really don't think she understands obesity, and the stats involved.  You have a less than 1-2 % chance of ever losing the weight yourself and KEEPING IT OFF.  

My surgeon says the only people that do achieve it, basically turn from a food addiction to an exercise/health addiction.  You think you are one of those?  I know I was not.  

I totally agree with you - why wait until your disease ridden and even higher risk of complications?  

FWIW, my start BMI was 48.  I'm 44.  I managed to drop it to < 38 preop (also a health proffessional, wanted to do anything i possibly could to decrease my risks!).  There is NO WAY in hell I could have lost that without the motivation of surgery.  And, Absolutely no effing way I could have kept it off.  I fought hunger ALL.THE.TIME.  I think once you have been severely obese, it changes everything, and I seriously believe that our hunger is much more pronounced than people who've never been overweight.  How on earth can we fight that?

I'm not making light of the surgery - it's serious stuff.  I had all the same fears as you.  But rationally, I knew I was statistically likely to do well.  And, when I worried about leaks and other complications - my husband used to say - well, if you got hit by a bus, we'd deal with it and if a leak occurs, we'll just deal with it.  

2 and a half months out, BMI is now under 33 (and dropping), and I just went for a 6 k bike ride with my 10 year old, and he BEAMED the whole way.  

Totally worth it.

I went to see my regular GP. She was not the one who referred me to see the surgeon. I had a referral from another one as she refused to before. So anyway, when I was there the issue of weight came up and I told her that I was booked in for a sleeve. She literally had her mouth hanging open and she said "dont you think that is taking it a step too far?" (we are real with each other and usually I really appreciate the honesty and actually continue to see her because of it). I told her my BMI is 45 and I have been on every single diet known to man. I have never had the success of just eating healthy because I am never satisfied at meal times. I actually eat quite healthy now just HUGE portions.
Anyway, I am off topic again. So she then tells me that procedure is far too drastic especially as the only thing wrong with me is a bit of fatty liver which is being rectified by my self imposed optifast diet. I told her the only way I can stick to this is because I know I have a date now (Dec) and I am trying to really drop the weight so my liver is good and I dont die on the operating table. I then asked her if her opinion would change if I had diabetes or hypertension and she said "yes of course" so then I explained that clearly that was only a matter of time. She said she expected a bit more of a fight from me in terms of resisting such a huge operation (I have a very bad anxiety disorder) and as a health professional myself. She kept saying "if they stuff it up, its permanent" and "you will forever have issues to deal with" etc etc.

At first I left feeling rage, how dare she question me. Then I went through a feeling of guilt thinking I was such a cop out needing an operation to do something as simple as loosing weight. Then I started questioning myself. Do I really know what I am in for? Then I had a vision of myself dying on the operating table just a week before Christmas from an operation that I chose to have. My kids crying around a Christmas tree with no Mum. Then I quickly told myself to stop being dramatic and imagined the fact that my Dad thought his cholesterol was fine one day and had major heart attack at 44 and he was never overweight, so my obesity is just making my risk even worse.

So now I am sitting here tonight (early morning) wondering how to feel. I really think I need to lose weight because of my health. Its knife edge at the moment. I have failed all those times even though I wanted it just as bad as I do now. I have proven that I only get larger. So I am going to stop thinking about it and just dive in. But a small part of me thinks that if somebody can question me and make me wonder if its right then quite possibly I am not ready for this surgery. And I am not angry at my Dr. I love her honesty and her ability to be real with me. Having anxiety means that I need her to understand me as well and she does. She saw all the reasons why I was going forward and although she thinks that there is an easier way (totally is, just doesnt work for me) she still said that she hopes it goes well and that she will be thinking of me and cant wait to see my test results and me shrinking.