When he came into the office, of course, the first question was: so, what are we doing today? I told him I only wanted to talk.... the questioning look in his eye came first, then he shut the door. When I started to say that I wanted to talk about my weight, he instantly picked up on how I was feeling - knew I was depressed (gee, d'ya think maybe the tears beginning to fill my eyes were a dead giveaway? ) Anyhow, I told him that nothing has been working, and went thru the list of all I've done over the years, from OA to WW to Atkins, also including the dreaded Xenical, hypnosis etc etc etc..... and that I was seriously considering banding. When he said he thought I might be "too light"... I gave him my bmi and co-morbids......... told him that Oxford Freedom Plan has covered this for others, and let him know how much I've researched - he said that at this point, I know more about it than he does!! He has 6 pts who have had wls: 3 bands and 3 bypasses; in his experience, the 3 w/bypass are doing "better" than the ones w/bands - altho he does admit that his personal experience is very limited.
He wants me to try something before starting the process of getting to wls: many of his patients taking topamax (an anti-seizure med) are losing weight. The drug has some severe side effects (some of them sound kind of like my life right now!!) but, as he said, if I am serious enough to consider surgery, I should try this first. If any of the side effects show up, I can stop the drug and continue on the road. He will see me again in 1 month to do blood work and see how it's going....... I just filled the script and will begin taking it tonight. For the first time in quite a while, I feel some hope.......
I must admit, I was so afraid that he would "pooh pooh" my feelings... I am so thrilled that he didn't- I just KNEW there was a reason I love him!!
Hey Sono, if you love him, I love him. I trust your judgement, especially with desert choices
Seriously, I remember going for my first consultation with the point person who was going to handle all my paperwork. I told her that I suppose I could go on yet another diet. She waved my diet history in her hand and said, "What makes you think it is going to work?" She then told me that there comes a point in some people's diet career where they "hit a wall" and can go no farther. I know I was at that point. I suspect that you are too. I hope that the new medication works for you, but if it doesn't I think that you are a terrific candidate for the band.....except read the fine print of your insurance...I don't think they cover it for Mets fans.
sono darlin... i understand that you love your doc, but i urge you to reconsider - or at least research - the topomax. the weight loss thing is kind of an underground thing that was discovered incidentally while treating epileptic patients. the effect is NOT permanent. and there are no clinical trials available right now that indicate if it's safe and effective for weight loss.
the only thing this will do is take off SOME weight, and it won't really help you keep it off, especially after you go off the medication.
please be careful.. look before you leap!!! and for heaven's sake.. how many drugs do you have to try before the doc GETS THE POINT??????
Jiff........... thanks for your response. I do "HEAR" what you are saying. And I did do (granted only a little) research on the topamax and it's side effects. I don't believe that it isn't that my doc doesn't "get it", I think that (perhaps especially in my case, due to the fact that I am at the lower end of the "chart" for size) he just wants to be certain before he writes the referral - he absolutely did NOT dismiss the thought/idea of wls, in fact, as I said earlier, he thought that bypass rather than banding might be the way to go. In any event, I start at 50 mg/day for 1 wk, then 100 mg/day for 2 wks, then 150mg/day for 2 wks-then he will do blood work and we will see where things stand...........
I did the same thing that you did, went to my PCP and cried. My PCP, perhaps because of my size and the fact that I had, under her care, tried so many things, she started the process for me right away. I was her first patient to attempt the wls-approval process, we learned together.
Sono., so good to hear from you. I'm still struggling, but my DH is dead set against my having surgery at this time, but I heard what Peachie said about finally hitting the wall. Maybe that is where I am too.
What are the side effects of the topamax? what does it affect? Kidneys? Brain, Liver,? As peachie always says, "Inquiring minds want to know"
Hi Deb.......... nice to see you too
Barb, about those side effects: kidney stones can be a common side effect if you do not drink lots of water (which I DO.... quarts and quarts and quarts of the stuff)......... as for the brain: the list states confusion and memory loss as possible side effects: well, I told my doc that those are NORMAL states of being for me!! there can also be trouble concentrating, dizzyness, slowing of mental and physical activity there is a long list of stuff - but then, there are long lists of stuff for ALL meds, INCLUDING aspirin! Like I said, I'm going to give it a shot and see how it goes for the month - have the blood work and then talk w/the doc again........
I think I might be in love.....
) Anyhow, I told him that nothing has been working, and went thru the list of all I've done over the years, from OA to WW to Atkins, also including the dreaded Xenical, hypnosis etc etc etc..... and that I was seriously considering banding. When he said he thought I might be "too light"... I gave him my bmi and co-morbids......... told him that Oxford Freedom Plan has covered this for others, and let him know how much I've researched - he said that at this point, I know more about it than he does!! He has 6 pts who have had wls: 3 bands and 3 bypasses; in his experience, the 3 w/bypass are doing "better" than the ones w/bands - altho he does admit that his personal experience is very limited. 
