[kyethra]

Part of the problem is that I am in the process of switching docs, so it might take a little while to find a good one.

So what are some things I should know to mention or ask about when I do bring it up?

One thing I know is that if I do have apnea- sleep study comming up- I am going to ask about asap because that would make losing weight more critical.

If I don't have it than it isn't urgent but I do need to lose weight. I have fibro and GERD and a damaged nerve ending in abdominal wall. My Blood pressure is also a little high. I also might want to get pregnant in a couple of years (unless they happen to perfect male suragacy). All of these things could be improved by losing weight. And the kicker for me is that on days I don't feel very well, I have a lot more trouble sticking to my healthy eating and exercise plans. I think that maybe I need a little physical help to help me stick to that plan- maybe help in the form of a band?

I know I don't want gastric bypass. That is way too extreme for me to be willing to do it especiallly when there are other options. I have a new insurance now that I think covers it.

So what to ask?

[Leenie]

Well, you'll have to have at least 6 months of documented weight loss efforts with your doctor, so get all copies of your medical records from previous doctors to give to your surgeon.

The way I approached my GP was I sat down and flat out told him to help me with the LB process. He was thrilled for me because he knew how hard I tried. Just be direct, he/she is there to help you.

Yes I agree its hard to find a good doctor..... good luck to you !!!!!

[sportmom]

Hey, congrats on your wedding! I have not had the surgery, but I did take a peek at your FitDay. I think the ladies here who have had wls would tell you that after, you need to make sure you eat some protein w/every meal, and so I would suggest you might look into eating more protein now, which might make you feel better and more energetic. You get very little protein now but lots of carbs and fat. If you could add in some more lean protein and make your pie chart look more like 40% protein, 40% carbs, 20% fat (or even close to that), I think you would start feeling better after 2-3 days. Right now it looks like you are about 50 carbs, 30-40 fat and 10-20 protein, and some days you get very little food. You could eat a lot more volume of food if it was a different kind of food. Things like lean deli ham, deli turkey slices, yogurt, hard boiled eggs, oatmeal, cheese. Since these are the changes you would have to make in your post surgery diet, you might want to give them a trial run now to see if it gives you more "good" days where you feel better.

Good Luck! Lots of people here will post food suggestions if you want them too.

[jo69]

I also had to find a new doctor as told him my background info on my weight gain, the diets I had tried and the fact I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Then I asked him for a referral to the Lapband Specialist I had found......no problem he was happy to give it to me.

[kyethra]

I also just got results from my sleep study. I have narcolepsy as was suspected, but I also have a mild-moderate case of obstructive sleep apnea. They are going to put me on a CPAP before my narcolepsy is even addressed and I am also going to start allergy shots soon, but for me this is a huge motivator to lose weight. Only I am also going off some of my fibro meds because of the apnea and that will make exercising harder... Hmm I will probably also post something along these lines in the obstacles board. So I am going to get my records together. Maybe join Weight Watchers for more acountability, look at my eating habits harder, etc. I am also looking up info on local surgeons.

[nelie]

Kyethra,

I noticed that you haven't been keeping up with your fitday journal. I think I find it helpful every once in a while to monitor what foods I'm eating. One good thing about this site in general is that there are a lot of people here with a lot of knowledge. They can provide insights into your eating and exercise that you may not realize.

For me, one thing I have to banish is most sugar. Sugar (and refined carbs) cause cravings and provide a lot of empty calories. Even if you stay within a certain calorie limit, your body may give you cravings because it needs real food and nutrients as well as possibly releasing too much insulin into your system if you eat a lot of sugar. Since I only saw one real day in your fitday and I can't see other days, I don't know if you had an unusual day or if that was a normal day.

I do wish you luck