I feel like I will be the most educated patient: Bariatric surgery

From “Aquameliza,” age 38:
My PCP has given me a referral and I have my first appointment with my surgeon (Dr T at BWH in Boston) on 2/27/08. I cannot wait, but am terrified of not getting insurance approval. I have Harvard Pilgrim HMO - the plan and my employer allow for bariatric surgery and do not appear terribly strict on the requirements, but becuase I want this so badly, I am sure that something will prevent me from getting approval.

I have been thinking about this surgery for more than 5 years. A girlfriend went to Mexico to have it done then and watching her lose weight effortlessly made me soooo jealous. However, I also watched her gain weight back because she did not get fills or follow any program or get any real support. I learned from her that the only way to do this is to do it all the way and follow whatever they tell me to do. Another friend had it done at the same hospital with insurance coverage 2 years ago and looks great. Finally, my father was banded in January and for a man who could never lose weight- he has lost 26 pounds.

I feel like I will be the most educated patient - I read everything there is to read, have watched the surgery on the web and have discussed this with my therapist. Honestly, I do not know what I will do if I am turned down. I can't even think about it - the idea of starting ANOTHER diet makes my stomach hurt and my head ache. I cannot walk into another Weight Watchers Week one meeting - or eat any more cabbage soup or try any more pills - I have even bought ones not approved by the FDA from Hong Kong - how crazy is that???!! Diets have been nothing but bad for me- I lose 20 pounds only to gain back 25. Aurgh!!!!

I guess I am writing to see if anyone else went through this or is going through this same thing now. I feel a little obsessive and do not like that - I wish I could stop thinking about it, but I feel like the next stage of my life is on hold until I get the thumbs up and have a surgery date.

Anyone else ever feel like this??

Advice: Become a thoroughly educated patient before undergoing any elective surgery.

Browse for related stories in the index at the very bottom of this page, or read another _elective surgery story.

Thanks to Aquameliza for the source, her comment at lapbandtalk.com

Her doctor’s survey led to a discussion: Partnering with your doctor

Our problems can be complicated, but doctors’ appointments are short. Often important complaints don’t even get mentioned. As a solution, some doctors use a ten-minute web survey, “How’s Your Health,” developed by Dr. John Wasson of Dartmouth Medical School. The survey leads many patients to indicate, up-front, signs of trouble that they often wouldn’t discuss during the short face-to-face visit. The answers form a snapshot that gives the doctor a head start before the patient sets foot in the doctor’s office.

About a year ago, Susan Arazy filled out a survey, and scheduled an appointment for a sore throat. Her primary care doctor saw on her latest health snapshot from the survey that she wasn’t following a healthy diet or exercising enough. This was especially important because of her diabetes. The snapshot triggered a discussion with her doctor of her lifestyle and habits, prompting her to join Weight Watchers and lose 35 pounds.

Advice for patients looking for a new primary care provider: Ask whether the doctor uses the survey or other electronic methods so that the limited appointment time with you will be most helpful to you.

Read about another diabetes patient story, or read Gautam Naik’s article in today’s Wall Street Journal.