Necessary Mutilation

Weight: 214.4 lbs.

After all the hype associated with meeting with the bariatric assistant, I was in with her for like 3 minutes. She was very nice, but one of the most hurried, hyper doctors I have ever experienced. Had I not insited upon asking a question or two, I would have probably only seen her for like one minute.

In all fairness she did provide me handouts on reactive hypoglycemia and the importance of balancing proteins with good carbs., and another handout on protein rich food choices. She also gave me the names of a few primary doctors I may want to replace my current one with when I groused about his policies regarding appointments and scripts. And, she had time enough to tell me that she felt that I was right on track weight wise, as I have lost 50% of my excess weight and she was convinced that at this rate I will have lost at least 60% by the end of my first year. She said that bariatric success is measured by a loss of 60-65% of excess weight within the first year post gastric bypass. She predicted me to lose to 187 lbs. by year end, and although I said that this was still “fat”, she was more positive about all this than me.

Effusive, pleasant, optimistic, supportive, yet rushed!

But, I do feel somewhat more focused and balanced having met with her, and managed to dodge the bloodwork bullet. She did say she was gonna order a full panel and went to write a script for this, but when I mentioned that I also needed valium for this, she said it was ok to wait until my next appointment in 6 months because she didn’t know what dose of valium to write for and I couldn’t tell her off hand. She made a half hearted effort to rummage through my file to see, but was clearly too hurried to focus and gave up when I said that it was ok to wait and that I needed more than just one pill. She did say that she had no problem writing for me in the future and reassured me that she would not give me a hard time about this, as if she was aware of my past problems (and maybe was!)

So….when I return, I need to tell her how much I am usually prescribed and what dosage seems to work for me. And, we will see how I am doing on the inside, and if all the great supplements I am taking and all the food I am managing to eat, are keeping me healthy.

And, speaking of healthy; despite harrowing driving conditions and not getting out of work until nearly 7 pm last night, I lived to tell and to blog another day! WooHoo!