My body, my choice?

Mar 22, 2009

Sometimes I am left wondering if I have any say at all...

In January, just prior to my 24th birthday, my mother contacted City News.  She outlined my plight and how she felt powerless to help me.  Within an hour she had a response and within a week a reporter and a camera-man were filming my mother and I.  Three days after that my segment was airing on the news.  I was both excited but embarrassed as I was coaxed into having footage shot in my bachelor apartment.  For me I could spot every coke can in the video and it just did not sit well with me.  I don't think anyone would want people to see their messy apartment...and for me I just get so paranoid when I ponder what people think when they watch it.

Anyway, someone stepped forward to offer a helping hand.  A follow-up story was filmed and aired two weeks after my first story.  

My problem now is that the surgeon the local clinic lined up wants to do a two stage surgery plan.  They are now suggesting a sleeve gastrectomy followed by an RNY 18 months later.  Personally I do not like this plan of action.  I was never a fan of the RNY as it is.  Some people may say "beggars can't be choosers", however this is something I will have to live with for the rest of my life.  If I don't agree with it would it be practical to go ahead with it just because everyone else says I should?

The past 4 years I focused mainly on the lap-band due to the fact it was less invasive and was reversible.  Problem was the cost and finding someone locally who would perform the procedure.

After doing some more research and thinking I have grasped the ideal that perhaps the Duodenal Switch is the surgery that I could see myself living with.  I find it to be a better option than the sleeve/RNY combo.  Getting my mom on board with the idea has been challenging.  She knows very little about any of the surgerical procedures and says I should just do what I am told by the clinic in Toronto and the surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic.

Personally I figured my mom would be happy that I found something that I could agree to and was OHIP covered.

I am mentally preparing myself for the possibility of having to go about pursuing the Duodenal Switch on my own without the help of my mom or the local clinic who was offering post-op counseling.  I know this clinic wants to help, however I know they also want to get the publicity as City News said they would be coming down when I have surgery to doing another story.

Bariatric medicine is a very lucrative field so getting your name out there is very important.  This is not to say that the clinic is not genuinely wanting to see me get the help I need, they don't want to see a chance to get their name out there slip away.

I just think I should get to choose the surgery that I feel would be the best for me long-term.

Maybe I am wrong.

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