Disappointing appointment with Dr Coppack

[farzu]

hello everyone,
i had my 3rd appointment with Dr Coppack today. he asked me about my diabetes, suggested medicine for high blood pressure. he checked my sleep apnea test report (which was abnormal) he asked me if the sleep dr ordered a cpap machine for me or not. when i said yes he did but the waiting list is quite long. he just said 'bad luck' in such a way i felt very sad. though thats not the reason i am disappointed.
when i asked him what about the surgery, how long do i have to wait. he actually said' i don't mean to sound rude but surgery is not what we are looking for at the moment. because i was trying for a baby surgery is bad for me. as after surgery i might have problem consuming the right amount of vitamins and it may cause problem for the baby. i was like ' what?
i told him that my fertility Dr will not treat me if i don't loose weight. he then said he wants me to take injection for diabetes and which will help me loose weight faster lol i never really heard of any injection like this before. have anyone of you have the heard of it ? i don't know what should i do now. he will see me again in september. i might go for private if he denies. he told me i lost weight but i didn't at all. i'm so much disappointed now.

 

[angie790]

Didn't sound like a brilliant appointment, did it? Unfortunately, sometimes these things acan take time, and if you had a positive sleep apnoea test & need a CPAP machine, they like you to get settled with it for at least 2 months. I'm not a Dr, but I'm pretty sure the majority of women who have WLS for fertility issues not only increase their chances of getting pregnant, but go on to have very healthy babies (Shelbel the no. 1 in mind). Not sure about which injection he's on about, metformin is a commonly prescribed anti-diabetic drug but I was under the impression it's typically taken as tablet, but I could be wrong. In a small number of cases, metformin has been associated with a small amount of weight loss. I can understand your disappointment, perhaps you could go back to your GP and have a chat about what happened?

 

[StephieAck]

I am wondering if he means Byetta, I was given that and it was injections, it was supposed to help with my weight and to get my blood sugars down. It worked on my blood sugars for a couple of months and then stopped working and did nothing for my weight, apparantley I am unusual because it didnt work. I am guessing that he means that, it is known as Xenatide and more commonly as Byetta.
Steph xx

 

[farzu]

I am taking metformin at the moment and have been seeing a fertility specialist for past 2 years. i have PCO and the dr said i have to loose weight or they won't start the treatment. He wrote in a letter that he hopes the surgery and the weightloss will help them start the treatment. i showed that letter to Dr Coppack on the 1st appointment. Today it seemed very wired as Dr coppack was actually more concerned about my studies.
i also had actually researched on the facts of getting pregnant after surgery and i read shellbell's diary and other's too and all i learned that they have done the right thing. may be Dr coppack is trying to slow things down. its already been more than 1 and half years wait and my married life and family life is in danger as i am not able to concieve. there is a lot of pressure from the in-laws.
i have appointment with the fertility specialist next week and i will tell them about this.

 

[Twiggie]

There's a newer (pen) injection available now called Victoza (liraglutide) which claims to promote weight loss as it reduces appetite. I should imagine he was referring to this one. As far as I know it needs to be prescribed initially by an endocrinologist, but I assume they will make any necessary appts.

 

[phatmomma]

I know of a wls patient who was prescribed a diabetic medication to help them lose the final 2 stone that won't shift for them. However i don't know if it's been successful or not as i've not seen them for a while.

I'll be controversial and say i agree slightly with Dr Coppack that he is concerned you will conceive very soon after your surgery (i think they like you to wait for 18 months or so first before getting pregnant). Didn't shellbell struggle with getting in enough calories and essential nutrients when pregnant (although the lovely Charlie was born very healthy and adorable by all accounts)?

I'm sorry your lack of reproduction is an issue for your in-laws but they should respect the fact that it is better for you to get to a healthy weight so that you can be at your optimum fitness to carry and deliver a much longed for grandchild.

I hope things work out for you Farzu and that you get the outcomes that you deserve, and also a bit of patience and understanding from your family xx

 

[BlueDiamond]

Didn't sound like a brilliant appointment, did it? Unfortunately, sometimes these things acan take time, and if you had a positive sleep apnoea test & need a CPAP machine, they like you to get settled with it for at least 2 months. I'm not a Dr, but I'm pretty sure the majority of women who have WLS for fertility issues not only increase their chances of getting pregnant, but go on to have very healthy babies (Shelbel the no. 1 in mind). Not sure about which injection he's on about, metformin is a commonly prescribed anti-diabetic drug but I was under the impression it's typically taken as tablet, but I could be wrong. In a small number of cases, metformin has been associated with a small amount of weight loss. I can understand your disappointment, perhaps you could go back to your GP and have a chat about what happened?

Hello .

Sorry to hear your appointment didnt go as well as you hoped it would.

Perhaps Dr Coppack reacted the way he did because he probably feels that the reason for weight loss surgery is to ultimately get you lighter and more importantly healthier, the fact that you have aired your desires to have weight loss surgery to help with fertility also ( which I totally understand)

Maybe this is why Dr Coppack is being some what more cautious because he feels your health and getting your weight down is more important then fertility, because ultimately that is his main and only priority.

I do wish you all the best and hope it works out for you

All the best - MeJulie x x

 

[angie790]

Farzu, I see you are already on metformin...there are so many different type II diabetic drugs that it could be anything. Exenatide (Byetta..the one Steph suggested) is called an 'incretin mimetic' (incretin =hormones that stimulate insulin secretion, mimetic = acts the same as); it works by reducing appetite, slowing the rate that the stomach digests & empties food, increasing insulin production & reducing glucose production by the liver, so that would certainly help in weight loss. Do please let us know what you have been prescribed when you get your prescription.

I agree with the two Julies in that your health must be priority in the first instance. I apologise now if I gave the impression that I was suggesting you try to get pregnant immediately after surgery (if you get surgery, this is). From Dr Coppack's point of view, his priority is your health and BMI. The main aim of his treatment is weight reduction, and whether this is acheived by drugs or surgery, the outcome is still the same: improved fertility & help from your fertility Dr. You must remember though, that even if you are referred for surgery, this won't be a 'quick' fix.

I do understand your frustration and family tension that is being caused by your fertility problems, but it is very important for you to first be healthy. You will then have a much better chance of getting pregnant, and having a healthy child. More importantly, with improved health, you will also be around much longer as a parent! You must emphasise the need for patience to your family, and explain that you are doing all this so you can have a child but it will not happen overnight, and it will be so much easier to deal with if you have their understanding and support. xxxx

 

[farzu]

thanks ladies, i gave it a thought and now feeling better than yesterday. I felt horrible after the appointment. Yes i agree with you all. Getting the weight off is the main problem and lets see what injection i get fron them. Dr said the nurse will contact me next week for the injection.


Julie its been a long time i heard from you. How r u doing?