Re: Need advice / travel for surgery

[Guest guest]

Hi Mileah -- About a local doc...

> Having been sad long enough about my surgery 9/6 ending as only a

> reversal, I am looking to the future.

>

> I have decided that the only way I am going through this AGAIN is to

> have it done LAP. Dr. Gagner has said he can da a lap following a

> reversal but will need x-rays and a gastroscopy.

>

> 1. What suggestions on arranging care from a Dr. in my area before

> and after.

Find a local doc that listens to you and gives you credit for knowing

something about your own body. YOU are interviewing THE DOCS, not the

other way around. Ask friends, etc. if they know of a doc like that.

When you find one, TELL him/her that you are traveling for surgery and

want their assistance with before and after care. They should be

willing to do this. If not, then keep interviewing.

Make sure that your local doc has a copy of all your op notes and

medical records for his/her reference.

>

> 2. What type of physician would be great for follow up?

I found a young, eager, curious local doc that is a polite Southern

boy to boot. He is interested in my WLS surgeries, my story, and my

well-being. He does whatever I tell him says to do, and we get

along well. He knows his stuff too.

It doesn't hurt that I have a family of six, and six new pts at once

for a fairly new practice ain't hay!

>

> The Dr. that did the surgery 9/6 will not do follow up if I go to

> someone else! Dah, like I am going to let him cut me from stem to

> stern for the third friggin time! I won't go through this if I

don't

> do it lap. I can't face this recovery for a third time. I have to

> admit I am alot more nervous now than before, but then I am only 7

> days post-op. I think the whole not switched nightmare is still raw.

>

> Thank for letting me whine..........

>

> mileah

Whine away, darlin'. You do whatever makes you feel better right now.

Regards -- Margie in Austin, TX

5'4 " , pre-revision 275#, 09/02/00 down 42#

RNY GB in 1987, revision to DGB/DS 02/01/00

Dr. Crookes, USC University Hospital, LA, CA

[Guest guest]

--- Mileah wrote:

> Thank for letting me whine..........

Mileah.....I have been reading your posts and really think you have

handled this rotten situation with a lot of grace. What happened to you

was beyond belief and I think you have not whined very much at all!!

Hope your recovery goes well. And I'm glad you are going to a different

doctor for the next time around!

=====

H

San Francisco Bay Area

mailto: hillsmith2000@...

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

In a message dated Thu, 14 Sep 2000 8:08:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time, " Mileah "

writes:

<< Having been sad long enough about my surgery 9/6 ending as only a

reversal, I am looking to the future.

I have decided that the only way I am going through this AGAIN is to

have it done LAP. Dr. Gagner has said he can da a lap following a

reversal but will need x-rays and a gastroscopy.

1. What suggestions on arranging care from a Dr. in my area before

and after.

2. What type of physician would be great for follow up?

The Dr. that did the surgery 9/6 will not do follow up if I go to

someone else! Dah, like I am going to let him cut me from stem to

stern for the third friggin time! I won't go through this if I don't

do it lap. I can't face this recovery for a third time. I have to

admit I am alot more nervous now than before, but then I am only 7

days post-op. I think the whole not switched nightmare is still raw.

Thank for letting me whine..........

mileah

Mileah,

OMG, you and l have the same things going on. I'm so overwhelemed and scared

sh*t l dont know what to do. For me l know l want the surgery but being that l

had a VGB it makes it that more dificult.

Mileah may l ask you your weight? l 377lb 5'4 " And did the doc tell you any

percent of co-mob? He told me l'm at a 1% percent of death. This scares me to

death, l logically know this is a low % but still a %. Do you think l'm

over-reacting?? Crazy huh??!!

You also talked about 3 pior surgeries may l ask what surgeries where they??

Plus are you having the surgey done in 2 parts? the Dr says l will to have it

done that way.

Waiting to hear from you........

kookie

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/15/00 8:16:06 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

dollclltcr@... writes:

<< Mileah may l ask you your weight? l 377lb 5'4 " And did the doc tell you

any percent of co-mob? He told me l'm at a 1% percent of death. This scares

me to death, l logically know this is a low % but still a %. Do you think

l'm over-reacting?? Crazy huh??!! >>

remember 1% chance of death is 99% chance of survival... those are very good

odds. There are no 100%'s except eventual death & taxes, right? So 99%

survival rate for the surgery is as close as you can get... I'll take those

odds.

P.<A HREF= " apapararo@... " >apapararo@...</A>

BMI: 50.1, 5'7 " , 320

Pacificare/ Sutter Medical Group

Dr. Rabkin GBP/DS hopefully fall of 2000

Consultation scheduled for 10/19/2000

[Guest guest]

Kookie: To answer you questions.....

>may l ask you your weight? I am 5'4 292

>did the doc tell you any percent of co-mob? he just gave me the

common statistics for the surgery. We did not discuss mine.

>l logically know this is a low % but still a %. Do you think l'm

over-reacting?? Crazy huh??!! NOT AT ALL!! This is a big RISK, you

need to be 100% about ALL the complications and risks. Ask questions,

have a very clear understanding of what can happen, and hope your DR

tells YOU everything!

> You also talked about 3 pior surgeries may l ask what surgeries

where they?? I have had 2 to date, will have to have a 3rd If I want

the DS. 5-95 I had VBG (Vertical sylastic Ring Gastroplasty) this

failed shortly there after. 9-6-00 was scheduled for DS, woke up

having only had the VBG reversed due to the mesh and ring being

embedded in my stomach lining. It was too risky do complete the DS.

I will have a 3rd surgery in 3-6 months LAP/DS

> Plus are you having the surgey done in 2 parts? the Dr says l will

to have it done that way. He hasn't said this to me, my answer is NO

WAY!!

If you have any other questions, just ask. Learning the answers

after post-op really sucks!! I know!

Mileah

[Guest guest]

Mileah--

I can totally relate to traveling for surgery--I traveled from Australia to

Oregon for mine. My general practitioner here talked with Dr Welker via

phone to establish that my GP was willing to take care of the followup and

report back to Dr Welker. All you need is a doctor in your area willing to

order blood work and follow up with your surgeon, wherever he or she may be.

Do you have a family doc now that you are comfortable with that would

support you in this decision? If so, ask him or her for their help. If

not, see if you can find one in your area that is wls friendly and would be

willing to do these things for you. I know you can find someone to

help--let your fingers do the walking in the Yellow pages as they say if you

do not have one and I wish you the best of luck in your search! You can do

this!

Warm Regards,

Melbourne, Australia

LG/DS 7-19-00

Dr Welker, Portland, Oregon

Self-pay

[Guest guest]

Mileah,

My wide shoulders are here for you to whine on anytime you need to. That is a promise.

Hugs,

Carla K

[Guest guest]

Mileah,

Well l have close to eighty pounds on you. Plus the Vgb l had close to three

years ago , is way Dr G. wants to do the surgery in two parts. l would

rather do it all together but l also want the safest procedure done. Two

surgeries does suck!!!!

Mileah, what has your research found on LAp verses open DS surgeries? l am

in the process of looking up differences in the two.

kookie