Failure of WLS Doctor Fault vs. Patient

[Guest guest]

When I went in for my consult for WLS, I went with two friends who were

also interested in having the surgery. We scheduled our procedures a

month apart so we could help eachother with our children. I went first

in 10/99, the next one in 11/99 and the last one of us in 12/99. Same

surgeon, same procedure, just different amounts bypassed. I had 4'

bypassed, the second 2' and the last one of us 5'.

Me and the last girl were 68 pounds apart, me being the biggest. I have,

to date, lost approximately 175-180 pounds. The second one of us to have

had the procedure done lost 120 lbs and now weighs 140 lbs. The last

girl has only lost 84 pounds. She had complications after the surgery

and was in the hospital for 12 days. If you talk to her, she blames

everything on the doctor, but have to tell you, I've seen her eat from

the get go, hot dogs with buns, popcorn by the bag full. I told her that

she may have a SLD and she should call the surgeon to have herself

checked. It has been incredibly hard on her to watch me and my other

friend melt away so to speak when nobody even notices that she has lost

a pound much less 84 of them. Again, though she has not changed her mind

set or eating habits and her husband is not helpful or supportive in her

fight. A few months ago she did finally go to see if there was something

wrong with the plumbing and everyting was intact and fine. She is what

the doctor has labled a " slow loser " and that it happens sometimes. He

did however ask her what she has been eating and if she has been

exercising. She told him that she was compliant with the diet and that

she exercises four times a week!!! Not true.

We all lose our weight at different rates and it does slow down and

eventually stop. I believe that we can keep on losing if we keep to the

program. However, if we don't fess up to the doc's about what we're

doing they can't help us. In her case, she will tell you straight to

your face how good she is and how much she does and she is not telling

the truth.

There are so many stories out there. If you're having a problem and

doing everything you're supposed to be doing regarding low carbs,

protein, water, exercise, etc and you're not losing any weight, go

immediately to your doctor and have yourself checked. My doctor did

explain to us before we had the surgery that there are some people who

will lose weight, but not as much as they had hoped for. That's why he

uses the term " slow loser " .

I ended up with a SLD at 7 months and ended up with a revision. The

second friend ended up with a common bile duct collapse (real scary

stuff, damn near lost her) and the last one of us is the " slow loser " .

Three people, three different experiences.

I hope you get some answers soon. I know how incredibly frustrating this

must be for you.

All the best.

Regina