Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 hello, i keep reading about this common channel thing. it seems people have different lenghts. why is this.who decides 75cm or 100cm and why and when. is shorter or longer better. how often do leaks happen and when, does this just happen right after surgery or can it happen anytime after. thanks robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 I would like to add to this please. I agree with most of what you are saying but I have to throw a BIG BUTT In there. What most of us as Pre Ops are doing on this list is finding out what was successful, what wasn't, what the plus' and minus' of each difference in the procedures are. If we don't ask these questions and understand the surgery from those that have already undergone it, then what are we doing trying to make an informed decision about what was going to happen to my body. For instance.... One of my best friends had an Open RNY done less than 2 months ago. When she first started out with the whole thing I thought it was the biggest mistake she could ever make, that she should just buckle down and loose the weight. I thought the same thing about myself and started the ball rolling to do a number of things to do just that. During her ordeal, I started doing research. Research on her surgery and the things she would go through. Research on her surgeon (one of the BEST surgeons in the midwest Dr. Alverdy at the University of Chicago Hospitals). I started to understand why she had made the decision to go through with this, and to start considering it for myself. Then I started to reseach the surgeries themselves. I had decided that I would also go with Dr Alverdy and did extensive research on him as well. Then I found out about BPD/DS. Needless to say I did a " HOLD THE PHONE " thing because it seemed too good to be true. And made me VERY nervous that a surgeon with Dr Alverdy's experience and expertise didn't perform such a surgery. I guess I am babbling again so I will get right to the point. If I went by what you said, I would be having a LAP RNY by Dr Alverdy done. I wouldn't have questioned the DS, would have just figured that if he didn't do it there must be a reason why. I trust his judgement. I still think he is an incredibly talented surgeon. I also think that until he performs the DS, he's NOT the right surgeon for me. I found that by questioning the surgeons, and their methods, I have come to a much more informed decision, and I will continue to do so. Just some food for thought. 365+ BMI 55+ Age 27 Chicago IL Looking at Dr Buchwald, MN --- tlarussa@... wrote: > Hi all: > > Quite a few people seem to be very concerned about > the length of > their common channels. I've had a hard time > understanding why this > is, but now after thinking about it, I think maybe I > have an inkling > of what's going on... > > Let me start by saying that I have ABSOLUTELY NO > IDEA how long my > common channel is. Nor do I care. Don't get me > wrong, I care about > my outcome at least as much as the next patient. > It's just that I > don't have the expertise to tell my surgeon how to > do his job. So I > don't. > > So, I've been wondering why so many other people > don't seem to trust > their surgeons to do the job correctly? And the > only answer I can > come up with is that maybe some patients just don't > trust their > doctors all that much in general. > > In general terms, I can relate to this, I really > can. I'm not > exactly a big fan of doctors in general. I remember > one time when my > idiot doctor sent me to see a neurologist, without > bothering to tell > the neurologist what to look for. This didn't > bother the neurologist > at all. He spent at least an hour poking and > prodding me, and having > me walk around his large office suite in nothing but > my underwear. > At the end of the appointment, he diagnosed me as -- > you guessed it -- > OBESE! (What a shocker, huh?) For this he charged > in excess of $500 > (about 15 years ago). > > So I understand mistrust of doctors. > > But I really think that this surgery is so important > that we > shouldn't let ourselves fall into our historical > patterns. > > But the question is how do we avoid it, given that > we as a group > have very good reason to mistrust and/or just plain > dislike doctors? > > I think the answer lies in doing extensive research > on your doctor > before you even meet him/her. I'm talking about > your doctor's > training, capabilities, and experience AS A SURGEON. > All too often I > see people who seem to choose their surgeon on the > basis of how nice > the surgeon's office staff is, or whether earlier > patients " liked " > the doctor. > > I'm sure most of you have watched the tv show " ER. " > On that show, > there are several surgeons. If I had to have > surgery at that > (obviously fictional) hospital, I would want Dr. > Romano. Yes, the > little fascist bastard would be my first choice. > Why? Because his > patients LIVE. He is the BEST SURGEON, even though > he is an absolute > shit as a human being. > > So what does this have to do with anything? > Everything. > > I think we would do well to spend more time taking a > long hard look > at the MEDICAL credentials of our surgeons. If > personality is > important to you, then by all means, look at that > too. BUT, first > and foremost, look for a surgeon who you can and > will trust IN THE > OPERATING ROOM. > > Think about what goes on in an OR. First, the > anesthesiologist pumps > you full of chemicals so powerful that they stop > most of your bodily > functions, including your BREATHING. Next, the > surgeon takes a very > sharp blade and cuts a HUGE slit in your belly. > Then he flips your > liver up out of the way, stretches out your > intestines, and starts > lopping off 75% of your stomach and completely > re-plumbing your small > intestine. (In my case he also lopped off my > gallbladder and apendix > while he was in there.) > > At this point your life is, literally, IN YOUR > SURGEON'S HANDS! > > Here's the point, (FINALLY!). > > If you are not comfortable enough with your > surgeon's abilities to > allow him/her to decide how long your common channel > should be, then > how can you trust that person with your LIFE? > > Please understand that I'm not criticising anyone. > It's just that > I've had such a positive experience with this > surgery it's nearly > unbelievable. I would sincerely like for all of you > to have just as > positive an experience. And I honestly believe that > one of the > reasons I am having such a positive experience is > that by the time I > met my doctor I had complete faith in his ability to > perform the > surgery correctly and even to save my life if > something went wrong. > > Please don't settle for anything less from your > surgeons! > > > Happy switching to everybody, > > Tom > > > Panniculectomy, Dr. Anthone, 11/10/2000 > Open DS, Dr. Anthone, 03/30/2001 > 11/10/2000....384 > 03/30/2001....360 > 04/19/2001....338 > 04/22/2001....334.5 > 05/03/2001....328 > 05/14/2001....319 > 05/18/2001....316 > 68 Ugly Pounds, GONE FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! > > > > > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 Tom - I am just coming on to this thread, and am having a lot of problems with bowel functions, mostly gas. It's distressing. We sure are having some different reactions to surgery, aren't we? I don't think it's about lack of trust -- I personally think it is just unknown how we individually will turn out post op and I give kudos to those who are trying to find out everything they possibly can so as to prepare better. Me, I wasn't told by my surgeon that I would have these problems, but I learned about the possibility here, on this list. Just wonderin' what happens to those who aren't members of such an informative group. Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 Tom - I am just coming on to this thread, and am having a lot of problems with bowel functions, mostly gas. It's distressing. We sure are having some different reactions to surgery, aren't we? I don't think it's about lack of trust -- I personally think it is just unknown how we individually will turn out post op and I give kudos to those who are trying to find out everything they possibly can so as to prepare better. Me, I wasn't told by my surgeon that I would have these problems, but I learned about the possibility here, on this list. Just wonderin' what happens to those who aren't members of such an informative group. Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2001 Report Share Posted May 20, 2001 Tom - I am just coming on to this thread, and am having a lot of problems with bowel functions, mostly gas. It's distressing. We sure are having some different reactions to surgery, aren't we? I don't think it's about lack of trust -- I personally think it is just unknown how we individually will turn out post op and I give kudos to those who are trying to find out everything they possibly can so as to prepare better. Me, I wasn't told by my surgeon that I would have these problems, but I learned about the possibility here, on this list. Just wonderin' what happens to those who aren't members of such an informative group. Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2001 Report Share Posted May 21, 2001 Just a few quick points. 1. I really don't appreciate being attacked and insulted for attempting to voice a concern to other members of this group. For the sake of decorum, I will respond to by private email, if at all. 2. Of course we should all learn everything we can about the surgery before we let anyone cut us open. 3. My point was, once we know enough about all the surgeries to choose the right one, then we need to use an equal amount of energy choosing the right surgeon. Failing to do this could cost us our lives. I really don't want ever to have to read that such-and-such patient, who had surgery with that new surgeon, Dr. so-and-so, died of peritonitis resulting from a massive leak... That would really suck. 4. Once we have the right surgery and the right surgeon, I think that we should let the surgeon do his/her job. To my mind, arguing with the surgeon about the length of the common channel is like arguing with the surgeon about whether to use a a single or double layer closure on the anastomosis where the biliary channel connects to the common channel. 5. Robin is absolutely correct that Dr. Anthone, (and it seems likely many if not most other DS surgeons), should provide pre-op patients with more information about what to expect post-op. Dr. Rabkin, for example, has an excellent " patient binder " available to read online here: http://www.pacificsurgery.com/For_Patients/Patient_Binder/patient_bin der.html> or to print out, here: http://www.pacificsurgery.com/For_Patients/Patient_Binder.pdf> (For anyone who hasn't read it, I HIGHLY recommend it!) I've often wished that Dr. Anthone had such a document to hand out to pre-ops. But, the reality is that Dr. Rabkin had someone on his staff who could write it for him, while Dr. Anthone has no such person available. (And, personally, I wouldn't want to see Dr. Anthone take time out from performing surgeries to write it himself.) So, I've decided to volunteer for the job. No, I haven't appointed myself a medical expert. I plan to get all the info I need from various websites, including Dr. Rabkin's, Dr. Hess's, Dr. Baltazar's, and any others I can find, plus all the tips and nuggets of info I can glean from this and several other online support groups. I'll be happy to email a copy to anyone who wishes to comment, just as soon as I get the first draft done. Take care all, Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2001 Report Share Posted May 21, 2001 Just a few quick points. 1. I really don't appreciate being attacked and insulted for attempting to voice a concern to other members of this group. For the sake of decorum, I will respond to by private email, if at all. 2. Of course we should all learn everything we can about the surgery before we let anyone cut us open. 3. My point was, once we know enough about all the surgeries to choose the right one, then we need to use an equal amount of energy choosing the right surgeon. Failing to do this could cost us our lives. I really don't want ever to have to read that such-and-such patient, who had surgery with that new surgeon, Dr. so-and-so, died of peritonitis resulting from a massive leak... That would really suck. 4. Once we have the right surgery and the right surgeon, I think that we should let the surgeon do his/her job. To my mind, arguing with the surgeon about the length of the common channel is like arguing with the surgeon about whether to use a a single or double layer closure on the anastomosis where the biliary channel connects to the common channel. 5. Robin is absolutely correct that Dr. Anthone, (and it seems likely many if not most other DS surgeons), should provide pre-op patients with more information about what to expect post-op. Dr. Rabkin, for example, has an excellent " patient binder " available to read online here: http://www.pacificsurgery.com/For_Patients/Patient_Binder/patient_bin der.html> or to print out, here: http://www.pacificsurgery.com/For_Patients/Patient_Binder.pdf> (For anyone who hasn't read it, I HIGHLY recommend it!) I've often wished that Dr. Anthone had such a document to hand out to pre-ops. But, the reality is that Dr. Rabkin had someone on his staff who could write it for him, while Dr. Anthone has no such person available. (And, personally, I wouldn't want to see Dr. Anthone take time out from performing surgeries to write it himself.) So, I've decided to volunteer for the job. No, I haven't appointed myself a medical expert. I plan to get all the info I need from various websites, including Dr. Rabkin's, Dr. Hess's, Dr. Baltazar's, and any others I can find, plus all the tips and nuggets of info I can glean from this and several other online support groups. I'll be happy to email a copy to anyone who wishes to comment, just as soon as I get the first draft done. Take care all, Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2001 Report Share Posted May 21, 2001 As a Healthcare professional, I am dismayed but not surprised at the " trust your doctor and ask not " views stated here. That is, indeed, the view of " doctor knows best " that was once the cornerstone of the doctor-patient relationship. Now, however, I think that more providers and consumers of Healthcare services see the role as more of a partnership. At least I hope they do. Trusting your surgeon does not mean that you ought not to ask questions, offer your views, and discuss the options with him/her. Trusting does not mean silence and ignorance of such basic facts as the length of one's common channel. Trust is what we do when we permit ourselves to undergo surgery. Hopefully this follows open and frank talks about all aspects of the surgery with the surgeon. The consumer/patient owns the body that goes into surgery. No amount of trust and hope relieves the patient of the responsibility of being informed as to the choices they are making. Hopefully this site and that of others will support the ongoing full participation of pre and post op patients in decision making. Being informed is very much what I see with the DS patients. It's your body and ultimately your responsibility to make informed choices. I can only hope that for the majority if us the days of blissfully trusting and remaining ignorant of crucial aspects of surgery are the dim past. in Seattle ----- Original Message ----- > > Let me start by saying that I have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA how long my > common channel is. Nor do I care. Don't get me wrong, I care about > my outcome at least as much as the next patient. It's just that I > don't have the expertise to tell my surgeon how to do his job. So I > don't. > > So, I've been wondering why so many other people don't seem to trust > their surgeons to do the job correctly? And the only answer I can > come up with is that maybe some patients just don't trust their > doctors all that much in general. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2001 Report Share Posted May 21, 2001 As a Healthcare professional, I am dismayed but not surprised at the " trust your doctor and ask not " views stated here. That is, indeed, the view of " doctor knows best " that was once the cornerstone of the doctor-patient relationship. Now, however, I think that more providers and consumers of Healthcare services see the role as more of a partnership. At least I hope they do. Trusting your surgeon does not mean that you ought not to ask questions, offer your views, and discuss the options with him/her. Trusting does not mean silence and ignorance of such basic facts as the length of one's common channel. Trust is what we do when we permit ourselves to undergo surgery. Hopefully this follows open and frank talks about all aspects of the surgery with the surgeon. The consumer/patient owns the body that goes into surgery. No amount of trust and hope relieves the patient of the responsibility of being informed as to the choices they are making. Hopefully this site and that of others will support the ongoing full participation of pre and post op patients in decision making. Being informed is very much what I see with the DS patients. It's your body and ultimately your responsibility to make informed choices. I can only hope that for the majority if us the days of blissfully trusting and remaining ignorant of crucial aspects of surgery are the dim past. in Seattle ----- Original Message ----- > > Let me start by saying that I have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA how long my > common channel is. Nor do I care. Don't get me wrong, I care about > my outcome at least as much as the next patient. It's just that I > don't have the expertise to tell my surgeon how to do his job. So I > don't. > > So, I've been wondering why so many other people don't seem to trust > their surgeons to do the job correctly? And the only answer I can > come up with is that maybe some patients just don't trust their > doctors all that much in general. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2001 Report Share Posted May 21, 2001 Hey Tom, Think you can get it done before my July 6th surgery??? LOL! Dr. Anthone - surgery July 6th Approved UHC BMI 44 > So, I've decided to volunteer for the job. No, I haven't appointed > myself a medical expert. I plan to get all the info I need from > various websites, including Dr. Rabkin's, Dr. Hess's, Dr. Baltazar's, > and any others I can find, plus all the tips and nuggets of info I > can glean from this and several other online support groups. > > I'll be happy to email a copy to anyone who wishes to comment, just > as soon as I get the first draft done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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