How Safe Is It??

[Guest guest]

I am thinking of having this surgery, but I am rather disturbed about

the fact that a women in our town had bypass surgery two weeks ago and

died last night. I realize it was probably from complications, but

just what do you look for in the surgeon that you think you want to do

this. How complete are they with their pre-op exams. What kind of

guide lines should my friends and I be looking for? This death has

really changed a lot of peoples minds about surgery if only

temporarily. But, I would hate to think she passed away because a Dr

didn't have the time to really know all about her. Obviously when we

go to the cemetaries today, we will have someone new to think about.

Ann and Friends

[Guest guest]

Ann-

Any surgery can be risky, esecially in the hands of someone who is

less than qualified. That is why you want to make sure that you go

to a surgeon that has a good track record and isn't just trying to

hustle patients through and makes as much money as possible.

Just to give you an idea of what I have gone through so far in

getting approved:

a physical with my PCP

an x-ray of my heart & lungs

a pulmonary study

an echocardiogram

a psychological evaluation

These procedures are based on the fact that I have had some shortness

of breath and they wanted to rule out CHF(congestive heart failure)

and see where my asthma is at, etc..

Different people will have different pre-op work-ups.

As for surgery risks- the risks are similar for any surgery: reaction

to anesthesia, blood clot, etc. These are present wether you are

having gastroinstetinal surgery or say a c-section, or other common

surgery. Morbidly obese people are in a higher risk category but the

risk of getting a blood clot or pneumonia etc. can be reduced by

getting in good shape before surgery- walking, doing breathing

exercises and can be reduced by getting up as soon as possible after

surgery and coughing(or whatever they tell you to do- it was coughing

for me after my gall bladder surgery and my c-section)- which means

insisting on good pain management so you can do those things.

People do die in surgery and after surgery-- but this is true of any

surgery, not just DS, GB, etc.. I think more has been made of it in

this case for two reasons- this surgery is aimed at a population of

people who would have a higher risk of surgical complications anyway

(due to MO and its comorbids) and many people still see this as

an " elective " procedure.

I hope this gives you some points to think about. Surgery is a very

serious consideration- just make sure you get someone who knows what

they are doing.

Amy

Fremont, CA

Pre-Op

BMI 44

> I am thinking of having this surgery, but I am rather disturbed

about

> the fact that a women in our town had bypass surgery two weeks ago

and

> died last night. I realize it was probably from complications, but

> just what do you look for in the surgeon that you think you want to

do

> this. How complete are they with their pre-op exams. What kind of

> guide lines should my friends and I be looking for? This death has

> really changed a lot of peoples minds about surgery if only

> temporarily. But, I would hate to think she passed away because a

Dr

> didn't have the time to really know all about her. Obviously when

we

> go to the cemetaries today, we will have someone new to think

about.

>

> Ann and Friends

[Guest guest]

Please let us know if you are able to find out what caused her problems.

Was she generally healthy or was she almost already at " death's door " and

this surgery was a last ditch effort to help her? There is a site with a

man who was 803 pounds who was told that he had a 60% chance of NOT waking

up from the surgery. However, he states that his life had gotten to where

if he didn't get help that he did not want to live...so he went for it and

had success with the RNY surgery. All things must be considered. Did she

follow doctor's orders? Did she have pre-existing conditions that caused

her death? Even the healthest person can die with a blood clot. But a

blood clot can show up with any surgery or even without surgery. We must go

into this surgery with an open mind to follow all doctor's instructions and

do what we can to prepare out health before surgery and then put it in God's

hands. More people have died in car accidents than from WLS yet, I bet we

all jump into the car without thought of dying! Just let the rest of us

know whatever you find out, please. It may be something that we can learn

from and avoid that same problem.

Jerry, Pre-op, Dr. Booth, MS

>From: katzgals@...

>Reply-To: duodenalswitch

>To: duodenalswitch

>Subject: How Safe Is It??

>Date: Mon, 28 May 2001 17:13:17 -0000

>

>I am thinking of having this surgery, but I am rather disturbed about

>the fact that a women in our town had bypass surgery two weeks ago and

>died last night. I realize it was probably from complications, but

>just what do you look for in the surgeon that you think you want to do

>this. How complete are they with their pre-op exams. What kind of

>guide lines should my friends and I be looking for? This death has

>really changed a lot of peoples minds about surgery if only

>temporarily. But, I would hate to think she passed away because a Dr

>didn't have the time to really know all about her. Obviously when we

>go to the cemetaries today, we will have someone new to think about.

>

>Ann and Friends

>

>

>----------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

My best friend's sister died during a tonsillectomy. S**t happens.

All surgery is a risk. Abdominal surgery is a bigger risk. Abdominal

surgery on a MO person is a huge risk. The only thing that is more of a

risk is continuing to be MO.

in Seattle

----- Original Message -----

> I am thinking of having this surgery, but I am rather disturbed about

> the fact that a women in our town had bypass surgery two weeks ago and

> died last night. I realize it was probably from complications, but

> just what do you look for in the surgeon that you think you want to do

> this. How complete are they with their pre-op exams. What kind of

> guide lines should my friends and I be looking for? This death has

> really changed a lot of peoples minds about surgery if only

> temporarily. But, I would hate to think she passed away because a Dr

> didn't have the time to really know all about her. Obviously when we

> go to the cemetaries today, we will have someone new to think about.

>

> Ann and Friends

[Guest guest]

Hi Ann--really great question! I'm very sorry about your friend.

When this happens, it always makes the surgical risks very real.

I'm sure you've heard before this is major surgery and it has all the

risks of major surgery. The chance of dying is 1 in 200. Sometimes,

no matter how good or experienced your surgeon is, things happen

beyond his control, like P.E.'s. Of course, if it were me, I would

like to start off with a surgeon who was VERY experienced. In the

past year, the members of the American Bariatric Assoc has doubled

from last year, so there are alot of new surgeon's getting into the

game. You really have to ask about their experience, if that's

important to you. Know what you're getting into and feel comfortable

with it.

It's also very important to have the surgeon explain the surgery to

you. With all the new surgeon's coming on board, they sometimes have

their own " variation " that they prefer. We've heard stories of

doctors calling their surgery a DS, yet leaving out the pyloric

valve. Or creating a RNY pouch... Just because he calls it a DS or

RNY doesn't mean that that's what's in YOUR mind as the procedure you

want. The best thing to do is have him describe it to you. Then you

can decided if that's the procedure you want done or not....

Thanks for asking the question..

heidi

Home Page: http://www.mywls.com

Support/Message Board: http://www.mywls.com/discus

Direct Mail: mailto:heidij@...

[Guest guest]

Hi Ann (and Friends):

I think Amy in Fremont covered all of the risks extremely well, so I

won't add anything on that part.

Pre-op tests tend to vary a little bit from surgeon to surgeon.

Also, for all I know, some of the tests I had may have been ordered

specifically for me because of something in my family history or some

such thing. So I don't know for sure if all of my doc's patients

have the exact same tests. Anyway, here are the tests and stuff I

had pre-op:

-- Complete personal/family medical & diet history

-- physical exam by doc (poking around for painful spots in the

abdomen, etc.)

-- EKG/stress test (using chemical stressors rather than the

treadmill due to my weight)

-- Complete Pulmonary workup including arterial O2 test (ouch!)

-- Magnetic heart imaging (both stressed & at rest)

-- Ultra-sound of the liver/gallbladder area

-- Chest x-rays from several angles

-- Upper GI imaging (with barium -- yuck)

-- blood panel (about a dozen vials)

-- urine test (for sugar?)

-- psychological evaluation

As to how to choose a doc, here's what I looked for.

1. Medical School

I looked for docs who attended medical school either in the US or at

a well-respected school in western Europe or Australia/New Zealand.

Rationale: These are the best schools, and they therefore are

hardest to get into, and thus get the best students. (An argument

can be made for schools in former British Commonwealth countries, but

none of the surgeons I looked at attended such a school, so I didn't

have to deal with that issue.)

2. Residency

I gave preference to those surgeons who had been appointed as Chief

Resident during their residencies.

Rationale: The chief resident is chosen by the faculty as the best

among that resident group.

3. Post-Residency Fellowships, etc.

Rationale: I like to see a surgical fellowship after the residency

because it indicates just that much more training and practice under

the eye of experts.

4. Professional Credentials

Is the surgeon certified by the American Board of Surgeons (or its

British equivalent)? http://www.absurgery.org/home.html>

Rationale: This is the basic, bottom line certification that

says, " you are now a surgeon. "

Is the surgeon a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (or one

of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons in Commonwealth countries)?

http://www.facs.org/index.html>

Rationale: Membership in the ACS, (denoted by the initials F.A.C.S.

after " MD " ), is voluntary, and requires recommendations from fellow

members, plus what amounts to an investigation of the surgeon's

practice history.

Is the surgeon a member of the American Society of Bariatric

Surgery?

Rationale: This is a professional/educational organization for

bariatric surgeons. If a bariatric surgeon were not a member, I

would certainly wonder why not. Don't they care about keeping up on

new developments?

5. Surgical Practice

I prefer a surgeon who has practiced as a general surgeon for at

least a few years before starting to do bariatric surgery.

Rationale: I want a surgeon who is prepared to deal with any

eventuality, both in the OR and in the post-op period. I figure that

a few years practicing as a general surgeon gives them more exposure

to all the different kinds of problems that can crop up.

6. Bariatric Practice

When and where did they learn to perform the DS?

Rationale: I don't want a surgeon who learned how to do the DS by

watching a videotape. (NOTE: All of the DS surgeons I have ever

looked closely at learned the surgery from someone quite qualified to

teach it, so this isn't a big concern. On the other hand, this kind

of thing does on all the time in plastic surgery, so it's not out of

the question as more and more docs move into this field in the

future.)

How long have they been performing the DS?

Rationale: I don't want to be one of their early DS patients, while

they are still learning how to do the procedure really well.

How many of their patients have died? When and under what

circumstances?

Rationale: If the doc is uncomfortable giving me this information, I

would get worried about why he/she was uncomfortable.

7. Awards/research/other

I also give points if a surgeon has won awards for excellence, has

contributed to the field through published research in peer-reviewed

journals, and any other signs that the surgeon works very hard to

continue learning and improving as a surgeon.

I hope you find this helpful.

Please accept my heartfelt condolences for the loss of your friend.

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Guest guest]

<<>

I forgot to add that my doc requires over 30 different preop exams.

They are all listed here:

http://www.mywls.com/Pre-Op/Pre-Op_Tests/pre-op_tests.html. Then the

day before surgery, I had an additional chest xray and cbc.

Hope this helps... heidi

Home page: http://www.mywls.com

Message/Information board: http://www.mywls.com/discus

[Guest guest]

Good list Tom! Thanks, Angel

--- tlarussa@... wrote:

>

>

> Hi Ann (and Friends):

>

> I think Amy in Fremont covered all of the risks

> extremely well, so I

> won't add anything on that part.

>

> Pre-op tests tend to vary a little bit from surgeon

> to surgeon.

> Also, for all I know, some of the tests I had may

> have been ordered

> specifically for me because of something in my

> family history or some

> such thing. So I don't know for sure if all of my

> doc's patients

> have the exact same tests. Anyway, here are the

> tests and stuff I

> had pre-op:

>

> -- Complete personal/family medical & diet history

> -- physical exam by doc (poking around for painful

> spots in the

> abdomen, etc.)

> -- EKG/stress test (using chemical stressors rather

> than the

> treadmill due to my weight)

> -- Complete Pulmonary workup including arterial O2

> test (ouch!)

> -- Magnetic heart imaging (both stressed & at rest)

> -- Ultra-sound of the liver/gallbladder area

> -- Chest x-rays from several angles

> -- Upper GI imaging (with barium -- yuck)

> -- blood panel (about a dozen vials)

> -- urine test (for sugar?)

> -- psychological evaluation

>

>

> As to how to choose a doc, here's what I looked for.

>

>

> 1. Medical School

>

> I looked for docs who attended medical school either

> in the US or at

> a well-respected school in western Europe or

> Australia/New Zealand.

>

> Rationale: These are the best schools, and they

> therefore are

> hardest to get into, and thus get the best students.

> (An argument

> can be made for schools in former British

> Commonwealth countries, but

> none of the surgeons I looked at attended such a

> school, so I didn't

> have to deal with that issue.)

>

>

> 2. Residency

>

> I gave preference to those surgeons who had been

> appointed as Chief

> Resident during their residencies.

>

> Rationale: The chief resident is chosen by the

> faculty as the best

> among that resident group.

>

>

> 3. Post-Residency Fellowships, etc.

>

> Rationale: I like to see a surgical fellowship

> after the residency

> because it indicates just that much more training

> and practice under

> the eye of experts.

>

>

> 4. Professional Credentials

>

> Is the surgeon certified by the American Board of

> Surgeons (or its

> British equivalent)?

> http://www.absurgery.org/home.html>

>

> Rationale: This is the basic, bottom line

> certification that

> says, " you are now a surgeon. "

>

>

> Is the surgeon a Fellow of the American College of

> Surgeons (or one

> of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons in Commonwealth

> countries)?

> http://www.facs.org/index.html>

>

> Rationale: Membership in the ACS, (denoted by the

> initials F.A.C.S.

> after " MD " ), is voluntary, and requires

> recommendations from fellow

> members, plus what amounts to an investigation of

> the surgeon's

> practice history.

>

>

> Is the surgeon a member of the American Society of

> Bariatric

> Surgery?

>

> Rationale: This is a professional/educational

> organization for

> bariatric surgeons. If a bariatric surgeon were not

> a member, I

> would certainly wonder why not. Don't they care

> about keeping up on

> new developments?

>

>

>

> 5. Surgical Practice

>

> I prefer a surgeon who has practiced as a general

> surgeon for at

> least a few years before starting to do bariatric

> surgery.

>

> Rationale: I want a surgeon who is prepared to deal

> with any

> eventuality, both in the OR and in the post-op

> period. I figure that

> a few years practicing as a general surgeon gives

> them more exposure

> to all the different kinds of problems that can crop

> up.

>

>

> 6. Bariatric Practice

>

> When and where did they learn to perform the DS?

>

> Rationale: I don't want a surgeon who learned how

> to do the DS by

> watching a videotape. (NOTE: All of the DS

> surgeons I have ever

> looked closely at learned the surgery from someone

> quite qualified to

> teach it, so this isn't a big concern. On the other

> hand, this kind

> of thing does on all the time in plastic surgery, so

> it's not out of

> the question as more and more docs move into this

> field in the

> future.)

>

>

> How long have they been performing the DS?

>

> Rationale: I don't want to be one of their early DS

> patients, while

> they are still learning how to do the procedure

> really well.

>

>

> How many of their patients have died? When and

> under what

> circumstances?

>

> Rationale: If the doc is uncomfortable giving me

> this information, I

> would get worried about why he/she was

> uncomfortable.

>

>

> 7. Awards/research/other

>

> I also give points if a surgeon has won awards for

> excellence, has

> contributed to the field through published research

> in peer-reviewed

> journals, and any other signs that the surgeon works

> very hard to

> continue learning and improving as a surgeon.

>

>

> I hope you find this helpful.

>

> Please accept my heartfelt condolences for the loss

> of your friend.

>

>

> 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

>

=== message truncated ===

=====

Angel Connor

DS Pre-Op

Dr Maguire

Surgery date (pending approval)

Oct 29th

BMI 64

__________________________________________________