Re: Re: Disheartened and discouraged

[Guest guest]

Hello to All ......I really need your support. Today I called Dr. Gagner's

office to confirm the receipt of my recent lab results. (Some of you will

recall my earlier post about my consult with Dr. Gagner on May 16, when he

expressed concern about low serum protein and albumin levels. As a result, I

went back to my PCP who ordered a battery of blood tests as well as a 24-hr

urine test. These came back normal in all respects with the exception of my

serum albumin being still low @ 3.3, although higher than the first test

which was 2.7. The normal range is 3.4 - 5.5. My PCP has been totally

supportive of my seeking weight loss surgery, and she does not feel that this

result is anything to worry about. I have no symptoms of kidney or liver

problems, nor do I have diabetes or symptoms of any digestive disorders

(other than milk-specific lactose intolerance. ) When I spoke with Dr.

Gagner's nurse, she indicated that the low serum albumin is " still a problem "

and that she " knew Dr. Gagner had made that very clear at my consultation " .

My impression was that she felt I was hoping to persuade the Dr. to go ahead

with the surgery despite his concerns. Believe me, I certainly would never

place myself in jeopardy, much less try to persuade a physician to do

something against his medical judgment. (For that matter, I wouldn't HAVE a

physician that could be " persuaded " . What frustrated me is that I can't seem

to get a clear idea about what we should be looking for. When I asked if

there could be a dietary cause for the low reading, she said she didn't know.

She also said that she " didn't know " whether Dr. G. would be willing to speak

with my PCP about this. I am left with the feeling that the folks at Mt.

Sinai feel that I may have some terrible condition, but they don't want to

discuss it. When I talk to my PCP, she feels that there is absolutely

nothing to worry about, because I have NO symptoms and everything else looks

fine. I know that she will cooperate with anything reasonable, and will order

any tests that might rule out Dr. G's concerns. I know these are medical

issues and I don't expect that anyone in the group can resolve this. But I'd

appreciate any suggestions you might have. Has ANYONE out there had a similar

experience, or any information about low serum albumin? I don't know whether

I should be scared or not. I am feeling very, very low tonight. I have been

researching wls for nearly a year. I've considered local surgeons, Dr.

Rutledge in NC, RNY, etc. I really believe that wls is the ONLY solution for

me, and that my obesity is a life-threatening problem. At 52, I feel that

time is marching on. Sorry this is so long, but I really need your support.

Thanks for listening.

Alice in Delmar NY

Wt 272 Ht. 5'1 " BMI 51

[Guest guest]

Hello!

Is it possible they are concerned that it is sclerosis

of the liver? I looked this up in my medical journal

and it referred to sclerosis of the liver. It is a

shame you can not talk to Dr. Gagner directly. I

myself have not been pleased with the nurses there.

They don't seem to know too much nor do they want to

offer much assistance. I will pray that all goes well

for you.

Sandy in Delaware

--- esmonda1@... wrote:

> Hello to All ......I really need your support. Today

> I called Dr. Gagner's

> office to confirm the receipt of my recent lab

> results. (Some of you will

> recall my earlier post about my consult with Dr.

> Gagner on May 16, when he

> expressed concern about low serum protein and

> albumin levels. As a result, I

> went back to my PCP who ordered a battery of blood

> tests as well as a 24-hr

> urine test. These came back normal in all respects

> with the exception of my

> serum albumin being still low @ 3.3, although higher

> than the first test

> which was 2.7. The normal range is 3.4 - 5.5. My PCP

> has been totally

> supportive of my seeking weight loss surgery, and

> she does not feel that this

> result is anything to worry about. I have no

> symptoms of kidney or liver

> problems, nor do I have diabetes or symptoms of any

> digestive disorders

> (other than milk-specific lactose intolerance. )

> When I spoke with Dr.

> Gagner's nurse, she indicated that the low serum

> albumin is " still a problem "

> and that she " knew Dr. Gagner had made that very

> clear at my consultation " .

> My impression was that she felt I was hoping to

> persuade the Dr. to go ahead

> with the surgery despite his concerns. Believe me, I

> certainly would never

> place myself in jeopardy, much less try to persuade

> a physician to do

> something against his medical judgment. (For that

> matter, I wouldn't HAVE a

> physician that could be " persuaded " . What frustrated

> me is that I can't seem

> to get a clear idea about what we should be looking

> for. When I asked if

> there could be a dietary cause for the low reading,

> she said she didn't know.

> She also said that she " didn't know " whether Dr. G.

> would be willing to speak

> with my PCP about this. I am left with the feeling

> that the folks at Mt.

> Sinai feel that I may have some terrible condition,

> but they don't want to

> discuss it. When I talk to my PCP, she feels that

> there is absolutely

> nothing to worry about, because I have NO symptoms

> and everything else looks

> fine. I know that she will cooperate with anything

> reasonable, and will order

> any tests that might rule out Dr. G's concerns. I

> know these are medical

> issues and I don't expect that anyone in the group

> can resolve this. But I'd

> appreciate any suggestions you might have. Has

> ANYONE out there had a similar

> experience, or any information about low serum

> albumin? I don't know whether

> I should be scared or not. I am feeling very, very

> low tonight. I have been

> researching wls for nearly a year. I've considered

> local surgeons, Dr.

> Rutledge in NC, RNY, etc. I really believe that wls

> is the ONLY solution for

> me, and that my obesity is a life-threatening

> problem. At 52, I feel that

> time is marching on. Sorry this is so long, but I

> really need your support.

> Thanks for listening.

> Alice in Delmar NY

> Wt 272 Ht. 5'1 " BMI 51

>

>

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