Re: Disheartened and discouraged - Alice

[Guest guest]

Alice- Christa is totally right. I am so thankful because Dr. Herron,

(his Pa) and always get back to me with answers. Ellen(Pam) Hi

Christa

[Guest guest]

Hi Alice,

I can't respond to the low readings and what that actually means.

However, since your PCP doesn't seem to have concerns, that makes me

feel quite at ease. If there was anything seriously wrong, he/she

would have said so.

As far as the Mt Sinai doctors and nurses are concerned, you really

have to be pushy to get results. I had my surgery with Dr. Herron.

I have always been able to reach him via email; he always responds

back usually within a day. Could you get a second hand opinion?

Could you write to Dr. Herron? They are all in the same group. Dr.

Gagner is the head huncho but he is also extremely busy and not

around that much (from what I hear, because he travels a lot). His

associates are just as well qualified. It wouldn't hurt to write.

His email address is: daniel.herron@...

You have nothing to lose and perhaps gain back your confidence!!! Go

for it. Pls. feel free to contact me any time with any questions,

I'll be only happy to answer. I've been there.

Hugs

Christa

(from CT)

> > 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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> >