Re: What can we learn from ?

[Guest guest]

Sam,

I'm also contemplating WLS (specifically the BPD/DS) and I'm glad you

raised the issue of " going it alone " . I agree with you that

the, " first 2-3 months of recovery seem to be a time of very intense

pain, lifestyle adjustments and emotional changes. "

I certainly think the patient's post-op support system is something

both the surgeon and the patient should consider pre-op. But I

disagree with you that the lack of a social support structure

should " be a big red flag " to any psychiatrist in approving someone

for this surgery or that " having such a support structure at this

time is CRITICAL to a successful recovery. "

Some people have to face serious health problems including surgery

and chemotherapy on their own. For many morbidly obese people WLS is

just as necessary to their survival as the removal of a cancerous

tumor or gangrenous limb. You seem to suggest that people without a

support system should not be considered for this potentially life

saving surgery. I think that position is counter-productive and while

I doubt that going it alone after WLS is easy I also doubt it is more

difficult than dying alone from the co-morbidities of MO.

It would be nice if we all had family and friends who are there for

us no matter what. It would be nice if we all had insurance that paid

for life saving surgery. It would be nice if we all had the money to

buy whatever help we need. Heck it would be nice if no one ever got

sick, or old, or scared or poor. But we do and we cope as best we can

with whatever resources we have.

I'd hope that anyone facing WLS pays serious attention to

the " psychological effects of undergoing the switch " but I think it

would be doing a severe disservice to all patients to base decisions

about their psychological ability to handle WLS on how many people

they do or don't have supporting them.

Lee

[Guest guest]

Sam, you wrote:

I also wonder if the evaluating psychiatrist discusses the

potentially devastating outcomes that can be had by undergoing this

surgery, and whether the Dr. evaluates the patient's emotional

strength and inner resources to deal with the unexpected bad things

that can develop. Is the patient fully informed? Does the patient

completely understand what can happen to him/her? Is the patient

prepared to accept the reponsibility for the possible undesired

outcomes this surgery can bring?

Speaking as someone who has just been through the psychological evaluation

process - the guy I saw gave exacting details regarding possible

complications, the potential effects they could have on future lifestyle,

and went so far as to tell me the number of people that he knows personally

who have had negative side-effects as a result of surgery and how they have

impacted the future lives of these people. He also carefully questioned me

regarding my support system - who was pro, who was con, did I feel that I

could count on these people to " be there " for me, etc. He also questioned

me about the impact the relationship my husband and I have might be affected

as a result of this drastic change that is brought about. In fact, he was

explicit in explaining the negatives, and until after he seemingly felt that

I understood what I was getting myself in for - reserved his opinion that

WLS is an excellent tool - a tool that literally transforms lives, and if he

were in my situation, he, too, would undergo it.

I don't know if all of the psychiatrists have the same criteria that they

cover with each patient, but I felt that the guy I saw was thorough - and

not someone with a big rubber stamp that said, " Pass " simply because he was

in the loop of providers that work (or get referrals from) with a particular

Bariatric surgeon/clinic, whatever.

My two cents....

Dina in Aloha, OR

Age 37/BMI 61

Waiting for my consult with Dr.

Hoping my new insurance will cover it all....

What can we learn from ?

I've been reading with great interest over the past several weeks

's unfortunate complications with her WLS. As a potential pre-

op, I'm eager to learn about all possible outcomes from undergoing

the BPD/DS surgery. About 3 weeks ago, I began to get the feeling

that something just wasn't quite " right " with -- and I'm not

referring to any post-surgical complications when I say that. I'm

glad the pity posts have stopped and people have started to respond

in a more assertive manner. I believe in this case it is called for

as I think at this point information and words of support are not

doing any good. Is it true that is a nurse??--I believe

I read that some months back, but might be confusing her with someone

else.

I think her situation sheds light on a weakness in the switching

process. We are all required to undergo a psychiatric evalution as

part of the process. It seems to me that 's lack of a social

support structure would be a big red flag to any psychiatrist in

approving her for this surgery. The first 2-3 months of recovery

seem to be a time of very intense pain, lifestyle adjustments and

emotional changes. I dont see how ANYONE could do it alone. There's

just too much going on, especially when your body needs all its

energy and focus on healing. In fact, I believe that having such a

support structure at this time is CRITICAL to a successful recovery,

especially where patients experience complications and side effects

from the surgery. Can any of the post-ops comment on the validity of

this observation? Could you do it alone? What do you imagine your

recovery would be like without having such a support system?

I also wonder if the evaluating psychiatrist discusses the

potentially devastating outcomes that can be had by undergoing this

surgery, and whether the Dr. evaluates the patient's emotional

strength and inner resources to deal with the unexpected bad things

that can develop. Is the patient fully informed? Does the patient

completely understand what can happen to him/her? Is the patient

prepared to accept the reponsibility for the possible undesired

outcomes this surgery can bring?

If I were Dr. Gagner, (whose response to was 100% on target,

IMHO) I would want answers from the psychiatrist who approved

for this surgery. In all candor, I have to lay partial

responsibility on that Dr. for 's present situation. Clearly,

is not someone who has the support structure or emotional

resources to cope with the unfortunate circumstances in which she now

finds herself , and should never have been approved for the surgery

before making sure she had these structures and skills in place for

herself.

More time and attention needs to be paid to the psychological effects

of undergoing the switch. We spend alot of time on this list worrying

about endoscopies and bowel preps, and noxious gases emanating from

our colons... but how much do we really focus on our minds and who we

are and ALL the aspects of how we are going to change once we are

switched? As I now sadly find myself watching 's downward

spiral, I wonder why she wasn't required to undergo counseling BEFORE

she got to this point--not AFTER the irreversible damage to her body

has already been done.

Sam

Possible pre-op....maybe???

Initial consult with Dr. Herron on 9/20/01

6'4 " /415lbs; 52 BMI

----------------------------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

If I were Dr. Gagner, (whose response to was 100% on target, IMHO) I would want answers from the psychiatrist who approved for this surgery. In all candor, I have to lay partial responsibility on that Dr. for 's present situation. Clearly, is not someone who has the support structure or emotional resources to cope with the unfortunate circumstances in which she now finds herself , and should never have been approved for the surgery before making sure she had these structures and skills in place for herself.

Hi Sam

I'm not sure of Dr. Gagner's policy but not all dr's require a psych eval..its very different depending on what dr. you see. You made some excellent points though.

Thanks

~~* AJ *~~

BMI 59

Surgery date 7/24/01

going self pay - Dr Baltasar Spain

Check out the

Bellingham Support for WLS

WWW.lookin2bthin.homestead.com

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/9/01 4:52:51 AM, duodenalswitch writes:

<< I also wonder if the evaluating psychiatrist discusses the

potentially devastating outcomes that can be had by undergoing this

surgery, and whether the Dr. evaluates the patient's emotional

strength and inner resources to deal with the unexpected bad things

that can develop. Is the patient fully informed? Does the patient

completely understand what can happen to him/her? Is the patient

prepared to accept the reponsibility for the possible undesired

outcomes this surgery can bring?

>>

I totally agree here with you. However, I think was fully informed.

She was quite anxious about whether the surgery would 'work' for her and

always rather concerned about not losing 'enough weight'. Actually, her bmi

is below 40 (I think, but it is definately below 45 -- I had a bmi of 45 as a

pre-op and hers was noticably below mine). I think she only had 80 excess

pounds to lose. I think certain co-morbidities may have been what made her a

candidate for WLS despite her relatively low bmi. She is a nurse and I do

believe she researched options and knew about complications, etc.

If you look at the posts she wrote as a pre-op (although there aren't as many

of them as post-op), she was always talking about the surgery, how she didn't

think it would work for her, etc.

Also, anyone who called her was just as confused about her state of mind,

etc. so I don't know if it really helped to call. My reason for not getting

involved are twofold: I have two young children whom I take care of 24 hours

a day (I homeschool) and can't just take them to Long Island (it is quite a

drive). I live in southern Brooklyn. I have done this before for people,

though when I was an angel to Candy and she needed a ride home to Long Island

(this is where she was going to take her flight home to Texas).

I also thought that paying too much attention to her was NOT going to bring

about rational or positive results. I saw that other people were reaching

out so I knew she wasn't being ignored or forgotten. The problem is I think

she keeps writing and complaining mainly to get attention. I don't doubt

that she is feeling sick, is dehydrated or upset about the unexpected hernia

surgery, etc. and complications. I think anyone who experiences

complications feels similarly -- no matter how informed they are beforehand

that such things are possibie outcomes.

I think she would get herself to the ER if it were an emergency. I think she

does have relatives and a boyfriend who can help her. I am not sure if she

perceives this as a support system, though. I don't know details about her

personal situation but I don't think she is as totally isolated as she makes

herself seem in the e-mails. In other words, I empathize with her suffering

but I don't think she is totally mentally incompetent and unable to help

herself. And, in the end, she is the ONLY one who can help herself. I'm so

glad that Lori contacted Liz and someone from Mt. Sinai will check in on her

today. But, no one can make her go to the ER, make her drink liquids or do

anything unless, as stated, she's deemed 'mentally incompetent' and

someone is designated to make all decisions for her.

I hope that she truly takes people's concern and advice to heart and starts

healing -- both physically and mentally. You are totally correct that there

are so many emotional issues that can arise after the surgery. I totally

agree that a support system is necessary to really get through this

experience in a healthy manner.

all the best,

lap ds with gallbladder removal

January 25, 2001

[Guest guest]

> Can any of the post-ops comment on the validity of

> this observation? Could you do it alone? What do you imagine your

> recovery would be like without having such a support system?

Sam, I don't know you...but you're Very Wise. This process takes a tough

person...it's the tough and assertive among us who will do well and have done

well. With a support system or without one, alone or not...this is not for

the weak or helpless. This surgery is for those who are bold and determined

and can handle whatever happens effectively. Could I have done it alone?

Yes. Would I have wanted to? Nope. I didn't necessarily need handholding

for my recovery, but I needed a person on whom I could depend to take over

anything and everything while I napped, zoned out, or whatever else I needed

to do for a few weeks. For that and for the possibility of complications

that can crop up suddenly...I don't think anybody should be alone during that

time.

Michele B., Cols, Ohio

Failed VBG 1986

Revision - Open BPD/DS 7/14/00

Wt 320/183.5 BMI 50.2/28.7 -136.5 pounds in 51 weeks

Dr. P. Maguire, Kettering OH

Self-pay

http://hometown.aol.com/chezmich/index.html

[Guest guest]

energy and focus on healing. In fact, I believe that having such a support structure at this time is CRITICAL to a successful recovery, especially where patients experience complications and side effects from the surgery. Can any of the post-ops comment on the validity of this observation? Could you do it alone? What do you imagine your recovery would be like without having such a support system?

I think it depends on the person. I had the surgery in June and except for a friend coming with me to NYC and staying until I got out of surgery I have been doing it alone. It takes planning and common sense. I think more care should be focused on finding people who may have dependent personalities, people who have no strengths to draw upon. People who can't make decisions and follow through. People who are inherently weak. I see people who have a setback in life and whine and can't cope but there are others who persevere. I don't think I required someone to hold my hand in the hospital or later at home. I was glad to be alone. People offered to stay and visit and run errands which was great. But, from the info. gathered on this list I had everything ready. I think the pysch evaluation is important but obviously some people who shouldn't have the surgery do. They don't take care of their bodies needs and terrorize their doctors. But, they can't help it, its part of their nature. They need the sympathy fix and lots and lots of attention an abnormal amount is required. They are so needy and it takes so much to fill them up that people get tired and frustrated and isolate them. Hopefully family and close friends are used to this and can step in and help them straighten out and set some priorities. Maybe some pts need pysch care during the stressful postop course. The docs should be able to recognize this and make it part of that patients followup care. IMHO

[Guest guest]

Dear Psychology Experts,

Eliminating people from having WLS because they do not have 'normal'

psychosocial backup or

support groups is going to eliminate most guys, in my limited experience, from

much needed WLS for

super and plain old morbid obesity. I was at a WLS meeting the other night, and

not one of the

humungous guys there had any such backup. So you are projecting your values on

the population of

all fatties. You cannot, generally speaking, diagnose accurately mental illness

by a single trait

such as whether or not someone has plenty of support, nor can you predict how

someone is going to

react to an unknown complex of post-surgical 'challenges'. Life ain't that

simple. Preliminary

diagnoses using DSMs, which is how the shrinks do it, normally involves a

constellation of traits

or behaviors; nor are their diagnostics the last word on anything, for that

matter.

These psychological exams are a can of worms. They are rejecting people because

they don't like

doctors or have antisocial feelings, etc. They have you believing in their

voodoo. There are

simply too many variables involved and insufficient data to make realistic

predictions as to what

could happen post-surgically. This is like trying to predict the weather a month

from now. It's

all guesswork. The ASBS surgical guidelines, which are the specialty guidelines,

do not deny

surgery to anyone unless they are obviously psychotic. This means that all of us

neurotic,

finger-nail-biting fatsos who are ready to burst into tears the moment someone

looks cross-eyed at

us should be able to get surgery. It also means that you are being hassled about

your psychic

state by surgeons who are a little confused about psychological issues. The NIH

guidelines really

don't say anything different, though they amount to a plea to use as many

disciplines as the

surgeons find necessary. This is why the dietitians and the shrinks are getting

a piece of the

pie. The surgeons are just being generous with the insurance companies or your

money.

As far as post-operative depression goes, you should be expecting some of those

experiencing

massive weight loss to have bouts of depression related to their weight loss or

to their

post-surgical morbidities. There is nothing wrong with having these bouts. There

is, however,

something wrong in worrying about what might be the etiology of any person's

depression. You are

playing God. The important thing is to get them treated along with the

morbidities attending the

surgery. What you ought to be doing, then, is helping to get some help

rather than trying to

come up with some grand insight. No one, not even the best shrink or the best

test, could have

predicted how would feel after her surgery, so all of this blathering

about who gave her the

okay is malarkey, too. Many people are negative about outcomes but positive as

hell afterwards.

Let's hope that gets some help and eventually gets positive.

This shrink business has all the elements of Salem Massachusetts and witch

hunting. It is obvious

that it is being misused by these surgeons to predict outcomes that are

unpredictable, and that

they are using these tests to cover their asses when their asses would be better

covered by simply

giving better followup care of a medical, surgical, or psychiatric type when

appropriate.

--- leescott9@... wrote:

> Sam,

>

> I'm also contemplating WLS (specifically the BPD/DS) and I'm glad you

> raised the issue of " going it alone " . I agree with you that

> the, " first 2-3 months of recovery seem to be a time of very intense

> pain, lifestyle adjustments and emotional changes. "

>

> I certainly think the patient's post-op support system is something

> both the surgeon and the patient should consider pre-op. But I

> disagree with you that the lack of a social support structure

> should " be a big red flag " to any psychiatrist in approving someone

> for this surgery or that " having such a support structure at this

> time is CRITICAL to a successful recovery. "

>

> Some people have to face serious health problems including surgery

> and chemotherapy on their own. For many morbidly obese people WLS is

> just as necessary to their survival as the removal of a cancerous

> tumor or gangrenous limb. You seem to suggest that people without a

> support system should not be considered for this potentially life

> saving surgery. I think that position is counter-productive and while

> I doubt that going it alone after WLS is easy I also doubt it is more

> difficult than dying alone from the co-morbidities of MO.

>

> It would be nice if we all had family and friends who are there for

> us no matter what. It would be nice if we all had insurance that paid

> for life saving surgery. It would be nice if we all had the money to

> buy whatever help we need. Heck it would be nice if no one ever got

> sick, or old, or scared or poor. But we do and we cope as best we can

> with whatever resources we have.

>

> I'd hope that anyone facing WLS pays serious attention to

> the " psychological effects of undergoing the switch " but I think it

> would be doing a severe disservice to all patients to base decisions

> about their psychological ability to handle WLS on how many people

> they do or don't have supporting them.

>

> Lee

>

>

>

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

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Psychology Experts,

Eliminating people from having WLS because they do not have 'normal'

psychosocial backup or

support groups is going to eliminate most guys, in my limited experience, from

much needed WLS for

super and plain old morbid obesity. I was at a WLS meeting the other night, and

not one of the

humungous guys there had any such backup. So you are projecting your values on

the population of

all fatties. You cannot, generally speaking, diagnose accurately mental illness

by a single trait

such as whether or not someone has plenty of support, nor can you predict how

someone is going to

react to an unknown complex of post-surgical 'challenges'. Life ain't that

simple. Preliminary

diagnoses using DSMs, which is how the shrinks do it, normally involves a

constellation of traits

or behaviors; nor are their diagnostics the last word on anything, for that

matter.

These psychological exams are a can of worms. They are rejecting people because

they don't like

doctors or have antisocial feelings, etc. They have you believing in their

voodoo. There are

simply too many variables involved and insufficient data to make realistic

predictions as to what

could happen post-surgically. This is like trying to predict the weather a month

from now. It's

all guesswork. The ASBS surgical guidelines, which are the specialty guidelines,

do not deny

surgery to anyone unless they are obviously psychotic. This means that all of us

neurotic,

finger-nail-biting fatsos who are ready to burst into tears the moment someone

looks cross-eyed at

us should be able to get surgery. It also means that you are being hassled about

your psychic

state by surgeons who are a little confused about psychological issues. The NIH

guidelines really

don't say anything different, though they amount to a plea to use as many

disciplines as the

surgeons find necessary. This is why the dietitians and the shrinks are getting

a piece of the

pie. The surgeons are just being generous with the insurance companies or your

money.

As far as post-operative depression goes, you should be expecting some of those

experiencing

massive weight loss to have bouts of depression related to their weight loss or

to their

post-surgical morbidities. There is nothing wrong with having these bouts. There

is, however,

something wrong in worrying about what might be the etiology of any person's

depression. You are

playing God. The important thing is to get them treated along with the

morbidities attending the

surgery. What you ought to be doing, then, is helping to get some help

rather than trying to

come up with some grand insight. No one, not even the best shrink or the best

test, could have

predicted how would feel after her surgery, so all of this blathering

about who gave her the

okay is malarkey, too. Many people are negative about outcomes but positive as

hell afterwards.

Let's hope that gets some help and eventually gets positive.

This shrink business has all the elements of Salem Massachusetts and witch

hunting. It is obvious

that it is being misused by these surgeons to predict outcomes that are

unpredictable, and that

they are using these tests to cover their asses when their asses would be better

covered by simply

giving better followup care of a medical, surgical, or psychiatric type when

appropriate.

--- leescott9@... wrote:

> Sam,

>

> I'm also contemplating WLS (specifically the BPD/DS) and I'm glad you

> raised the issue of " going it alone " . I agree with you that

> the, " first 2-3 months of recovery seem to be a time of very intense

> pain, lifestyle adjustments and emotional changes. "

>

> I certainly think the patient's post-op support system is something

> both the surgeon and the patient should consider pre-op. But I

> disagree with you that the lack of a social support structure

> should " be a big red flag " to any psychiatrist in approving someone

> for this surgery or that " having such a support structure at this

> time is CRITICAL to a successful recovery. "

>

> Some people have to face serious health problems including surgery

> and chemotherapy on their own. For many morbidly obese people WLS is

> just as necessary to their survival as the removal of a cancerous

> tumor or gangrenous limb. You seem to suggest that people without a

> support system should not be considered for this potentially life

> saving surgery. I think that position is counter-productive and while

> I doubt that going it alone after WLS is easy I also doubt it is more

> difficult than dying alone from the co-morbidities of MO.

>

> It would be nice if we all had family and friends who are there for

> us no matter what. It would be nice if we all had insurance that paid

> for life saving surgery. It would be nice if we all had the money to

> buy whatever help we need. Heck it would be nice if no one ever got

> sick, or old, or scared or poor. But we do and we cope as best we can

> with whatever resources we have.

>

> I'd hope that anyone facing WLS pays serious attention to

> the " psychological effects of undergoing the switch " but I think it

> would be doing a severe disservice to all patients to base decisions

> about their psychological ability to handle WLS on how many people

> they do or don't have supporting them.

>

> Lee

>

>

>

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

>

[Guest guest]

I don't have any idea why you decided to direct your tirade at me

since I very deliberately never mentioned anywhere in my

response to Sam nor did I " play God " , pretend to have any insights or

claim to be a " psychology expert " .

I posted to disagree with the idea that people should be rejected by

the psychologist, the surgeon or the insurance company if they don't

have what others deem to be an adequate support group.

If you are bound and determined to insult a complete stanger perhaps

you could at least attack me for something I actually said.

sheesh!

Lee

> > Sam,

> >

> > I'm also contemplating WLS (specifically the BPD/DS) and I'm glad

you

> > raised the issue of " going it alone " . I agree with you that

> > the, " first 2-3 months of recovery seem to be a time of very

intense

> > pain, lifestyle adjustments and emotional changes. "

> >

> > I certainly think the patient's post-op support system is

something

> > both the surgeon and the patient should consider pre-op. But I

> > disagree with you that the lack of a social support structure

> > should " be a big red flag " to any psychiatrist in approving

someone

> > for this surgery or that " having such a support structure at this

> > time is CRITICAL to a successful recovery. "

> >

> > Some people have to face serious health problems including

surgery

> > and chemotherapy on their own. For many morbidly obese people WLS

is

> > just as necessary to their survival as the removal of a cancerous

> > tumor or gangrenous limb. You seem to suggest that people without

a

> > support system should not be considered for this potentially life

> > saving surgery. I think that position is counter-productive and

while

> > I doubt that going it alone after WLS is easy I also doubt it is

more

> > difficult than dying alone from the co-morbidities of MO.

> >

> > It would be nice if we all had family and friends who are there

for

> > us no matter what. It would be nice if we all had insurance that

paid

> > for life saving surgery. It would be nice if we all had the money

to

> > buy whatever help we need. Heck it would be nice if no one ever

got

> > sick, or old, or scared or poor. But we do and we cope as best we

can

> > with whatever resources we have.

> >

> > I'd hope that anyone facing WLS pays serious attention to

> > the " psychological effects of undergoing the switch " but I think

it

> > would be doing a severe disservice to all patients to base

decisions

> > about their psychological ability to handle WLS on how many

people

> > they do or don't have supporting them.

> >

> > Lee

> >

> >

> >

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

----

> >

[Guest guest]

I don't have any idea why you decided to direct your tirade at me

since I very deliberately never mentioned anywhere in my

response to Sam nor did I " play God " , pretend to have any insights or

claim to be a " psychology expert " .

I posted to disagree with the idea that people should be rejected by

the psychologist, the surgeon or the insurance company if they don't

have what others deem to be an adequate support group.

If you are bound and determined to insult a complete stanger perhaps

you could at least attack me for something I actually said.

sheesh!

Lee

> > Sam,

> >

> > I'm also contemplating WLS (specifically the BPD/DS) and I'm glad

you

> > raised the issue of " going it alone " . I agree with you that

> > the, " first 2-3 months of recovery seem to be a time of very

intense

> > pain, lifestyle adjustments and emotional changes. "

> >

> > I certainly think the patient's post-op support system is

something

> > both the surgeon and the patient should consider pre-op. But I

> > disagree with you that the lack of a social support structure

> > should " be a big red flag " to any psychiatrist in approving

someone

> > for this surgery or that " having such a support structure at this

> > time is CRITICAL to a successful recovery. "

> >

> > Some people have to face serious health problems including

surgery

> > and chemotherapy on their own. For many morbidly obese people WLS

is

> > just as necessary to their survival as the removal of a cancerous

> > tumor or gangrenous limb. You seem to suggest that people without

a

> > support system should not be considered for this potentially life

> > saving surgery. I think that position is counter-productive and

while

> > I doubt that going it alone after WLS is easy I also doubt it is

more

> > difficult than dying alone from the co-morbidities of MO.

> >

> > It would be nice if we all had family and friends who are there

for

> > us no matter what. It would be nice if we all had insurance that

paid

> > for life saving surgery. It would be nice if we all had the money

to

> > buy whatever help we need. Heck it would be nice if no one ever

got

> > sick, or old, or scared or poor. But we do and we cope as best we

can

> > with whatever resources we have.

> >

> > I'd hope that anyone facing WLS pays serious attention to

> > the " psychological effects of undergoing the switch " but I think

it

> > would be doing a severe disservice to all patients to base

decisions

> > about their psychological ability to handle WLS on how many

people

> > they do or don't have supporting them.

> >

> > Lee

> >

> >

> >

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

----

> >

[Guest guest]

HI,

Not everyone who is fortunate enough to have this surgery has the support they need, ,i mean a husband/wife, signifigant others,nor the financial means to pay for it,,but they do indeed need the care of health care professionals post op, and the support of people on this list..I for one felt very let down by many here and didnt have the above as far as support,,that in no way i believe felt that people had to state that i was abused as a child or otherwise, I happen to be a great nurse , kind and compassionate, and j ust a bad patient who had a rocky rocky road in the begininning,,Again thanks to the chosen few who stuck by me,,and I am sorry for the others who felt the need to not be as understanding during my Post op period...I forgive u for not knowing any better,,,and just for the record i dont know who posted about my s....... abused childhold but I happen to have come from a wonderful family and was and am loved by my parents,,,whoever wrote that , i never saw it but it was told to me..Please lets not forget what we all came here to do in the first place,,Not to point fingers but to help one another,,When the drs and nurses at Gagners office let me down,,i needed u all the most..thanks to the few who stood bye me

sorry for the long letter.

nyc post op ( better thank god 5 weeks and 3 days lap/ds,3 weeks/ hernia repair

[Guest guest]

HI,

Not everyone who is fortunate enough to have this surgery has the support they need, ,i mean a husband/wife, signifigant others,nor the financial means to pay for it,,but they do indeed need the care of health care professionals post op, and the support of people on this list..I for one felt very let down by many here and didnt have the above as far as support,,that in no way i believe felt that people had to state that i was abused as a child or otherwise, I happen to be a great nurse , kind and compassionate, and j ust a bad patient who had a rocky rocky road in the begininning,,Again thanks to the chosen few who stuck by me,,and I am sorry for the others who felt the need to not be as understanding during my Post op period...I forgive u for not knowing any better,,,and just for the record i dont know who posted about my s....... abused childhold but I happen to have come from a wonderful family and was and am loved by my parents,,,whoever wrote that , i never saw it but it was told to me..Please lets not forget what we all came here to do in the first place,,Not to point fingers but to help one another,,When the drs and nurses at Gagners office let me down,,i needed u all the most..thanks to the few who stood bye me

sorry for the long letter.

nyc post op ( better thank god 5 weeks and 3 days lap/ds,3 weeks/ hernia repair

[Guest guest]

Hi Everybody,

I have not been online in a week or so and I see that I missed the dealings with ...It must be so hard for her but remaining positive is sooooo important...I know that this is a caring bunch of people and you have all tried so hard to help her...but perhaps we are being enablers.... being a nurse has almost no bearing on this...she is still someone who has not come to grips with her decisions...and their results....I won't claim to appreciate how any of you feel post-op...I'm not there yet...but I do realize that going through with this surgery requires depth of personality...you have to really look at who you are and what you truly expect from this...Me? Well....I wish I was more nervous...I have my consul with Dr. Herron in a month and I have this eerie sense of calm...it is something that usually comes over me when I have made a decision that I feel confidence in...I guess that means I have done so with having the surgery.... Is there anybody out there that is willing to talk about Dr. Herron more? I hear so much about Dr. Gagner....Does Dr. H require a psych test? I'm only coming from NJ but I think I will call and see how much I can schedule for the day. BTW, for anybody not in NJ...there was an article on the front page of the Star Ledger, which is a big paper here in the suburbs of NYC An article about wls. Now at first I was like WOW...a front page article in any paper in the country but it was, of course, about RNY....the reporter mentioned...in passing, that there were other operations....How nice of her LOL....and she ended with her email address and phone number....Well, I emailed her...naturally for me....and told her that if she was going to go to all the trouble of getting an article on the front page...she should do her homework more....send her some stuff on the DS and let her know...we ain't just "some other operation"....Anywho...thought it was interesting....

Stay well all

Cindy S

[Guest guest]

Hi Everybody,

I have not been online in a week or so and I see that I missed the dealings with ...It must be so hard for her but remaining positive is sooooo important...I know that this is a caring bunch of people and you have all tried so hard to help her...but perhaps we are being enablers.... being a nurse has almost no bearing on this...she is still someone who has not come to grips with her decisions...and their results....I won't claim to appreciate how any of you feel post-op...I'm not there yet...but I do realize that going through with this surgery requires depth of personality...you have to really look at who you are and what you truly expect from this...Me? Well....I wish I was more nervous...I have my consul with Dr. Herron in a month and I have this eerie sense of calm...it is something that usually comes over me when I have made a decision that I feel confidence in...I guess that means I have done so with having the surgery.... Is there anybody out there that is willing to talk about Dr. Herron more? I hear so much about Dr. Gagner....Does Dr. H require a psych test? I'm only coming from NJ but I think I will call and see how much I can schedule for the day. BTW, for anybody not in NJ...there was an article on the front page of the Star Ledger, which is a big paper here in the suburbs of NYC An article about wls. Now at first I was like WOW...a front page article in any paper in the country but it was, of course, about RNY....the reporter mentioned...in passing, that there were other operations....How nice of her LOL....and she ended with her email address and phone number....Well, I emailed her...naturally for me....and told her that if she was going to go to all the trouble of getting an article on the front page...she should do her homework more....send her some stuff on the DS and let her know...we ain't just "some other operation"....Anywho...thought it was interesting....

Stay well all

Cindy S

[Guest guest]

Is there anybody out there that is willing to talk about Dr. Herron more? I hear so much about Dr. Gagner....Does Dr. H require a psych test? I'm only coming from NJ but I think I will call and see how much I can schedule for the day. BTW, for

Hi Cindy,

I had surgery with Dr Herron. I like Dr Herron and he brought me safely through the surgery. He does require a psych eval. There is a preprinted sheet with a list of all the standard test they require. I saw Dr Drooker the same day as my surgery consult. I also had to get extra tests after my consult. You should receive a packet in the mail. If you have a fax machine can fax you the form with the tests on it.

[Guest guest]

Is there anybody out there that is willing to talk about Dr. Herron more? I hear so much about Dr. Gagner....Does Dr. H require a psych test? I'm only coming from NJ but I think I will call and see how much I can schedule for the day. BTW, for

Hi Cindy,

I had surgery with Dr Herron. I like Dr Herron and he brought me safely through the surgery. He does require a psych eval. There is a preprinted sheet with a list of all the standard test they require. I saw Dr Drooker the same day as my surgery consult. I also had to get extra tests after my consult. You should receive a packet in the mail. If you have a fax machine can fax you the form with the tests on it.