Fwd: So sorry

[Guest guest]

Hi...I am and have been researching wls since Feb of this year. I am 39 yo,

wt 250, ht 5'6 " , bmi 41, am married almost 21 y and have 2 children (11 yo

girl & 9 yo austisic boy), am type 2 diabetic, have polysystic ovarian

syndrome(sysits on ovaries and irregular periods)(cause being fat---cure get

thin) and hyperthyroidism (makes me gain weight). Ok, now we have that out of

the way....

This is my first post anywhere. I have been reading everything and thinking

about this, that some days I get migraine headaches and have to lay down and

take a nap.

I was so curious as to " what happended to Deb " I went searching and found her

yahoo group..I clicked on, i think, Tom's link but that didn't work so

searched the yahoo groups and found it. We wls researhers rarely see anything

bad, I wanted to find out. For those of you wanting to see her posts below is

the address.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NYUMC-TheTruthAboutRen

I feel all information is imperitive to decisions about wls.

I am not " attacking " anyone, so please I hope no takes offense to anything I

have to say...

After reading all of her 7 posts ( that's all that is there at her yahoo

group) I felt compelled to email her and post that email here. Here is is.

Subj: So sorry

Date: 6/26/2001 11:33:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

From: East516

To: Ciar1

Hi

I have read all your posts at the yahoo group and feel so sorry for you. I am

glad you have posted what has happened to you and I would assume you will

sue. I would. I am not surprised someone had screwed up. I have been

researching wls and kept saying where are the posts about the deaths and in

your case the screw ups you never hear about. While for the majority of wls

patients, I would assume, most do well. As the other yahoo groups have posted

that. But I still cannot shake the feeling that it is almost like playing

russian roulette. Who will have complications, botched surgery and death.

While statisically it is low I know there out there but no one ever really

hears about them, until you were mentioned at the yahoo group and everyone

went on the defensive??? Which I thought was puzzling. I now assume people

just don't want to hear about the bad. As someone reasearching this, I want

to hear everything, good and most importantly bad. I am still on the fence

about wls. I don't want to be the statisic that has had problems or worse,

death. I have two small children that would be motherless. I don't know if I

want to play russian roulette with my life. On the other hand, I am type 2

diabetic and I know that will lead to a shortened life span in time. I know I

am not alone in my feelings about this but have yet to read a post similar to

my feelings.

I did e-mail Dr. Ren, here is the letter and response;

bd/ds

Hi Dr. Ren,

I must assume you are very busy but I hope you can answer some questions I

have about lapraoscopic bd/ds. You came recommended by Patty Urimbino, who

is

a nurse practioner in cartiology research dept. at NYU. I am considering

this

surgery.

What is the determining factor as to a patient for lap or open?

How many bd/ds surgeries have you performed?

Have you had any patients die on the table or post-op due to complications?

How many? What were the complications?

I hope you can help......

Thank You,

Judy Thorsen

Subj: RE: bd/ds

Date: 6/13/2001 12:04:31 PM Eastern Daylight Time

From: christine.ren@... ( Ren)

To: East516@...

I attempt to perform laparoscopic surgery on all patients. However, any

revisional surgery or patients who are non-ambulatory are considered in my

opinion, not candidates for laparoscopy.

I have performed 38 lap BPD/DS, one was converted to open.

Noone died on the table. During my fellowship, one died 6 months after

surgery from sepsis from a leak, one died 10 days later from respiratory

problems.

Hope this was helpful.

Ren,MD

In light of what happened to you..I will consider dr.gagner at mt siani, even

tho the posts have not been good with after care. She is also still a

consideration. That's even if i do wls at all.

I will pray for you and I hope another doctor can help you.

Please keep posting.

Judy Thorsen