What can we learn from ?

[Guest guest]

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