Re: PS Skin Loss Weight-UNKNOWN STILL

March 8, 2003

Thanks Dawn -

This has certainly been a VERY frustrating and perplexing mystery, with the

regard to the weight of skin removed during my Panni on 2/14. Please bear

with me as I never use this forum to bitch, complain, etc., but I now need to.

(Okay, after your read this, was ANY SKIN (or fat) even really removed????)

[insert " Twilight Zone " theme music here, Da da Da da ... Da da Da da ...} =)

Immediately after surgery, Doctor didn't remember, said she'd find out, that

she had back to back surgeries that day and had to refer to her notes This

was at first appoint post-op, Day 3.

Next appnt, Day 6, at doctor's office to remove the 160 staples, Dr. said she

still didn't remember and was waiting her notes from the hospital (Alaska

Regional/Humana).

Post-op Day 14, I finally called hospital and got my surgeon's notes. There

was NO mention of skin weight, just entire detailed procedue. When it came

to " skin weight " being measured, the surgeon's notes said 'see surgical

nurses notes.' Called and asked for these to be faxed to me, they said they

were too lengthy and they'd mail them. It has now been 22 days, I've

received no " nurses " notes. Furthermore, my doctor and professional staff

still has NOT received any informatin or notes they've requested from the

hospital, even after much prodding.

Okay, don't mean to beat a dead horse, but I WANT TO KNOW, DAMMIT!!! I'm

afraid (for whatever reason) that the skin removed/fat WAS NOT WEIGHTED and

NOTED for the record, that, for some reason, it fell through the cracks, so

to speak. (These exact sentiments/concerns were echoed by my surgeons

nursing staff - NOT associated with the hospital nursing staff -- that it is

quite possible they did NOT WEIGH THE SKIN)!!! AAAARRRRRHHHHH.

If this is true, HEADS ARE GONNA ROLL!! That's what I went in for, there

should be a PROTOCOL in place for skin removal weight, as I KNOW they do it

for breast surgery and for others. Just my luck -- I'm a very detail

orientated person, and will go to my grave wondering, if they don't have the

answer. Lord knows NOBODY want's that!!!!!

Now, hopefully, you all won't think I'm totally nuts. It's just that I

went in ONLY for skin removal, and want to know what that was. There are

various reasons, besides my own, i.e., wonder if insurance company wants to

know, etc., etc. Aaarrgh!!!!

This NOT knowing is exaserbated by the scale having fluctuated so much,

normal routine, no binges, lots of protein and continued proper " use " of my

tool, water, etc., etc. I know this scale fluctuation is all normal, under

" normal conditions " , but I am post surgical, swelling has reduced already,

numbers HAVE NOT, and the scale will never be able to tell me what actually

was removed. This is psychological warfare if I've ever experienced it!!!

=)

Sorry to vent. Please believe me when I say I'm definitely NOT a numbers

freak (control freak maybe but NOT numbers freak). This has all been a

blessing, I continue to thank God for each and every day prior to WLS,

post-WLS, and Panni surgery. I am thankful to have a solid head on my

shoulders and no problems with my WLS, this however, is ....

I just hate it when people are inept and proper records may not have been

kept!

Thanks for listening (especially at time when there are more important things

in the world!)

Bobbie

Anchorage

Open Proximal RNY 5-11-01

Then: 314

Now: 188

Pannieculectomy 2-14-03

Then: 188-191 (depends on whos scales)

Day 2 Post Panni: 184 (immediately home from hospital - not having eaten)

NOW: 188

March 8, 2003