my talk with Gagner (long)

[Guest guest]

Hello to everyone.

Yes, I'm sorry to say that I haven't dropped off the newsgroup

(yet?). Alas, I was simply out of town. I hope that anything I have

to say in this message doesn't hurt anyone's feelings. The last

thing I would want to be is insensitive. So, for those of you not

put off by my cantankerous presence <sniff> read on!

Well, then--let's go! Went to NYC city on Tuesday to meet with

Gagner and Liz Goldberg, nutritionist, on Wednesday. Also met with

the local RNY surgeon here in town today, who shall remain nameless

for the time being (tell you about that later in the post--you will

be SHOCKED! <feel the suspense>.

Overall, Gagner was rather quiet, but became more animated when I

asked him about Ren and and whether or not he was at

all " leaning their way. " He said emphatically and repeatedly that

their practicing of the BPD without switch was a " TOTAL REGRESSION "

and that the only possible reason that it could be happening is

because it is " EASIER ON THE SURGEON. " He also mentioned that they

could be influenced by Fielding of Australia. (Who's that?) He has

performed 225 fully lap D/Ss and has only had to convert to open one

time because this extremely large man had a huge adhesion across his

entire abdomen. He has a zero mortality rate for people under 60

BMI, but he has had three? deaths and all of them were 60 BMI + and

had other serious problems. ***As far as not being to measure the

common channel as well when doing lap, he says this is not true.***

With animal studies his 100 cm. length always was within 5% when they

opened the animals up afterwards. The open procedure has the same 5-

10% variation. When he is your surgeon, his hands are doing the

work, although he does have two assistants in their helping HIM, not

the other way around. I also asked him why anyone would want the

BMI. He said that those with bowel problems/colon issues might be

better off with the RNY because that surgery messes with the upper

part of the system and not the bottom (my words, of course).

I liked him quite a bit. Aside from the fact that he's not bad

looking, wears a FINE suit and tie, and has the coolest eyeglasses,

he also spent a long time reading all my letters to everyone under

the sun, answering in detail my lengthy and prolonged questions, and

was pretty perceptive when it came to my physical exam (he detected

my mild mitral valve regurgitaion from the evil Phen/Fen).

After I met with the surgeon in town this morning, I can now say that

I LOVE Gagner. I only went to the in-town guy today because I wanted

to get his official support for the D/S because the local insurance

company values his opinion so much. He gave it to me but was so

completely disinterested in me and everything I had to say. It

really looked like he was having a hard time staying awake. Here's

the meat, though: I asked him if he had ever thought about doing

(learning--HA!) the D/S and how come he already wasn't doing it. He

said " I don't know; I just don't do it. " And then something about

how what he's been doing has been fine and that he's had no

problems. Then he quoted some older Scorpinaro (sp?) research and

mumbled something about more pronounced nutritional issues. The jerk

either doesn't know anything or was treating me like I couldn't

understand anything. I was so angry at his responses (I waited

almost 2 hours for this shit; Gagner, only 20 minutes) that I wanted

to run out into the waiting room and tell the other 70 some odd

patients (it is a total cattle call in there; maybe there is

something to the claim about these RNY doctors making a quick buck)

waiting for him to RUN: GO FIND ANOTHER SURGEON AND SURGERY! It is

downright irresponsible for him not to be educating his patients

about their options. Later, my mom goes in to see him for her

consultation. She asks about what happens to the rest of the stomach

left inside; does it just rot? (My mom is obsessed with this idea!)

Instead of answering his question he says " We've never had any

problems. " I am so mad that I want to knock him flat! God help the

people who let him touch them. Here's what's weird, too: my shrink

(MD) says that he's heard wonderful things about him, fine surgeon

etc. and Gagner and he refer to each other by first name.

Nutritionist: liquid proteins (esp. predigested) ARE superior, put

probably don't need unless having probs. Capsules are better than

tablets, etc. Anyway, all the questions I was asking et al

she answered. Too bad that I didn't know at the time of posting that

I would be seeing her so soon. Have more info. from her if anyone

wants particulars.

My surgery date is November 20. I'm thrilled and I feel confident in

Gagner's abilities. I also LOVED NY. So many different kinds of

people, looks, attitudes, accents, and they all seem to move fast,

talk fast, drive fast. FUN! New Yorkers have gotten a bad rap.

Everyone I've dealt with in the city on the phone and in person has

been so kind and helpful. I can't tell you how many strangers have

helped me out of various predicaments--and quickly. Here in the

south (Virginia) things move much more slowly. I'm from LA so I'm

used to something in between. The stereotype that I think is

overdone is the whole southern hospitality thing. Anyway, can't wait

to go back to NY again.

Regards,