Guest guest Posted September 22, 2000 Report Share Posted September 22, 2000 Dear Gwen, I have mixed feelings about Dr.R. I too don't want to cause any major debates/problems on this web site, but I do think that all pre-ops are entitled to view varying opinions. I had my surgery on 27 July 00. See September post #'s 45952 and 45988 as these highlight my postop problems with an infection 4 weeks after surgery. I'll classify my thoughts for you in 'meets/exceeds expectations' or 'needs improvement' categories. Where I think Dr.R met/exceeded expectations: * Durham Regional ran out of rooms the day I was scheduled for surgery. He worked to have my procedure performed at - I was his first patient there. * Postop, my BP and oxygen saturation were low. The nurses had to page Dr.R throughout the night. He was very responsive - immediately available. * When I was in the ER with a possible diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, Dr.R worked to convince that hospital that my problem was probably an infection and he influenced my transfer to Durham Regional for treatment. Again - his responsiveness when paged was remarkable. My guess is that my hospitalization would have been longer - because I believe hospital 1 was planning on first treating me with blood thinners. I don't want to think what an additional day or two of an untreated abdominal infection would have led to. * Dr.R has many years of experience in general, emergency and bariatric surgery. Great qualifications. * Dr.R clearly had many previous patients who believe in him and are openly and willingly supportive. (Hey - you don't often get to hear from other patients when you're referred to a surgeon.) * Dr.R refines and improve his pre, during and postop procedures. (Lots of folks experienced postop nausea - so he's added the patch.) Where I think Dr.R needs improvement: * I think I was discharged too early since I hadn't been able to walk on my own and hadn't urinated. Dr.R did not 'follow' his own discharge requirements on the web site. (I don't believe this, but a " devil's advocate " could argue that staying longer would negatively affect the patient statistics.) * I think Dr.R should prescribe several days of oral antibiotics to take post-op. Maybe my problems wouldn't have occurred if he had. (He is considering this, especially now since so many go home in less than 24 hours.) * When I was back at work (after the 2 weeks off), I had a low grade fever every day and all sorts of tenderness, spasms and pains. First all over, then more generalized on my L side - diaphragm area. I both talked to and e-mailed Dr.R about these. I believe that because I didn't have what he considers to be a fever (i.e., not more than 101.5F), my complaints were really not considered/evaluated (i.e., was told - didn't I expect to feel different). I firmly believe that all of these were early symptoms of the infection that eventually became full blown. Maybe the infection could have been averted. * I did not see Dr.R at all the first night I was in the hospital with the infection. I was very worried about the possible pulmonary embolism diagnosis from the other hospital, knew I wasn't being treated for that, and got no answers from the nurses about why. Not only did I expect to see him, I sort of figured he'd listen to my lungs, poke at my abdomen...something. I was discharged the next day, and while Dr.R was good at answering my questions, he never laid a hand or stethoscope on me. (Actually - he never did any other time then the actual surgery, i.e., no post-op hands on that I was conscious of.) * After 10 days on the 3 antibiotics, I started vomiting. This was the only time in the 4 weeks since surgery...I was certain it was the meds. Dr.R hears about nausea/vomiting a fair amount from folks and prescribes an estrogen patch - as this sometimes helps. He told me that he doubted it was the meds, but to discontinue them anyhow. * He also told me I might need a patch. I already had some patches because he had tried these as a remedy to my other pre-infection complaints. (Note - it was probably unrealistic for me to think he'd remember this when he has such a large patient load, but that is that I was thinking.) * Dr.R did not order any follow-up of the pleural effusion that was in my L lung (a result of the nearby inflammation from the infection). My PCP, because I've kept him in the loop, is doing this thankfully. Having said all of the above, let me say that I'm not certain Dr.R's any different from other surgeons. When I had my gallbladder surgery, I saw that guy once post-op and then never again. Postop, they clearly rely on the hospital staff to do their jobs and to report out to them when they arrive to discuss discharge possibilities. And rightfully so. If the problems postop are likely to be long term, they prefer you deal with your PCP. This also makes sense. When I had problems with choly-diarrhea after my gallbladder surgery, my PCP addressed it. So...THE BIG QUESTION...Would I still have the surgery? Yes. I had this because of the long term health and longevity benefits. I still believe in these reasons. Already, I'm off my BP and lipid meds. I sleep and move easier, and I have more energy. There's no doubt that I wouldn't have had the infection and lung problem if I hadn't had the surgery, but that's one of the risks! My recovery is longer than some, shorter than others; them's the facts! One last note - you can drive yourself crazy regarding information about obesity, this and other procedures, etc. I confess - I'm wondering if my continuing discomfort in my L side isn't some weird side effect one of the 'grumpy' surgeons predicted. I think that one has to go into this knowingly (which if you're not - you've gotten someone else to do all your reading/writing for Dr.R). THEN, I think you have to have trust in your decision and your long term objectives. I you'd had a heart blockage - would there be any questions about having an angioplasty or bypass? The effects of morbid obesity are much more insidious, but just as deadly. Good luck with your procedure. Kind regards, Debbie > I am leaving Sunday morning for Durham for my " Dance " . My husband insisted I ask for responses to the things is saying about Dr. Rutledge. I don't want to get anyhthing else started on here, so if you have had a problem or have response please email me personally at pandapal66@i... > How many of you out there have had a medical problem that Dr. Rutledge would not take care of and how many of you have not lost any weight. > I had 26 contacts for my packet and all 26, who were chosen randomly, responded with praise and ALL said if they had it to do again YES they would. WOULD YOU? > Gwen > Dancing 9/27 > > ........................................................ > iWon.com http://www.iwon.com why wouldn't you? > ........................................................ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2000 Report Share Posted September 22, 2000 Dear Gwen, I'd be happy to talk with you about the " down " side of the MGB as it relates to me. Please send me an email and I will respond. wundedbird @ aol.com (leave out the spaces) Beth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2000 Report Share Posted September 22, 2000 Hi Gwen, I to would love to hear any input anyone has. I dont think it will start anything. Its all about being informed. I wrote to a couple of people myself including Dr. R. because she was saying some very scarey things. You take a chance no matter what surgery kind of surgery you have. You have to decide if that chance is worth it and for most of us we will say yes. Thats just my two cents worth. Robin At 11:21 AM 9/22/00 -0400, you wrote: >I am leaving Sunday morning for Durham for my " Dance " . My husband insisted I ask for responses to the things is saying about Dr. Rutledge. I don't want to get anyhthing else started on here, so if you have had a problem or have response please email me personally at pandapal66@... > How many of you out there have had a medical problem that Dr. Rutledge would not take care of and how many of you have not lost any weight. > I had 26 contacts for my packet and all 26, who were chosen randomly, responded with praise and ALL said if they had it to do again YES they would. WOULD YOU? >Gwen >Dancing 9/27 > >........................................................ >iWon.com http://www.iwon.com why wouldn't you? >........................................................ > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.