Re: Looking for Reactions (Debbie Drissel)

[Guest guest]

I read your posts about your post-surgical infection, but didn't

reply at the time. Most everyone on the list who " knows " me is aware

that I, too, had a postop infection (MGB 8/4/00), which occurred

almost exactly 2 weeks postop. On Saturday I called Dr. R, and he

wasn't too concerned, since a fever of 101 was my only symptom. I

spent Saturday evening in the ER and was diagnosed with a virus and

sinus infection. By Sunday evening my fever was up to 104. Around

1/2 am, I developed SEVERE pain in my left side--so severe that I

couldn't take a good breath. Back to the ER for 12 hours, and then

an ambulance ride to Durham Regional. I, too, would have felt more

reassured if I had seen Dr. R more--I was there from Monday night

until 4-5 pm on Thursday, and only saw him 1 time, on Tuesday

morning. He called me on Wednesday morning, but that was the last I

heard from him until after I got home and paged him.

However, the point of all this is that I, too, still feel it in my

left side. It seems to be decreasing--about 10 days ago it was still

almost painful if I took a really, really deep breath. Now it isn't

quite so close to being painful, but I still can feel that spot in my

left side. Do you think it's just that, even though the infection is

gone, it's still in the healing process? I'd hate to think that I'll

always feel it--I was convinced that I would feel totally normal

after this surgery.

Maybe you could email me privately (KathiBrandes#aol.com) and we

could discuss this further.

kathi

> > 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?

> > ........................................................

[Guest guest]

My surgery was on 6-08-00 and I also had a complication. At the

clinic on the Tuesday after having surgery I expressed concern about

feeling poorly and having a fever. Dr. R suggested that I call later

that afternoon if I STILL had the fever. I did call and he instructed

me to go back to Durham to the ER. I was in the ER waiting room for 3

hours before being seen. The nurse told me the wait was due to the

fact that they had not heard from Dr. Rutledge. I spent the next 5

hours having tests and was finally diagnosed with an upper

respiratory infection. I never saw, spoke or had a follow up call

from Dr. Rutledge regarding this incident.

At 4 weeks I went to my PCP and we noted slow weight loss. I emailed

Dr. R several times regarding her and my concern. I never heard back

from him.

This past Monday I posted on the post op list my concerns

regarding " failed surgeries " and THAT not only got me several emails

from the doctor but a telephone call as well. I confess that I was

not prepared for his call and my thoughts were scattered at best.

His suggestion that I speak with my PCP about prescribing a low dose

diuretic and the possibility of taking Xenical in the future went

right over my head until I had time to digest what was said. I did

not risk my life and pay hard earned $$$ to take Xenical.

As for the follow-up emails, I'm fairly certain they are computer

generated. It is left up to the individual to reply. I leave it to

your descretion to decide whether that defines a follow up by the

doctor.

In closing it is not my intention to say whether this surgery is good

or bad. That's as individual as the people who choose to have it.

None of us can say what the long term effects will be as there is no

one who's been there. When you read the warning that this is a major

surgery and that death is a known risk consider the possibility that

the risk exists well into the future.

Beth