Jump to content
RemedySpot.com

Long-term issues with WLS

Rate this topic


Guest guest

Recommended Posts

My surgeon has his patients sign a contract agreeing to life long follow up.

I have a girlfiend who moved out of the area...the surgeon asked me to have

her call him so he can keep track of her progress.

Neci

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Last night I attended a Wish Center WLS presentation with my

husband. He is considering having WLS but is still uncertain.

Anyway, the presentation was pretty fair about presenting surgery

risks but there was no mention of long-term risks. Afterwards, I

asked the surgeon why he didn't have a long-term WLS patient speak

instead of the person they had who was only a couple of months out.

This patient painted the honeymoon period picture of never being

hungry and having no cravings for carbs, etc. He wanted to know why

I thought that mattered. I explained that long-term WLS patients

tend to have medical issues ranging from minor to major and he wanted

examples. So I listed abdominal pain, gall bladder attacks, severe

anemia, calcium mal-absorption, constipation, weight re-gain, etc. as

examples. I also told him that getting competent care for these

issues was difficult because within the medical community so few have

extensive knowledge about our special needs. I asked if they provide

life long care for their WLS patients and he really danced around the

question. Basically he said they like you go to your family doctor

so again I mentioned that many family doctors are learning as they go

with their WLS patients. Have any of you used the Wish Center

program? I'm not sure if I am making too much of this or not. I

just want my husband to have a smooth time if he decides to proceed.

from Washington

Lap RNY Sept 2001, Dr. Wittgrove

Minus 203.5 pounds

333.5/130

http://www.wworw.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My doctors want to see their patients forever, especially for annual labs and

check-ups. Even those of us who dont live nearby are asked to have annual labs

done and to fax them the results. If you cannot get in to see them, they are

always available by telephone. I wouldn't use a doctor who wasn't in this for

the long haul re post-op care.

Judy

Lap Proximal RNY 7/23/02

Drs. and Rabkin/SF

54/5'3 " - 257/140

size 22/XXL - 6/S

bmi 46/24

-66 inches

Link to comment
Share on other sites

, good for you to press the point at the presentation. I'm very

surprised that the surgeon would ask you why it mattered to hear from

long term WLS patients. I think that sometimes these surgeons are

just into the business end of the surgery. By presenting a post-op in

the honeymoon period, it makes this surgery look oh so much more

attractive which translates to $ for these surgeons. Any good,

dedicated WLS surgeon would have an aftercare program and support

group.

My surgeon has his oldest patient (2 1/2 years post-op) and usually

me, at 20 months post-op get up and address the presentation at the

end of the slide show for prospective patients. I always try to

inject realism into the presentation and make sure and address the

long term issues, such as how eating issues pre-op do not resolve

post-op, the real possibility of regain, the lifetime committment to

labwork and vitamins...it puts a little damper on things but these

prospective patients who see me at size 10 and the oldest patient at

a size 8, need to know that yes, you can get there, but its work to

stay there, and if you are not willing to do the work, think

carefully before making the decision.

Cindy in Va

lap RNY 2/8/02

> Last night I attended a Wish Center WLS presentation with my

> husband. He is considering having WLS but is still uncertain.

> Anyway, the presentation was pretty fair about presenting surgery

> risks but there was no mention of long-term risks. Afterwards, I

> asked the surgeon why he didn't have a long-term WLS patient speak

> instead of the person they had who was only a couple of months

out.

> This patient painted the honeymoon period picture of never being

> hungry and having no cravings for carbs, etc. He wanted to know

why

> I thought that mattered. I explained that long-term WLS patients

> tend to have medical issues ranging from minor to major and he

wanted

> examples. So I listed abdominal pain, gall bladder attacks, severe

> anemia, calcium mal-absorption, constipation, weight re-gain, etc.

as

> examples. I also told him that getting competent care for these

> issues was difficult because within the medical community so few

have

> extensive knowledge about our special needs. I asked if they

provide

> life long care for their WLS patients and he really danced around

the

> question. Basically he said they like you go to your family doctor

> so again I mentioned that many family doctors are learning as they

go

> with their WLS patients. Have any of you used the Wish Center

> program? I'm not sure if I am making too much of this or not. I

> just want my husband to have a smooth time if he decides to proceed.

> from Washington

> Lap RNY Sept 2001, Dr. Wittgrove

> Minus 203.5 pounds

> 333.5/130

> http://www.wworw.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...