Guest guest Posted October 30, 2003 Report Share Posted October 30, 2003 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2003 Report Share Posted October 30, 2003 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2003 Report Share Posted October 30, 2003 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2003 Report Share Posted October 31, 2003 , 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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