Advice - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

tgrahn · 06-23-2009, 03:43 PM

Apparently, Dr. Nohr is a phonemonal surgeon, but he does not offer any "extras" in terms of advice. I have heard his bedside manner leaves something to be desired. He has done numerous WLS, he has been doing them for many years now and quite successfully I have heard from a few of his previous patients.

He scheduled me for an open procedure because my BMI was a bit higher. I am 5' 2" and 287 pounds. I have bo idea what my BMI is, I can't remember.

I am not concerned about his ability as a surgeon. Most of the people who were trying to 'scare' me, in fact all of them, have never had WLS. They have heard from friends of friends and of the 4 people only one was by the same surgeon.

I am definatley concerend about the lack of information. Which is why I am on here trying to learn and get advice on what people did pre-op and post-op.

Lana · 06-23-2009, 04:30 PM

I know all about people trying to scare you. I think we all do. When someone starts to give me their negativity I just tell them that they don't live in my body or walk in my shoes, and that I'd appreciate their support regardless of their feelings about my decision.

The fact that you're on here looking for help/guidance/support is a great thing and you've definitely come to the right place. The people on here are wonderful. I know they've helped me.

I had the Lap Band in 2006 and now I'm having a revision to Lap RNY on August 31st so I've been where you are (twice now!) I hope I didn't upset you with my words about your doctor it's just that you hear sometimes that things go wrong or people fail after the surgery because they had poor guidance and support from their physicians.

Regardless of anything - congratulations on your decision to have the surgery and ask all the questions you can on here - you'll get all the answers you need!

UndercoverDiva · 06-23-2009, 04:43 PM

TGrahn - You can find the book "Weight Loss for Dummies" on Amazon.com or other book sites. That's were I got mine.

Vikkator · 06-24-2009, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tgrahn

Apparently, Dr. Nohr is a phonemonal surgeon, but he does not offer any "extras" in terms of advice. I have heard his bedside manner leaves something to be desired. He has done numerous WLS, he has been doing them for many years now and quite successfully I have heard from a few of his previous patients.

He scheduled me for an open procedure because my BMI was a bit higher. I am 5' 2" and 287 pounds. I have bo idea what my BMI is, I can't remember.

I am not concerned about his ability as a surgeon. Most of the people who were trying to 'scare' me, in fact all of them, have never had WLS. They have heard from friends of friends and of the 4 people only one was by the same surgeon.

I am definatley concerend about the lack of information. Which is why I am on here trying to learn and get advice on what people did pre-op and post-op.

I had one of those and he was awesome. Bedside manner, not great, but he is a very well-respected surgeon and did an awesome job with me. In my case, his staff did most of the educational work. Hopefully you'll have the same experiences. It seems you've already done a lot of your homework and you're at the right place to get some good info.

But I'd think if you have any concerns or questions, your doctor or his staff would be able to answer them. Good luck.

emmandal · 06-29-2009, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tgrahn

Thank you all for the advice. As far as listening to my doctor goes, there is not much to listen too. I had one 15 minute consultation with him and I will not see him again until the morning of surgery. He does not give advice on what to do pre-op or post-op, he expects you to do you research and find the information on your own. The ONLY advice he gave me was to read a book called "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies," but I have not been able to find it at any bookestores in Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Red Deer, or Calgary. I have made an appointment to speak with a dietician and get his/her advice on a pre-op lifestlye change and what to expect as far as food and nutrition post-op.

I am aware of 'dumping syndrome'. I have read plenty about that on the internet so far. However, the people trying to 'scare' me made it sound as if I was going to be 'deathly ill' for the rest of my life after this surgery. They tell me people who have had the surgery swear the would never do it again.

This surgery is something I have wanted for a long time and I have done plenty of research. I know the risks involved, but am also realistic and know there are risks invloved with all surgeries. I also know that there are far more risks associated with being 'morbidly obese' than there are associated with WLS surgery.

I appreciate all of the advice given to me and am more than happy to take it from people who have had the surgery.

GO back to Dr Nohr office he sells it there at cost he has loads of copies..(I am heading back there too I also scoured Med Hat looking for it..was very scatter brained that day)
I have had people telling me I will become a psycho bitch and nasty to my kids and family and someone knew someone who died..want to know how many people die from being overweight number is much higher. I have been lucky and have 2 friends who had Dr Nohr. One has changed her whole life just amazing and she feels great (she did dump the hubby but, that was more of an about time thing not related to surgery). The other did get sick but that was not from following the rules and she is much better now(she is also the one who encouraged me the most even when she was sick she said it was a hundred times better than being obese it was a different type of tired)
MY surgery isn't until Feb1 so you are ahead of me but, you will do fine.
There is a support group in Medicine Hat and Dr Nohr occasionally speaks there(I noticed of course the day after last meeting LOL) I think if you feel comfortable and mentioning it you may find there are many people in town that have had the surgery and have real advice you can also talk to your regular MD.

Still-Just-Jenn · 06-29-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randi

I too am concerned that your doctor is not offering any pre/post operative advice.

...

Most people I have talked to (before and after my surgery) have had very extensive medical appointments with a variety of doctors (PCP, surgeon, nutritionist, psychologist, pulmonologist, cardiologist) as well as several nutritional counseling sessions. Myself, along with getting cleared by a psychologist and pulmonologist, I had to attend a nutritional meeting prior to surgery and then one at 1 week post op, 3 weeks post op and 6 weeks post op. And they offer annual follow up nutritional meetings. They offered very specific information about how our "new stomachs" will be--how big they are at various stages post op, what we can and cannot eat at various stages post op, how we might feel if we eat something we shouldn't, or just eating too much....we were even told the size of a bite of food we should eat and how many times we should chew it and how long it should take us to eat. There is just so much information you need before and after WLS.

...

I thought that I'd had good pre-op care, and just that my post-op care was poor (it's in my intro thread). Reading this, I realize that my pre-op care was poor, as well!

In my area, Reyes was one of only two docs doing the surgery 4 years ago (now there are literally dozens!). I chose him because of personal recommendations from 3 colleagues who'd had the surgery. Sure, I had the PCP referral, medical tests, and psych eval, but the nutritionist consult was 15 minutes in the back of the office, and meeting with him was a 15 minute evaluation with me asking questions I had left over from my own research.

That other support you had sounds *great,* and I envy your good experience!

Maybe we should start a thread on what is GOOD or BAD pre- and post-op support, so people can choose more wisely than I could?

tgrahn · 07-05-2009, 07:40 PM

Thank you all for your advice and support. I did go back to Dr. Nohr's office to pick a book up. When I was originally there they were out of copies, which is why I didn't pick one up then. I have also registered in the new course in Medicine Hat on how to prepare yourswlf pre-op and what to eat and expect post-op. I have made an appointment with a dietician and will be joining a support group when it gets stared again in September.