Henry's story, not close to over. A story of pain. - Page 3 - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

tallbaugh · 09-08-2009, 10:48 PM

Kelly - The same goes here. I DID have Dr. Callery as my surgeon, and the hospital where I stayed was wonderful. They offered to let my husband stay the night if I wanted. They also allowed both of my children (age 19 years and 6 years old) to come any time of the day or night.

I'm not sure if it's the same hospital where Henry had his surgery, but there are also Patient Advocates at every hospital who work directly with patients and their families in case a patient feels as though their needs and wants are not being adhered to.

There are numerous things that went wrong in his situation, only one of them being the actual surgery. And I'm sure the surgery wasn't done wrong, either, it's just that he had unforeseen complications, which can happen in any surgery, at any time, and in any hospital.

Teresa

poet_kelly · 09-08-2009, 11:02 PM

I'd like to add something, for any newbies that might be reading this who have had not surgery yet. Actually, it might be good to think about even if you've already had your WLS surgery.

I think everyone should have a Living Will, just in case something happens. That way doctors know what your wishes are. You need to designate someone to make medical decisions for you in the even you aren't able to make them for yourself. This is called a health care power of attorney. If your "next of kin" is available, that's who they'll ask if you don't have a health care POA. But if you don't have family that will be available, or if you want someone else to fill this role (like your boyfriend or girlfriend, if you're not married), you need to do the paperwork.

You can also do a regular power of attorney. This is a legal document giving someone else the authority to handle your finances if you are incapacitated in some way. Henry could have used this document to appoint someone to open his mail and deposit his checks and use his checking account to pay his bills while he was in the hospital.

You can pay a lawyer to draw up these documents for you. It will probably cost a couple hundred dollars. But you can also find templates for them online and do them yourself. You just have to get them notarized to make them legal.

Kelly

jenn75 · 09-09-2009, 06:52 AM

[QUOTE=tallbaugh;489405]Henry,
You also state that you thought the staff working at Dr. Callery's office was a "mixed bag." If you had so many reservations regarding the doctor and his staff why did you proceed with the surgery?
[QUOTE]

I do agree with this statement. I started off with one local bariatric group, one that would have been cheaper for me to go to. I was so unimpressed with just the way they handled my initial scheduling of appointments and no return phone calls before investing in their 6 month diet program (that they were gonna make me start over even though I'd already started it with my PCP) that I opted to pay a higher rate for my insurance just so that I could go elsewhere, where they were much more professional and on the same page as me.

mistymee · 09-09-2009, 08:31 AM

Teresa.. you bring up some very, very good points.. and Kelly, your info has been really helpful, I think.

Henry, I'm sorry you're dealing with so much pain and suffering. I'm also sorry you have decided to channel your energies in such a negative fashion. What you are trying to do would have consigned me to knee & hip replacement surgery, possible leg amputation and blindness. I am so thankful that I had this surgery as an option.

I do hope that there will be new ways of helping those like me who only ended up fatter after every attempt to lose weight.. ways that are less invasive but until then, I will be a vocal proponent of those in need getting help if they desire it.

jerseygrl684 · 09-09-2009, 08:43 AM

Ok henry,

I have had multiple complications post-op.

11/07- inital rny
5/08-gallbladder removal
7/08- Lap Exploratory- kinked sm intestine
11/08- lap exploratory- i cant even remember right now what it was
7/09- open emerg exploratory, massive adhesions, kink near colon, gel-like tissue around pancreas, swollen sm intestine, and more stuff that couldnt be done in 1 surgery

IN BETWEEN THOSE I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE HOSPITAL VISITS, Countless week-long hospital stays, lost my job 2x, lost a few friends, gained some new ones, started a relationship, NOW in the process of moving houses. I'm 25 years old and I have felt like my life has come to a complete standstill... I'm living on pain meds right now to function throughout the day and facing yet another surgery i'm sure in the next week or so.

So, really... do you wanna start on the anti-wls bandwagon toots? You want to say that no one understands? I do, it sucks but you have no choice but to deal with it in a positive light, being negative won't do you or anyone else reading this any good. I've seriously re-read your story multiple times and it is really disheartening to see you bite the hand that fed you. You made this decision, no one else.

NorCalRN · 09-11-2009, 04:19 PM

I've read the whole story and everyone's responses... and I really feel like I have to chime in.

First of all- yes, we all must go into this thing (surgery) with our eyes wide open and KNOW that anything can happen. Not only while you are under anesthesia or the knife, but afterwards. Even 5 or 10 years down the line, any of us can have complications as a result of having our insides messed with, removed and/or rerouted in order to lose weight. This is a given with any surgical procedure. We MUST educate OURSELVES.

I do think that someone wronged you during your ordeal in the hospital. Whether it was the staff, or your POA person, or maybe just due to poor planning.... someone dropped the ball. It is hard to plan for the kind of horrific hospital stay you had though. I feel for you there.

Lastly- I think some of the people on this board have lashed out at you a bit harshly. I may not agree with your plans to dissuade others from WLS. But I would NEVER try to flame someone into keeping their personal experience quiet- good or bad. I would NEVER try to shut someone up just because I do not agree with what they are saying or sharing. This forum is a place for ALL PEOPLE to be a part of. Regardless of which Dr's office started it or runs it, it is a public forum. I joined just as easily as everyone else and there was no disclaimer that I was not allowed to share negative thoughts or opinions or experiences. I heartily believe in Free Speech and THANK YOU for sharing your experience. I know of at least several cases where people chose Not to have WLS for the sheer lack of BAD experiences being shared. I know you have a valuable point of view to contribute and I sincerely hope you see improvement in your current state of health.

Here's to being able to gracefully agree to disagree with others, and still have tea together.

Laureate · 09-11-2009, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCalRN

Here's to being able to gracefully agree to disagree with others, and still have tea together.

Here, here!

cherbear716 · 09-11-2009, 08:48 PM

My friend also had problems with her surgery. She can't gain weight and weighs 87 lbs. She will be reversed on Tuesday. Her surgeon took only 45 min to complete the surgery. My surgery took 3 1/2 hours. She has been in and out of the hospital along with a month in a nursing facility. She is only 43. She is now addicted to pain killers. I feel bad for all the GB surgeries that didn't work well. I was one of the fortunate ones. I tell my friend to hang in there and be strong. The same to all the others that have had problems with their surgeries.

princessmommy · 09-12-2009, 12:22 AM

Kelly,

You have matured so much through the Hell-Aciousness you have been through over the last several months. I can only pray for you to have success over your medical problems and pray that your pain will lessen.

To All of You,

RNY bypass saved my life. Obese for 26 of my 55 years of life, I have tried all manner of diets; years of psychological and psychiatric help all trying to determine why I eat as I do; thousands of dollars in exercise equipment, classes; a private trainer; tons of different medicines to tamper my appetite and eating frenzies; BUT all was in vain as my eating-disorder ruled my life.

After 62 pounds lost, my Internal Med doctor says my life expectancy has greatly increased from that of 5 months ago--less than 5 years.

My diabetes is "cured": my A1C was 10.4 before surgery. 4 Months later it is 4.9!!!

My eyesight has stopped deteriorating. My feet no longer tingle and burn. My left knee does not keep me from climbing stairs. My immune system is so much better as I am not catching everything that comes down the pike. I can move quickly, I have endurance, I am happy not depressed. I participate in social events willingly, not having to be begged to do things. I am no longer the fat one in the family, in most groups, and in my office. My medicines are down from 14 types to just 1 medicine.

I researched this surgery for over 6 years. I felt like I should not change the alimentary canal that God designed. Eventually, feeling so badly, I came to the conclusion He allowed the doctors to learn this surgery for peoples' sake, just like me.

I now can be the mother to my forever-wished-for-son. The pain is that he is 17 1/2 years old and I have missed almost his entire life living with us. He will be off to college next fall.

Had I had this surgery earlier, my life at least these past 6 years would have been a life of living, not just existing.

I thank God for surgeons like Dr. Warden in Louisiana, and Dr Callery who set up this site.

I wanted this enough to be a self-pay. My insurance does not cover any WLS.

I am an advocate for insurance companies to start covering it so people can benefit as I have.

I have told everyone I can how wonderful my life has been since WLS. I RECOMMEND it to anyone that I find approachable who is overweight.

I told the surgeon's office manager I want to be a patient liaison to persons who are considering this surgery.

I will do everything in MY power to enable all who need a better life to be able to make an informed positive decision to enter into WLS.

odonnela · 09-12-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by princessmommy

Kelly,

You have matured so much through the Hell-Aciousness you have been through over the last several months. I can only pray for you to have success over your medical problems and pray that your pain will lessen.

To All of You,

RNY bypass saved my life. Obese for 26 of my 55 years of life, I have tried all manner of diets; years of psychological and psychiatric help all trying to determine why I eat as I do; thousands of dollars in exercise equipment, classes; a private trainer; tons of different medicines to tamper my appetite and eating frenzies; BUT all was in vain as my eating-disorder ruled my life.

After 62 pounds lost, my Internal Med doctor says my life expectancy has greatly increased from that of 5 months ago--less than 5 years.

My diabetes is "cured": my A1C was 10.4 before surgery. 4 Months later it is 4.9!!!

My eyesight has stopped deteriorating. My feet no longer tingle and burn. My left knee does not keep me from climbing stairs. My immune system is so much better as I am not catching everything that comes down the pike. I can move quickly, I have endurance, I am happy not depressed. I participate in social events willingly, not having to be begged to do things. I am no longer the fat one in the family, in most groups, and in my office. My medicines are down from 14 types to just 1 medicine.

I researched this surgery for over 6 years. I felt like I should not change the alimentary canal that God designed. Eventually, feeling so badly, I came to the conclusion He allowed the doctors to learn this surgery for peoples' sake, just like me.

I now can be the mother to my forever-wished-for-son. The pain is that he is 17 1/2 years old and I have missed almost his entire life living with us. He will be off to college next fall.

Had I had this surgery earlier, my life at least these past 6 years would have been a life of living, not just existing.

I thank God for surgeons like Dr. Warden in Louisiana, and Dr Callery who set up this site.

I wanted this enough to be a self-pay. My insurance does not cover any WLS.

I am an advocate for insurance companies to start covering it so people can benefit as I have.

I have told everyone I can how wonderful my life has been since WLS. I RECOMMEND it to anyone that I find approachable who is overweight.

I told the surgeon's office manager I want to be a patient liaison to persons who are considering this surgery.

I will do everything in MY power to enable all who need a better life to be able to make an informed positive decision to enter into WLS.

You rock! Every time I read a post that
scares me, I come across one like yours.
And you know what - you didn't miss your
sons life - as long as your relationship with him
is still good you have a lifetime ahead.
How does marriage and grandkids sound????