6week Post Op W/ Kelly Kinda Sucked!! - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

02-01-2005, 08:26 PM

Went to see Kelly today for my six week, which is really only 5 weeks. (I don't know why they scheduled it like that!)

Anyway, I know so many of you love Kelly, but she really kinda bugged me today.

I am concerned that my job is too physical. I am worried about an incisional hurnia. I am a merchandiser (for a furniture co.) That means moving furniture and lifting heavy items like mirrors and lamps, etc. 8-12 hours a day, etc.

But Kelly felt I could be released to full duty with out any restrictions.

I do not want to hurt myself, but if I return to full duty, they will expect me to go at it full board as I always had before and I don't know if I can.

Has anyone had similar concern?

Those of you who have gotten hurnias, how did you get it and how would I prevent it??

I am also quite tired all the time. I have a blood condition that makes me anemic. Kelly seemed to discount it untill I explained I see a specialist for it and then decided maybe I should have a blood test.

She also seemed disappointed in my weight loss....poo!!

I lost 11 pounds before I had the surgery, plus the 32 (in 5 weeks not 6)makes 43 since Thanksgiving. Not to mention gobbs of inches!! SO THERE!!!

o.k. all done venting!!

Fell free to chew me out about Kelly, but I had to speak my mind!!

Rain

Kelly · 02-01-2005, 08:39 PM

Rain you don't need to be chewed out re: your appointment w/ Kelly. Your frustrated and understandably. Maybe you can ask your PCP what he/she thinks about restrictions, and address your concern with the PCP that you feel your concerns were ignored when he asks you to ask Dr. Callery. Maybe something was on Kelly's mind...but your weight loss is nothing but wonderful! I am going in Thursday for my 1 week and will let you know if I think something is up.

Hang in there...your feeling do not always have to be justifiable!

lealphachienne · 02-01-2005, 08:54 PM

I've had all my f/u with Dr. Potts, so I have no personal exposure to Kelly. You are right to question your ability to fully return to work. Perhaps you can return to light duty for a while. I would say to schedule an appointment with Dr. C and explain to him your concerns. Anemia is no light matter, it can make you less alert and more prone to mistakes. As for the hernia thing, it was repeated many times not to do any movements to resembles a crunching motion for 2-3 months. Lifting heavy objects requires you to fully use your back and abdominal muscles, so it sounds to me that you're at higher risk of internal problems if you can't strenghten your muscles until after 2-3 months. It's your health and you need to advocate for yourself.

Blueyz · 02-01-2005, 09:13 PM

Rain~

You are doing an awesome job no matter what Kelly says. I know she doesn't count any hospital weight that we put on and that makes it harder for us. You just hang in there and remember that we all have bad days and maybe Kelly was having a bad day. I know that is no excuse, either. I do know it is very difficult to see (get an appointment) Dr. Callery. I had many malnutrition troubles, so eventually I saw Dr. Callery and he stepped in with aggression.

Hang in there...you are doing great!!!!

02-01-2005, 09:31 PM

Kelly, Marie and Dale,

Thanks for the quick replies.

Marie, I am not sure Kelly was having a bad day. Sounds like your in good hands w/ Dr Potts. As far as light duty, I asked her if I could have light duty for 2 weeks and then go to regular duty, but she said no.

Kelly,as far as going to my PCP I will if I have to but, I feel it would not be a good idea, yet.

Dale, I actually lost weight in the hospital. She even questioned that when she discharged me.

I don't know, I guess I'll go back to work and just try to remember to be careful.

Rain

Bigbaldbuddie · 02-01-2005, 10:32 PM

What's your blood disorder?

Is it Thalasema Minor? (sp?)

I have that, it's also called the mediterranean disease. Make me loook anemic and low iron on a blood test if they didn't know it already.

bridgetgirl · 02-01-2005, 10:45 PM

Call your PCP and ask them for that note. Or call Dr C and/or Kelly back and tell them of your concerns. Tell them AGAIN that your job is strenuous and you would like a Dr's note requesting modified duty with a weight lifting and pushing/pulling restriction of no more than 10 pounds. Shoot thaey dont want us doing crunxhes or other abdominal exercises for 3 months, your note should be for that long also. Ask again, I dont see why they would deny it. First ask your PCP and if they turn you back to Dr C, just re explain it all over again. The squeaky wheel gets the grease honey, and this is in your best interest and doesnt sound unreasonable at all.

Dont worry about Kelly hun, maybe she had an off day or something.... ask for your note again... you'll get it! Go for it!

pamela · 02-02-2005, 08:10 AM

You guys are so lucky to all be going to the same place for followups etc. I am from the east side of the country, and have no one to talk like you guys do. I stumbled on your forum by doing a search. I DIDNT know about not swallowing gum, I DIDNT know you shouldnt do abs till your third month. I am getting alot of imformation from reading the posts. Nobody has told me any of this stuff!!!

Esouza · 02-02-2005, 08:54 AM

My first meeting with Kelly pre-op upset me. She came in and I think it was the first thing she said. She said "Mr. Souza if we do this surgery are you going to be able to lay off the pizzas". I was not happy. I thought that was a hell of a way to mett someone. I was angry.. I mean she didn't know me right? Well no she didn't but she knew the issues dealing with people of severe obesity. after that first meeting with her I really came to adore her. The way she treated me in the hospital was with far more compassion and understanding than I got from anyone else. Kelly can be all business sometimes. I realized I was being self-centered and understodd her position and what she has to deal on an on going basis. So you stated you were concernd about getting a hernia. Very valid. You also stated that work would expect you to go at it full bore as you always did and you didn't know if you could. In short this one is on you to say you need to go easy and at a level that is comfortable for you. If work says no and expects you to lift 100 pounds the first day back that is when you say you can't, go back to Kelly and say work has told me I need to do this and I cannot physically do it. Not trying to lay this all on you but understand that the office must get a number of requests for additional recovery time from work. They have to provide documentaion and such to validate this. Unless she can find something specifically wrong with you or a specific limitation she can't support it.

She might have had an off day also. I have found Dr. Callery's office to be pretty fair. I've had my differences with them also. After thinking about it and re-evaluating I could understand their position....in most cases.

pambragg · 02-02-2005, 09:21 AM

Rain,
I would recommend that you call the office and again (firmly) state your concerns about lifting so much so soon. Speaking as someone who now has an incisional hernia, it sucks. The most I have lifted since my surgery is about 45 lbs, my oldest granddaughter. I don't know if this contributed to the hernia or not. I would imagine that lifting that much, that soon, would not be in your best interests. You might have to get tough, but dammit, it is your life and your health that are at issue here. Best wishes sweetie and big hugs.