Please help me I'm worried about my surgeon - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes

Vim&Vigour · 03-25-2008, 03:49 PM

Anna,
You are not out to buy a fancy pair of shoes are you without first making sure you can dance in them and wear them all night and afford them, right? You even go as far as visualising yourself in them and the different outfits they would go with. And when you walk out of the shop, you are excited and can't wait to wear them - right?

I don't get this feeling from you at all re your surgeon.
DO NOT SETTLE FOR SECOND BEST! Your body, your life, your decision!

According to your BMI, you are definitely a candidate for RNY rather than lapband.
Whether it is open or lap depends on any pre-existing circumstances or scarring, it can also be a matter of YOUR preference or due to a valid explanation from the surgeon.

OmahaJim's wife SWMBO ended up having to have an open due to prior complications - they appear both to be well informed and received a valid explanation.

You are not a guinea pig, are you? You will regret any complications that arise from having been impatient and taken the first offer.

Ask to read your intended surgeon's CV. Call up the places where he worked and explain you are a potential patient.

Call up an insurance company other than your own, making an enquiry on behalf of a friend, investigating your surgeon's reputation...

Best wishes on your research. Follow your instincts.

Your body, your future, your decision!
Please keep us informed!
Vim

Dave · 03-25-2008, 03:52 PM

I mis-read a little bit. I though he didn't know how to do lap, not open. I'm sure if he can do lap he can do open easy but you will want to check. I'm also sure he will have another doctor to help him with the surgery. I can't imagine him doing it alone.

I'd hate to see you have to switch doctors at this point so I would have a sit down with him and make sure everything is clear. Like making sure it's bypass only and no option of the band. That is very odd that would even be brought up and I wonder if it's because of some mis-communication. If you are still confused after that then you may want to hold off. You don't want to risk your life to someone you don't trust. My doctor laid everything out for me and I felt comfortable putting my life in his hands. If you don't have that feeling maybe you need to do some more thinking.

Cat_Lover · 03-25-2008, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toony

I don't like the idea of him deciding which surgery he'll do once he gets started. What is this? Wake up to find out which one you had? Hm... sounds very odd to me. It's not like you WANT the lap band, is it?

I think you need to clarify things before he starts cutting... that just sounds so wrong! Are you sure you heard him correctly? Very, very odd...

katie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zenomia

IMO: You NEED to have all this information up front..like NOW. Not the day of surgery. That is why people have so many post op complications, because they have a surgeon who is promising more than he can dish out. If he is incapable of doing an open proceedure then you need a surgeon who can. If there is any possibility that you may need to switch to the open proceedure, you need to be assured you have a reputable SKILLED surgeon in there to do it. I would get a new Dr. myself...One that is certified in Bariatric Proceedures. (Perhaps having a second surgeon in on the surgery?) Hmm....The lapband shouldn't even be an option at this point....

I second these two................

LisaBoston · 03-25-2008, 05:45 PM

Language barrier??? Maybe he was talking about the fobi pouch ie: putting on a band at the time of the RNY surgery? Maybe he is thinking of doing it, but concerned about adding in the band (aka fobi pouch) and might just to the RNY, without the fobi?

As others said, ASK NOW! You need to know all before you go in!!!!

fisher1000 · 03-25-2008, 05:49 PM

Find another surgeon.

This is too important a decision to deal with the way you are having to deal with it. I keep thinking of that old adage "measure twice cut once." Maybe you have to wait a couple more months, maybe you have to search for another qualified doctor, but this is your life and your body and YOUR COMFORT should be at the top of the list of things important to your doctor. He's not God, but it sure does seem as though he has that complex...find somebody else now--you'll thank yourself in the long run.

-Mike

coptergirl · 03-25-2008, 08:55 PM

I absolutely agree to find another surgeon, hon. I know this may mean that your surgery is later, but it is waaaay too important of a decision to make the morning of. You and your surgeon MUST be on the same page. I knew going in my doc would do me open because that was what I wanted. With all of his lap patients, he makes them sign an agreement that they will be okay with the open procedure if there are complications when trying to insert the cameras and such....BUT HE IS SKILLED IN BOTH. I knew that when I woke up, I was ending up with the RNY whether the method of entry was lap or open. Find a new surgeon skilled in both - not one who will agree to lap, then switch to a completely different surgery because he wants to avoid the open procedure. I wish you the best of luck, and will be checking back for updates.

splendifor · 03-25-2008, 11:13 PM

I agree with Mike...

I know the build up has been incredible (getting that excited point myself) and it would be SOOOOOO hard to step back and adjust the timeline after all the buildup.. but you will have the REST OF YOUR LIFE to "enjoy" the results - let it be an enjoyment and not a curse.... I am hoping you find someone else or get REALLY REALLY clear with this one what''s up... (I would go with finding another surgeon personally - what you're saying scares the beejebus out of me!

)

Quote:

Originally Posted by fisher1000

Find another surgeon.

This is too important a decision to deal with the way you are having to deal with it. I keep thinking of that old adage "measure twice cut once." Maybe you have to wait a couple more months, maybe you have to search for another qualified doctor, but this is your life and your body and YOUR COMFORT should be at the top of the list of things important to your doctor. He's not God, but it sure does seem as though he has that complex...find somebody else now--you'll thank yourself in the long run.

-Mike

MiladyB · 03-25-2008, 11:21 PM

Anna, I've posted about this in one of your other threads so I think you know my take on all of this. If it were me I would sit down and have a very long chat with my surgeon to make sure I understand totally what he/she was saying to me. It honestly makes no sense to me that he would be skilled with the lap RNY but not the open? Open is far easier than the Lap. Obviously the lap-band isn't what you want so don't agree to it and for sure make sure you totally understand what is on that OP permit before signing anything. Legally he can't do the band if you don't sign for that as an option. If he did he would be looking at a malpractice suit.

If you don't get straight answers and if you come out of your talk with him still feeling uneasy then get another doctor. It will delay your surgery but this is your life and body you are dealing with.

blkmercedes · 03-26-2008, 07:12 AM

After work yesterday I called the office and expressed my concern. Here is what I was told:

The doctor is NOT doing a band, he is doing the RNY! There will be one of his associates in there with him (whom I know from the same office), so if an open has to be done I know I'm in good hands. The open will only be done as a LAST resort. The doctor did not mean that he is going to do a band. Instead he was telling me the possible complication with the lap, and giving me that option should there be a problem with doing it. He is from India, so perhaps I didn't understand him clearly because of the strong accent

.

Since I have spoken with several other patients from the office who have had the other physicians there, I feel comfortable knowing they will be assisting in my surgery. This would further explain why he has never had to do an open...his colleges do it for him!

Amity - Remember you said that Dr Bina does surgery on Monday, perhaps he'll be in with Kodali doing mine!

soon2bthin · 03-26-2008, 07:17 AM

Anna,

I am glad you got things straightened out. Good luck come Monday. I will be thinking of you.

Cassie