VA

[Alex Brecher 10,494]

Please PM me if you'd like to lead or co-lead this support group!

[swimbikerun 1,039]

Way to go - hope all goes well. Let us know how you do. I'm in Chesapeake also.

[swimbikerun 1,039]

We should get a chat together sometime.

Edited April 29, 2014 by swimbikerun

[niasia33 40]

Thank you! I'm super excited to! Are you post op?

Edited April 29, 2014 by niasia33

[swimbikerun 1,039]

Yes, post op by over 2 years. A number of complications and I've learned to take of and advocate for myself. You don't need that with all doctors, some though do need a bit of ego busting. Educating too LOL.

I'll do anything I can to help.

[niasia33 40]

Thanks. Well im glad that your complications have resolved. I do have a question....what kinds of things did you eat for your first 2 wks post op. I'm trying to get my kitchen prepared so hubby doesn't have to do much and was lolling for ideas!

[swimbikerun 1,039]

They haven't resolved. They've gotten worse. The surgeon bailed on me.

First 2 weeks: egg, tuna fish, Water, applesauce, poached chicken or any type of chicken that is soft. Use mustard or low fat/vegan mayo. Soups, broths. That was first 2 weeks.

Btw, if the surgeon recommends liquid childrens' Tylenol beware. I was told to have some for the one area where the stomach was pulled out, where my drain was. Holy cow ... I was on the floor, the first time dumping. Trust me I chewed the surgeon's name. I asked a MOM and she said that is way too much sugar ...

Make sure anything has broth or gravy. Don't push it, do your best but do not beat yourself up over what you can and can't get in. This is not a race, take it easy in terms of food.

Bending over too.

[niasia33 40]

Oh wow I'm sorry I thought you were doing better from your complications. What do you do now? I'll pray for you. How do you feel?

I brought the adult liquid Tylenol. Thank you because I read someone else saying they dumped on it too. I'll have to rethink that one.

Thanks for the kitchen ideas too.

[swimbikerun 1,039]

Thanks. That's what you get when a surgeon dumps you when you've always had visits 3 months apart or less, 16 months after you're gone (when it is not recommended). I alleged a HIPAA violation among other things and was dropped 2 days later, and retaliation is illegal by law. The surgeon never picked up the signs of malnutrition nor neurological complications from malnutrition. They are straight out of the medical research.

That's why I say investigate, investigate, investigate who you are talking to in terms of surgery.

Yes, it is sad to say that the Mom who told me has a degree in art but the surgeon didn't know. I should have realized that was a harbinger of things to come.

Those are some off the top of the head but can you do any cheeses?

[niasia33 40]

My surgery is bring done at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth with Dr. Barker. I have done lots of research and I am happy with choice. I have a couple of friends that he did their surgeries and they look great and feel great. So I thank God that I'm in good hands.

That is terrible that your doctor dropped you. Are you seeing a new surgeon to help with you malnutrition it does you PCM handle that for you?

Edited May 1, 2014 by niasia33

[swimbikerun 1,039]

Alright! They seem to have a good program from what I heard over there. Several of the guys here came from that program.

The problem was the circumstances under which it was done. I called about a potential HIPAA violation, and a few other things. 2 days later I was gone. Retaliation is illegal under the law. Doesn't help me any.

No, no surgeon in the area will take you due to non compete agreements. No one is handling it. That's why things are tough now, I've been getting muscle spasms and now chest pain flare ups. Suffice it to say the malnutrition started giving me circulatory collapse, edema ... lots of stuff.

I just help people and do what I can now while I can. I don't want to see others in my position so I do all I can to warn them and educate them.

In November 2012, my urgent care PCP caught that by the medical research, I appeared to be having neuropathies, possibly due to malnutrition. They are documented now, and all the other things starting to go, but there is little they can do.

I tell people to still get the surgery. Had it not been for all the complications and the guy I got stuck with (I had an intro w/another doctor and asked for him but they wouldn't allow it and I was assigned the surgeon I did), I would have been home free. I do tell people to investigate the doctor though, and know where to go if they have a problem. It is in my medical records that my urgent care doc suggested the issue & it is not in the surgeon's notes at all. In other words, never caught. Never treated, while I was with him. Now it doesn't matter.

I've done a ton of things, make up things you have only dreamed of doing and do them!!

You will love the life!

[niasia33 40]

We'll thank you so much for your openness and honesty about your situation. I hope everything works out for you. You shouldn't be made to suffer that's just not right.

Yes the program at NMCP is wonderful from the seminar up until now (my pre-op diet) I can really say I'm in good hands and it has been very insightful. The support groups and topics are wonderful and ran by the hospital's own Bariatric Clinic so these are the people I see at my appointments with the exception of the speaker sometimes. I am a former smoker and Dr. Barker is very strict about smoking he doesn't play! I get nicotine tested at every visit and I have been surprised also with a call to come in for a nicotine test, which of course I passed it or I would have had to wait 3 months to move forward and you only get one chance to do that! But I didn't even need that one chance because I need this surgery more than I want those Cancer sticks! So when I quit, that was that. I actually like knowing that I'm going to be nicotine tested because that keeps me accountable! In fact I know for sure I will have one next week at my pre-op appt and another one the morning of my surgery. He has cancelled surgeries before on the morning of because of nicotine in ones system his Bariatric Nurse told me.

Today is my last day eating the way that has gotten me to this point as I start my 2 wk liquid diet tomorrow. I'm happy but nervous about pure liquids for 2 wks but I have found that this forum has been very helpful so I'm going to us it for suppose while I conquer my last hurdle. Lol wow my surgery is 2wks from tomorrow! I can't believe it.

[swimbikerun 1,039]

Thanks so much.

What matters to me now is getting the word out about how doctors do, what their priorities are. That way patients can choose the best for them. It is important that after care is emphasized. Not just for the stats for the doctors or to turn in as lab rats to the ASMBS stats or for their own research. I saw a paper written by my former doc and his partner and wonder if they got specific, not general consent to that from their bariatric patients. "Paired biopsies of sc and om fat were obtained during bariatric surgeries from 24 morbidly obese patients."

If a doctor doesn't follow up and know complications, what happens to the patient? I had my doctor say the following on published "interviews"

"long term follow up"

"we do get to know our patients personally"
"our relationship is long term"
"and then we follow them closely for the rest of their life"

which is not true in my case. Contrary to medical opinion from ASMBS & others, they said 16 months after surgery, knowing there was no care in the area, I didn't need any further care from them. On top of that, after the first year they see you at 18 months and then yearly from your surgery date. So how do you get to know people in a 15-20 min. for once a year? How is once a year blood work that any NP/PA can run and read being followed closely?

Considering all that, and how ill I am now, is why I talk about these things. Especially when the doctor and the group do all they can to try and make it so other patients don't hear about it.

So any way ... at least I'm glad that you are getting the care you need pre op. I can't say much about the nicotine thing, as my loved stepgrandmother and stepmother died of lung cancer. So I have a personal take on that, much as I do with bariatric surgery aftercare and surgeons.

You can do this. I can say that I went thru a 1 week diet before the surgery. I made it, others before me have and you will also. What can do to make this time better? I can tell you to drink Water until you sit on a toilet all day and play games to amuse yourself. I worked. Yes - I did, the day before the surgery a full day. Kept my mind off stuff.

My last meal was a filet mignon, and then a Krispy Kreme donut and a diet Dr. Pepper. My perfect meal. LOL.

[Susanomic 13]

I'm having mine done on June 12 at the naval hospital, too. I actually saw dr barker the first time I went but dr Mann is mine now. Barker is a good doc, he gives it to ya straight...all those docs there do! I'm up in hampton, btw, would love to get a hampton roads group going.

[swimbikerun 1,039]

I'm up for it, the only thing is I'm on the Southside. I've had surgery for 2.5 years, if I can help, let me know.

Also if you like a doc and why, and if you don't, let me know. I pass around that also.