My brother in.law is in the hospital 5 months, he lost half a lung, leaks, bleeding, now pneumonia. Pensacola. Florida doctors are the worst doctors in the United States of America

I wanted to share the story I want people who experienced anything like this to know that you're not alone and two beware

I’m sorry your brother had complications and I hope he recovers soon. I know it is a scary time. For most of us, the surgery was successful without any complications. I had one right after my surgery but a visit to the ER and I was fine (esophageal swelling). I’m only 3 weeks out but like most of us, the hardest part is the lifestyle change. All surgeries have their risks and there is always one or two people that suffer more than others. But that certainly shouldn’t turn anyone off to the surgery. For many, it is a lifesaver. I wish you and your brother well.

I follow hospital stays for members of a large insurance company and have seen some nightmare complications of WL surgeries in various locations. Sometimes reading the questions that people ask in message boards is concerning for a naive and/or ethically irresponsible weight loss surgery clinic/program. There is a large body of basic information every patient should know, and it's not easy to run this kind of program. Some places have so much room for improvement.

Many insurance companies require heavy vetting of outcomes statistics for providers and provider groups leading to a potential required certification agreement to be in-network. I cannot stress enough how important it is that you research and stay in network if you have an insurance company smart enough to take such precautions on their and your behalf.

I'm saddened by this story. I wish that the ACLU or some other patient advocacy/legal organization could successfully put together the case for a federal mandate on standards, operations, and reporting in bariatric surgery practice.

Sending my version of prayer to your brother-in-law and the family.

What's the story Deb? Any procedure done in a healthcare setting has risks involved. Medicine, by it's very nature, is experimental and not guaranteed.

This procedure is definitely not experimental. If it was insurance companies would not be paying for it. This has been around for years. My aunt had this done in the 80s. The sleeve is fairly new but definitely not experimental

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He should of went to Mexico. Rare that there's a death

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Me and my daughter both ha gastric bypass we have no issues. But we the things we should do

I have had a rough 9 months after the mgb surgery. DVT bilateral pulmonary embolism and now going for surgery on July 20th to remove my gallbladder. I try to keep my day with positivity and some days I succeed and some days I don't. I am happy I had the mgb because I know their is a light at the end of this tunnel. I have lost 122 pounds and reached my goal weight.

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8 hours ago, qbic696 said:

This procedure is definitely not experimental. If it was insurance companies would not be paying for it. This has been around for years. My aunt had this done in the 80s. The sleeve is fairly new but definitely not experimental

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Screw the insurance companies! they approve drugs that cause suicidal thoughts, seizures and death. Medicine is experimental by nature, it is always possible for different people to have different reactions.

Do we know why some people are successful and some not, do we know exactly how the nerves and chemicals are affected after a VSG is performed? We don't even have long term data on 20 year VSG success yet, we are literally the guinea pigs. Although keto seems to be the way to go, there isn't even a standard post op diet that is being recommended by bariatric surgeons.

Don't get me started on diabetes, obesity, autisim, BPA, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, vaccines etc...

WE ARE THE GUINEA PIGS!!

End rant

He had his gullbladder remived, several surgeries, hope it goes uphill soon

He had the sleeve

In my very respectful opinion, this surgery should be outlawed. It is way to dangerous.

Edited July 9, 20179 yr by Debedeb

Although I respect the problems your family member is having, I respectfully disagree. Most people have conscientious doctors who have a thoughtful pre and post op surgical plan. My doctor sent me home on my first visit with a 65-page nutrition plan for the pre-op and post-op experience. The nutritionists on staff email me twice a week to discuss my eating, and this week, when I experienced a stall due to constipation, I got daily emails and two phone calls. Not all doctors are equal, there are C- students in every class, but no one should leave the hospital without a plan. I truly don't know anyone who didn't. Every doctor is different, and every plan is different, but along the same lines.

Also, most insurance companies have stringent requirements before surgery is approved. I'm on Medicaid, and I had a 6-month plan, like most people, plus an endoscopy, an EKG, plus visits with nutritionists and a psychiatrist. I read online that the process in the UK is far more stringent.

Any surgery is risky. 1 patient in 10,000 FOR ANY SURGERY will have extreme complications, according to the New England Journal of Medicine. We accept the risks for a healthier life. One person's outcome or 10 persons out of a 100,000 cannot dictate the safety of one procedure. For every one person who had complications, 10,000 people are happier and healthier.

Again, I appreciate and sympathize with your family's journey but the surgery is safe for most individuals.

Wait, your brother in law was one of the unfortunate folks who had awful complications and you think it should be outlawed for the rest of us whose life it will save?
While I'm sorry for him, that's ridiculous.

Screw the insurance companies! they approve drugs that cause suicidal thoughts, seizures and death. Medicine is experimental by nature, it is always possible for different people to have different reactions.
Do we know why some people are successful and some not, do we know exactly how the nerves and chemicals are affected after a VSG is performed? We don't even have long term data on 20 year VSG success yet, we are literally the guinea pigs. Although keto seems to be the way to go, there isn't even a standard post op diet that is being recommended by bariatric surgeons.
Don't get me started on diabetes, obesity, autisim, BPA, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, vaccines etc...
WE ARE THE GUINEA PIGS!!
End rant

Actually VSG has a history dating back to 1988 when it was used as a first stage to the duodenal switch. Many patients never had the second stage which is why it gained popularity and research began to support it as a stand alone procedure. It's been growing as a stand alone since 2000 so that's 17 years there, even if you don't count the "unfinished" DS from before--

http://bariatrictimes.com/the-history-of-sleeve-gastrectomy/

Don't even get ME started on the false data that linked autism to vaccines or the fact that antidepressants don't cause suicidal ideation, they cause the depressed person to begin to lift out of the lack of energy and motivation to actually have the wherewithal to ACT on the ideas.

Yes medicine is a practice. But when best performed it's based on the BEST AVAILABLE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE. everything is always weighing the possible benefits against the possible risks. Find a medical professional you trust. Together weigh the options and decide on the best course for you!

In my very respectful opinion, this surgery should be outlawed. It is way to dangerous.

You are entitled to your opinion, but make sure it's made from and educated Place not an emotional one.

Complication rates:

http://asmbs.org/resources/studies-weigh-in-on-safety-and-effectiveness-of-newer-bariatric-and-metabolic-surgery-procedure

Lower than hip replacement or gallbladder surgery.

Sorry but being two weeks out and staying positive even though I'm nervous this post keeps popping up at the top of my feed and it's SUPER Irritating. Sorry your family member had a complication from a surgery but why come in here and freak people out. What are you expecting to get out of it? Your not offering any info that would need a response from anybody us so go talk to some Doctors about his specific complications. Your here just telling us they should ban the surgery when obviously many of us have and are Benefitting from this surgery. What is your goal here? People are showing you links to the stats showing how safe this surgery is in comparison to other surgeries. We obviously know the risks when we do elective surgery. Enough already. Jeez. Did I mention I'm still in full liquid stage and a bit grumpy.