One of my dear friends in Az had VSG earlier this year.  She's 25 and other than migraines no other co morbidities.  She has had nothing but problems after the surgery.  The first two weeks she had difficulties urinating and severe pain (more so than would be expected afterwards). 

After several ER trips where her surgeon refused to have her admitted under his service and had them send her home as a potential drug seeker she eventually got a CT scan which showed she had a leak.  Off to emergency surgery she went only to go home with a PICC line for antibiotics, a feeding tube, a drain to remove the gunk from he abdominal cavity and visiting nurse.  Oh yeah she was also NPO for at least a good month.  No sips of water, no ice cubes, nothing.  She initially had difficulties tolerating the tube feeds and when she told the nurse all she could say is, "This is what your doctor ordered".  From over 1000 miles away I had to teach her to hold her feedings for so many hours, begin again at half the doctor's original ordered and cut with plain H2O, and slowly increase again to the ordered goal rate.

We all thought things were turning around once the drain got pulled and she was finally tolerating liquids po and had been given the green light to start solids in small amts.

Lo and behold earlier this week Lindsey was rehospitalized with another leak, the doc tried to instill a stent but was unsuccessful, so he went ahead and placed a few clips, told her he doubted that the clips would hold, but dc'd her home anyway!!! To make things worse on his way out of her room he told her to feel free to find another ER/hospital to get treatment at!!!!!!!!

She called me this afternoon and was noticeably short of breath while talking to me and tearful, wanting advice on what to do.  All I could do was advise her to go to the ER at the hospital where we both worked that is the large regional medical center and give her the name of a 'good' surgeon that I know of from my years of working in Phoenix.

I am so scared for her, and I can see that this is malpractice and negligence but suing this asshole is another fight for later once Lindsey is healthy again and happily enjoying her life with her hubby and beautiful little boy.

Sent you a PM....sounds like this person needs a healthy advocate who can rip a few new ******** right about now.

Got your PM.  Thank you.

I told her to give up on going to the ER where she had the surgery and to go to Good Sam.  its the largest of the Banner hospitals in the area and the doc both you and I know to be a good one is on staff there.  Plus we both used to work there and know several of the GI guys and other specialists she'll probably need to get her over this.  I just pray that she can call in favors from all the foks we used to work with.

Perfect example why we need to research,research research. Some Dr.s may have their name out in the public but that doesn't mean they are good at what they do.  Hope your friend gets on the right road and gets to experience good health soon.So thankful she has you to lean on!

Nothing could be MORE true.  I almost died at 30 years old from a botched appendectomy.  How the **** do you botch an appendectomy? 

The doctor had over a dozen issues filed with the CA state board, yet he was allowed to operate on me and had priviledges at 4 other hospitals.

Unless it's a true emergency:  DO NOT LET JUST ANY OL' BODY WITH A DEGREE AND WHO CALLS THEMSELVES A SURGEON TOUCH YOU!!!!! 

Sorry you had problems with an appy. I have seen people almost die from Appys that were so septic they exploded when being removed and sent toxins though the system. Now if we suspect that we treat with antibiotics let the appendix calm down then remove it. I would also watch the language you are a lady I assume, so don't lower yourself to  level of the Dr.s intelligence. Especially if you are in the medical profession you are better than that kind of language. Thank you.

In my case, the appendix had perforated...the sepsis was only part of the problem.  The issues created by the surgeon was very much so surgeon error and cover up. 
As for the foul language, sorry you're offended by it, but it is what is is...if it's very offensive to you, there is a way in "My OH" that will **** out the words for you. 

I'm not in the medical profession, although I did start out as a pre-med student. 

Hey, Michelle. I tried, via PM, to ask Citigal about the alleged "dirt" she has on Dr. Keshishian and she said she told YOU and would feel better if YOU would send it to me, since then it would be third hand. Whatever. I don't think people should make a vague, public allegation and run when questioned.

I don't mean to put YOU on the spot, but Citigal has cut and run and thrown you under the bus. Is there anything specific YOU can share with the board about Dr. Keshishian or can post any links to any lawsuits or accusations? I have found nothing.

I have NO personal experience with Dr. Keshishian but I often recommend people here see him for a consult for a RNY to DS revision if they cannot see my surgeon for insurance reasons, etc. I have heard FANTASTIC things about him and have admired him from afar for quite some time. My first choice of any surgeon would be Dr. Rabkin, but that's because he saved my life three years ago. My next choice? Dr. Keshishian. If there is a REAL reason people should not see him, I would like to hear about it. (as would this whole board).

Again, sorry to put YOU on the spot, but Citigal has turned tail.

Nicolle

Actually Citigal didn't send me anything. I've never really interacted with her.  The only PM I received regarding this thread was from Lady Lithia giving me the name of her surgeon who is in the same state as my friend.

Sorry I can't help at all.

But on another topic, you're in the Chi I see, can I be nosey and ask why you didn't go with UIC's DS doctors?  I contacted them, but being self pay the amount the quoted me for a DS is cross prohibitive-and I didn't even tell them I'd be revising from a band.  Feel free to send me a PM.

At the time I was looking at my options, the U of C docs (UIC does not do the DS) had just had a death and some pretty lousy infectious disease numbers. Their weight loss numbers and aftercare never impressed me, either.

Then I learned about Dr. Rabkin's practice and his VAST experience and his long-term data. THEN I learned that he has monthly support groups in Chicago (he attends almost every other meeting). THEN I met him and I was SOLD. He's THAT good. It was a lock.

Dr. Rabkin is not a member of any insurance network, so it's a little odd. You pay his surgeon fee upfront and then get reimbursed what the insurance company paid. I think my DS cost me about $3500 plus travel expenses. You'd have to call their office to find out about YOUR case.

If you're self-pay, he has a deal with his hospital--a $75,000 cap on hospital costs if there happens to be any complications. To date, they have never had to use that option, so it stands.

If you want to meet him, PM me and come to his support group meeting! Third Monday of every month.

Nicolle

This is so horrible! I feel for your friend and I can understand how upset and worried you must be. I hope she gets a good doctor to help her out and that she suits the pants off her other doctor :( *hugs*

My heart goes out to her! My very best wishes for a speedy resolution for her.

Kate

Saying a prayer for your friend, hope she gets better treatment at the other hospital and that they can get her healthy again!

I'm glad you're staying in touch with her.  She posts updates sometimes on the VSG board.  Going by all accounts given, Dr. Schuster has sadly never seemed overly concerned about this, and I hope she finds a great doctor to get her on the right path.

Let her know she's in our thoughts.

I'm so glad you typed his name.  I wanted to post his name and picture, but I resisted.

I certainly hope right now she's in the ER or ICU at either Good Sam or Mayo in the Phx area.  I told her to get off the phone with me and move onto the big hospitals there with the knowledge base and resources to care for her.

You know, if I was well, i'd be offering to help as much as possible. I really hope my surgeon is taking good care of her. I know he's worked with a lot of difficult situations, and his partner is as well regarded.

Your surgeon has agreed to take on her case and she has an appt wih him on Monday.  And I know you'd offer whatever help you could, but you need to take care of yourself right now.  Thank you for talking me off a ledge.

I really hope that he will solve her problems. He's awesome. Let me know how her appt turns out. He's great.

She's updatde me and Dr J said he would do the same thing her surgeon has thus far.  He plans to give her 6 weeks to heal on her own, and if not plans on doing another open procedure to plug the leaking areas with fat.

Really hoping she can get over this hump on her own.

 This sounds like utter crap on the doctor's part.....i wish there were an advocacy center for wls patients.....i won't go into more detail but i ended up in e.r needing 2 pints of blood at christmas after being told my labs were ok a week earlier....and i'm 6 years post op....my rbcs were so low they wouldn't let me leave the hospital without admitting me overnight for blood.....i didn't realize iron deficiency anemia would still be prevalent even though i no longer menstruate.....i will pray for your friend....the other sucky thing is that at least here in CALIFORNIA...bariatric surgeons dont' like to take over other bariatric surgeon's patients....so if you have problems and an unresponsive doctor...you're effectively screwed.....if things don't get better for me I will be working through legal channels myself....and if the asshole about to kill your friend wants her to go elsewhere, i believe he is morally ethically and legally bound to refer her to someone else.....K is for KARMA.....I hope she will be alright....xoxoxoxo