a little frustrated today

weein
on 7/29/09 1:35 am - CA
Jackie,

I am so sorry your appointment was awful. You are doing so awesome, don't let the doctor get you down. I am a nurse and I can tell you, I work with plenty of doctors, who are expectational at there job, but don't know how to talk to a rock. Keep your head up and continue to do what you are doing. 33lbs in one month, that is fabulous.

Eileen

Eileen

alyzbzee
on 7/29/09 1:58 am - Lakewood, CA
RNY on 07/14/09 with
Jackie it pains me to think of the awful bedside manner you received at your appointment.  I think you are doing fabulous.  Regardless of what the doc says, remember that this is not a race to see how fast you can take the weight off.  You just keep your head up and keep smiling girl you are fantastic, and all of us here at OH are your support to help keep you strong and to keep going on. 

I agree that you should request to see another doctor in the practice or maybe even a PA.  I personally have changed PCP several times for myself and my family because of the bedside manner.  I love our PCP we have now, but it took time for changes to be made and the end result is I have a PCP that listens to all of our concerns.  So far with Dr. Ali, (WLS Surgeon), his PA, and the office staff I am very happy.  I have my 2 wk. appt. tomorrow and hope I have the same PA that saw me in the hospital.

Way to go girl... you just keep doing what you are doing and the weight will come off like its supposed to over time.

Love Annette

 Annette 

         HW: 324 -  First Consult: 304 - Surgery Date: 293 - Current: 207 - Goal:  165
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
2_be_me_again
on 7/29/09 3:16 am
On July 29, 2009 at 1:14 AM Pacific Time, Jackie717 wrote:
Well.. I don't want to ***** but I feel the need to vent a little today.  I had my appt. to remove my staples and I was really frustrated after my appointment.  I want to be very careful here to say that I think my surgeon is a great one and has a wonderful track record and Im happy I had my surgery with this program, however, the appt. left me feeling upset.

I have followed everything to a tee.. liquid diet 2 weeks before and now 2 weeks after it as of tomorrow.  Had my protein, vitamins and fluids.  I've lost 33 lbs since july 2nd when I started my liquid diet and he had nothing positive to say to me.

As he took out my staples he said.. you really need to get this weight off, It's all in your abdomen which is the worst place to have it.  And I was like well.. I just spent 4 weeks not eating and had the surgery, lost 33lbs in less than 4 weeks, isn't that good?   I wish I would have actually said this but I didn't. I just said well Im on my way.  and he kept stressing that I just really needed to lose this weight.

They did a biopsy of my liver during the surgery and it came back mildly inflamed but no cirrosis which is awesome!  But.. then he went on to say if I didn't lose the weight it would become that and it can cause me to die.  And began to tell me about the patient he saw just before me and her cirrosis and her revision because she couldn't change her behaviors.   I felt awful about this because I knew who she was and we had been talking in the lobby for awhile because he was an hour late into the office.  He may have been trying to scare me or something.. but i just got upset.

I told him I was concerned because at first I could only eat 1/3 of a jello cup and feel full and now I can eat a whole jello cup and not feel full.. and he said.. well Jello isn't what made you gain all your weight, I don't think its an issue.  But my point was I was worried I could eat too much without feeling full.   So I just said eff it and ended my appt.

There is another surgeon there that is really compassionate and warm and I do better with that, he was the 2nd surgeon on my surgery and saw me once in the hospital.  However, my surgeon owns the practice.  I don't know if I should ask to see the other one or not in the future or if this will cause issues and I should just grin and bear it for my appts.

Other people came out of their appointments happy and I came out upset and feeling like eff it.. I want to eat.. I know thats the wrong answer and i didn't but I recognized this stress upset eating thing.  He didn't say one positive thing. like you are doing well or good job so far.. and I just don't do well without positive motivation.

Should I just suck it up or see if i can make it better?

Thanks for your opinions.

Jackie



Hi Miss Jackie...

First off... I"M RAGGING MAD reading this post.  I'll be damn I spend $3500 CASH to be treated like that.  In my opinion... I'd happily remind that ass that you spent a **** load of money on this program and he better get with it.  I'm all about word of mouth.  My mouth is big at that.  I will not stand for crappy treatment.  PERIOD.  I am sooo sorry to hear about how he treated you.  Fuck that.... my 33lbs had better be acknowledged or that whole office will hear my damn roar.  

Personally, I have yet to be mis-treated by him yet.  He better pray that day never comes during my visit.  Cause - I paid my dues.  I dare him!   

"You need to get some of this weight off"??? What the fuck did he think you were doing?  Eating cupcakes?    

Don't suck it up.  You paid like everyone else at that program.   Speak your mind.  Write a letter to him.  I say write a letter cause I know how hard they make it for you to be seen by the surgeon.  Apparently you won't see him again until the year visit right?  I think we have to see Tracey the Internist for the next visits.   Also - I reccomend talking with Paula but that might turn into an "appease" session just to shut you up.  I don't know what to think know.  I've adored Dr. Bravermann since the day I met him at the information seminar.  I'm just shaking my head now... I read Diane C post and that too was shocking.

I'm here for you lady... Congrats on you success!

Brandi
AT GOAL in 336 days...!
SW / CW / GW
299 /174.5/ 175
6' tall - size 10

              









Janeene G.
on 7/29/09 3:53 am - Kent, WA
RNY on 01/23/08 with
Jackie:

Has this doctor always been on the harsh side?  If not, perhaps the previous patient upset him enough that he was projecting that on to you.  Please don't take it personally.

If he is, then you need to have the peace within yourself of knowing you're doing the right things each day to regain your health.  YOU are the only person you need to answer to.  I don't know if you can change to other surgeon, if this one doesn't suit you, but that might be an option.  I just want you to know you're doing great and don't let anyone rain on your parade.
"When you stretch the truth, watch out for the snapback."  ~Bill Copeland

        
(deactivated member)
on 7/29/09 5:24 am - CA
That guy is kinda nuts, jackie! I don't know his weight situation, but maybe he has never struggled with weight himself... and just doesn't know. Dumbass!

But, surgically, if he is good, that's what counts in the long run... just don't go in there looking for a pat on the back, huh?

Keep up the great work! I remember in the first few months after my surgery, thinking that i was losing weight too slowly....but, i think that's common. Like Julia pointed out, it's ONE POUND a day. Come on... that's insanely awesome!

At the same time, dr. Q. is giving you a bit of a reality check along the way. He's cautioning you (albeit unkindly) to take very seriously the issue of
what you put in your mouth. Tough love, to be sure, but he is right about that...we MO people can fall VERY EASILY back into our old ways....

keep up the great work. Remember, this is much more than a weight loss endeavor....it is also about re-shaping our motivations and habits....it is about growing emotionally and "parenting" ourselves into healthy eating styles.

Best wishes!!

Lori
MadameJoy
on 7/29/09 5:54 am, edited 7/29/09 1:24 pm - Jamestown, CA
Sounds to me like the guy is a pompous jackass. Remember he is working FOR YOU  not the other way around!! You paid for the surgery and proper aftercare. I would switch Dr.'s in a heartbeat!
I am sorry you had to deal with him and his crappy attitude! Especially so soon out when emotions run high.
Hang it the girl...you are doing a very good job!

HUGS
JOY
puddin2day
on 7/29/09 7:47 am - Los Angeles, CA

Jackie,

Sorry to hear that you have gone through such a horrible experience.  Congratulations on losing 33 lbs.  I bet you already feel and look like a new person. 

If you write the letter, as another person posted, be sure to carbon copy the medical review board as well.  They need to know what folks with licenses are doing.


Kim

Without struggle, there is no progress.

                             
Cristi A.
on 7/29/09 11:32 am - CA
 "Don't let the turkey get you down."  Your surgeon has a reputation of being an incredible surgeon but not  a warm fuzzy charector--you picked him to help you be successful.  He fortunately surrounds himself with capable, competent and caring MDs.....I would ask for follow- up from one of his partners.  33 lbs deserves a major WOO HOO!

Cristi A.

Jackie717
on 7/29/09 3:09 pm
Thank you all for your responses, Im sorry I haven't responded earlier, however, I was out most of the day and evening.   I think all of you are right.  He is an excellent surgeon, he may have had a bad day or irritated with the patient before, however, he shouldn't have talked to me that way.

I am going to go in next time with a different attitude and if it happens again then Im going to talk to him directly about it.  And if it's not better, I will ask to see the other surgeon moving forward.

Thank you sooo much for all your comments!! They mean so much to me and you are right.. my weight loss is GREAT!

Even better than just the weight loss is the fact that I could walk and shop today without being out of breath and... I went to a networking function tonight where Im on the board of directors and I was able to stand and talk to people for 2.5 hours.. walking around selling raffle tickets and socializing.  It was amazing.   33 lbs ago, I couldn't stand for more than a few minutes without pain.

So.. Im grateful!  And Im so thankful for all of you!

Big hugs!!

Jackie
Started Liquid pre-op diet July 2, 2009 / Surgery on July 16th, 2009
Starting weight: 385
Current: 245
First goal: 180

                
NaomiF
on 7/31/09 12:19 pm - Long Beach, CA
Dear Jackie,

I just saw this.  I've been away and just got home.  I will not make any excuses for Dr. Q.  He is not the warm fuzzy type.  I have never had him say anything quite like that and I did  have a lot of work to do initially.  He is blunt.  Dr. Braverman is the warm fuzzy guy in direct contrast to him.  I have not had a bad experience with the office staff or the internists. 

I'm just sorry your experience with him was so negative.   But just as he is straight to the point with his comments, you should be as well.  There is no excuse for him to be the way he is, and I hope your next visit goes better.  But, you may just want to tell him how you felt.  Some guys are just clueless.  You are doing well.  You are on the right road.  And in spite of his atrocious bedside manner, he does know his stuff. 

Hope this helps a little.

*hugs*

~Naomi
Most Active
×