Update on friend of a friend

The other day I shared that a friend of some of my friends had passed away and they were concerned for me because this young lady had RNY over a year ago and believed there was a connection.

I just wanted to share what I have learned since.  She died of a heart attack that was brought on by sepsis (build up of bacteria in the blood), which was caused by a leak or a kink (friend telling me couldn't remember which) in the intestine close to the surgery site.  Apparently she had been going to her family doctor on a weekly basis for months complaining about pain in her abdomen and he did a blood test but nothing else, told her she was probably eating too much or too fast.

So there is a lesson here I believe...but not the one my friends seem to think.  I don't think this means RNY is horribly dangerous and likely to cause death (as my friends currently feel), but rather it shows me that it is a very complex operation that a regular family doctor may not fully understand.  Instead of scaring me off from having the surgery, it has just confirmed how important it is to stay in touch with your surgical team and to go to them rather than a family doctor if you are having problems that you think might be related to surgery...even years after the fact.

Anyway, just thought I would share.  Thank you all for your support the other day when I first found out about this and was struggling with it.

Tracy

Thanks for the update, Tracy. I think you've pointed out the  most important lesson, to follow up with people who know, not our regular physicians, if we think things are related to our wls.  there are complications to this surgery, there is no doubt about that, but we need to be vigilant, and be our own advocates, if we think we need to be seen by someone on our bariatric team, even years after the surgery.  

Mon

Absolutely!!! Don't ever play guessing games with your health. You also need to b an advocate for yourself by learning all about your surgery and sometimes even standing up for yourself to doctors.

Thanks for the update on this.  How sad that she died so young over such an avoidable issue .... shame on her doctor for not taking it more seriously and seeking a consult with a specialist.  This happens way too often (not just with WLS) and certainly underscores our need to inform ourselves, and to be our own advocates.  My condolences to all her friends and family. 

How sad :(  A very good reminder to us all to advocate for our own health.

Even before I had surgery my family doctor told me I was his first patient to go through this process and that he knew very little about the after care and what was required.  He advised me to stick to the five year follow up with Humber religously, and of course I will do that.  Since then he's learned a lot but still he is not a "bariatric specialist".

I think your post really points out that not all family doctors know everything, it's not even possible for them to know it all.  Keeping in close touch with your surgical team is hugely important.  My surgeon ends every appointment with me saying  "Call anytime if you have questions or problems".  That makes me know his team cares about all their patients.

I'm very sorry this happened to your friend.  It's a great reminder to all of us to take this seriously and make sure our health care team does too.  Thank you for posting this.


Cheryl

I am my doctors first referral too.  He has asked me to make an appointment with him regularly to let him know what is happening in the process because he is eager to learn more and perhaps help other patients (I guess I am the guinea pig!!LOL) in the future.  However, my doctor is never afraid to admit he doesn't know something and ask for a second opinion and he has taught me to be my own health advocate.  I am very lucky to have him.

Tracy

HIJACK - Cheryl, you look awesome!! love that pic.

At 2 1/2 years out I don't go to my surgeon for annual checkups anymore - it is a long way to go with no transportation!  I can call him anytime I feel the need, as can my family doctor.  I am blessed that I have had no complications.  As the others have said, we have to be our own advocates when it comes to our health, and I would not hesitate to contact my surgical team if anything were to come up.   

 

 

I'm my GPs 2nd referral.  He's not too familiar with the whole process but he's learning because he referred me.  He's been my GP since I was 5 years old.  As much as I love the fact that he's learning about the surgery, I know he's not an expert and I need to refer any issues post-surgery to the surgical team at Humber.  The MIS Group is always just a phone call away and I know Dr. Huynh takes patient calls - he had a one from a panicked patient during my 1st appt.   So Im comfortable and relieved knowing that he'll be available to me after surgery. 

PS.  I'm sorry to hear about the passing of your friend's friend.