Is DS for me ??Dumb RN's DUMB folow up could be Fatal
Hi folks,
I ve been initially thinking on getting the DS out of country. I live in AB,Canada and the only two DS surgeons we have are in Montreal thats 3700 Miles away
Traveling for DS is small price to pay. But how important is follow up with the surgeon what if there is a complication afterwards there is no surgeon in the whole province who understands DS.
DS is far superior surgery in terms of skills, i remember when i had the band removed out of country. I started getting fever three days post op i went to ER and told the nurse that i had the band removed. You ll be surprised what she asked me was how many bands did u have
I said people only get one,and she kept insisiting there are several bands placed on stomach.
Anyhows she said she doesnt think its a medical emergency and she kept me waiting for 12 hours.She said she ll only consider it as medical emergency if you are bleeding from mouth.
I called my surgeon in Tijuana and she said it could be a irritaed throat thats causing the fever from the local anesthesia tubing.She suggested an upper GI.When i told the RN about that.she said thats not going to happen because simply she doesnt think there is a need.
My bariatric Surgeon in Tijuana wanted a upper GI because of a possible infections,leaks etc because I was only 3 or 4 days post op and had fever.
Anyhow i was seen by a MD after 12 hours .DOC said he thinks its a regular viral infection and will go away and there is no need to run any test.
The fever was gone in two days as my tijuana surgeon said it could be a irritated throat from the tubing and that it was luckily. So conclusion Doctors here dnt even understand the basic banding surgery which i off course hate. I am not trying to be negative but there are possibility of complications with any major surgery. What if there is a obstruction i know its rare ,what if i need to be put on feeding tube. All of those things hold me back from DS which i really want.
So wish i was born in States but can’t change that unless one of you are willing to adopt me. The simplest option is VSG as i am light weight but NOOOOOOOO i dnt want another diet.
Like i said there are only two DS surgeons in the whole Country and they are 3700 miles away is it the right surgery of choice for me????
Thanks so much
I ve been initially thinking on getting the DS out of country. I live in AB,Canada and the only two DS surgeons we have are in Montreal thats 3700 Miles away
Traveling for DS is small price to pay. But how important is follow up with the surgeon what if there is a complication afterwards there is no surgeon in the whole province who understands DS.
DS is far superior surgery in terms of skills, i remember when i had the band removed out of country. I started getting fever three days post op i went to ER and told the nurse that i had the band removed. You ll be surprised what she asked me was how many bands did u have
I said people only get one,and she kept insisiting there are several bands placed on stomach.
Anyhows she said she doesnt think its a medical emergency and she kept me waiting for 12 hours.She said she ll only consider it as medical emergency if you are bleeding from mouth.
I called my surgeon in Tijuana and she said it could be a irritaed throat thats causing the fever from the local anesthesia tubing.She suggested an upper GI.When i told the RN about that.she said thats not going to happen because simply she doesnt think there is a need.
My bariatric Surgeon in Tijuana wanted a upper GI because of a possible infections,leaks etc because I was only 3 or 4 days post op and had fever.Anyhow i was seen by a MD after 12 hours .DOC said he thinks its a regular viral infection and will go away and there is no need to run any test.
The fever was gone in two days as my tijuana surgeon said it could be a irritated throat from the tubing and that it was luckily. So conclusion Doctors here dnt even understand the basic banding surgery which i off course hate. I am not trying to be negative but there are possibility of complications with any major surgery. What if there is a obstruction i know its rare ,what if i need to be put on feeding tube. All of those things hold me back from DS which i really want.
So wish i was born in States but can’t change that unless one of you are willing to adopt me. The simplest option is VSG as i am light weight but NOOOOOOOO i dnt want another diet.
Like i said there are only two DS surgeons in the whole Country and they are 3700 miles away is it the right surgery of choice for me????
Thanks so much
Fair Fairy
Hmmm. I paid cash for my DS and traveled for it as well, even though RNY would have been covered by insurance practically on my back porch.
So, I don't really know what difference distance and payment method make, okay?
That being said, please talk to us. Why do you think travel and staying in the borders of your country should make your decision for you?
You clearly got crappy treatment in the ER. Okay. What does that have to do with your next decision about WLS? Give me more details about your thought process please. Then we can talk this out more.
So, I don't really know what difference distance and payment method make, okay?
That being said, please talk to us. Why do you think travel and staying in the borders of your country should make your decision for you?
You clearly got crappy treatment in the ER. Okay. What does that have to do with your next decision about WLS? Give me more details about your thought process please. Then we can talk this out more.
Okey dokey. Let me reiterate here: Pardon the slow child, cuz I don't know all the ins and outs of the CN health system. I only vaguely understand that it varies from one province to another and that there are basically two DS surgeons in all of vast Canada, only one of which, Dr. Gagner, is even remotely considered reliable amongst the folks who contribute to www.dsfacts.com , which is currently the litmus test for DS surgeons (though there are several surgeons not yet listed on that site in the USA who are well on their way to being vetted enough to be posted there, and a couple who are listed there who are hovering on the edge of questionable).
So, what I'm hearing you say is that you're willing to travel AND to pay out of pocket for your surgery, but your horrible ER experience and general exposure to your medical folks where you live has you scared big time. Please correct me if I'm wrong, okay?
As I said, I paid cash for my DS. I have also had to educate every. single. doctor. and. health. person. in my orbit about the DS, cuz NOBODY had a clue. It's very annoying, even when you had a perfect procedure, flawless recovery and generally easy trajectory as I have had. I've been pretty ticked off at my generally very cooperative and teachable health care team when they tried to tell me they knew better than I did about stuff. (And I have been 100% right about DS stuff from day one. There were a couple of other possibilities along the way that had to get ruled out, but that's why they all went to med school and I didn't.)
It's been hard to assert myself, and equally hard to accept that there are lots of other medical possibilities concerning things that crop up that aren't related to the DS. Last year at this time I landed in the ER with gut pain from hell, and I just KNEW I was headed into surgery, in Montana, thousands of miles from my surgeon, for a DS-related bowel obstruction. Nope, it was just a kidney stone, a harmless one at that. (UGH. God forbid I should ever get a BIG one.)
Happily, the ER folks listened nicely to me and got right on the phone to my surgeon, but at the same time did a proper exam and testing without panicking because I was "weird" (not to mention how insistent I was about self-diagnosing). My experience is not the norm, I suppose, but it seems to me that it was reasonable.
ETA: (*GRUMBLE* I did NOT hit send, but it submitted anyhow. Okay, continuing.)
Here's the deal: I believe that my ER experience worked out well because of three factors:
1. Decent ER people who listened and were teachable. We have no influence on this part and it is scary.
2. I really, REALLY know my stuff about the DS and have worked out explanaitions that are available from me verbally, in paper print that I always carry, in my electronic media (my cell phone under emergency info) and that I have drilled into the people who are likely to be with me.
3. I have absolute faith in the 24/7 availability of my surgeon no matter what. Last year when I was in dire straits with what turned out to be a kidney stone, he left the OR to talk to me and consult with the ER. He's that kind of guy.
I have big influence on two out of three issues. To me, that's betting odds.
I don't know how different it might be in Canada with the different system. I don't know how much your personal education, knowledge and assertiveness could change the odds. But it's something to think about.
So, what I'm hearing you say is that you're willing to travel AND to pay out of pocket for your surgery, but your horrible ER experience and general exposure to your medical folks where you live has you scared big time. Please correct me if I'm wrong, okay?
As I said, I paid cash for my DS. I have also had to educate every. single. doctor. and. health. person. in my orbit about the DS, cuz NOBODY had a clue. It's very annoying, even when you had a perfect procedure, flawless recovery and generally easy trajectory as I have had. I've been pretty ticked off at my generally very cooperative and teachable health care team when they tried to tell me they knew better than I did about stuff. (And I have been 100% right about DS stuff from day one. There were a couple of other possibilities along the way that had to get ruled out, but that's why they all went to med school and I didn't.)
It's been hard to assert myself, and equally hard to accept that there are lots of other medical possibilities concerning things that crop up that aren't related to the DS. Last year at this time I landed in the ER with gut pain from hell, and I just KNEW I was headed into surgery, in Montana, thousands of miles from my surgeon, for a DS-related bowel obstruction. Nope, it was just a kidney stone, a harmless one at that. (UGH. God forbid I should ever get a BIG one.)
Happily, the ER folks listened nicely to me and got right on the phone to my surgeon, but at the same time did a proper exam and testing without panicking because I was "weird" (not to mention how insistent I was about self-diagnosing). My experience is not the norm, I suppose, but it seems to me that it was reasonable.
ETA: (*GRUMBLE* I did NOT hit send, but it submitted anyhow. Okay, continuing.)
Here's the deal: I believe that my ER experience worked out well because of three factors:
1. Decent ER people who listened and were teachable. We have no influence on this part and it is scary.
2. I really, REALLY know my stuff about the DS and have worked out explanaitions that are available from me verbally, in paper print that I always carry, in my electronic media (my cell phone under emergency info) and that I have drilled into the people who are likely to be with me.
3. I have absolute faith in the 24/7 availability of my surgeon no matter what. Last year when I was in dire straits with what turned out to be a kidney stone, he left the OR to talk to me and consult with the ER. He's that kind of guy.
I have big influence on two out of three issues. To me, that's betting odds.
I don't know how different it might be in Canada with the different system. I don't know how much your personal education, knowledge and assertiveness could change the odds. But it's something to think about.
If you are going to go out of country, you'll want (and the best surgeons will INSIST) that you stick around for awhile after your surgery. One week to ten days or so. Most of the worst complications will show up then.
BUT, you DO need a local pcp who will not only be cooperative with your labs, but will also keep your important DS info in your file.
In the event that you can't speak for yourself, you'll need an advocate. It can be a very vocal family member or friend, but people need to be aware of your needs and stand up on your behalf. I typed out a list of my prior surgeries, rx meds and supps I am taking, contact info for my surgeon and the nearest DS surgeon in my time zone, and a diagram of the DS. ALL that info is also in my pcp's files, in my glove box, in my house, with my sister, with my best friend, and with my boyfriend.
Cover your bases and you'll be fine.
BUT, you DO need a local pcp who will not only be cooperative with your labs, but will also keep your important DS info in your file.
In the event that you can't speak for yourself, you'll need an advocate. It can be a very vocal family member or friend, but people need to be aware of your needs and stand up on your behalf. I typed out a list of my prior surgeries, rx meds and supps I am taking, contact info for my surgeon and the nearest DS surgeon in my time zone, and a diagram of the DS. ALL that info is also in my pcp's files, in my glove box, in my house, with my sister, with my best friend, and with my boyfriend.
Cover your bases and you'll be fine.
This is a sheet I have found to be VITAL when dealing with doctors and my DS. I can't remember where or from whom I got it, but I've uploaded it to Google Docs. Here's the link... docs.google.com/document/edit
Download it and edit it to fit YOUR needs. Doctor info, etc. It explains what the DS is and even has pictures. It explains about malabsorbtion and labs etc.
If you do have the DS, you will need that advocate, someone to make sure that things are handled accordingly for you. If you don't have someone to speak for you, this print out will help. AND, you're gonna have to grow a pair of balls to advocate for yourself. The more you know, the more powerful you are.
Don't let the lack of a local DS surgeon keep you from what you want. A good primary care doctor who can confer with your surgeon and is WILLING to understand your needs will generally be enough.
As said, if any complications occur, they usually do during the first 2 weeks or so. So plan on being around for a while.
Remember this line. "Listen, I had the surgery. I did the reasearch. You've never even heard of the Duodenal Switch. So if I tell you to look for _________ and this might be the issue. Please respect me and listen."
I've said this more than once in the ER. The print out should make it easier for you and your advocate. Leaks, dehydration or bowel obstruction should be the main things for them to look for if you do end up in the ER... Vitamin deficiency is something also, low protein levels etc. But if you and your primary doc keep up to speed on your bloodwork, you should be fine.
It sounds a little daunting. But you have to remember. It's your body, it's your life and doctors AREN'T GOD. Although they may believe they are, they don't know everything and if they sing the 'I went to med school song' well whoop de doo. I had a DS and it's what "I" know. Do you?
Good luck and keep us informed.
Dana
Download it and edit it to fit YOUR needs. Doctor info, etc. It explains what the DS is and even has pictures. It explains about malabsorbtion and labs etc.
If you do have the DS, you will need that advocate, someone to make sure that things are handled accordingly for you. If you don't have someone to speak for you, this print out will help. AND, you're gonna have to grow a pair of balls to advocate for yourself. The more you know, the more powerful you are.
Don't let the lack of a local DS surgeon keep you from what you want. A good primary care doctor who can confer with your surgeon and is WILLING to understand your needs will generally be enough.
As said, if any complications occur, they usually do during the first 2 weeks or so. So plan on being around for a while.
Remember this line. "Listen, I had the surgery. I did the reasearch. You've never even heard of the Duodenal Switch. So if I tell you to look for _________ and this might be the issue. Please respect me and listen."
I've said this more than once in the ER. The print out should make it easier for you and your advocate. Leaks, dehydration or bowel obstruction should be the main things for them to look for if you do end up in the ER... Vitamin deficiency is something also, low protein levels etc. But if you and your primary doc keep up to speed on your bloodwork, you should be fine.
It sounds a little daunting. But you have to remember. It's your body, it's your life and doctors AREN'T GOD. Although they may believe they are, they don't know everything and if they sing the 'I went to med school song' well whoop de doo. I had a DS and it's what "I" know. Do you?
Good luck and keep us informed.
Dana
I found this sheet to be very informative when going over the facts,, and will be a good starting point for most doctors. While I found the facts to be perfect, I found the editorial comments to be very patronizing. If I needed to talk to my PCP or specialist in such a patronizing manner, I would find it easier and safer o find a new doctor. We don't need to resort to treating doctors like a God, but I don't think we need to talk to them like they are idiots.
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