seriously people... yes its a rant of sorts!!!

Okay I have to be blunt here...

Yes I work in healthcare.. so I hear this more often than not.. and read reports from doctors how people ignore symptoms and end up in the ER for emergency surgery or treatment for something.. and based on that: 

I'm am completely taken aback when people come on here and post how they haven't pooped for like 3 weeks, or are in severe pain, or puke up everything they've eaten for the last 3 weeks?  Why would you come in here and seek non-professional medical advice for major symptoms? Our surgeons have made it extremely clear that if we have problems call them. No question or problem is too small to call and ask about...

Do they not want to seek medical attention? I mean seriously.. common sense people. Especially the new post-surgeries... but even people who are several months/years+ out.. PAIN is not normal people. Listen to your body. A phone call to your RN line at your surgeons office takes two minutes. Or even your PCP's office?

And 99% of the time when people post these things everyone replies in the same fashion.. as in what are you doing posting here.. go call or see your doctor or hit the ER!!

I get that we all seek eachothers opinions and advice. But we need to keep in mind we have had a major surgical procedure. It changes how our bodies work. At anytime we could run into medical problem related or unrelated to our surgeries.

Just please call  your doctor or nurses line if you have a real concern. I just hate seeing you post about pain or major problems in here and not seek the opinion of your surgeon or another doctor. Our surgeons should be following us for life.. at least mine vowed to. So please please please call them if you have any questions or problems.. it could seriously save your life.

Nicely said! Hopefully people realize they need to listen to their bodies before it's too late!

I agree but I think some people don't realize that something truly is an emergency until someone here points it out. Another reason they post is just to feel like they aren't the only ones going through it. I think if it's a pressing medical emergency.. obviously don't post first, but I think some symptoms don't always equal emergency to non-medical professionals.

I agree Elena.. but it drives me crazy to see people talking about extreme pain or not being able to eat for 3 weeks and they are like 6 weeks out from surgery.. I'm just saying the age old line that doctors ask at your exam... are ya poopin? are ya peein? any aches, pains, bumps, bruises? can you eat? can you drink? if you can't do these things and you're not a new post-op (because new post-ops can't eat or drink much and sometimes poopin takes a few days or a week) that you should just call and make sure what you're feeling or experiencing is normal.

I just see the other end when people wait to long when they are questioning pain or their body isn't fuctioning right- it could make the difference between just a simple office visit vs. major surgery or hospital time. Some posts I read and I'm like wait, has this person not called their doctor about this? and I'm dumbfounded...  Thats all..

For me, I'm not as assertive as I should be sometimes when it comes to my own health. I often times don't address things, or put things off that I perceive maybe taken as I'm being a baby or complaining about something minor. Unless I've got something that tells me I better get to the ER, (like my appendix pain when I KNEW there was something wrong) and it seems to be WLS related, I might post on the board to see if others have experienced a similar issue or feeling/pain.

I don't disagree that if you think you're in real trouble call the doctor, but I don't think it's helpful to criticize people for posting a WLS health concern to the board. I think sometimes people just want feedback or may need a push to call their WLS clinic. I hope your post didn't scare people into not posting their concerns to their peers here in the MN OH forum.  Posts like this one make me feel this * small.

Usually if I disagree with someone, I don't post. But in this case, I'm willing to get flack for posting my perspective in hopes that a newbie or just a shy lurker doesn't feel shamed or intimidated into NOT posting a question about there health here.

And, I'm claiming my reply as a personal WOW moment as I learn that speaking out is ok, because my opinion counts.  (Fat or not)

Good for you Kristy!  I'm proud that you are speaking out, I know how tough it can be sometimes.  Take this WOW moment and run with it.

As far as Stacy's post....
I do agree with Kristy in that it can make someone feel small.  The comment: I mean seriously.. common sense people.   Can definitely rub someone the wrong way and this is not a place to make people feel small.  Some already have enough trouble posting certain things because of responses like these. 

Just from being on the boards for a while, I really feel that most of us do have common sense.

Stacy, I know you mean no harm, but your post was a little on the abrasive side.

Stephanie

I don't agree.  I have called the doctor and they keep telling me it is nothing.  So I wanted to come here and see if it was normal.  I thought this was a good place to see if other peole have had the same issue as I have.  I searched the site trying to see if anyone else has had the same problem but no one had written anything.  So I put it out there.  I am a shy person and would really rather just call the doctor and get a good answer.  I am sorry to have upset some people who post on here.  I thought it was a safe place to get advice.

This is a good place to get advice. Please don't hesitate to ask any question on this board.

I understand where you're coming from. I have an ulcer that I've been battling for 2+ months and my doctors act like I should just deal with it and let time take it's course. I believe being treated for over 2 months, I should be feeling better by now.

It's good to get other opinions, but if you're truly in  pain, PLEASE contact your doctor again and pressure them to see you.

OK normally I too would just keep my mouth shut but since I was the one posting that I haven't ate much in 3 weeks and mostly just threw everything up, I guess I feel like you might  just be  talking about me (and maybe others too) anyways, being new to WLS and not sure how I am to feel at all times w/ the new inner body (and outer body too!!)   for me I wasn't sure if I was just eating too fast or if there was a real problem and each day you think maybe today will be better and before you know it 3 weeks have gone by. And let me add that during this whole time I was actually feeling great as long as I didn't eat or drink. So to some more experienced in WLS or healthcare this might sound like there is something wrong but to me since I was feeling great I just wanted to post and see if anyone else had similar problems. Sorry to have bothered you and gotten your feathers ruffled. I now know that I should just call my doctor.