the meeting went well!

Hi everyone! Today Dennis and I went to see the other surgeon in the city for the second opinion. He advised taking out the whole roux limb and connection, not just the connection and just builting new parts. Of course, not b/c anything was done wrong but just b/c it seems these parts seem to have never learned to function properly if at all. He watched the tape and looked at the films. He said he has seen things similar in two of his own patients and two more times with two people who came to him for help when they were blown off by their initial surgeons. He said the only thing that worked was removing the roux limb and connection. He said he just recently operated on a woman who had a similar situation to me not too long ago (that was another surgeons patient) and she is doing fine now. He said all four of these patients are doing just fine! He called my surgeon while we were there and told him all of this. I will see my surgeon next friday to talk about this. This surgeon told me do not let anyone make me feel "crazy" or "in your head" or suggest that I might have some behavioral/eating disorder b/c the proof is in the pudding. He also said anyone, especially a doctor, who says something even remotely like any of that should be ashamed of themselves. "Ha Ha" I say to all of them! This surgeon told me I should stay on liquids until my operation and not to try anything else. He said I need a break and stay away from the hospital as much as I can b/c the last place I want to put myself is in the hospital before my operation. He told me it isn't going to get better on its own, so don't beat myself up trying to make it b/c it just wont. This surgeon said he would actually operate on me if my surgeon was blowing me off but he knows my surgeon isnt. He said I am lucky to have my doctor b/c he knows he cares a great deal about me and is a great surgeon. This surgeon said he has gotten to this level a couple of times w/his patients so he knows how attached you can get to the patient. He said he knows how much the doctor/patient relationship can turn so personal. I started to cry when we were talking about this. This surgeon actually started to tear himself and said to me that "he was just really sorry." He is a nice guy(almost as nice as my surgeon of course) and he didnt charge me for the visit! Yay. We actually discussed the lapband for Dennis and he said he would put it on him in a second that it didnt matter to him that his BMI was a little under 40. Dennis agreed(finally)that he will do the band but only w/this surgeon b/c he wants a doctor who truly understand how it is. This doctor has the band himself and is super supportive post-op and that really matters alot. He is going on a cruise around NYC later this month with this patients! Heck, I am not going out to eat or going on a cruise with my surgeon!!(nor do I think I want to, no offense!) Anyway, like this surgeon said, this has been a very sad situation for me but hopefully with a very happy ending. I think I am going to take this comment and roll with it! Thanks again guys for all of your support and I will let you know what my surgeon thinks next week! Take care!

Tavia, finally a GOOD meeting with a doctor! It almost sounds too simple - I mean, I KNOW it is not simple and I know it means more surgery and all that, but it also means that finally your nightmare might be almost over! I'm praying for you kid, praying that this is the right move for you and that you and your doctor are okay with it and that everything goes smoothly. Hugs - Robin

Hi Robin! How are you!?!? Yes it was a good meeting w/a nice doctor. He is almost as nice as my surgeon.. Actually he was more down to earth(cursing and everything) rather my surgeon is just humble and kind. It does sound like this saga might be coming to an end! Whopeeee!!! Thanks so much for all of your support.

Tavia, I am SO happy for you and I hope all of the ignorant people that have made not so nice comments to you take the time to APOLOGIZE!!!! For most people the thought of another surgery would probably be very daunting... I am sure you are happy to know that there is a solution. You are lucky to have Dennis and his support. Congrats to him for making the decision to get the Lap-band. You two will be the hottest couple in town!!! Hugs... Lori

Hi Lori, Thanks for your kind words, they truly do mean a lot to me! You know what, I am so over dealing w/stupid doctors and their ignorant comments. Like this surgeon said, "they should be ashamed of themselves" and that is how I look at it. He said he has heard my exact same story twice from patients of another surgeon who blew them off. He said they both said how everyone treats them like it is "in their head" or "they are doing something to themselves". He said the one girl who he just operated on recently w/a similar problem to myself said weight less than 100 pounds and had tubes sticking out of her everywhere...yet her initial surgeon said "it was in her head." and labeled her w/an eating disorder. Horrible. Now he said, she is fine, gained some weight and happy. I am just so excited to know there is hope for me and I am not alone here. Yes, Dennis is super supportive. He is a great guy and I love him to death. He has been there for me since forever and always will be. I hope to return the favor if/when he decides to do this. He just wants to wait until I am 100% before he even starts to think about himself.

Wow Tavia, It sounds like you have seen a good dr, and it sounds like you are finally going to get some closure to this. Hmmmm going on a cruise with his patients? That sounds familiar Kristine

Hey you, It does sounds like it and I am so excited! He told me after his just took out the limb/connection, those patients were fine...FINE!! I can't image being "fine" but look so very forward to it. Yes a cruise, and I am assuming you know who I talked to then. I told Dennis if you want the band, you cant get better than him plus he is super nice/supportive.

Tavia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is BRILLIANT news! OMG!!! It is amazing to hear that this surgeon has had several patients with the same pathology as yours having resolved the issue and whose outcome is great! OMG!!!!! I am very very excietd for you. This is just brilliant. OMG!!! I am so happy to hear this news!!! Hugs, more hugs, and even more hugs!!!! (and a kiss!) Amy

Hi Amy, I know it is exciting isnt it? I think it hasnt sunk in yet that maybe(hopefully) I will feel better relatively soon! I have had to live with feeling like crap since day two of this surgery so I have NO IDEA what it feels like to feel good, isnt that strange? Thanks again for all of your support, really! Take care.

Hey girlie...... God I am so happy to be hearing this good news. That happy ending is approaching, i am so excited. As soon as you get all your stuff taken care of we are going for our tattoos!!!!! Love Ya LisaMarie