Why do people go to Under Qualified Surgeons?

In addition to Wert's suggestion of Eggface, there are recipe groups here on OH. Just search recipes or recipe ideas.. tons of stuff to go through. There are low carb recipe groups, as well as a dedicated recipe forum. You will have more ideas than you can use if you look around.

 
I guess you haven't seen any of my meal suggestions or support of people in many stages of the process......

frisco

when the need arises, I'll check it out.  was just pretty offended that you would accuse people of being stupid patients as a whole, instead of suggesting that "some" patients may not do all their homework.  you should be a little more sensitive when posting or you may just be one of those that really care how people take your comments.  I have only been reading in the forums for a small amount of time and have not checked out meal plans as of yet. but thanks for the info.  I am going to Mexico to see Dr. Rod in Tiajana.  i have been trying to find out all I can about him before I go. So far... nothing bad about him.  My insurance won't cover me so I feel like I have made a good choice by going accross the border to see him.   I did not take the time to read all three pages of posts... So if I misunderstood you then appologies...

 
Well if you read my post again I refer to patients that don't ask their surgeons for instructions....or don't read them.....as dumb...I guess I could have used the term "Less than Smart"

But here is how I take your comments and reactions......You definitely got the point !!! And after reading this and responding to it.... I can tell your going to be very well informed by the time your surgery comes around! Yah that !!
Not saying at all that you had read my post to "Get It" as you strike me as a person that does do the research.

Have you considered Dr. Aceves or Dr. Alvarez for VSG in Mexico. In two years on this forum I have only heard "Stellar" reviews about them.

I do though apologize back if you were offended. You would really have had to been here a while to really understand some of the "trends" As more and more insurance companies cover the sleeve there have been more and more patients and surgeons appearing here on OH.....which in general is a good thing for the most part.....It just seems there much more variety in programs, skill level, instructions and education.

frisco

Frisco, I'm still waiting for my marriage proposal!!

I agree and yet disagree (how decisive of me, I know).

On the one hand, I too cring at how little folks one here know about what they should eat and drink and when they should eat/drink it; what they should expect and what they should do when it happens. I had a book about an inch thick AND they went over most of the key material with us - we had pre-op training with the Nutritionist and the Exercise Therapist.

The book even has a list of potential side effects from constipation and vomiting up to the more serious ones with list of how to know when it's time to call the doctor now! Also lists of supplements and dosage schedules, when you can go to capsules instead of chewables and on and on - and they hit ALL the high points in training.

I can't imagine having most of my stomach cut out without knowing what to expect afterwards!

I also agree about surgeon skill. I chose a Center of Excellence. My surgeon has done thousands of RNYs, but they are affiliated with the hospital and the hospital here only approved doing sleeves when a lot of insurances started covering them.

I asked a lot of questions: where, how and with whom he trained on the sleeve, his surgical technique, size of the sleeve (40 fr oversewn and very tight to the top & bottom - at 3 months my sleeve is tighter than a lot of folks who had more loosely done 32s, well under 2 oz). Then I decided to be one of his early sleeves.

On the 60% EWL, I think what's happening is that surgeons and Nuts who have less experience with the surgery are basing that on statistical averages from the research - I've seen similar numbers on the net. My surgeon's office did state that this was the average that htey found in the literature, but also stated that many sleeve patients who were compliant with the dietary/exercise program went on to lose all their weight.

So for the most part I agree, but I didn't get on that plane because after doing my research I felt comfortable with my surgeon.

Well, like with a lot of things in this country, I'm guessing some of it has to do with money and access.

I'm fortunate in that I have good-to-great insurance that will cover almost my entire surgery and follow-up AND there are two or three competing Bariatric Centers of Excellence in my city.

However, not everyone is so lucky. Some people are self-pay, or have insurance that limits which doctors/hospitals they can go to. And there are parts of the country where medical care isn't as widely and broadly available as it is in others. We should have compassion for those in that situation. There also may be cases where patients just don't know what to look for in choosing a doctor.

You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink it.

If the most ignorant, uninformed person goes on an airplane to get the superstar VSG by the perfect Dr. C-I guarentee that same person is not going to be a success if they do not follow directions, eat right and stay on track. Just going to the right Dr. alone isn't going to get the weight off even if the sleeve is right and tight. People with tiny sleeves can regain, like us folks with big old 40f sleeves.

Of course I would've loved to be able to hop on a plane at over $1,000 for DH and I. Oh, but we have kids that need to be taken care of. (No fam to help out). Oh and that $5000 fee Dr C charges for his program-um no thanks!. It was hard enough to come up with my high deductable co-pay.

By the way I read his sleeve guide and it was very helpful. I took some points out of it, but some pages seemed to address RNY folks and the required vitamins mentioned taking Tums for Calcium and I know that is a no-no.

That whole you will lose 60%ewl. I laugh at that. For one I don't like people imposing limits on that I can personally attain. That kinda **** makes me mad enough to prove them wrong. However, a long time I briefly worked for a commercial weight loss clinic and we had to include a disclaimer so that we did not get sued. I can see why they don't go with higher numbers because the VSG is newer and there are no long term studies involving the smaller sleeves done today.

I think before a person gets sleeved they should read up on nutrition, vitamins, exercise and of course the surgery. There are so many pieces that need to come together for one to be a success. I don't suffer from a food addiction, so after much thought I knew a 40f, would be ok with me. I never seek that "full" feeling, just satisfied, measure portions, drink liquids and I now work out like I did back when I was thin and in shape.

I know everyone has a different journey but the best surgeon cannot guarantee the best patient!.

Surgeons are only one part of the equation. After reading this board for over a year and attending support groups, it boggles my mind, how uninformed and uneducated people choose to be regarding WLS and the lifestyle changes that it requires to be successful. People do not read the literature that is given to them, nor do they follow their physician's advice. I know people are given this information, but they either forget it, or choose not to research it further. Most programs do give people aftercare instructions, but people don't read the information. I see this in the support group that I attend. It is also very prevalent on this board. People do not read the instructions. Heck, people don't even read the directions on their bottles of medications.

The 60-70% EWL thing is in the literature. This is the average EWL. Some people lose more, others don't. If people don't make lifestyle changes the weight will come back on. Doctors tell people this, because this is what the evidence shows. Obviously, some programs will have better stats, but across the board, this is what the current research shows.

WLS is only a tool. It can be a wonderful tool, to help us to get to a healthier BMI and lifestyle, but ultimately, it is up to us to make it work. The further that I get out from surgery, the more it is about the choices that I make on a day to day basis, than the surgery itself. ANY surgery can be eaten around, if people make the wrong choices.

Gail