Question:
700+ lb. friend in desperate need of support...
I have a friend who is over 700lbs. and was taken in for WLS approximately 2 weeks ago. The surgery was aborted mid-stream because they found some liver problems. He is currently still on the ventilator and the hospital is saying they do not have a bed or chairs large enough to hold him. They said if they cannot wean him off the ventilator, they will have to move him to a nursing home, and the nearest one to us that can accommodate him is in Ohio (we are in Tennessee). His mother believes there is a hospital (Richard Simmon's?) in Nashville that can help him lose some of the weight and possibly get him in shape to have the WLS, but he needs to get off the ventilator for that to happen. Needless to say, he and the family are very distraught and looking for any type of support they can get. Has anyone here heard of this hospital in Nashville? I sure would like to get more information for them...any thoughts?? — missys828 (posted on June 10, 2003)
June 10, 2003
Im sorry I dont know the name of the hospital you are looking for. BUT,
just a thought - maybe if you also posted to this 'egroup' (
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WLS400plus/ it is for people 'over' 400
pounds; Im sure someone there might know.
The only encouragement I can give is FIGHT! My late husband was over 700
pounds, and sometimes while in the hospital we had to 'fight' just for
basic rights. I am shocked the hospital does not have a Bari bed... most
due; I know the hospital in Winston Salem NC does - and thats NOT tooo far
from you. Will loosing help is liver? Also, there are FEW surgeons in
the US that have alot experience doing patients over 500 pounds; so please
not to insult your surgeon BUT just how many has he done???? Might want to
contact Dr. Sugarman in Virgina; or Dr. Smith in Atlanta; or even the
doctors in "Wilmington' NC" At his weight the most important
thing is to get the surgery!!! Please consult with a second opion that has
had experience with people this weight. I hope everything goes well...
— star .
June 10, 2003
I agree with the previous poster about the bari-bed. I was in a relatively
small hospital after having my WLS, and they ordered a bari-bed for me. If
this hospital doesn't have the equipment, they should be able to get it. I
will keep your friend and his family in my thoughts and prayers.
— Want2bslim
June 10, 2003
Hi Missy, I tried to email you but apparently the server is having
problems. I know this may not be of help, but I decided to post anyway
because you never know, right?! Well my surgeon here in Arizona, Dr. Alan
Newhoff, told us in our group consultation that he performed successful wls
on a man who weighed 752 pounds. I know Arizona is SO far from Tennessee
(which, by the way, is SO beautiful -- went to Gatlinburg a year ago!), but
if you can't find a surgeon on your end of the country that can help your
friend at the weight he is at, he may want to consider making the journey
west for surgery. Dr. Newhoff is the most experienced bariatric surgeon in
Arizona, he has been doing this for 25 years and has done over 3000 wls
surgeries. He is also a trauma surgeon, so you know he can deal with
complications and emergencies! He is very nice, but expects strict
compliance with his rules for a successful recovery. Just something to
think about. Good luck!
— beeda
June 10, 2003
This may not be much help either but I agree that I have heard of a lot of
surgeons performing surgery on large patients. I know that my surgeon has
performed two on people over 700 pounds and there may be more that I do not
know of. Dr. Cook practices at the Ohio State University hospital in
Columbus Ohio
— Trin2rilax Cheryl McCoy
June 10, 2003
Hi Missy- So sorry that your friend is having such difficulties. How would
he and his family feel about going to the media with the problem?
Sometimes people who can help come forward, and also, institutions like
hospitals, nursing homes, etc tend to suddenly become helpful because they
are in the spotlight. Best of Luck! Mea
— Mea A.
June 10, 2003
First of all...why in the h*ll did the hospital admit him for surgery if
they didn't have accomadations for him??? Anyway, I agree the hospital can
rent larger special beds...my moms a nurse at a small city hospital and
they do it all the time. As for a hospital in Tennessee...isn't Vanderbilt
located there...I think they have a medical center. See if you can use the
GO LOCAL feature on this site for Tennessee. Best wishes for your friend.
— Sarahlicious
June 10, 2003
contact Baptist Hospital in Oxford, Mississippi. Dr. King is the WLS
surgeon there. In fact there is a special hospital ward for WLS patients
with extra large hydrolic bed, large wheel chairs, etc. It is a specialty
of that particular hospital. (about 45 minutes from Memphis.)
— Linda M.
June 10, 2003
Maybe try calling Dr. Frantzides (check my profile for his info) The day
before my consult he had done a 700# person..and done him LAP! At this
point, anythings worth a try. Good luck to you and your friend and God
bless:)
— kathy B.
June 10, 2003
My surgeon dr philip schauer in pittsburgh does the tough ones and
revisions. Highly experienced with complications. He does patients other
surgeons wouldnt do and people do great!
— bob-haller
June 10, 2003
I live in nashville.I do not believe there is any hospital here locally
associated with Richard Simmons.Centennial Hospital has it's own bariatric
wing,it is the third floor of Women's hospital(men are treated here as
well).My surgeon works out of this hospital,Dr.Dyer,Dr.Olsen.And yes we are
home to Vanderbilt.It is in my opinion one of the best hospitals in the
U.S. The doctors that work from there are Houstan and Wright.Both of these
hospitals are well equipped with larger beds and bariatric equipment.As a
matter of fact I visited my Doctors new office today and all his chairs in
the waiting room were 2 feet wide.Way to go Dr.Dyer...Best of luck to your
friend If I can answer any other questions,please feel free to contact me.
— Lisa B.
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