Freaking Out!!! Need Advice!

[Cupcake1986 1]

Hey everyone!! I am new at this and just need to hear some bandsters opinions!My surgery date is March 26th, so in the mean time I have been researching the odds and ends about the band and my doctor, I have heard great things and not so great things about my Dr., first off, he is extremely arrogant, not much of a people person but I have heard that he does a great job(so i've decided to give him a break on his lack of bed side manner), I have heard from one person that they were that 1% complication where their stomach was nicked and they got infected...this worries me, have any of you been operated by a doctor that had one or two complications with their patients. I have checked the Better Business Bureau and his state license and no law-suits or mal-practice suits have been filed, im not sure what other steps I should take to reassure myself that I will be in good hands when I go under the knife.... any advice or words would be so greatly appreciated!

[Astrasmom 1]

Hey everyone!! I am new at this and just need to hear some bandsters opinions!My surgery date is March 26th, so in the mean time I have been researching the odds and ends about the band and my doctor, I have heard great things and not so great things about my Dr., first off, he is extremely arrogant, not much of a people person but I have heard that he does a great job(so i've decided to give him a break on his lack of bed side manner), I have heard from one person that they were that 1% complication where their stomach was nicked and they got infected...this worries me, have any of you been operated by a doctor that had one or two complications with their patients. I have checked the Better Business Bureau and his state license and no law-suits or mal-practice suits have been filed, im not sure what other steps I should take to reassure myself that I will be in good hands when I go under the knife.... any advice or words would be so greatly appreciated!

As with any operation there are certain risks. Doctors are also human and some do unfortunately make errors once and awhile. I would say 1% is really nothing to freak out about. And as for the bed side manners. Some of the best doctors in the world are the ones that don't have a good bed side manner. There could be any number of reasons why the doctor made the error that he did. But I am sure that he has learned from his mistakes. At least you KNOW about the mistake. And it was a minor mistake. Infections can be cured. If I were in your shoes I would probably ask the same questions but I also think that I would be ok about it. I'm sure every doctor has made mistakes in his career. Many don't tell you about it. So there is no way of knowing unless they chose to share that with you. Do you know anyone else that has successfully had their surgery from this doctor?

I hope this helps. It really is a very easy procedure. Congratulations on your sugery.

[Cupcake1986 1]

THANK YOU!!!! for replying, this has been the most intense thought on my mind. I have heard great success stories and obviously the bad ones, obviously just like doctors are humans, every human is different, so each person that has had this procedure has had a different experience, I also think that those who have not had much/ or little success may transfer that anger toward the whole experience in general. He did not share that information with me I came across it while research those who went to my doctor, some of the individuals, one in particular that I met in person is doing great has lost 140 and did his surgery in Dec 2009 so I can't say I haven't seen it first hand. I am just really scared, this will be my first surgery and as he told me stop reading, which I understand because it builds more and more fears but I want to know what are the worst case scenarios so that i'm not in shock if it happens.

My really good friend told me the same thing, some of the best doctors are not the nicest! I guess for me, that i'm a baby about everything I expect for him to be caring and empathetic or something...lol

Again thank you for replying!

[rosstheboss 21]

Hi, It is good that you check out the surgen, your Dr should have a support group for those who have had the surgery. Look into it. Mine has one each month at the local hospital. Their you will meet others who have had surgery with this dr. So due check this out and go to the meeting. While it is a support group people who are thinking of surgery are welcome to attend and do so oftern. This is different than the Information meeting he may also have. I would not be too concerned with his bedside manner. Although nice, and mine had a great bedside manner you really spend so little time with him I would not be too concerned. You will probily not see him much after surgery. You may want to find out who does his fills, at my dr the Nurse does most of them and she is actually much better than the Dr! My Dr. Does not usually do fills, his time is to valuable etc. but dont want him to do them anyway.

Hope this help, please go to one of the support group meetings.

Take care

Ross

[Astrasmom 1]

THANK YOU!!!! for replying, this has been the most intense thought on my mind. I have heard great success stories and obviously the bad ones, obviously just like doctors are humans, every human is different, so each person that has had this procedure has had a different experience, I also think that those who have not had much/ or little success may transfer that anger toward the whole experience in general. He did not share that information with me I came across it while research those who went to my doctor, some of the individuals, one in particular that I met in person is doing great has lost 140 and did his surgery in Dec 2009 so I can't say I haven't seen it first hand. I am just really scared, this will be my first surgery and as he told me stop reading, which I understand because it builds more and more fears but I want to know what are the worst case scenarios so that i'm not in shock if it happens.

My really good friend told me the same thing, some of the best doctors are not the nicest! I guess for me, that i'm a baby about everything I expect for him to be caring and empathetic or something...lol

Again thank you for replying!

EVERYTHING you are feeling is normal. Fear is the biggest thing on everyone mind before the surgery. Don't worry you aren't weird or anything like that.

Every surgery has it's risks. Worst case scenario would of course be death but the percentage for that is VERY low. People have problems with Anesthia. Which minor problems with that would be upset stomach. Yes of course there is a chance (Although slight) of infection. But as I said if you have the same surgery that I did, there are only 5 holes. The largest hole is where the port is (mine is on the left side).

I would also suggest (as someone else did too) going to a local support group meeting if you have one in your area.

I had open heart surgery in 2001 for an Aortic Aneurysm and valve replacement. I survived lapband surgery on Oct. 23, 2009 with NO complications at all. The surgery lasts for about 1 hr. You will be in a little pain afterwards but that's what the pain medication is for. Get yourself some Gas-X strips for the gas pain and make sure you walk as much as possible to help move the gas around.

I sure hope that this has helped you a little bit. Keep doing your research. The doctor never should have told you to stop reading because that's how you learn. I hope that this has helped you a little. Good luck on your surgery.

[rosstheboss 21]

Hi again, yes we are all very different. The lapband was actually my first surgery too! I am 52 also. I when they were wheeling me into the OR I almost told them to stop! That I wanted to go home. I remember being given something going into the OR and telling them I could move over to the table, which I did. Last thing I rember untill I woke up. My Surgery was at 9:30 I was home by 2:00 PM Even stoped at the store with my wife. She was not happy about that. Their was some pain and discomfort the few days, hard to sleep but took my Pain med when I wanted to sleep for the first few days.

One other thing I wish someone had told me. Do not rush to eat too fast. I assure you that you will be able to eat regular type foods but due give yourself time. Especially as the first few week is a great time for weigh loss so dont rush it.