My Friend

[nursecyndiwlpn 0]

I just want people to know a little about my friend. Her name is Tabatha and she had her lap band surgery back in October. 3 days following the release from the hospital, Tabatha was back in with pneumonia and then what appears to be a staph infection, even though the hospital refused to tell the family what type of infection it was. She began to have blood clots throughout her body. After being in the hospital since October thru February, multiple times in rehab at the hospital and in the ICU because she coded several times, Tabatha passed away this past Sunday morning on Feb. 21, 2010. Please, please, please, if you have any type of pre-existing medical problems, disclose them with your surgeon prior to having the surgery. Tabatha was 39 years old. Her funeral is this Saturday. She would have given you anything that she had and fought fiercely to protect those that she loved. She was married and had two beautiful children. Again, don't hide your problems from your surgeon. They can't help you if you aren't truthful.

[Marine mom 3]

I'm sorry about your friend. Did she not disclose something to her surgeon/docs?

[Blaze21 5]

I just want people to know a little about my friend. Her name is Tabatha and she had her LAP-BAND® surgery back in October. 3 days following the release from the hospital, Tabatha was back in with pneumonia and then what appears to be a staph infection, even though the hospital refused to tell the family what type of infection it was. She began to have blood clots throughout her body. After being in the hospital since October thru February, multiple times in rehab at the hospital and in the ICU because she coded several times, Tabatha passed away this past Sunday morning on Feb. 21, 2010. Please, please, please, if you have any type of pre-existing medical problems, disclose them with your surgeon prior to having the surgery. Tabatha was 39 years old. Her funeral is this Saturday. She would have given you anything that she had and fought fiercely to protect those that she loved. She was married and had two beautiful children. Again, don't hide your problems from your surgeon. They can't help you if you aren't truthful.

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend.

[BetsyB 9]

I'm so, so sorry about your friend. What a tremendous loss.

Hospitals can't divulge patient information to family members without the patient's permission. It's a terrible position to be in as a healthcare worker, and VERY frustrating to family and friends. But unless she designated someone her healthcare proxy, or she was incompetent (when next-of-kin usually becomes healthcare proxy, in the absence of another designated individual), the information is confidential. (There are certain other circumstances in which it is permissible to share information--but they are proscribed by law.) In a situation where there is a rapid, rapid decline that lead to death, family often learns, very sadly, from the death certificate.

People do become angry when the hospital seems to be withholding information, because it seems as though something is being hidden. But really---it protects patient privacy.

You say that it's important to divulge all health information to doctors. I agree completely. But did Tabatha withhold information?

[LeighaMason 19]

Thank you for your post. I am a firm believer that people who are considering the lap band need to hear all sides of the story, not just the rosy, I lost 100 and I couldn't be happier side. I knew I was risking death when I had the surgery but I felt it was worth the risk. Please express our condolences to the family.

By the way, I have a lot of respect for the way you express your grief, I have seen posts like this in the past where the family was mad at the Doctors, Hospitals, etc instead being disappointed at the of the situation. My heart goes out to you..

[illuminationlady 7]

So, so sorry for your loss...I will say prayers for you and yours...

[nursecyndiwlpn 0]

Yes, there were some pre-existing medical complications that she failed to mention and didn't think that it would be pertinent to the surgery. These things were very important and have cost her and those who love her dearly because of it. There are some in her family that are wanting to lash out at the medical professionals but after discussion, it was deemed not necessary. This was her decision. She suffered full kidney failure about 3 weeks following the surgery. Thank you for your prayers as the family and her friends definitely need them.

[neyad 0]

Are you able to devulge what her pre-existing problems were?

[waynooo 1]

RIP Tabatha, may peace be with your family and friends.

Edited March 12, 2010 by waynooo
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[mominkansas 2]

So sorry to hear about your friend. What a terrible outcome.

[larae 0]

Thank you for sharing your story. I am so sorry for your loss.