Feel Horrible

[notime 340]

I started asking questions and was able to get the bariatric coordinator to discuss the episode with the head of anesthesiology. He said that if he had been in the room that the procedure would have continued. He said that my surgeon made a judgement call and chose to stop the surgery, but that it wasn't necessary. I am fine with the surgery being stopped. If the surgeon felt like he and/or the anesthesiologist was too shook up and/or not prepared to continue, then he made the right call. He said that everyone does anesthesia differently and while the person doing mine didn't do anything, wrong, that most anesthesiologists would have pre-treated a person my age with a medication that would prevent my heart rate from dropping. Begs the question of why this isn't done for everyone??

My best friend had surgery Thursday, and everyone recognized me and came to me to talk about it. They acted like it was this huge thing and it seemed like everyone in the hospital knew about it. The reaction of various people in the hospital being so dramatic was more nerve racking than what actually happened. I am a little disappointed in the lack of professionalism, and irritated at the overall insensitivity of the hospital staff. No one should have approached me with "Oh my god--I can't believe what happened to you." I feel better after asking some questions, and they have assured me that the anesthesiology person assigned to my case on Monday will come up to the pre-op area and talk with me and my family before I go back. I think I am going to refuse to go down until this happens.

What a great plan for the surgery!

Like you, I can't believe a lot of people in the hospital knew that you had that problem. I can understand them knowing that it happened, but not to whom it happened. Sounds like a violation of the HIPAA privacy rule.

[Ready4success 380]

The fact that so many people knew about it is NOT surprising to me. I AM surprised that they acted so unprofessionally by letting you know that they knew about it. When something like that happens, it has to be documented, it goes to risk management, and everything gets rehashed numerous times to analyze any wrong doing and address whether anything could have been done differently. In other words, it is a BIG deal. On your next day of surgery, your team will be talking about it again, and they'll probably be freakishly cautious with everything, treat you with kid gloves, and meet your every need. When you get to the floor, the nurses there will know about it too, because it has been documented , they'll get the news in report, and they will have access to your records. This type of behavior by healthcare givers is normal, it's kind of our way of saying that we're going to take extra great care of you because of what happened. If you get annoyed, just tell them to leave you alone, we can be sickenly sweet sometimes. Once again, good luck and you'll wake up with your itty, bitty stomach. I know you'll do fine.

[Texarkolina 201]

The fact that so many people knew about it is NOT surprising to me. I AM surprised that they acted so unprofessionally by letting you know that they knew about it. When something like that happens, it has to be documented, it goes to risk management, and everything gets rehashed numerous times to analyze any wrong doing and address whether anything could have been done differently. In other words, it is a BIG deal. On your next day of surgery, your team will be talking about it again, and they'll probably be freakishly cautious with everything, treat you with kid gloves, and meet your every need. When you get to the floor, the nurses there will know about it too, because it has been documented , they'll get the news in report, and they will have access to your records. This type of behavior by healthcare givers is normal, it's kind of our way of saying that we're going to take extra great care of you because of what happened. If you get annoyed, just tell them to leave you alone, we can be sickenly sweet sometimes. Once again, good luck and you'll wake up with your itty, bitty stomach. I know you'll do fine.

I realize they need to know and use it as a learning experience. I wish they wouldn't share that they know with me and begin each statement with "Oh my gooooooddddddd..." like they are rehashing what they did on Saturday night. I know it was odd for me to be back in the surgical unit as a support person for my friend so soon, but it was unnerving to have my medical mishap discussed over and over like a bunch of teenage girls with some juicy gossip.

The surgeon said that he was going to meet me at the door and walk me through the whole thing. He also said, "you have our undivided attention now!" I guess I should look on it as a good thing that everyone is putting their A game up for the next surgery. Perhaps I will be in for a smoother ride.

[Izuri 428]

I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for your experience. That must have been very frightening and confusing, especially with everyone flocking to you after the surgery. I agree that it is unprofessional conduct, and I would let the clinic know that I felt uncomfortable about people coming up to me like that, despite their good intentions. I think it sounds like a good plan that you will refuse to go for further surgery until you have a plan in place and it is discussed. You deserve to be able to talk to your surgeon about what happened, and I don't think I would feel comfortable going back into surgery until I'd heard directly from him. I hope things go better this time and we're all here for you. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

[sandipq 8]

Wondering how you are doing after your second surgery date?

[Texarkolina 201]

Second surgery date was successful in that I am sleeved. It was pretty rough because they had to give me so much medication to keep my heart rate up during the surgery and didn't give me pain meds for a while after. I have never experienced pain and nausea (from the meds) anything like the few hours after surgery.

I came home on Wednesday, but was readmitted Sunday night for dehydration and shoulder pain. They were afraid that I could have a leak because I have so much pain in my left shoulder still. Tests were all negative. If I am still having pain on Wednesday he is going to send me to an orthopedic guy. They are wondering if they didn't damage my shoulder during chest compressions in the first surgery. This has been a horribly rough road, and I am a little glad I didn't know how bad it was going to be going in. Thus far today I have managed to get down a popsicle--that's it. The surgeon said it may take time but he has never seen it not get better. I am trying to have a positive attitude, but I am pretty miserable right now.

[sandipq 8]

So glad to hear that they were able to get you sleeved. I was thinking about you all week. I was sleeved on the 31st. No complications, but I too was surprised at how much pain I was in when I woke up too. I thought maybe they had forgotten to give me pain meds before they woke me up. I was also very nauseated which is very rare for me. It is all getting better each day though... Walking does really help the shoulder pain and I feel I can get more fluids in when I stand up. I keep trying to go without the pain meds, but then I don't feel like walking so just taking smaller doses so I feel like getting up and walking around. Hope you continue to improve too!

[jazzyjay 33]

Im sorry that you went through all of that but i am glad that you were able to finally get your sleeve. Best wishes on the rest of your journey!!