Questions after near death experiance in operating room?

[Katie713 423]

Whether one signs a waiver or not, things unintended happen. To those who minimize that, I hope for you that it doesn't happen to your loved ones, and then have someone tell you that you signed a waiver, so OH WELL. How insensitrive and out of touch you are. From one that has lost a loved one due to negligence I will tell you that we each have a right to get" litigious" if it is warranted. I fought for my children who lost their FATHER and rightly so the jury found in OUR FAVOR. How ridiculous to minimize someone elses pain and suffering!!

[caglefan69 37]

I have had 4 cesareans and the incision are approximately 2-3 inches above my pubic bone. I don't see why scar tissue there would pose a risk. Unless one has had a vertical c-section because of an emergency, Im totally perplexed as to how something like that could happen.

[MPrado 19]

I guess I am just confused because all of my scars from getting sleeved are well above the belly button. I have never had a c-section but wouldn't the scar tissue from that be much lower? I just assumed that they would not need to cross paths... But I could be way off base.

That's what I was thinking! I had three c-sections and with #2 and #3, they said I had a lot of scar tissue and had complications and drains upon recovery. When I feel my lower abdomen, I can feel a numb 4in section where my Dr said it was an accumulation of scar tissue. When speaking to my WLS Dr. he never showed any concern. And I was in and out and never even had pain in my lower abdomen. I think the Dr made an oops and looked for a way out! I would definitely look into it!

[cataro 39]

Whether one signs a waiver or not, things unintended happen. To those who minimize that, I hope for you that it doesn't happen to your loved ones, and then have someone tell you that you signed a waiver, so OH WELL. How insensitrive and out of touch you are. From one that has lost a loved one due to negligence I will tell you that we each have a right to get" litigious" if it is warranted. I fought for my children who lost their FATHER and rightly so the jury found in OUR FAVOR. How ridiculous to minimize someone elses pain and suffering!!

I, too, would persue legal channels after you are feeling better. No one here (as far as I know) is a medical malpractice attorney, and while their opinions are valid, they may be just that, opinions. If nothing else, action on your part may save another of this surgeon's patients and their families from the pain and torment you are experiencing.

[Kapoorvilla 117]

Hi everyone. Many have wondered how my c section could have caused the scar tissue. I dont know the answer so I thought I would give the details I have.

My C section was in 99. I was cut horizontally across just a few inches above pubic area. The outer scar looks normal and I have had no problems with pain from that scar, that is the only operation I have ever had. Before surgery I had a colonoscopy, endoscopy and swallowed a camera pill in efforts to find a source of a suspected internal bleed. I had low Iron on one of my labs from the surgeon and was having a lot of Constipation and some rectal bleeding. The results were slight hemerroids and some malformed viens in the small intestines. I was assured both of those were common and would cause no problem with WLS. No scar tissue mentioned in those test and all this was sent to my WLS surgeon. My Iron levels return to normal months before surgery.

The incesions from the WLS are above the c section by several inches. The long incesion where I was cut is from my belly button up to my chest. I am surprised the cut is not straight. There is a crooked shape like this > in the middle of straight line. Of course the cutting of the bowel must have happened through one of the small incesion and becauce it was a "bleeder" the surgeon must have been in quite a hurry to make the longer cut to repair and that must explain the lack of straightness.

I must admitt until I heard from others who have had multiple c sections and some with c section and hysterectomy or other types of surgery in the abdomen area I didn't question the "scar tissue" statement. Now I do because how come my one surgery caused scar tissue but I have had no problems from that surgerical sight in over 13 years.

I guess none of the tests I had done or the chest X-ray or that full body idex scan showed up scar tissue.

Many are debating weather or not I should seek legal counsel, this is more about discovery of what really happened to me and why it happened. I am not to the step of deciding those issues because I don't even know what happend. I go in next Thursday and I am going to ask for the recording of the surgery and see where that leads me.

Thank you to those who realize that my pain and suffering is real and merely signing a paer does not put me helpless to hold this "center of excellence" accountable for their care or lack there of me during this surgery. Do you guys really think malpractice only takes place if you forget to sign consent? Really?

I am in no way saying my case was malpractice. I do not know that, I am very much wanting to rest my mind that it was not but I just do not know yet.

[Kammie726 8]

Scar tissue is caused anytime they enter the abdominal area and can cause your internal organs to move upwards so even if your scar isn't in "that" area doesn't mean your surgery didn't change things internally is the way it was explained to me

[Kapoorvilla 117]

Kammie

I do remember the surgeon saying everything was pushed upwards. Thank you for that input. An MRI to see what he was cutting into could have saved everyone so much trauma.

[Kammie726 8]

Yes it sounds like so I know they asked me over and over about previous surgeries I think he didn't want to be surprised either when he got in there! Luckily I had natural child birth and no abdominal surgeries before I remember the nurse saying if I did the orangs can be pushed upwards and be at the top and it would take longer if he had to move them down ... on another note im praying for you and thank god how luck I was I thought I had it rough because of a wreck a week prior seems like a drop in the hat compared to your story

[Barisaxylady 154]

Come to think of it, my surgery was done on an incline. My feet had to be on a ledge before I went to sleep. My lowest scar is in line with mt belly button and the highest sits right where my bra sits. Really doesn't sound right that scar tissue from a c- section would intrude. I agree, see legal advice. Can't hurt. Best of luck. These surgeons have o learn to be responsible for their actions.

[outrigger42 58]

Please let us know what the outcome of your appointment is. I in no way meant to minimize your suffering. I was just shocked that you hadn't been made aware that this was a possibility during the informed consent. My insurance is Kaiser and they make us take a bunch of classes to be prepared for all the consequences of this surgery. They explained that we are at risk for bowel perforations because unlike normal weight people, our insides are covered with fat and make the instruments slippery. Put some tough scar tissue in there and the risk is higher. They also emphasized that all those bad things the surgeon tells us about are not to cover his behind but to help us make a choice if we want to take the risk.

If your surgeon did something negligent then you certainly are entitled to compensation. If your complication was in the realm of risk maybe not. You at least deserve an explanation of what happened.

[Kapoorvilla 117]

I think the whole "you will breeze right through" thing was played up while complications, where always followed by but that is less than 1% and happens in patients who have other severe health issues don't worry you will do fine!

Not to mention this whole mentality of herding us through in groups with our check list of standard test to be done. I think it would improve the experiance greatly if there was individual care. Each of us on our own path not shuffling through as groups of cattle headed to market. That is the way it feels looking back. I got caught up in the sale of the program and willing drunk the kool-ade believing this was going to be the best thing ever and I would breeze right through.

[lessofmeismore 1,405]

I had a hernia repair across from my belly button and also a hysterectomy with endometriosis scraped from my bladder, intestines, etc and fibroid tumors removed and bladder repair all prior to my WLS.

I listed them as prior surgeries and that was it. I'm sure I had lots of scar tissue. My stomach looked like I had been in a knife fight and lost badly.

I am so thankful I came through it and I am so sorry for people who suffer complications.

I do want to add I have 6 small incisions verses the 5 most have, perhaps my Dr. looked around prior to the actual removal? I'm unsure but my surgery was very standard, didn't take very long to get in and out of the OR

[Kapoorvilla 117]

I am glad things went well for you. Wondering why one little C section put me in such a fix.

[lessofmeismore 1,405]

I'm wondering as well. I sure hope you find out. I did watch a video of a live VSG surgery and I remember when I was watching...thinking to myself when they push in the instruments they come sooooo close to our organs and intestines. I wish I could find the post here on VST so you could watch it as well. It's very interesting.

Have you had a chance to watch a surgery performed?

[Katie713 423]

Anatomically we are all unique, that probably plays a huge part in what surgeons face when they enter the body with instruments, but I thought the camera preceeds the actual surgical instruments. The camera records the internal movement that is watched on a screen by the surgeon.

When a lawsuit ensues, an investigation proceeds to examine all the forensic evidence by professionals to determine if there was evidence of neglect or other factors or may reveal an anotomical issue that would have been hard to detect. If you feel that there is any doubt, it doesn't hurt to seek the guidance of an attorney. It doesn't mean anyone is at fault at this point, it investigates the actual evidence, the history of the surgeon and the attending staff.

Good luck whatever you decide!!