Saw my doc; she recommended a surgeon - but found this Tweet by him! Not sure I like this guy much

[TracyBar 132]

Well now I'm feeling pretty crappy. My doc's office called me today and said that this particular surgeon doesn't do Gastric Sleeve! I can't believe it. When my doc recommended him and referred me to him I expected she knew he did do sleeve. He only does lap band and I'm just not interested in that. She said that I can go through the 'system' and get it for free - in about 3 years+! I said, no, I'm self-pay because at 54 I'm not waiting for years to get this done. So she said my doc isn't back until next Tuesday (she wrecked her back on her holiday) so she'll spend today and Monday trying to find another option. There are two other big cities in my province that may do it - don't know yet for sure. If not, I'll be flying to Montreal where I know a surgeon will do it and pretty fast - 1 month from phone consultation (Montreal is a long way away from me so it'll be a phone consult for $250.). My doctor didn't like the idea of me going out of province and I don't want to either - but if it's my only option then I will. She said - "who will take care of you post-op? It's better to see the actual surgeon". I agree. But a lot of people go to Mexico and they have to do long distance post-op - and I'd rather stay in Canada if I have a choice. Sigh... this is a big let down for me....

[leebick 448]

How disappointing! Hang in there, though, and something will work out. Have you tried searching online to find a surgeon in your province that does sleeve surgery?

I just had an issue with my surgeon and had to postpone surgery. My MIL had open heart surgery 16 days after my scheduled sleeve surgery. She's 83, needed 2 valves, double bypass, and an ablation, and there was no way I wasn't going to be there. Well... my surgeon prohibits air travel for 6 weeks post surgery. I KNOW that people go to Mexico and fly home 2 or 3 days later- but this was the surgeon's rule and even though it seems foolish to me, I rescheduled. This is kind-of like your doctor's question "Who will take care of you post-op?" Well, who takes care of all the folks who have surgery in Mexico? THEIR DOCTORS AT HOME. People fly to Mexico, have gastric surgery, fly home a couple of days later, and somehow manage to survive and thrive despite their surgeons being out of country, despite having to fly. You'd think the surgeons here would realize this and be a little more open-minded.

Keep your faith... this is going to happen for you. If you have to go out of province for the surgery, DO IT. You'll get there, one way or another.

(and for the record, I thought the tweet was funny. My husband teaches college and friends are always sending him cartoons and jokes about underachieving students with bad attitudes. Doesn't mean my husband feels that way about his kids!)

[TracyBar 132]

How disappointing! Hang in there, though, and something will work out. Have you tried searching online to find a surgeon in your province that does sleeve surgery?

I just had an issue with my surgeon and had to postpone surgery. My MIL had open heart surgery 16 days after my scheduled sleeve surgery. She's 83, needed 2 valves, double bypass, and an ablation, and there was no way I wasn't going to be there. Well... my surgeon prohibits air travel for 6 weeks post surgery. I KNOW that people go to Mexico and fly home 2 or 3 days later- but this was the surgeon's rule and even though it seems foolish to me, I rescheduled. This is kind-of like your doctor's question "Who will take care of you post-op?" Well, who takes care of all the folks who have surgery in Mexico? THEIR DOCTORS AT HOME. People fly to Mexico, have gastric surgery, fly home a couple of days later, and somehow manage to survive and thrive despite their surgeons being out of country, despite having to fly. You'd think the surgeons here would realize this and be a little more open-minded.

Keep your faith... this is going to happen for you. If you have to go out of province for the surgery, DO IT. You'll get there, one way or another.

(and for the record, I thought the tweet was funny. My husband teaches college and friends are always sending him cartoons and jokes about underachieving students with bad attitudes. Doesn't mean my husband feels that way about his kids!)

Hi Leebick - really sorry about having to delay your surgery but I understand why. Family is worth it. Are you in Canada? And if so, where do you live and where is the surgery? The surgeon in Montreal prefers out of town patients stay 2 days in a hotel after discharge from his clinic (there for 2 days). It's in order to make sure you are not experiencing issues and because it's also more comfortable to fly at 4 days out. I do want a surgeon that has a lot of experience with this surgery. I'll have to wait until I hear back from my doc I guess

[lrmd 28]

I know I may be in the minority, but I thought the post was insulting and in poor taste. People in the medical field should show compassion and understanding for their patience. I'm sorry this surgeon didn't work out for you, but I think you'll find the right person who will treat you with compassion and not as a punch line.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

*patients

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[leebick 448]

Hi Leebick - really sorry about having to delay your surgery but I understand why. Family is worth it. Are you in Canada? And if so, where do you live and where is the surgery? The surgeon in Montreal prefers out of town patients stay 2 days in a hotel after discharge from his clinic (there for 2 days). It's in order to make sure you are not experiencing issues and because it's also more comfortable to fly at 4 days out. I do want a surgeon that has a lot of experience with this surgery. I'll have to wait until I hear back from my doc I guess

How disappointing! Hang in there, though, and something will work out. Have you tried searching online to find a surgeon in your province that does sleeve surgery?

I just had an issue with my surgeon and had to postpone surgery. My MIL had open heart surgery 16 days after my scheduled sleeve surgery. She's 83, needed 2 valves, double bypass, and an ablation, and there was no way I wasn't going to be there. Well... my surgeon prohibits air travel for 6 weeks post surgery. I KNOW that people go to Mexico and fly home 2 or 3 days later- but this was the surgeon's rule and even though it seems foolish to me, I rescheduled. This is kind-of like your doctor's question "Who will take care of you post-op?" Well, who takes care of all the folks who have surgery in Mexico? THEIR DOCTORS AT HOME. People fly to Mexico, have gastric surgery, fly home a couple of days later, and somehow manage to survive and thrive despite their surgeons being out of country, despite having to fly. You'd think the surgeons here would realize this and be a little more open-minded.

Keep your faith... this is going to happen for you. If you have to go out of province for the surgery, DO IT. You'll get there, one way or another.

(and for the record, I thought the tweet was funny. My husband teaches college and friends are always sending him cartoons and jokes about underachieving students with bad attitudes. Doesn't mean my husband feels that way about his kids!)

I live in northern Maine and am having my surgery in Bangor. I made the right call about postponing for so long, though. My mother-in-law did OK with her surgery but she's 83 and it's never easy. We were with her at Cleveland Clinic for 6 days, but they can't stabilize her heart rate- she's still there, 13 days in all, so far. I'm going back out for a week, and may try to sneak in another week just before surgery (if I can get FMLA and my principal is OK with it). However, I am not postponing my surgery again. I realized that part of the reason it's been so easy for me to postpone was my discomfort with giving over control of my body to a medical team for a couple of days. After seeing what my dear, sweet mother-in-law put herself through to be healthy and stay alive, I realized I can SO do this… and really, really want to.

[TracyBar 132]

I live in northern Maine and am having my surgery in Bangor. I made the right call about postponing for so long, though. My mother-in-law did OK with her surgery but she's 83 and it's never easy. We were with her at Cleveland Clinic for 6 days, but they can't stabilize her heart rate- she's still there, 13 days in all, so far. I'm going back out for a week, and may try to sneak in another week just before surgery (if I can get FMLA and my principal is OK with it). However, I am not postponing my surgery again. I realized that part of the reason it's been so easy for me to postpone was my discomfort with giving over control of my body to a medical team for a couple of days. After seeing what my dear, sweet mother-in-law put herself through to be healthy and stay alive, I realized I can SO do this… and really, really want to.

Hi Leebick - really sorry about having to delay your surgery but I understand why. Family is worth it. Are you in Canada? And if so, where do you live and where is the surgery? The surgeon in Montreal prefers out of town patients stay 2 days in a hotel after discharge from his clinic (there for 2 days). It's in order to make sure you are not experiencing issues and because it's also more comfortable to fly at 4 days out. I do want a surgeon that has a lot of experience with this surgery. I'll have to wait until I hear back from my doc I guess

How disappointing! Hang in there, though, and something will work out. Have you tried searching online to find a surgeon in your province that does sleeve surgery?

I just had an issue with my surgeon and had to postpone surgery. My MIL had open heart surgery 16 days after my scheduled sleeve surgery. She's 83, needed 2 valves, double bypass, and an ablation, and there was no way I wasn't going to be there. Well... my surgeon prohibits air travel for 6 weeks post surgery. I KNOW that people go to Mexico and fly home 2 or 3 days later- but this was the surgeon's rule and even though it seems foolish to me, I rescheduled. This is kind-of like your doctor's question "Who will take care of you post-op?" Well, who takes care of all the folks who have surgery in Mexico? THEIR DOCTORS AT HOME. People fly to Mexico, have gastric surgery, fly home a couple of days later, and somehow manage to survive and thrive despite their surgeons being out of country, despite having to fly. You'd think the surgeons here would realize this and be a little more open-minded.

Keep your faith... this is going to happen for you. If you have to go out of province for the surgery, DO IT. You'll get there, one way or another.

(and for the record, I thought the tweet was funny. My husband teaches college and friends are always sending him cartoons and jokes about underachieving students with bad attitudes. Doesn't mean my husband feels that way about his kids!)

Good for you! There comes a time when we women need to put ourselves first. I'm at that point in my life. I have 3 kids and my youngest just turned 11. But my older kids are 25 and 22 so I've been parenting a long time! And have given over my life for a long time - time for me! (and it's not easy doing it but I know it'll be worth it)