Hi-I have 2 questions-has...

Hi-I have 2 questions-has anyone heard of the program at midstate medical center, and who you wouldl call. Also-I heard that UCONN's program is moving to NBGH. Anything on Dr. Giles? Jeanne

Ummm Jeanne, You might want to try contacting Paula S, she is having her surgery there on 16th in regards to Midstate. She said something they will not take you if you are over 50 yrs old or over 50 BMI. Uconn's program is moving to NBGH and I believe from reading previous posts Dr. Giles will not be doing surgeries until next yr because he is moving to NBGH. It is supposed to be overall a better program. Hope this helps. Toya

Maybe it's only me, but I don't understand this not taking anyone whose BMI is over 50. Isn't the surgery for people who especially need help, like with BMI's over 50?

When your BMI exceeds 50, the complication raises dramatically with higher numbers. Themore it goes up, the MUCH HIGHER the risks are. Peter

I understand that the risks are higher. But I don't understand doctors not wanting to what? Ruin their reputations? I thought doctors were supposed to help people, not play God.

I don't think it is an issue of just playing god. Or ruining their reputation either. To some extent, they play god every day. Reality sure finds a way to bring them back to human the hard way. When you get approved for the surgery, they examine for co-morbidities. Each and every one of those little problems add to the complications which someone has to face. When they examine all the details of each case, they have to play god and determine if someone is a good surgical canidate (risk) and will survive. What good would the surgery do if everyone who had it performed on them died on the table? What about 50%? Would you still be willing to take that high of a risk on yourself? How about 10% ? You may be willing to take the risk, but you are not the only person in the equasion. They have to live with themselves also. What kind of doctor would want to operate and constantly have their patients die? Would that be the surgeon you would trust your life with? In order to help people, they must survive. In order to survive, the must be a well qualified canidate. Peter

So people with BMI's over 50 and people over 50 years old shouldn't have the surgery? If that's the case, you cut probably half the people out. I would never say that someone with a BMI under 50 doesn't need the surgery. So people with BMI's over 50 are the only ones that have complications? I don't think so. The surgery itself is dangerous. Fortunately, my doc does not put this limitation on people, or I would be out of having surgery on the 18th since my BMI is over 50. It still sounds like a doc who is not experienced at this and is afraid to take the risk. I would rather have a doc who is secure enough in his/her skills to try rather than one who is not sure of themselves.

If things were just so cut and dry. You may not be aware of any cases, but the screening process for the surgery does eliminate people for a variety of reasons. BMI or age are not the only factors. Some people go through the entire process and decide not to have surgery at the last moment. I know Dr A. has operated on people with a BMI over 50 and over 50. Does it mean the risks are higher for them, certainly. The risks were higher just from being MO than being a normal sized person. The years of damage which our bodies have endured from the weight and the complications do add up quickly and make us far from ideal canidates for any surgery. I would rather have a Dr who errs on the side of caution. If he/she wants to "take the risk", risk it with someone else. I want to live, not die on the table or from a complication which was ignored. Peter

That is what I thought also Pam. I mean wouldn't it be the people over 50 bmi that would need it the most. I understand the risks but I am glad I got Dr. Aranow because my BMI is over 50.

Yes, the super morbidly need it even more. At what cost? Death? If someone has a BMI of 100, and every concievable co-morbidity, what are their chances to survive? When do you draw the line? Also, just because someone is SMO, do they need it (or deserve it) any more than someone who is just MO? Yes I trusted Dr A. with myself, wife and one child. I would block each and every one of you if I needed to get surgery again for any reason.