An Observation about Our Doctor

I am posting this here on the Delaware board. I didn't want to possibly offend anyone from someplace else but really felt the need to ask if anyone else had noticed this. When you are reading the main message board have you noticed how often you see posts from people saying they are newly ( or sometimes not so new) post-op and have NO CLUE what they are doing?? The "What am I supposed to eat" posts etc. I am absolutely floored that someone would enter into this without complete research on the ins and outs..as we can all see even the most prepared patients can run into potential problems. I also can't fathom someone using a surgeon that didn't have any sort of post-op game plan. Just reading those posts made me stop and thing, sometimes all the stuff at PMRI nd the specialists are a pain in the butt...and the followups required and the support groups etc, but I am SO thankful that the doctors we have chosen require these things as it makes the journey so much safer in the end. I guess it just amazes me at times when I think of the length that people will go to for help, and some of the what I consider to be downright dangerous surgeons jumping on a money bandwagon. Just some thoughts I was having. Ok thinking time over, it's back to last minute shopping! Have a great day all, Linda

I totally agree with you! As far as some of the surgery dates seem to us..and all the hoops we have to jump through. Well, I'm glad we are prepared for this journey. I just can't imagine going into this surgery without knowledge of your heart, lungs etc. All this should give us better piece of mind as we prepare for the surgery. I have a friend in another state having surgery soon, and was not required any of the clearances we have been required. Bottom line...I feel safer and much more aware of my health concerns and why this surgery is needed. THanks for posting this! Great observation! Hugs, Kimberly

Great Observation and Positive too. Makes good sense to me. I thought the same thing about some of the people posting and on the chat site. I also wondered why they didn't do more research themselves pre WLS. OBTW, Does anyone have a good food diary they are willing to share? Or will we get one from Dr. Irgau's office prior to surgery? EH

Hi Elissa, The nurse practitioner gave me one when I had my final appointment with Dr. Baag. It's one of the standard food diaries they use in their practice. She did make one change tho, it has a column where you list whatever feelings you were having when you ate...she asked that we write the amount of protein in that spot. If you didn't get one call PMRI, I'm sure they will mail one out to you. Your date is coming soon, are you excited?? Take care, Linda

I couldn't agree with you more!! It made me feel better that I was being checked out thoroughly. Although I truly believe in 'being your own advocate', there is only so much research I can do as a layman (and I do a LOT!)... I'm very thankful that Dr. Wynn and Dr. Irgau work in close cooperation with a multidisciplinary team...they don't just perform this surgery and leave you out there, hanging on your own. I, too, have seen those posts on the board regarding other 'practices'. In choosing Dr. Wynn and Dr. Irgau, we have all kinds of professionals (from cardiology to endocrinology, from dietician to nutrition, looking after us, both pre-op and post-op). And let's not forget the support groups!! I have never met more kindred spirits then on this board and other local support groups. I truly would not be where I am today without all of your wonderful friendship and support. So, in conclusion (and then I'll step off my soapbox!) the PMRI follow-through is very important to me. Do I want to pay extra out of my pocket for it...not necessarily, but I will. It's not that much...it just so happened that my insurance doesn't cover the psychologist and the nutritionist. Do I think that perhaps in the future there should be more options or perhaps these doctors could be active on most major medical plans. Yes. But it was a small price to pay for all that I've been given. (((hugs))) -Karen

Well, Linda obviously brought to words what we ALL were thinking. I agree although I still may complain about the many clearances. I like the safety issue here. When I began checking out this procedure it was with a "center" of some sort out of state. I now refer to them as a "chop shop" and am thankful for the program offered here.

I had thought the same thing myself. I was recently reading a profile where the person heard about the surgery this past fall, had her surgeons appt on 10/31 and had surgery beginning of Dec. WoW I first thought, then I thought OH MY. I'm upset with having to go through the cardiac cath, but after that I'll KNOW how my heart is and that it can handle the surgery. Happy Holidays to EVERYONE!

I agree - I love Dr. Wynn's office and PMRI. I remember a lady complaining at the support meeting that she had to go through a series of classes that PMRI is now having. And I remember thinging - you owe it to yourself to get all the information you can. It may cost $400 and that is not easy to come by for many of us but this is the rest of yor life you are talking about. It makes sense to be prepared. I don't necesarrily think badly of the people who have found themselves post op and wondering what to eat. I do think people should do research for themselves but so many people rely totally on their doctor's word. Any surgeon performing this surgery without making sur their patients are informed are doing them a serious diservice. I'm glad some of them have found their way here where they can get helpful information.

Linda, My two cents. I agree with your assessment. I feel privileged to have gone through the wringer with Dr. Wynn and Irgaau, and the host of people that saw me prior to the surgery. This is a life altering decision. The time it takes to schedule all of the heart and lung and PMRI appointments can really nag at you, but at least you know that when your on that surgical table they have all the proper information they need to get you through surgery. I also think that the extra time that it takes to schedule these appointments allows one to really get educated on the pre and post trials that you are set to embark upon. Thanks for listening, Rob