Are the doctors too quick to call you non-compliant?

Hi! I've been reading posts on some of the other Message Forums (Complications, WLS Regrets, etc.) and I've noticed a common theme. When someone isn't losing quickly or is regaining weight, instead of investigating problems like a stretched stoma, the doctors seem very quick to blame it on the patient. Has anyone here in DE had this problem? Were you having problems even though you were following doctor's orders but the doctor said you were non-compliant? I like to be taken seriously and I'm a little concerned about a doctor that would "blame the victim."

Cassandra, My advice is watch the messages you read on the main boards. I rarely go there cause of the negativity and ignorance of some people that have WLS. You know your body. I thank God for Dr's Irgau, Wynn and Brett. I experienced a constricted stoma at 4 weeks out. I would get in 1 mouthfull of food and it would get stuck at the base of my throat. I perservered for about 3 weeks like that. It wasn't normal. I kept thinking it was me eating too fast. As soon as I talked to Brett about it, he spoke to Dr. Irgau immediately & the next thing I know I was scheduled for an EGD 2 days later. No questions. No delays. They are ontop of things. But you have to let them know. Dr Irgau was able to stretch my stoma and things were okay again. Thank God I went cause they also found my BP was low and he immediately took me off the 2 BP meds. I think we are lucky to have them. They don't take chances. I would do this again in a heartbeat knowing what I know now. Elissa

Unfortunately there are alot of doc's in this world who are busy jumping on the surgery bandwagon for a quick buck. Those doctors tend to be completely ignorant in the lifestyle they are creating. Even scarier is that many patients are completely ignorant as to what they are and are not supposed to do. I don't know about you, but there is NO WAY I am going to rearrange my guts then come back in 4 weeks saying " what am I supposed to do now? " or "oh, nobody told me I needed vitamins" Or "when can I drink and suck down an entire pizza?" I think it's important that you have a good working knowlege of the surgery before you agree to have it. I also feel that it's critical that you have the utmost confidence in your surgeons abilities to not only perform the surgery, but to provide good follow up care for LIFE. It's up to the patient to educate themselves and be aware of their surgeons protocol BEFORE having this done. Dr's Irgau, Wynn ( and I assume Peter's, haven't met him yet ) have shown me nothing but realistic expectations as far as weight loss goes. Brett even says 1 - 2 pounds a week is fine, even tho most people lose more than that. Anyone I have heard of having any sort of complication, it has been dealt with quickly and as far as I know there was no finger pointing. I think that's probably a tactic of a less knowlegable doctor. Much easier just to blame the patient than address the problem, of course there are plenty of people who are noncompliant and will continue to be so now matter how good their surgeon is. It all basically boils down to a few simple things. Your attitude going into it, your attitude for the long haul, the willingness to do whatever it takes to educate yourself about the surgery and subsequent lifestyle changes, and being picky about your surgeon and just not going with the first fast guy with an OR opening. There are exceptions to everything, but for the most part, common sense rules the day in this or anything else we choose to do. Linda

Cassandra, I'm sure as with a lot of things this can depend on your doctor as well. Have you thought more on if you want to have the surgery - or what doctor you will chose? Dr. Wynn is just fabulous when it comes to any kind of concern you may have - question or problem. I've never ever had her "blame" me for anything.