Channel 6 Story on Gastric Bypass Surgeon

Channel 6 did a story last night on Dr. Edward Tenewitz, a local Melbourne surgeon who specialized in Gastric Bypass surgery. I didn't see it myself last night but a friend called me this morning to let me know. Why? Because I was one of his supporters and appeared on camera(for like 5 seconds). I personally can't comment on what had happened to those who have sued him I CAN comment that prior to surgery I was informed, at length, of possible complications. Including the need for possible future revisions. Any, the link to the story is: http://www.local6.com/news/5283632/detail.html

Jason, I kept seeing the trailers for this story, but missed it. I'm always on the fence about these types of stories because the media has always played down the benefits of WLS and played up the risks and death statistics which aren't comparable to what I had found in my research. Aside from Al Roker , the media still doesn't support WLS as a viable option for the morbidly obese. Anyway, I have a couple friends who had their surgeries done by Dr. T and they are very pleased with his work and the staff there. I am sorry to see that he was singled out because EVERY doctor in this industry has been sued for one reason or another. I am sorry someone had complications from the surgery with Dr. T, but that is one of the many risks we face going into it. You have to honestly believe that you are willing to risk dying to get your life and health back? I still believe there is more to the story than the slanted version they played on the news. Amy

My sister works at one of the local hospitals and a friend works at the other where Dr. T did his surgeries. He lost privledges at one and then went to the other and did surgeries there for about a year before he lost priveldges there as well. Other friends who know people who work for the hospitals told me that when Dr T went to laperscopic instead of open, he had way too many complications and that is why he lost his priveledges at the hospitals. It is very difficult for doctors to lose their privledges at hospitals. Peer review boards are very hesitant to take doctors privledges away because they are the hospitals revenue. I know that Dr. T is compassionate, but to lose privledges at 2 area hospitals is just unheard of. I was originally trying to get Dr. T for my surgery, but thankfully, he wasn't taking new patients. I believe that I found the right surgeon for me in Dr. Overcash. He does this procedure open only due to complication rates with lap. I didn't see the report last night either but heard the trailer on it and wondered if it was Dr. T. I am sorry he is having so much trouble because I have another friend who works for him and says he is very compassionate. He did her surgery for her and she is doing great. However I am glad that things worked out differently for me. Lori 293/251.5/130

Thanks for bring this forward - I know it may not be a easy subject to talk about. However, when you practice with the public be that a doctor or lawyer or any business you are bound to have the good with the bad. We tend to hold someone like a doctor in higher regards because (and especially) in this case you are dealing with people's very lives. Mistakes can happen however a mistake of this kind is not what someone wants to happen because someone lost their life and in the noted article several people (obviously not at the same time) lost their lives. None of us would have wanted to be in that position or be those family members. We're seeing this from the outside and can comment til we're blue - I say I pray for both parties. For those who lost their lives, their families and for Dr. T and his family during this difficult time.