Message from Dr. Procter about Dateline

I do not monitor the message boards on this website routinely, but since many of our patients are responding with support to the Dateline show, I felt it would be appropriate to clarify a few things. I agreed to do the interview only because I thought it would be a means of informing a national audience that there are risks involved in bariatric procedures, even in the very best programs. Unfortunately, that was not the agenda of NBC's Dateline staff. Realize, as pointed out in the piece, that the patient profiled worked for GE, which owns NBC. What a coincidence. This patient had attended several of our informational meetings. The particular meeting they mentioned, however, was a reunion for our post op patients. What was referred to as a "cheerleading session" was just our patients getting a chance to show off their accomplishments. This patient was a very intelligent, motivated individual, and wrote a four page letter of understanding about the surgery and risks thereof. He was in the highest risk group for complications (older, super obese men), and was also at highest risk for complcations of his disease. It is telling, I believe, that a co-worker of his underwent the surgery after his death, and she stated to me that his wife was supporting her. I was trained in bariatric surgery in the 1970's by Dr. Ward Griffen, one of the grandfathers of bariatric surgery. I was doing bariatric surgery when very few surgeons in the country were doing it. Our mortality rate is very low, 3/1000. Our leak rate is also very low. We test the anastamosis in the operating room on every case, and then test it once again the morning after surgery with an x-ray test. Even then, patients can very rarely develop a late leak. The importance of this is having the experience to recognize a leak and treat it. The patient profiled had his leak successfully treated, but developed a bleeding duodenal ulcer which has nothing to do with his bypass. We had to stop the blood thinner which all of our patients are on to help prevent blood clots, due to the bleeding. When the ulcer bled again, he had to be operated on to suture the bleeding ulcer. It was then that he had the clots to the lung. The most disturbing aspect of this program to me, is that any patient who has been educated by their surgeon could doubt their decision based on this story. All of us as bariatric surgeons have lost patients to complications. Three in 100 patients undergoing heart bypass will die, and 5 in 100 patients undergoing aortic aneurysm will die. I think the fact that we are operating on the group of patients with the highest risk of complications was not mentioned in the Dateline story. I hope that those of you, and your families, are angered by the fact that this is another example of not recognizing morbid obesity as a lethal disease. The National Institute of Health has shown the you cannot control the disease yourself, and the only alternative is surgery. I agree with the person who said that patients need to seek out a surgeon with experience in bariatrics, as there are too many people injured by non-experienced surgeons. This is what has led to some insurance companies deciding it is OK to discriminate aginst morbidly obese patients and deny coverage for the surgery. In response to the statement about the name of our practice being ObesitySolutions and that somehow was a marketing ploy, when I left my former group because they were not bariatric surgeons and were therefore not comfortable taking care of them on call, I incorporated as the Vascular Disease Institute. (I am specialty trained and board certified in general surgery, critical care and vascular surgery). This was confusing to patients who were bariatric patients. When we developed the full program of preop and postop care, we designated that part of the practice ObesitySolutions. I have one associate who is a bariatric surgeon and one who is a vascular surgeon. This helps by keeping some separation of the practice in the two areas. As far a marketing goes, I feel that there is a difference in telling people about your interests and expertise (marketing) and advertising. That being said, please notice that you don't see obesity solutions billboards or flags at the top of this page. I spent a lot of time making our website informational and not an advertisement. I am proud of our practice and the sensitivty with which patients are treated. I am grateful to our hospital , which has spent lot of money to assure the best of care for the bariatric patient. Dan Procter, MD, FACS

Dear Dr Proctor. I watched the Dateline Program and I had surgery on Oct 25th by Dr Duncan. I have heard good things about you and I have heard some unpleasent things about Dr Duncan. I am pleased with my surgery outcome. Dr Duncan insisted before surgery that we have a meeting to discuss the problems that can occur because of WLS. I do not know you. however, from what I have heard you are a fine surgeon and you inform your patients about the risks. I understand that Dateline needs to filled its program with controversal topics. Being a new-be I knew the risks, I was scared and still chose to have the surgery. And this is what Dateline should have instilled on its tv watchers. Obese people are willing to take chances even die to become healthy. Sincerely, Charlene

I started watching the show and darned if I didn't fall asleep! Usually I tape what I am watching at night just in case I fall asleep! Anyhow, I read about the show at: msnbc.msn.com/id/3032600/ Put the http:// in front. It could have been a great show, but what the news shows thrive on is controversy. Unfortunately, WLS is a very controversial subject. Patti

I did no****ch the Dateline show as I've already had my surgery. Even though I used another doctor, I started with you and attended a couple of your seminars. I was very impressed with you, your practice, your staff, and your attitude about helping the MO get healthy. I know several people who have used your practice and have heard nothing bad about it. I'm sorry that Dateline felt the need to portray your practice the way they did. The only reason I changed to another surgeon was because of insurance issues. I hope that those of us in the WLS community will remember that the news media often invents controversy where none is warrented. Ann in Duluth

Dr. Procter, I had my surgery a little over a year ago with Dr. Champion. I am so sorry that Dateline felt the need to put you on the spot about the man's death like they did. I did a lot of research before my surgery and there is no way that that family did not know of the risks involved. I am sorry for the widow, her family and all others involved but placing the blame on a Dr. or practice is not going to heal her pain. I looked at the story as her being a grieving widow and nothing more. I admire that you would be interviewed on tv and respond here. I hope this does not cause any harm to your practice as your record speaks for itself. People who truly have obesity issues understand that there is a risk of death----no one wants to see it happen but to claim to be misinformed after the fact---I hope people will realize that is just not true. I, for one, would like to thank you for your services to the medical community and I wish you much success with your practice.

Dr. Procter, I want to thank you in responding to the recent show on gastric bypass. I also wanted to add that I was considering going to you for the surgery and only because I was able to find someone locally I didn't go. However if it had got down to it you were certainly HIGHLY recommended by several of your patients. I can understand how hard it must be on you to have a patient lose their life from this surgery. I don't feel you are promoting this surgery to anyone and most seek your help because they know and understand the need to have this. I feel so bad for the loss of your patient. You do come highly recommended and your surgery skills are among the best. I realize that Dateline was trying to show the good and the bad of this surgery. I commend you for coming on here to tell us your side and also showed the experience that you do have, which is outstanding. Even the very very best surgeon's can lose a patient and I hate this happened to both you and Mike's family. Amy

Dr. Proctor, I am an Obesity Solutions patient (Dr. Richard was my surgeon, but I have spoken to you over the telephone when I was nervous about this or that and you were more than helpful.) I did not get to watch the show, but I read the transcript off the website and have already shared how angry I am about this. One of your patients scheduled to have surgery tomorrow, was a bit nervous, and I called her last night and gave her all the reassurance I could. She DID say she felt better afterwards. I would VERY much like to email the Dateline staff and let them know how COMPLETELY INACCURATE their portrayal of you and Obesity Solutions was. At this point, the only email I have is [email protected]. However, if you happen to have a name or a better email address of someone who might pay attention, I would LOVE to give them a piece of my mind. WHY WHY WHY do they ONLY do shows to glorify the deaths? When ALL they have to do, is come on this site and find THOUSAND UPON THOUSANDS who can give them the most GLORIOUS success stories? All they do is feed the insurers who want to deny coverage with reasons, without even showing what kind of life we would have had WITHOUT the surgery. I for one, can say with certainty, that I probably would not have lasted another 5 years, and I was 41 when I had my surgery. Now, I am almost halfway to goal, (90 pounds down and 110 to go) and feeling AMAZING!! Is it always easy? NO! Do I miss some foods? YES! However, what I DON'T miss is not being able to stand and talk to someone for longer than 45 seconds and then the excrutiating pain in my back would start. I don't miss my knees swelling up 3 times their normal size, just cuz I either sat at my desk to long, or walked at the mall too long. I don't miss the fact that I was seriously thinking of ordering a motorized wheelchair. I don't miss the fact that I am no longer a bump on a log at my son's marching band events, I am now in charge of SEVERAL of the fundraiser or prop preparations. I don't miss the fact that I could not breathe due to my asthma getting worse and worse. I could not walk up my own driveway without having an asthma attack. Now, I have taken a hike at a state park, and never hit my inhaler ONE TIME! I could go on and on and on and on....but more than anything else, I LOVE my new life, and how it is getting better and better everyday! I'm sorry for the long diatribe, but I was outraged at the portrayal. If you have a contact, I wish you would email me the address, so I could share my opinion with them. THank you for all you do. We here that HAVE researched this surgery and lifestyle know what reality is, as opposed to an uneducated public. -Tami Richards Surgery on 7-13-04 340/250/140

Dear Dr. Proctor, I watched the show also and was a little nervous when it went off but I got to thinking, I have researched this surgery for 2 years and have been to 4 of your informational meetings with different family members of mine & you are the only Dr. I want doing my surgery. Your office is out of my network with my insurance Co. & so many people have said you need to find a Dr. in the network so you won't have to pay so much out of your pocket, but the way I look at it is I will pay whatever I have to to get the best care I can get & I feel like you & your bariatric team will do that. Also Lisa Whitt, she is a good friend of mine & she keeps calling me & asking me when I am gonna have the surgery. She said she would be their with me during the surgery even if she is not scheduled to work, & that makes me feel even better. I am putting everything into your hands & God's hands & I know everything will go just fine. Thanks for listening, Tammy Gunter

Dear Dr. Proctor, I am approximately 1 year post op and 105 lbs. down. I'm not skinny but I am certainly more healthy. My life before surgery was basically non-existent. My husband took care of my children and house. No one can convince me that this surgery was not a medical necessity...I was disabled! As far as the cheerleading is concerned...why not? We have all struggled to regain control of this part of our life and the only way we can get this is through surgery. People who have had the surgery have come to the decision that this is the only way to continue with life. We've all tried every diet there is and have failed miserably. Don't think for a minute that we don't appreciate everything you've done for us and those that you've performed surgery on. Society has long been against the obese. This is just one step further they have to extend their cold welcome. No one understands the emotional and physical struggles that the obese patient goes through. The sense of failure that we experience on a daily basis. It even extends after surgery as well. Even though I've lost 105 lbs., I'm still obese! That is very discouraging to me but at the same time, I'm thankful that I'm not where I used to be...DISABLED! I can live life now. Maybe not as society dictates....but never-the-less I can live and see my children grow up and be a part of that life. Don't ever be discouraged in what you are doing...you're giving life to those who had no hope. Thank you for all that you're doing! I pray that you prosper in all that you do! Sincerely, Phyllis Vail