LEX HEARLD ARTICLE NOT TRUE

October 17th, front page article about Gastric bypass patients suing doctors at St Joseph East Center for Weight Loss Surgery has many points that I must take issue with..... My experience was totally opposite from the claims that doctor's did not warn of the risks of WLS... From the introductory seminar through the last consult with the doctor I was was made well aware of the risks, over and over again. The Center for Weight Loss Surgery stresses education and being well informed about risks of the surgical procedure and lifestyle changes to expect afterwards. Dr. Stiener is the most compassionate and caring doctor I have ever dealt with but he was quite straight forward about the risks involved with MY DECISION to have this surgery. I know that those patients in this article had a bad experience, but there is no way that they were not informed many times during the grouling approval process, about the risks and the possibilities of complications. St Joe East Center for Weight Loss Surgery has had hundreds of success stories but this article and writer gave a unfavorable slant to a great program. Weight Loss Surgery has and will continue to literally SAVE the lives of people like me who CHOSE to make a scarey and life altering decision to take back their life from OBESITY. Sorry for the Sermon, just defensive about "my" program.

Good for you Kim. Why not share your story with the writer of the article? (Not trying to be a smartbutt.) Sometimes ~~ not good investigative reporting ~~ they only listen to the complainers. Since medical records are private, ~~again, not good investigative reporting~~ maybe they didn't interview anyone with a positive story. Just a thought. God Bless.

I know how you feel. My experience with Dr. Steiner and "my' program was the same. I feel they went above and beyond to explain the risks. I feel bad that the lady's lawyer even took her case cause when it all comes out, he is going to feel stupid. Funny, this story came out just days after Our program and hospital was named "Center of Excellance". There are only twenty in the U.S. and the award was based on many aspects. They have done twice the number or surgeries than any other hospital so I guess it had to happen that someone was not happy with their surgery. I am so sorry for the loss of the man that died but if I read it correct, his family is not suing .

I couldn't agree with you more. I did not see the original article in the paper, I did not find out about it until the support meeting last night where it was a really hot topic. I have since read the article online and feel that this reporter really needs to see the other side of the story. As was brought up in the meeting, I think she should be invited to a special meeting where she could meet many of us who have gone through the program and find out firsthand from MANY people just what the educational aspect of pre-op entails. I told my husband about this last night and he (who was at the introduction seminar with me and several of my pre-op appointements) agrees that the persons involved in this lawsuit are either delusional or quite simply were so set on having the surgery that they either chose not to hear that part or were not paying attention when the potential risks were detailed. Not only that, but in the "BARIATRIC BIBLE" that we are ALL given before surgery, there is the request form for RNY Gastric Bypass Surgery that specifically details the risks of a technical nature (8 are listed specifically, plus it mentions that there may be others). It ends with "Finally, I am aware that it is even possible that under the very worst of cir****tances, these complications could result in my death despite the optimum efforts of all the health care professionals involved in my care." Now tell me how THAT could be misinterpreted? Sounds pretty up front and straightforward to this post-op! This reporter provided a very skewed and unfair view of the process that we go through at the Center for Weight Loss Surgery at Saint Joseph East. In all fairness I believe that she owes us the chance to voice our experiences, as well. I was NOT one of the lucky ones that came through without complications. But I knew full well what the potential risks were before surgery and I gladly accepted the risks for the opportunity to live a long and healthy life. I personally credit the exceptional skill, knowledge and comittment of my doctor and his associate who assisted with my post-op emergency surgery for bringing me through to the wonderful healthy state that I enjoy today. I could not have asked for anything more than the exceptional care that was given to me both by my doctor, the staff at the CWLS or the staff at Saint Joseph East. I feel bad for the very small percentage who suffer serious complicatons or even death. But the fact remains that at .04%, the fatality rate from this surgery in the 30 days following surgery are a much lower rate than the national average which is accepted to be approximately 1% or more. I knew that the reality of my situation was that there was a far greater risk of a premature death due to my obese state than there was of the surgery. I gladly accepted that risk. I now grieve for the persons suffering from severe health problems due to morbid obesity that will change their mind because of this irresponsible reporting. Because of their fear they may be vastly increasing their odds of dying prematurely. I'll get off my soap box now... this is just something that really bothered me. Rhonna

So were the docs discussing it last night?

Yes, there was not a large group there and Dr. Nighbert and Karen were on their way to some other function. They had planned a question and answer session, but no one wanted to talk about anything but the article. You could tell that Dr. Steiner was deeply disturbed by the article and it's accusations. And you could tell that everyone there was quite up in arms at the one-sidednesss of the article. I was clueless about it when I first heard about it, but I came home and found it online. Apparently some have already written to the reporter. It was suggested that she be brought in to speak to a group of us so she could get the OTHER side of the story, since she was obviously very biased and has had access to only the claims of the people who filed the lawsuit. She has only heard the other side and the doctors and hospital are limited in what they are allowed to say because of the pending litigation. The reporter is obviously not concerned with responsible journalism. Rhonna

Hey, Rhonna!! I was at the meeting last night. Congrats on your "surgerversary"...I was the dark haired lady in black who commented alot. I didn't recognize you as someone from the group meeting when I've seen your posts before. I love the CWLS family..

Thanks Kim! I remember you. Because of the distance involved and other obligations, I can't always get to the evening meeting, though I do try to at least every other month or so. I've often gone to the "early out" meetings just because they are easier for me to get to and I understand the need for the support. I'm trying to make a concerted effort to get to the evening ones more frequently, I really enjoy them! I hope to see you there again! Rhonna

I hope you all go to your doctor's profile page here at ObesityHelp and post your support and all of your comments and compliments that were posted here. The press, as you know, will use any information and write with a slant on it to make meet their purpose- to sell papers. They do not have to show the other side at all. A surgeon can perform 1,000 surgeries perfectly and then have one death. The press and the insurance companies will focus on that one death. While I am sorry that one person died, 1,000 people got their lives back. While I always grieve for the obese people that do not surrive the surgery, I have to rejoice for the many that have gotten their lives back and are giving back to society. I wish that the press would focus on the Doctors that gave us our lives back and splash that on the front pages. I am so pleased to hear other WLS people stand up for the doctors. We all need to continue to fight for WLS, as there are still so many obese people out there fighting their insurance companies for this wonderful life saving surgery. Again, post your support and all of your comments and compliments on your doctor's profile page here at ObesityHelp to help combat the negative press. Monica Ganz, Ph.D. Director of Events and Chapter ObesityHelp

Monica, Thank you for posting and bringing it to everyones attention that we need to comment about our surgeons on their page. I met with Dr. Nighbert, Steiner and Greenlee while in Lexington a few weeks ago. I am very sad that this article came about and reporter has taken misinformation from a patient and ran with it, I found these doctors to be very professional and serious about their work..It would be hard to convince this advocate they do not inform their patients of the risk.. I am a very active patient advocate and will do whatever it takes to protect a patient. Yet I see patients who take advantage of the situation..I have known many patients who have had a difficult time after WLS..But today they will tell anyone it was worth the risk and they would do it again! My fear now is that we will have doctors who no longer want to perform this surgery on people who desperately need it. I sincerely pray that these patients involved in this law suit think this through..decide what is truely important. As someone who does want to protect the patients I only wish I could protect these folks from the atty. and the press who are using them to make money..I have worked in the legal field for over 20 years..I can promise you I know exactly what is going on. I would like to see everyone sending letters to the Lexington paper ...get mad and fight back..WE can no longer be viewed as "obese" people, but rather people that are alive and well, and we need to stand up and be noticed. the prejudice many of us suffered most of our lives is still being taken advantage of..this time from people who have been there and done that. I do not believe a doctor who caused harm purposely should be practicing bariatric surgery..but if the reporter and or atty. did their homework, they may find that this was not neglect but rather part of the risk of having WLS that I am sure was addressed before surgery. Hang tough ladies and gentlemen..we cannot let them beat us down..We need to stand up for ourselves and hope that folks involved in the lawsuit wake up to find they are the ones that are once again being used...! Brenda