Update to Endoscopy Tomorrow....

Bad news.. really bad news... I posted on the main forum under the topic.. OMG.. HELP.. WHAT DO I DO NOW?? Too long to repost.. but I seriously need some advice.. or a good medical malpractice attorney. Thanks for your support! Kelly G.

{{{{{Kelly}}}}} You got a lot of good advice on the main board.  I think your first step is to make an appointment with your surgeon and take the results of your test today.  Also, take a witness!!  You are upset (and rightfully so!) and you need someone who can listen more objectively and absorb more of what the doc is saying.  Having someone with you also prevents the doc from trying to sweet talk his way out of it.  Depending on what happens there, you might consider a med-mal attorney.  If so, get the best one you can get!!  If you get to that point, write me offline. Edie [url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wdub5oM/] [img]http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wdub5oM/weight.png[/img] [/url]

Dear Kelly, I am just at a loss for words.  I am so sorry you are going through this.  I wouod definitely find a lawyer and anther surgeon that can help you. How about calling Dr. Von Rueden at GBMC.   Send me a PM if you want his number.  He is an excellent doctor and I would recommend him to anyone. Please do not let your surgeon ever touch you again! Hugs and lots of prayers coming your way.

Hi Kelly, I have been reading a lot of your posts. In fact, earlier today, I was looking to see if you posted lately because of the concerns you were having about not losing the weight and gaining. I had surgery with Dr. Schweitzer on May 10th. Luckily things have been going pretty well for me. I am so sorry to hear all the problems you have been having. If you need a med-mal attorney, please feel free to contact me. I am an attorney and know many med-mal attorneys through out Maryland. Please keep us all up to date on what is going on. I haven't even read your post on the main board. I'm going to go and read it now; but I read this post and noticed the responses, and easily figured out that something's wrong. Keep in touch and if you want to talk to me, I can give you my office number as well. ~~Trish

Kelly, I am so sorry this has happened to you.  Not only would I demand that the surgeon refund all of your fees I would demand he pay for the revision with the surgeon of YOUR choice!  He owes you that!  Please please keep a copy of that endoscope test for yourself.  Get EVERYTHING in writing!  I liked the idea of tape recording your converstations with the doc.  The mini records only cost about $30 at Wal-Mart.  It would be money well spent.  You need to see him face to face.  I can only imagine how angry and sad you are.  I will be praying for you that the Lord will make a way for this to be corrected...please don't give up on your dreams!!!  You can still enjoy Disney.  Prayerfully by then all of this will be fixed and very far behind you.  Sending lots of hugs your way...Robin

Kelly, I have no idea where to begin.   That is just horrible.  

Be careful dealing with your surgeon from this point on.   Recording is a good idea, but make sure he knows you are recording.   It is actually against the law (in MD, DC and VA) to record someone without their knowledge (ie Linda Tripp...).      Just be up front and put the recorder down in front of him and make sure you say your are recording (with the recorder on). Now...that said...he probably will not be as open with a recorder in front of him...so a witness is also a good idea.   Make sure it is not one of his office staff either.

I would not expect much from your meeting.   He is going to want to review what happened and will insist that he actually seperated the stomach and it found its way back together (this was something listed as a possible complication in the literature I received before surgery).   Even with the seperation, if the two pieces find each other and adhere, they can reform.   But...the likely hood was so remote... Document, Document, Document!   You should be used to doing that by now.   Keep records of everything and pull out anything your were give pre-op.   The more you have the better chance you have at getting things resolved quickly and in your favor.

I am so sorry you are going through this.   Keep your chin up and keep pushing forward.   You will get through this and be a stronger person for it.   (always trying to be positive!). On a positive note.   You lost 30+ lbs in two months without using the tool!    I am truly impressed!    Keep us informed!

I talked to the surgeon this morning, and did record, just so I could refer to it later.  And the explanation he gave was -- the stapler he uses both cuts, and staples.  He said that there is a possibility when he fired the stapler, that the staple came out, but that the instrument did not cut.  He says that he wants me to have a barium study, to see if the entire staple line came out, and what part is still intact.  The GNT said that my pouch is still intact.  My doctor said that he will only have to restaple.. and that he will be able to do this in about a month to 6 weeks.  Now -- I need to figure out if I want him to do the surgery again.  I was confident with his abilities at first -- but I'm not so sure now... I just really don't know what to do at this point.  

While I would normally say, give him chance to make it right....I think I agree with Cira on this one. Don't let him touch this again.    I would do the follow up tests he is requesting, but I don't think I would let him do the revision.    Trust is a big part of this.   If you don't trust your surgeon, then you are always going to wonder if issues are related to the surgeon or just part of the process.   I would do my best to find another surgeon I could trust (even if it is someone else in the same practice).   Let this Dr. tell you what's wrong.   Then ask for a second opinion with the new surgeon you pick out.   If they concur, then let the new surgeon do the work.   But make sure the old surgeon covers whatever is necessary to make this right. Have you ever seen a video of the procedure?   There is a good one on the lifebridge web site.   I would find it wildly hard to beleive that they did not know the pouch was still connected to the old stomach.   I am not a Dr and it was obvious to me when the pouch had been seperated (and they were using the tool that cut and stapled at the same time).   Also...when you complained about the pain (a common symptom when the staple line fails), didn't your surgeon check this? Hmmmmm....... Again...I am so sorry you are dealing with this.   I hope things get straightened out quickly and safely !

So sad Kelly....Sending you a hug... i read your concern about your November trip to Disney....

Having gone 6 times over the last couple years as a Pooh sized gal, i can tell you...dont' worry about any of the rides.... I can get you a link to a site dis tips for larger folks if you want it... Disney is so people friendly all types and shapes fit their rides... You'll even find people there much bigger than you wearing swimsuits and having fun.

Now universal (that's a different story)...

Hello Kelly I am sorry you have this situation brought to you. I remember my surgeon telling me, that she had complications before and she had to go back and fix things. And I still chose her because I was confident in what she can do and also she never had a lose.

 After reading both your posts on the main board(orginial, and updated) I think that you should do what your heart wants you to do. We are here for advice but you make all the decisions. And yes this is a big one.  So many people here gave you all the advice you need and I know with Prayer you will make the right one. Good Luck and please keep us posted. Here's a spirital kiss honey.