WLS story in today's Flint journal

We got quite the bad rap in this article. What it did not say was which procedure this poor lady had. Doesn't really matter I guess as all procedures have risks. I do know the doc mentioned has been doing the ds for nearly 15 years and is highly respected for his skills. Also the post-op readmittance/health issue rate is damning but what they failed to mention was when it comes to hernias many WANT them in order to have their plastics covered by insurance. In fact may I dare say some HOPE to have a hernia for that very reason and may not follow doctors orders about limitting lifting requirements and/or wearing their binders for the prescribed period of time? So I am thinking those figures are sort of slanted due to that. Also in this article there was the small alluding to malnourishment. GEEZ LOUISE! That is the INTENT of the surgery. No wait MALABSORBTION is. BUT it is our responsibility to take our vitamins and eat properly. In other words they needed to state what many docs say. The surgery is a TOOL. Not the total answer. So patient education and responsibility really do play into this picture and that wasn't addressed at all. Just goes to show us how statistics can be twisted to mean many things I guess. And in this case they were used to diss WLS surgery. Just my opinion, though. Please take the time to go on line andread this article and tell me what you all think. Patt

Responsibility. I like it. Good word. kp @ goal

Good Morning Pat , Thanks for letting everyone know of this story, It's so sad that as people we can't take the responsibolity for doing something wrong !! But then again it's wouldn't have made the paper as it had if they couldn't POINT THE FINGER AT The DOCTOR OR WLS! As you stated WLS is only a tool the responsibitly is on us to learn all we can before we let any Doctor with any kind of surgery cut into us ! This surgery will change your life but again isn't that the reason for having (WLS)??? Thanks Pat *God Bless* sue

I read the on line version which is apparently abbreviated from what is in the actual paper so I did not see that Dr L nicked her bowels. In the on line version it appears some pertinent info was left out. So thanks for the clarification. None the less I still believe the press tries to sensationalize all this and I still believe in my statement that a huge part of being long term successful is our personal reponsibility. The things such as keeping up with our meds, eating properly, attending support groups for WLS for a minimum of 2 years, having our blood drawn as often as our doctors require, starting sme sort of exercise regime etc. Only we can do that. Also agree with you about Blondie and how her procedure is being handled. Perhaps these 2 stories can balance each other out? And finally as niave as it may sound I have indeed heard many post-opers kiddingly or not mention the hernia ='s free TT. Most important this is JUST my opinion.