walking away from the WLS surgery team

To be honest with you, I was never really thrilled with the team from Ikramuddins office, the haphazzard way they approached patient care, the contradictions from dietician/surgeon.  so when they cancelled my 3 month appointment and told me to reschedule I didn't.

I think I'm going to do my post surgery care from now on with my PCP.  As long as I get her to run the bloodwork I think it's manageable..for the most part.

I'm 4 months post op now and doing well, I've lost 71lbs and feel good, I have gone from a very tight size 22/24 to a very loose size 18 and just picked up a cheap pair of size 16's!

My hair is falling out a wee bit, and my skin is a little dry but for the most part I'm coping with the changes.

My Dad had lapband a week or so ago and is LOVING it!

I encourage you to at least do your yearly appointments with Dr. Ikramuddin even though the office is kind of FUBAR.  (I understand, I am a Buchwald patient and while I like him very much, the rest of the clinic leaves much to be desired.)   There might be new bloodwork that Dr. I thinks you need that your PCP may not know about or other issues specific to bariatric patients, and for that reason I think you should keep in touch with Fairview at least once a year.

I do know a lot of WLS patients who get better co-care from their PCPs than the bariatric clinic, though, sad to say.

 The U is a teaching hospital overall, and thus the bariatric clinic has a ways to go on their aftercare. I am pretty sure we would all agree with that, but the first year followup with your surgeon is critical. And I know from others who see Dr. Ike, that he does take the time to talk with you at your appointments as long as you are prepared for your visit and if you have any questions or concerns, he takes the time to address them. On the flip side, he often gets called into surgeries last minute since he is one of the premier surgeons over there, so try to be understanding of the reschedule.

Congrats on your loss so far!

teaching hospital or no, the clinic is a joke.  I got more information on my after care from my friend who works at the Mayo clinic and my Brigham young women's hospitals online post care for WLS.  The staff at the U continue to contradict themselves which makes my job as a well informed patient frustrating at best.

While I think Dr I is a good doctor, the team he works with is not providing it's patients with the type of care I think suitable after this type of surgery.  I will absolutely get my follow up visits, perhaps I will just get them elsewhere.  Oh, and believe me, I have well thought out intelligent questions, I'm an educated consumer...but the answers I received have done more to concern me than anything else.

For example...Dr I told me to eat 500 cals a day, in one sitting.  He told me he only eats once a day.  I told him I can't do that because I am trying to model healthy eating habits for my two daughters, and if he could tell me how to get 60 grams of protein and 500 calories into one 1/4 cup of food I'd give him a medal.   See...there's 'theory' but no substance.  His dietitian told me Dr I knew nothing about nutrition, and to follow her suggestions.   Hmmm, that kind of thing breeds confidence don't you think?

I will not blindly adhere to a plan i think is badly thought out...instead I will find a more suitable alternative. 

I agree.  I totally agree with you. 

However, like our co-bariatric clinic folks have already said despite their many concerning issues, they do know exactly what tests to order each year for certain and they do draw those labs. 

My Primary MD at HealthPartners would have NO IDEA what to order, and he frankly resents the fact that the U of MN draws my labs, and then puts on the reports:  PLEASE contact your primary medical doctor in regards to these lab results.  And, the nutritionist told me, a DSer that I could get toxic on Vitamin D.  I was ridiculously low presurgery and my D3 is barely dectable at this point at 34; but it is coming up a bit! 

So, anyway....  I think Dr. B would NOT hesitate to send me to Hem or Endo if I asked him; if there ever became a large problem with my labs. 

Anyway; I do agree with you and reaffirm what you are typing/saying.  I also agree that you should just go once each year, at the very least!  :o)

Good Luck!  Kathy

I would look for a new Bariatric Doctor then.....They know more than just a regular family Doctor......

I would also write a letter to the Doctor you see now, and let him know you're frustrations, and anyone else you think should know....

Good luck....Kelly

I would go to St. Joe's in St. Paul I'm 2 years out I received a call from them yesterday to see how I was doing. There number is (651) 326-3600 They have the best lady Dr. her name is Dr. Sund,
and the best dietician. Hope you give them a try.
Bob

You really absolutely need to be followed by a bariatric program!!!  There are so many things that a GOOD bariatric program knows about us that PCP's just don't.

I encourage you to find another program to follow you. I work at Abbott and I love the WLS office here. There are many other reliable GOOD programs around the twin cities. The doctors here also go to St Joes.

Please don't let your experience at that crummy WLS office allow you to not be followed by a specialist.  You really need the expertise of a bariatric surgeon/team to get the best results. AND  you'll also work with a dietitian which most programs roll into their follow up program (I see my dietitian every 3 mons post op). and you're totally right.. your surgeon and your dietitian should definitely be on the same page.

You are at a critical point in your healing and really need to think about the best way to take care of yourself and get the best results you can.


stacy