FYI

I am so sorry for the Gray family. They are in my prayers too. Elesha

MY SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY!!! How sad! Yall its no joke when you sign the consent form for any Dr.and hospital for this or any surgery. Death is always a possibility w/ any surgery and our WLS is a very serious risk. Of the list that Dr. Blake hand wrote and made me initial, death was one written very boldly. He mentioned it several times during pre-op visits. Death is always near even if we are walking across the street. We hear of a lot more people having WLS but the risks are still just as great for each one. Ask the surgeon for his/her mortality rate. Of the three I met with each was very open and frank. Ask the nurse manager, to double check. Read Sandra Thompson's post. IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILTY TO BE OR HAVE A COMMITMENT TO THE TOTAL PROGRAM. KEEP YOUR PCP TOTALLY INVOLVED. GET THEM TO AGREE TO FOLLOW YOU BEFORE ---YES I SAID BEFORE YOUR SURGERY. BLOOD WORK IS ESSENTIAL . THEY WILL BE CLOSE TO YOU IN AN EMERGENCY. I also a believer in having an advocate or support person follow you closely before, during, and after. They should be present when the program is discussed. This could be a family member or friend. Check in with them often. Talk openly and honestly about what you are eating and drinking. One more thing-- as tragic as this is for this and other families, anyone considering WLS should not be afraid but be informed and ready for the commitment to improve your health. Pray for this family and all of us for good health.

Jan, I am sorry. I think I was wrong about her being divorced. I believe they were going to get divorced before she got so sick. I apologize for the wrong information. I am now living in TX so I could be near my Dr. I was in the hospital for over 7 months all together. And have had to go back 2 or 3 times for a week at a time due to strictures and other complications. I ended up having to have 5 surgeries all together. I am now able to keep some liquids down and very small amounts of soft food. Hopefully I will be able to eat more after my next stricture streching. All in all I am feeling so much better and am so glad to be out of the hospital and home with my family. Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers.

I am so sorry to hear a about Mrs. Gray. I did get to meet her one time when she was at UMC. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. BTW, I am glad to hear you are doing so much better! Smooch, Arlies

Arlies, I am glad to hear you came through your surgery with no problems. Stacey

my thoughts and prayers r with the gray family also. this makes me see the light. i have not been drinking like i should and that makes it worse. i see now where something like that can go wrong. thanks for opening my eyes to this and i will make myself do the right thing now. thanks