Regarding Dr. Drinkwater's resignation

Hi everyone, As a fellow patient of Dr. Drinkwater, I feel your sadness and devestation upon hearing the news of his resignation from SNHMC. I saw him today for a follow-up appointment and he told me the news. I wanted to cry when I heard it, as I have grown to just adore him as a surgeon, as a professional and as a person. I am so sad for us, as this loss is huge (no pun intended ) However, I have to ask why people are posting about sending e-mails to the hospital? It was clear to me that this was Dr. Drinkwater's decision entirely; that going to MA was a positive change in his career and an offer he couldn't refuse. Out of respect for his decision, I don't think we should e-mail the hospital. I just don't know what this would accompli****hink this decision was hard enough for him to make without added pressure and guilt brought on by us. On the other hand, if you guys have information that I don't have, that suggests he was asked to leave the hospital, then please let me know. That would certainly change my opinion on e-mailing SNHMC. My opinion as it stands now, with the idea that this decision was entirely Dr. D's; made to advance his career, I say we put our energy into having a farewell bash for him. Let's get all his patients together and do that big poster-board project we talked about, with all his patients before and after pictures. We can then put a poem, or all write him messages in the middle of it, with our pictures all around it, and present it to him at some sort of event. What do you guys think? I also think we should do something for Jen, as she is just awesome. She is the best of the best and made that program run with such efficiency, and with such an amazing attitude; so positive, friendly, professional and approachable! Let me know what your thoughts are on this. Hugs, Denise

Denise, We were only trying to email / write the hospital because at one point, the ball was in their court. ( he had not yet decided ) We were going to show support for Dr. Drinkwater and make SNHMC realize how important he was. As soon as we found out that he had made his decision, the " petition " of emails / letters would serve no purpose, that's why I posted that he had made his decision. As of 2 days ago, he had not yet decided. Sorry for the confusion. We were hoping that SNHMC would make him an offer he couldn't refuse, but MASS has now gained a brilliant surgeon. hugs, Kym

HI Kym! Thanks for the reply. And I so totally agree that if the situation was different, and e-mailing the hospital would have been in his best interest, Iw ould have sent a million e-mails. Thanks so much for replying back. How are you doing? How has your recovery been? Hope to talk to you soon. HUgs, Denise

WELL SAID Denise, My thoughts exactly. I posted yesterday that bottom line, this was and is his personal decision and we all need to support him in it. I saw him yesterday morning for my 9 month follow-up and he told me he was accepting the other position. I told him as much as I would miss him, I wished him nothing but the absolute best...he deserves it. Again, you took the words right out of my mouth. Hugs, Judy ps...how are you feeling? How are you doing after your gallbladder surgery?

Judy, Did your read the replies from myself and Amy ? Please don't misunderstand the original intent of our outpouring of support. I don't want this to be misconstrued by others and cause any damage. Kym

Hi Judy! How are you, hon? Thanks for asking about how I am after my gallbladder surgery. You are so sweet! I am doing very well. The pain I had that made me need the operation (severe chest and upper back pain) is GONE! YAHOO! Man, I wish that pain on no one....It was totally debilitating. I feel realy good. The post-op pain was nothing like the gastric bypass pain. Don't get me wrong, there was a lot of pain on the first day and second but as the days went by, the pain significantly decreased and I am just a tad bit sore. What was the worst part of the recovery was the gas that traveled to my shoulder/collar bone area. OUCH! That sucked. But the pain medication made it tolerable and it eventually went away. I am just so tired, though! I don't recall being this tired after other surgeries. I go back to work MOnday, so it was two weeks I took off. If I wasn;t so tired I would have definitely gone back sooner, but I decided to take the two weeks because of the fatigue. Dr. D also wanted me to take two weeks; he didn't want me rushing things. I hope all is well with you. How is your weight loss going? When is the next meeting, is it the 16th? I can't remember. Talk to you soon. Hugs, Denise

When we posted the e-mail and address info for the CEO of SNMC Dr. Drinkwater had not made a decision yet, and we figured if the hospital made him a better offer he might stay. We all want the best for Dr. Drinkwater and now that a decision has been made, we wish him nothing but the best. I selfishly am so glad that I already had my surgery though, I feel so bad for those who were in process.

HI Amy, Yes, I figured that is why the thought came up to e-mail; that there was a possibility there was something SNHMC could have done to keep Dr. D. And certainly, as I said before, if it was not a choice; if leaving was something that the hospital was wanting and asked him to leave, I would have sent e-mails until my hands fell off. I'm glad we all got that clarified, and as sad as I am to see him go, I am happy for him and his family that he is expanding his career. I so agree about feeling lucky that we had our surgeries! I feel so bad for any pre-ops that were going through his program. That sucks for them. But I have to give credit to Dr. D for making the decision to not do any more gastric bypasses before he leaves because then the patients after-care would be up in the air. He is too good of a surgeon to leave anyone hanging in terms of after care. Any other surgeon could have done surgeries until the day he left his position, and said, "Oh well" about after care, but not Dr. D. He is such a good physician. Hope you are doing well, Amy! Hugs, Denise

I have talked to Jen and she said we need to wait for Dr. Drinkwater's announcement on Nov. 16th to get all the details. From the notes from Bonnie and a few others, it looks as though he may be head of a surgical team, and he may not be doing gastric bypass himself anymore, BUT I'm not sure. It's also my undertanding that he MAY have more administrative duties, and less hands on, but AGAIN - I don't want to start rumors or make assumptions. I asked her what hospital, but we have to wait. We all need top be patient until we see him on Nov. 16th at our next Support Group. It's too late for petitions. He's made his decision. We will all miss him, but as stated in Jen's email ( the one I've posted ) , this was an offer that his family could not refuse. Some opportunities are too good to pass up. love you guys! Kym