Dr. Drinkwater's meeting

Hi guys, I was so bummed to have missed the meeting tonight! Damn! I had a crisis at work and by the time I got out, it was too late. I couldn't be more irritated to have missed it. Can someone give me a summary of what was talked about? I know the agenda included discussion from Dr. Drinkwater as to the future (or lack thereof?) of the Obesity Center and where we would go for follow-up, etc. How did the patients handle the meeting? Was it terribly sad? I imagine so. And what is the deal with the fact that we are not allowed to give Jen a gift for her baby? That is the silliest thing I have ever heard. Someone give me the scoop! Thanks in advance. Hugs, Denise

Hi, I didn't make the meeting last night either, but did get the certified letter from Dr D yesterday. It's a shame that he's leaving. I have my 1 year appointment with him in Dec and it'll be the last. I wonder how much of his decision was driven by the fact the major insurance companies in NH no longer cover the surgery. best to you all diane

Hi, Diane, How are you doing? What a bummer about Dr. D leaving. I am happy for him but so sad for us and the program! It was the best of the best, IMO and he will be missed terribly. I totally agree about the insurance companies being a factor in this decision. Why else wouldn't the hospital jump at hiring a new bariatric surgeon, I mean they just build a brand new baritric unit in the hospital and have so much invested. It has to be about insurance which is so damn unfortunate! I will see him again too before he leaves, so I am glad for that. Hope all is well with you and that we can keep in touch some how. Did you pick which surgeon/program will do your follow up care? I am leaning towards CMC but haven't decided 100% yet. They are closest to me, so I will most likely chose them. Hugs, Denise

I know people who've had him as a surgeon for other procedures and they're not happy to see him go either. Hope it turns out well for him. I guess I'll be going to CMC. It'll be the closest for me too. I doubt my insurance would let me go to MA. I've been feeling go good feels strange to think of needing another doc but I can see the reason. I won't be able to make the next support group either, vaca in FL. Will that be the last one or will they have 2 in Dec? I'll be hearing I'm sure. Haven't been to too many lately - guess I just figured it would be there. Oh well. take care diane

HI guys, Jen told me they plan on having both meetings in Dec. ( Dec. 7 and Dec. 21 ). I'm having trouble with my camera vs. computer, but I WILL have the group photos on my profile soon ... I promise. Also ... I WILL bring the lab coat for post-op patient signatures at the Dec. meetings. See you soon, Kym

Hi Denise, The first 30 minutes or so was Dr. Drinkwater explaining his decision to everyone, that it was hard, especially for him to stop surgery's for people who were close, but he didn't feel he should continue when he could not do follow up. He really stressed the importance of at least setting up some kind of relationship with a new surgeon, even if you have had surgery because if issues come up your primary care Dr may not realize it is GBS related. He said it is very important, so that in a crisis you are not trying to find a surgeon at that point. He knew some people would not bother and said if they were far enough out, while it is not ideal it would probably be ok, but if you are under a year out you really need to find someone and the ones he recomended in his letter are all programs similar to ours and willing to take on pre and post op's of his. Then 2 people from the Portsmouth Hospital's program talked about there program. That went until about 7:30pm, then the pre-ops left and we had our "regular meeting" but it was more a continuation of talking about the changes (with a little Thanksgiving food talk at the end). The new facilitator of the group was going to ask Jen (at all of our requests) to see if there is a way for the group meetings to continue after December because though we are all having to move on to different hospitals, no one wanted to do another group meeting at another hospital. Kim also brought a lab cout that everyone signed for Dr. Drinkwater with there names, date surgery and notes to him in colored sharpie markers. I know it will be at the next meeting as well, so everyone can sign it. It was sad, I saw a few people crying. Jen was there, Susan, Liz and Dr. Drinkwater. At the end we took a group picture that I think Kym is going to post on this site somewhere. We left around 8:45 I think. When I got home I found out my youngest had to make a trip to the emergency room while I was gone, and I had turned my phone off for the meeting! He split his head, so my husband had to take him (1 1/2) with our other 2 boys (5 & 7) all to the hospital alone. I felt horrible! He took them to St. Joe's, and I said at least if he took him to SNMC he could have run in and got me on the way to the emergency room. Oh well, I guess I learned to keep my phone on from now on! Oh yeah, and Jen said that the people from Lowell should be at the next meeting 9I think that is what she said at least), then the people from the Manchester program.

((Amy)) Thank you so much for your detailed response! That was sweet of your to take the time to write in such detail. I appreciate it so much! Where did you decide to follow up with a surgeon? I am thinking I will pick CMC because it is closest to me, but I haven't made a final decision yet. Thanks again and I love the lab coat idea. I will definitely be there to sign it at the next meeting. Hugs, Denise

Oh and I forgot, Leanne read 2 poems she wrote too, which were really great.