Looking for info on a surgeon???

Hello New York board. I'm looking into surgery with Dr. Elliot Goodman and was looking for some feedback regarding him. Has anyone had a revision or a reversal with him?????? What was your experience????????? I'm not looking for a sugar coated version - just the plain truth. Thanks Laurie from Michigan

Hi, Why are you looking into a revision or a reversal if you don't mind me asking.

I don't really like to talk about it on OH, mostly because I've found out the hard way that ppl only want to hear the GOOD about wls. Anything other then that gets me But basically, I can't absorb enough nutrients from the food I eat and the vitamins I take to maintain a healthy body. I'm very sick and it looks like surgery is now my only option. Laurie

Laurie, AHHHHH!! If you only knew who you were talking to!! I have had numerous complications since day one of my initial surgery. I have had six follow-up surgeries for various complications. I was in the ICU on life support for a month after my initial RNY almost died and the whole horror story. Life goes on. I actually just got back from the hospital this afternoon in dealing with my PICC line being put back in for TPN. I have gone back and forth from the hospital for various reasons b/c I am always sick for one reason or another. My list goes on. There are a couple of pics of me (in my profile) of me a day or two out of my latest operation in August of this year. I disagree that everyone only wants to hear the good about WLS. There is a informative way of putting things and a bitter/angry way of putting things. From my experience, most people who have situations like you and myself are bitter and angry...(in which I dont 100% blame them) but I am just not that way. So I am kind of by myself over here. What can you do. I find saying and thinking "poor me" and "wls is horrible" is not productive and wont get me any better. Anyway, I can give you a couple of names of surgeons in NYC who are good w/dealing with complicated cases. Email me anytime! Good luck and wish you nothing but the best.

Laurie, So you are saying your complications are stemming from not absorbing enough nutrients/calories? The question at hand is why then. What are your albumin/bilirubin levels, and how low are they? Those levels are the key in seeing you are malnourished or not. Having low b vitamins or others isnt malnourishment...it's just a low level (say b6 level.) I have been down this road a few times already. Have you thought of going on TPN just for awhile to get built up? Sometimes that makes all the difference. There is also a blood test to test how much (if in deed) are you are not absorbing well, even though this usually isn't the case w/RNY surgery. I forgot what it is, but I will ask my surgeons nurse when I speak to her again. Drink some ensure/boost throughout the day to at least try to get enough calories/nutrients in. Don't gulp it down b/c you will get dumping just sip them throughout the day. This has helped me maintain a healthier weight. I know it stinks to live that way but you need to do what you need to do. Just make sure the problem isn't a behavorial/psychological one, like you aren't making good food choices or secretly binging on junk, hence not getting in proper vitamin/nutrients. ( I am not saying this is you!! but just make sure ok? Trust me I know the feeling of being accused of hypochondria) I seem to have a GI motility/paralysis disorder that I never had before this surgery. Everything in my GI tract moves really slllooowww from the time it leaves my pouch to out the other end! This is something thought you can see on upper GIs and small bowel follow throughs. It's a horrible way to live but I'm trying everything I can do it make it go away as much as possible. I emailed you the name of the surgeon I think would be good for you to talk to. Let me know if I can be of any other help. Take care.

yes, I have monitored my labs and foods very closely!! I do 60 - 90 grams of protein drinks per day and the rest comes from food, but I'm still deficient. I've done the TPN thing once before and would REALLY like to NOT go there again. I have HONESTLY done my very best on eatting. I have to eat every two hours or my sugar levels drop too low. I've yet to find a ensure type beverage that i can drink. I've found them to be either too much sugar or too many carbs. Either one, will make me sick! Thanks for the surgeon recommendation. I appreciate it a lot!!!! Laurie

Hi Laurie, I would not use Elliot Goodman even if he was the last surgeon available. He had 2 deaths in a 3 month period (just this past summer), and a 3rd in the year before those 2. Stop by Ontario's board and post this question there as well. A few of the girls over there just cancelled upcoming surgery with Dr. Goodman. One even posted here to get opinions on who to use instead of Goodman. He operates when the risks are too high, just to get the case. If you would like specifics, feel free to email me directly. I'd go with anyone Tavia might recommend. Goof Luck, Karen

Hi Lori, Not sure if you recognize me from the May 2005 board... I didn't realize you wanted to come to NY for your surgery. You can try my surgeon's practice.... they are awesome...Dr. Kurian is THE BEST...(of course my opinion) check out their website...www.nomoreobesity.com Hang in there! Hugs! Marla

Hi Marla, I was exactly looking to go to NY for surgery. Someone gave the name of Dr. Goodman to me and I came here to ask about him. Course I'm willing to go to whatever state it takes to get feeling better! lol Thanks for the surgeon's name. I'm looking him up now. Laurie

Hey Laurie, In terms of revisions...Dr. Roslin (someone recommended his partner...Dr. Kurrian) is one of the best. The whole reason I went to him for a 2nd opinion is that I read a patient review on OH about him. A woman had surgery with another surgeon, who had butchered her....and she travelled 3 hours to Roslin, even though there were closer surgeons...she wanted the best to fix her RNY. Long story short, he revised her surgery and she was doing well at the time she posted. Scott