THE SERIOUSNESS OF CALLING THE DOC FOR PROBLEMS

I just came home from Walmart and the checker was telling me about her husband, who died 3 weeks after his lap band procedure. It was a local doctor, and one everyone on here would know,  but I am not mentioning his name, because this is not about him. She said her hubby couldn't get any liquids or food down and kept waiting and waiting for it to get better. She said her family tried to get him to call the doctor but he wanted to wait. It just broke my heart what the family went through all of this. They tried to file a case against this doctor but she said the attorney said there was no basis. This brings us back to our own responsibilities concerning these surgeries. WE have to follow the rules and WE have to stay in contact with the doctors when we are having problems. We cant wait! We have to call. I would much rather call and it be nothing than not call and it be something major and life threatning. It is just so important to KNOW your body and what is going on. Don't wait hoping it will get better.
I am so blessed that I have had no problems at all, but I know it does happen sometimes. Please, please, listen to your bodies and call the Docs if you suspect something is not right. I don't want to lose any of my wonderful friends from this board!

Sherry 

I lost a littermate myself, he too refused to call teh doctor and to do teh protien shakes like he was supposed too. The doctors can not fix something if we are self do not call and let them know something is not right. ANYTHING that feels funny in the tummy area gets gave special attention even though it has turned out to be something else. It is really hard to hear about a loss but it does happen and sadly many times it is because people don't know when something isnt right or is afraid of calling.

As sarah mentioned we lost a person from our surgeon's office who did not do any protein, refused to do the shakes and just put himself into a cardiac arrest. WHY???he thought that he was invincible. his wife would beg us for help and there was nothing we could do.
Sherry, when I agreed to wls I had to sign a contract of my patient obilgations and accountablity....made perfect sense to me then aand still does.
I have called my surgeon over what I thought was something really stupid only to  be told to come in asap..No matter how frivlous or stupid we may think it is CALL it could save your life

Excellent post, Sherry, and one that is an important reminder to everyone.  I am so fortunate that I have had no problem, except for the foamies for about 3 months, but Dr. W was aware and told me what to watch for if something else developed.  I tend to be one of those people that don't want to "bother" the surgeon, or anyone else, and think, with time, it will get better.  This is nothing to mess with.  I am so sorry for this man's family.  What a loss.  Michael

Hijack- Michael- you are looking wonderful!  You are disappearing!

Sherry, thanks for a reminder of how important it is to follow up with your surgeon if something feels off or not right.  It is so much better to be told it is a nothing than to possible suffer long term consequences.

How sad!!!  Thanks for sharing!  Thats really good advice!!