Supporting local surgeons

Many of you may have seen the news 9 presentation tonight on gastric bypass, and the death sentence it imposes. I missed the live view, but did catch the short online article. For me, part of the decision to have a gastric bypass was educating myself on the risks, evaluating that, and knowing I had tried everything else and needed to do something to save my life. I have never, never, never regretted one day of that. This article not only insulted my sense of intelligence, insinuating I wouldn't know what is best for me, but it names Dr Carter and Edmond hospital in a most harmful and unsettling light. We know people die in surgery - during tonsellectomies, during heart bypasses, and yes, even from complications of the RnY. We also know that the surgeons that save our lives are compassionate and dedicated to helping us have a better life. Dr Carter was one of the surgeons that was forced to quit performing the RnY due to the increase in insurance effective at the beginning of this year. She has been instrumental in saving the lives of many in our state from the complications of morbid obesity. Please, please, consider lending her your moral support right now. The suffering families and the news have labelled her a murderer, and she is suffering from the weight of that accusation. If you could lend a word of encouragement to her, and share how she may have affected your life, please post or email me at [email protected] or email Nancy at [email protected]. I'll make sure Dr Carter receives your words. Thanks, Mendi

I read the article after seeing your message. I think it was extremely irresponsible and reprehensible of the Oklahoman to not fairly report on the two women they mentioned. They did indeed make Dr Carter and Edmond Hospital look bad. It made it appear as though these two women that they mentioned decided to just do this on a whim. While I know that there are some out there who do not think this through, and who think that this is the quick fix, etc, I feel that the overwhelming majority of us chose the surgery for a different reason other than "wanting to be skinny". As far as being happy and healthy goes, which was stated about the other lady in the article; well, if she was SO happy with herself, then why undergo such a drastic surgery. There was also no mention whatsoever of any health problems that the two ladies may have had, other than obesity. Now, I am recently and newly post op, but I really have to say, had there been ANY other way I could have saved my life, I definitely would have done so. But for me there wasn't. This was in no way a vanity move, and I was not desperately unhappy. I would say I was more frustrated with watching the quality of my life deteriorate year by year, and knowing there was nothing I could do short of this surgery to stop it. I knew going into this what the risks were, advised my family of the same, but we, as a family, decided that the chances of losing me in surgery were less than the misery of watching what was once a very active woman resign herself to a life that was less than what she wanted to live. While I didn't choose Dr Carter for my surgeon, she was one of the ones I considered when I was looking. And I am sure, like most of the other surgeons I met, that she is very competent. Surgeons lose patients, happens to the best of them. I am sorry for the surviving families of these two ladies, and I hope that they can find peace within themselves, once everything is settled.