On DS board I posted email I rec'd from Dr.@OH re: description of surgery....

Post Date: 10/12/07 9:45 am  I wrote to the folks at Mt Sinai who sponsor and write the descriptions of our various surgery types for OH. I find (as many DSr's do) it is misleading and in accurate. Here is e mail I rec'd and below is the one I sent:    "Dear Ms. Lowellian, Thank you for your feedback. Everyone's experience with surgery is slightly different, and I value everyone's opinion, including those on the DS forum. However, I must base my writing on the information I get directly from the DS patients I see in my own practice. Some of these patients have been operated on by me, and some by other surgeons. While I certainly appreciate the "power" of the DS in terms of long lasting weight loss, I think it is important to report the potential side effects, even if they are not expereinced by every patient. Once again, I thank you and I appreciate your taking the time to respond to me regarding this issue. Sincerely, Daniel M. Herron, MD, FACS " (The one's who sponsor / write the descriptions of the various surgeries described on OH....) My email back to him:

Dear Dr. Heron,

Thank you for responding. My only real issue with the description of DS post op "side effects" on OH is the wording...."POSSIBLE" placed in front of many of the descriptions would suffice....also adding "SOME" instead of making it seem as if ALL DS patients suffer from these after effects.

Your response to me states in part: "While I certainly appreciate the "power" of the DS in terms of long lasting weight loss, I think it is important to report the potential side effects, even if they are not expereinced by every patient." And I agree totally with this statement however the statement does not agree with what is posted on the OH DS description of side effects! The description is below and you can clearly see it says "THERE ARE some very significant side effects...." so not, "POTENTIAL side effects;" and the wording " NOT experienced by every patient..." isn't in this description at all - it is written as "THERE ARE..." which is not the same, and implies certainty!

New pre ops come daily and ask if they will have to live with 6 loose stools a day; and surely you must recognize that is not the case.

If you indeed have all your patients reporting these things, then it would be accurate to list this on the OH DS description; but then again if ALL your patients do not report these after effects, wouldn't it be fair to re-word it to be more accurately reflecting the numbers that do not also?

I am only asking for some fairness here, as I and many, many others (MOST in fact) have not now nor ever had the number of stools per day listed; the flatus problems listed; the inaccuracy of listing "body odor" like it was a permanent situation and not the temporary side effect of very rapid weight loss and is reported by some RNY patients in early rapid loss stages also; but is not listed under the RNY description. Do you see my point? I should say 'we' are asking as I feel I represent the people of DS and not the STATISTICS of a surgery- please; go onto the OH DS forum and see for yourself- run a survey- ask your patients through survey; and NOT just 2-3 mos. post op but 6 mos., 1 yr.

I researched my surgery for 2 years and feared these side effects and STILL chose the DS because of it's powerful ability to restore normalcy to my life through normal eating ( a HUGE factor and one I'd think would be for others); the statistcis for re-gain are in my favor as they are the lowest of the surgical choices; the amt. of weight lost is high percentage wise compared to other surgeries; and most lately there are articles being written in European Med. journals that reflect a higher rate resolution of Diabetes in DS post op patients and I thankfully am one who is diabetes free! I have to ask- WHY AREN'T facts such as these listed in the description?

The referred to description is below:

"Additionally, there are some very significant side effects that accompany this procedure, including:

Frequent soft bowel movements (up to 4-6 per day) Frequent passing of foul-smelling gas Changes in body odor Gas pains or bloating Hair loss Intolerance of certain foods (varies from person to person) "

How long has it been sinc you read the description, sir? How many patients have you queried on these symptoms lately? Could it be that a revision of the wording is due? Could you add educational info after items such as "changes in body odor" to reflect the cause and length of time and types of odor you are talking about? Could you add POSSIBLE before frequent soft stools reference? Could you add after Gas Pains & Bloating - "usually controlled by avoiding certain foods such as simple carbohydrates" ? Hair loss- "as in any major surgery"....and , "TEMPORARY" (yes, it sounds as though you will not recoverfrom your hair loss doesn't it?)

and the most accurate description can remain as is! (Bet you're surprised at that :) ).

I really, really thank you and respectfully add that I'll share this with those patients both pre- & post op that are wondering if there is a caring person behind the desriptor of the DS Forum's "ABOUT The Duodenal Switch BPD/DS" page, as we can see now that there is in the person of Daniel M. Herron, MD, FACS.....

Thank You for considering this addendum,

Ms. Lowellian (I gave HIM  my real name, guys hee hee)