Met With Dr. Hutcher
We touched on the subject of Transfer Addictions and Behavior Modification .
I told him how profound the Transfer Addictions seem to be . He agreed. I asked him was there any more his office could do to prepare the pre-ops . He said he truly thought his program works. We went over the pros and cons . And suprisingly he agreed with me . There needs to be more education . There needs to be more understanding that we are trading one addiiction for others. While he does touch on it , and discuss it , I told him I feel it just does not get the full attention I so think we need . I asked him if I put together some research , and some ideas would he be willing to listen. He is very open to it . I also told him that pre-ops really could benefit from hearing from a long term post op at the pre-surgery classes. While most of us go and listen to the nurses and the doctors tell us about the surgery , all that it brings , how to prepare , what I did not get to do was talk to a long term post op to ask questions . He thought this was a very good idea as well . We are going to work on this as well .
I also talked to him about people who have eating disorders prior to weight loss surgery and hide it from the staff - get the surgery and are right back at the same ole habits again . I know some one personally who is still bulemic and scared to death of food . She also has a drug addiction and is literally starving herself to death . I told him it really is a problem among our group and there has to be more ways for his team to identify . I know people are great actors , but it is so sad to see someone get this surgery and end up throwing up all day and scared to eat . They will die .. it is just a matter of time . So many issues to think about long term .
All in all it was a great meeting , and I we are scheduled to meet again soon .
I hope that we can make some headway .. we have to for the sake of all of those going through it now and those coming after us .
Have a great night ,
Tink
Proud Obesity Help Bariatric Life Coach
Proud Obesity Help Support Group Leader
Fighting Daily the Disease We Call Obesity !
www.obesityhelp.com/group/LifeStartsWLS08
www.vawlsevents.com
Helping Others Find Their Way to a Life They Deserve!
Glad to hear that there is no hernia. One less thing to have surgery on, huh....
But, I'm concerned that he was not aware of how profound the subject of transfer addiction is. He's one of those doctors that is in the know in the bariatric community and there has been MUCH discussion on the issue over the past 2 years - with Oprah, the patients, etc. that I'm confused (and a bit concerned) that he did not know of the subject or to the extent in which this is occurring.
Doesn't he require a psychological analysis prior to surgery? Mine did, and one of the things the psychologist looks for is potential eating disorders and obsessive behavior - both are clear indicators that there might be trouble ahead. Unless you lie on your questionaire and in your meeting with the psychologist, the information is known.
But, I think your idea of having a long-term patient talk to pre-ops is a great idea. My doc requires that you attend a support group meeting prior to surgery and these meetings have some long-term patients who speak about their journeys. But, sometimes it's not enough. Some like Kat would be PERFECT - especially with her transfer addiction problem. Isn't Kat one of his patients??? She's been in the public eye about it, so he should be aware of her problems and be able to utilize her - and she's just SUCH a great speaker.
I don't even know how to comment on the other issue, because it concerns me that someone HERE (unless you are talking about another group) would go to such lengths when there is so much support and communication here. I know that there is someone on this board who takes way too much pain medication for it to be healthy, but, I'm sure that this is a personal issue to them that they must reach out to a certified psychologist to get treatment - treatment that is well beyond this board.
Certified Personal Trainer
"I'm tough, ambitious, and I know exactly what I want. if that makes me a bitch, okay." - Madonna
Beginning Weight: 265 Current Weight:143
So I run like a Girl....now keep up!
Kat is a patient of the office but not of his specifically.
I partially agree with what you have said. Dr. Hutcher is well aware of transfer addictions. It is mentioned in his pre op book and spoken about at his pre op appointments. There does, in my opinion, need to be more done on this, but he is fully aware of the problem. He does require a psych evel and goes over it personally with the doctors giving it. As you mentioned he is well known in the WLS community and is very proactive when it comes to things that involve long term prognosis for post ops. I have met with him as well a few weeks ago and got astounding result from our chat.
Tammy C
down 260+ pounds and loving life more than ever!!!
proud mom to Kara 12-08-1994 and our newest addition Claire Makenna born 03-26-09 weighing 6 lbs 13 ounces and 19.25 inches long and very healthy. happily dating...i honestly never knew it could be this good! there is that special Guy for everyone out there...either you already have him or you will find him when He is ready for it!
open RNY 04-25-2005
Life could not get any better than this!
Well...I stil lthink that Kat would be a PERFECT person to discuss this subject with his patients, especially since she is already affliated with his office and is such a great speaker on the subject. No one else from this board can give the first hand point of view like she can...she's been there!
Certified Personal Trainer
"I'm tough, ambitious, and I know exactly what I want. if that makes me a bitch, okay." - Madonna
Beginning Weight: 265 Current Weight:143
So I run like a Girl....now keep up!
Tammy C
down 260+ pounds and loving life more than ever!!!
proud mom to Kara 12-08-1994 and our newest addition Claire Makenna born 03-26-09 weighing 6 lbs 13 ounces and 19.25 inches long and very healthy. happily dating...i honestly never knew it could be this good! there is that special Guy for everyone out there...either you already have him or you will find him when He is ready for it!
open RNY 04-25-2005
Life could not get any better than this!
As I told Jill , He is aware of the issue . However he was not aware that so many from my group of peers have gone through this .
I love him , do not get me wrong . I just have my own opinions as to pre-care before surgery and he was wiling to listen .
The more we get it out there to our surgeons and address the issue ,. the more they will listen. And he will listen . He cares way to much about us not to .
Nat
Proud Obesity Help Bariatric Life Coach
Proud Obesity Help Support Group Leader
Fighting Daily the Disease We Call Obesity !
www.obesityhelp.com/group/LifeStartsWLS08
www.vawlsevents.com
Helping Others Find Their Way to a Life They Deserve!
Tammy C
down 260+ pounds and loving life more than ever!!!
proud mom to Kara 12-08-1994 and our newest addition Claire Makenna born 03-26-09 weighing 6 lbs 13 ounces and 19.25 inches long and very healthy. happily dating...i honestly never knew it could be this good! there is that special Guy for everyone out there...either you already have him or you will find him when He is ready for it!
open RNY 04-25-2005
Life could not get any better than this!
But., like you, I have been lucky. But, I must say that I do teeter. I exercsie way too much and while it might sound healthy, it really isn't when your body hurts all of the time, but you are afraid to stop - make sense???
And I'm still on the not eating enough thing...
But...does it mean that I am the exception? i don't think so. I think that I just do not let my guard down is all. It's easy to let it down, and heck...when you are with friends, why wouldn;t you...right????
Certified Personal Trainer
"I'm tough, ambitious, and I know exactly what I want. if that makes me a bitch, okay." - Madonna
Beginning Weight: 265 Current Weight:143
So I run like a Girl....now keep up!
I teeter, too. I think deep down inside we all teeter. I have exercised so much it hurt and then pushed myself to go farther. I go days without eating and only having my protein drinks. I am afraid to stop. I did not go thru what I did just to get back to where I was before. I, like you, do not let my guard down and try to surround myself with those that are supportive and know how easy it could be for me to revert to old ways.
The bottom line is that it should be addressed preop more and post op as well. We all make our own decisions. Some of us just need more support to head in the right direction than others.
Tammy C
down 260+ pounds and loving life more than ever!!!
proud mom to Kara 12-08-1994 and our newest addition Claire Makenna born 03-26-09 weighing 6 lbs 13 ounces and 19.25 inches long and very healthy. happily dating...i honestly never knew it could be this good! there is that special Guy for everyone out there...either you already have him or you will find him when He is ready for it!
open RNY 04-25-2005
Life could not get any better than this!
