Question:
Are there specific directions that should be included for a gastric bypass?

I'm just trying to tighten this up further. I do have store bought living will papers. I already have a durable power of atty. recorded in the county office and he has functioned that way for me for 2 years in legal matters. I have no father, mother, g'parents living. My 2 brothers live 900 miles away and can barely run their own lives, let alone mine. SO, I've learned a bit reading your comments here, but ...what is the line that is crossed when the living will is used? What about sitting there like a vegetable, conscious, but needing a feeding tube or respirator. I am NOT being morbid, since I live alone (I do have many friends) I want my durable power of atty. to know exactly what should be done and shouldn't in relation to this surgery. Any help from people familiar with this (attys., medical people) appreciated.    — Marylu M. C. (posted on June 5, 2003)

June 5, 2003
being an R.N., I can tell you that many, many people have had to have a feeding tube or a respirator and improved to get off them and live full, normal lives. I can understand your concern though. There are people on here nearly every day that have had to have a ventilator (respirator) to help them breathe for awhile then got all right.
   — Delores S.

June 5, 2003
Marylu, from reading your profile, it doesn't look like you have a lot of co-morbid conditions. I can understand that you are worried about the possibility of the unthinkable happening, and being kept alive artificially. You really need to sit down with your surgeon and discuss your concerns with him/her. This is the person that will directing your care. Let him know what you do and do not want done, then have it all written up and executed by an attorney, providing the surgeon with a copy, before you have surgery. (You are probably going to do well - good luck!)
   — koogy

June 5, 2003
Check with your hospital where you are having your surgery for this service. My hospital provided my husband & I with a packet of information on all that your post has in it. Your hospital may also do the same as mine did.
   — ChristineB

June 5, 2003
You can state in your living will exactly what you do or don't want done, what "line" is your "line" that's crossed. There are many "form" living wills out there, but you may need to have a lawyer draw up one to read just what you want. Make sure your doctor, surgeon, hospital and your "emergency contact" all have a copy.
   — Liz R.

June 5, 2003
Hi Marylu....My Surgeon makes it point clear that he feels that everyone should make all arrangements just in case....scared me.....making me think he feels I wont live through it but honestly he feels that one should always be prepared. I like you dont have many comorbidities except for PCOS and pain and lifestyle restricitions, and strong family history of diabeties, heart problems, stroke, cancers. But thankfully at the moment I am not dealing with those issues, thats why I want to have surgery.
   — lillbitofsin

June 7, 2003
As a medical transcriptionist, I'll tell you what the docs say in their reports - basically they review with the patient ahead of time the living will stuff. If that isn't possible, they ask the family members to consider what the patient would have preferred. Basically YOU decide where to cross each line. The biggest question is what kind of life would you have if you recovered from your situation. As in, if they kept you on a respirator, would you have enough brain function to have mental awareness, would you ever be able to return to the same level of functioning you currently have? You can specify yes or no for each intervention such as respirator, antibiotics, surgery, nutrition, hydration, etc., but you basically make clear your intentions about what kind of "heroic measures" they should or should not take, based on the expected longterm outcome. Of course, they can't see into the future, and people who were never going to wake up have walked right out of the hospital one day - so miracles are not things the docs can be held responsible for expecting. If your docs are considering whether to pull the plug, there is an ethics committee or something similar for when there is no family member with an actual power of attorney, or if there is any question about what is in the best interest of the patient. This means that a group of people who deal with this read what you want and see how your condition is expected to play out, and as a group they make a decision on your behalf. The doctors consider your living will any time you are receiving serious medical intervention, or if you are loosing ground instead of gaining. A copy of it should be given to the hospital, as they will want to review it during your stay.
   — bethybb