Question:
Pain and Other Health Issues
I have not had surgery yet, but I have noticed a LOT of people coming on here with questions about pain and things their bodies are doing that sounds to me like they would be better off contacting their doctor. It is to my understanding from my doctor that even the simple things should be called in immediately because they could be the beginning of something life threatening. He said the people that have died under his care are people that had fixable issues and could have been fine if they had only came in when symptoms begin. When we alter our bodies like this, we should not chance these things. I would call a doctor or go to the ER before coming on here to diagnose a problem. — kandymc (posted on October 21, 2008)
October 21, 2008
I often thought the same thing, but I have made the determination that some
people are having surgery from doctors that do the surgery but do not have
a really great program to go along with it. There are also alot of people
who have this done in Mexico and far, far away from their homes...If it
were me, I would make darn sure I had a primary care that was well schooled
before having this surgery far from home, there is so much that can be
concerning. I have already encountered an issue where my primary had no
idea about and issue with my surgery, I let her know that she needed to
school up seeing as she now has 2 patients with it...or I will be changing
docs..
— lori042499
October 21, 2008
I've treid to stress this fact too. For many, this is their first major
surgery. Seeing other posts about "pains or aches" after
surgery, seems to prompt the new post ops to post also. RNY does not cause
every little paid a body may have. If the pain occurs every time you eat,
then you should see the doctor. I agree, see your doctor if you are truly
worried--this is not a site with doctors viewing every post. I know I'd
call my surgeon, instead of posting here if I had an issue I was worried
about. I had an issue with dizzy spells and fainting. I consulted my PCP
and it tooks months, but the final consult with a cardiologist determined I
needed a pacemaker due to low bp issue. DAVE
— Dave Chambers
October 21, 2008
Exactly!! This is a great source of support and I am not cutting it down at
all!! I would be working with my doctor first then maybe come here to ask
about it. Maybe other people can give you some different reasons and it may
help give you something to bring up with your doctor bot NOTHING should
take place of normal visits and calls. It is stressed that this is not a
one time thing and we are required to have follow ups for years to come.
— kandymc
October 21, 2008
I can see your side to this....and I can see the other side as well. Like
a previous post mentioned, some people do NOT have a great program to go
along with their journey of weight loss....and also, unfortunately, due to
years of chronic pain and dismissal by doctor's that it's "Weight
Related" I think many become gun shy in contacting their doctor's when
the pain is not seeming to be "life threatening". I think if
someone truly felt it was life or death, they'd have brains enough to go to
the ER or contact their surgeon's office immediately. I just think that
this is an easy way to feel things out....and then determine if it's more
serious than one might imagine. Sometimes it's just nice to hear what
others have gone through. So don't judge people too harshly here....it
really does keep them motivated when they're supported rather than bashed
or berated for asking a question. No stupid questions here....and kindness
and tolerance is something I believe we all need to practice on a support
site such as this. Just my 2 cents worth.
— Cheryl K.
October 21, 2008
I was NOT in any way trying to be rude or anything of the sort. I was not
judging anyone and was trying to understand why this is happening.
— kandymc
October 21, 2008
Kendall,
I think the people that post questions here are looking for suggestions and
a "has this happened to you before" kind of attitude more than
can you diagnose me kind of attitude. Most of the answers I read do
suggest the person contact his/her doctor and I agree when we undertake
this kind of life altering change, we need to follow up forever with our
weight loss surgeons, PCP's and nutritionists. There are a lot of nurses
and WLS veterans who have been around the block a time or two on this site
and their advice and suggestions can be very helpful to a newbie.
Trust me, if I have something very unusual or painful going on, I'm not
going to take the time to log on to my laptop to check it out here, I will
be on my surgeon's doorstep or in the triage area of the nearest ER. But,
if I have an ache or pain or am curious about something, I think it is very
fitting to confer with my WLS buddies here.
That's my two cents worth.
Congratulations on your upcoming surgery and we will be happy to welcome
you to the loser's bench.
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
— DawnVic
October 21, 2008
i have learned that alot of the questions are real. you can't flip out at
first site of a problem. however, this site allows us to ask questions and
if even one of us thought it was a real problem, i know i would say
"please call your doctor and don't mess around. i glad i have this
site. it helps to read what everyone else is going though. we can compare
it with our own problems. also it helps to know what to expect should
something happen to us. we will be here for you as well. best of luck and i
will be thinking of you.
my date was 09-08-2008
— peggy R.
October 21, 2008
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! retired md here- and the answers to many
of the pain like questions make me crazy-ask here but Never take that type
of answer as coming from up-above. your docs are better equipt to handle
more pressing medical issues. Even though all of us have gone thru the
surgery, and many of us present the many same types of issues, use this for
info, but act on your docs recommendations only. Cindi -230 #
your docs are better equipt to handel
— DollyDoodles
October 21, 2008
Hi Kendall, you are absolutely right about calling your doctor. In my own
case, I have asked for help or opinions on here while I was WAITING for my
doctor to call me back or for my appointment. It just helps so much
knowing ahead of time that you're not the only one that may be having (or
had) a specific problem. Good luck with your surgery, Kim.
— kcox1960
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