Question:
What can my friend do?
I have a friend who weighs 575 and was going to have the surgery. I sent him to my doctor and he was told he needs to lose 200 pounds before he can get the surgery. Anyone have any suggestions on what he can do since his health is really bad. I'm sure if he could lose 200 pounds he wouldn't be where he is now. — kkubinski99 (posted on October 18, 2003)
October 18, 2003
If I were you, I would help him find another doc even if he has to travel
some. This size person is nothing to the majority of docs. Meaning, they
have no problem operating on them. Some docs are just afraid and some only
want to do it lap and that is where the problem is on larger people. The
regular instruments they use are not long enough and the ones to fit this
size person are very expensive or so I have read on here. Look for another
doc.
— Delores S.
October 18, 2003
Find another doctor! I firmly believe that any doctor who requires his
patients to drop weight prior to surgery is doing it only to make things
easier on him. Its like holding a life jacket over a drowing man's head
saying "You got to swim over here and get this FIRST, then I'll help
you." If your friend could loose weight then why would he need the
surgery? Find another doctor.
— Renee B.
October 18, 2003
Your doc only opererates on low risk patients, he must find a surgeon
experienced on high risk patients.
— faybay
October 18, 2003
There is a Yahoo group for folks who started out at over 400 lbs. Perhaps
you could contact the Moderator there for help.
Nina in Maine
— [Deactivated Member]
October 18, 2003
There was a post on the message board either earlier today or late
yesterday by a fellow who started at over 600 pounds. I'd look for that
post and maybe e-mail him to see if he ran into that problem and how he
handled it.
— mary G.
October 18, 2003
Find another surgeon, I have a heart problem and my surgery was high risk,
your friend needs to find a surgeon that handles high risk WLS.
— cindy
October 18, 2003
I would also suggest looking at www.duodenalswitch.com that site has a list
of DS doctors. DS is a great choice for the SMO. Good luck to your friend
— Stephanie B.
October 18, 2003
I agree with everyone else. Find another doctor. I was 529lbs when I had my
surgery, and was a high risk patient. I came through the surgery like
gangbusters. I didn't have 1 problem. Alot of that was due to my surgeon. I
took me alot to get my surgery, I went through 2 jobs, 2 insurance
companies, and 4 surgeons and it took 2 and a half years for it to happen
but it was worth every ordeal. Never acept "NO" for an answer,
from anyone. There is too much at risk to just roll over and accept defeat.
Good Luck -Open RNY 11-11-02 down 150lbs
— dkinson
October 18, 2003
Oh my gosh. This is completely ridiculous but not unheard of. To be
honest with you another doctor is the ONLY option fro you friend. The
point of Gastric Bypass IS to reduce weight. Telling someone to lose 200
lb. is like saying don't breath. That is an insult. This doctor IS NOT
very helpful it seems. Please keep us updated on your friends progress.
— Kitty Kat
October 18, 2003
Just to add another voice...locate another doctor! I was 425 and the doc
never even blinked about it.
— [Deactivated Member]
October 18, 2003
One week after my surgery, my surgeon operated laparoscopically on a man
585 lbs. It worked fine. Find a more reassuring surgeon. My surgeon is in
Hackensack, New Jersey. If you need further information, please feel free
to email at [email protected]. LAP RNY 10/8/02. Down 130.
— Steve B.
October 18, 2003
That low a 'weight requirements' from your doctor suggests' either he's not
that experienced or wants to keep his stats down. My suggestion : Fina
another doctor. The heavier the patient some times its harder to find the
surgeon; but an Experienced surgeon would have no problem with 575. My
late husband was 660; we had to go out of state - Dr Champions' office in
ATlanta does heavier paitents... CHECK your area for another surgeon - for
his health if necessary, go out of state. good luck.
— star .
October 18, 2003
Linda- Please tell your friend that there are many of us who had RNY's when
we were over 500 pounds (I wore a size 70 pants at the time). My surgeon
performed mine laparoscopically in less than 100 minutes. I walked out of
the hospital 48 hours later.
— SteveColarossi
Click Here to Return