Question:
Has anyone living in or near the STROUDSBURG PA area ever read or heard about TWO

woman in the area who had WLS and died from it? IF so what dr was it and when was it? I am having the surgery done and so is my friend. She talks to a lot of people who try to sway her from the surgery. She calls me yesterday (because I live in this area) and she is in Easton PA. She asks me if I ever heard that. I have not heard anything about this what so ever. I think a lot of people just try to scare you, and that is my thoughts here. She is going to dr Hoddinott in Allentown PA. I am going to someone different though. ANYONE with any info on this PLEASE respond. I told her I would post it because she does not have a comp and is missing out of this wonderful site!!! If you live in the area and have NOT heard anything about such an incident also respond, so I know I was not missing anything!!! I watch the news regular and read the newspaper, but maybe I missed something. This would have been within the last couple of years I beleive she said. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    — [Anonymous] (posted on August 18, 2001)

August 18, 2001
I would ask your friend to go back to her sources and ask for the names of these people otherwise these stories mean nothing. I live in pittsburgh I'll bet there are more than 2 people here who have died from surgery , so what? I lived, and so did everyone in my support group.I would venture to say that more than 2 people have died from MORBID OBESITY in the Easton/Stroudsburg area , diabetes, heart attack , stroke, You have to put this in perspective.
   — Rose A.

August 19, 2001
Dr. Hoddinott is my doctor. I am 9 weeks post-op. He is wonderful...I do know of two people he performed surgery on that have passed away, and both worked at the same place as me. I have to say that neither died from the surgery directly....one a blood clot and the other a heart problem (one male/one female). Both of them were very heavy. Both over 400, well over and both have complications prior to surgery. I would not let this bother you unless you fully research the cause of death. I still believe it is easier for people to blame the surgery as the cause of death then to face the truth. In both of these cases I personally believe either way could have resulted in death for them. The male that had the surgery was 8 weeks post op and died in his sleep - autopsy -heart condition. He died three weeks prior to my surgery. From what the family said it appeared that he had no regrets from the surgery and was very happy. Things happen, no matter what type of surgery you have there are risks. I am in Allentown, PA. Your friend is more then welcome to email me at any time. Also, I have referred at least 10 people to Dr. Hoddinott since I had surgery.
   — kimberly L.

February 11, 2002
There was a woman from Bushkill who died from a blood clot after WLS by Dr. Peters of Peckville PA up near Scranton.
   — Pat H.