Question:
HAS ANYONE HEARD OF A DR. NOT DOING THE SURGERY BECAUSE OF BEING HIGH RISK?
I WENT TO SEE DR. ROBLES YESTERDAY AND HE TOLD THAT HE WOULD NOT DO THE SURGERY UNTIL I LOST 50 LBS...(SUCH AN EASY TASK)..BECAUSE I WAS A HIGH RISK??? I AM A DIABETIC WITH SLEEP APNEA AND A BMI OF 61....WITH A FAMILY HISTORY OF HEART PROBLEM...I HAVE GOOD BLOOD PRESSURE AND NO PROBLEM WITH MY HEART..I TAKE LIPTOR--AND MY CHOLESTROL IS UNDER CONTROL...???? I DON'T UNDERSTAND I THOUGHT THAT WAS WHAT U NEEDED TO HAVE THE SURGERY...ANY ADVISE..OR WHAT TO DO NEXT...PLEASE HELP!!!! — sheri G. (posted on April 11, 2003)
April 10, 2003
Find a different surgeon, some specilize in higher risk patiewnts. My
surgeon does the very high risk over 1000 pounds that other surgeons
wouldnt touch.
— bob-haller
April 10, 2003
I have a wonderful surgeon in Middletown Ct. and deals with all BMI's- Dr.
Jonathan Aranow- give him a call. My surgery is coming up April 21st and I
cant wait- Great support groups and even better after care and everyone
raves over him. I know three girls I work with that had there surgery by
him aswell and they look awesome... Good Luck!!
— [Deactivated Member]
April 10, 2003
I would be thankful that the surgeon you have seen is honest enough not to
want to attempt something he is obviously not comfortable with. It sounds
like there is someone else in your state who will operate on people with
higher BMIs, so I hope that is an option for you.
— garw
April 10, 2003
I started out with a BMI of 74. I had severe sleep apnea, diabetes,
history of heart problems in the family, personal history of lymphoma, and
a history of lung/respiratory problems in the family. And my surgeon had
no problems operating on me without any pre-op weight loss. I agree with
the others who have said to find another surgeon who *will* operate on
you...even if you have to travel a bit to see him. JR (open RNY 07/17/02
-167 lbs)
— John Rushton
April 11, 2003
Personally I think that IF your doctor is going to HELP youu loose the 50
lbs, then he is being extremely responsible. I would then think twice
about looking for a new surgeon if I felt that the surgeon I had had my
best interests in mind.
My surgeon does the same thing for higher risk patients, he puts them on
that liquid stuff that Oprah took years ago. He wants them to loose some
of the weight for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, so that they
can me as healthy as possible for the surgery. He understands your medical
history I am sure if he did a complete questionaire on you. He knows why he
wants you to loose some weight first. Have him explain to you again why.
I am sure that the shock of hearing you have to loose 50 lbs probably
surprised you so much that you did not hear all of his explaination.... I
know I would be the same way if I was told that.
Secondly the reason my surgeon requires it is a personal one for him... he
wants to make sure that you are ready. That you have made the concious
choice to take control of your life, and your eating habits. This surgery
is not a cure for morbid obesity.... it is a TOOL to help you loose weight.
You still have to work at it, and my surgeon wants to know that you are
willing to take control of your eating habits.
That is just my surgeons reasons... yours may be the same or different.
Personally again, I would have him re-explain why he wants you to loose
weight first, the fact that your "high risk" would not be enough
for me. I would have him detail what it is that makes your a higher risk
than the norm for this surgery, if you dont get the answers you want, then
by all means look for a new surgeon.
— laura B.
April 11, 2003
Some surgeons cherry pick only the easy cases, which helps keep their death
rate low. Now refusing to do surgery on a patient would be bad form. But
perhaps setting a almost unreasonable weight loss requirement accomplishes
the same thing. I would find another surgeon. Your BMI of 60 isnt that
high, many surgeons do LAP even to 80-s bmis. Get a new surgeon.
— Sam J.
April 11, 2003
Hi, Sheri. My doctor told me the same thing back in November. My BMI was
about the same as yours. He told me he wanted me to lose the weight so my
healing and my mobility would be better. So, that weekend, I had a few
last meals and I'm proud to say that as of last Friday I have lost 53
pounds, am down six inches around my waist, and my BMI's now around 49. My
surgery is this Monday, April 14th. If you want this surgery bad enough
and this is the doctor you want to do your surgery, you WILL be able to
lose the weight. It's just amazing how much better I feel after only
losing 50 pounds, I can only imagine what I'll feel like after I lose
another 100 pounds. Good luck to you in whatever to decide to do.
— Julia T.
April 11, 2003
Hi, My mother in law and I are both having the surgery - Well I had the
surgery a week ago. We have different surgeons. Her surgeon regularly does
high risk patients in Baltimore. She still had to lose 75lbs before he
would do her surgery. She lost the weight and is scheduled for later this
month. He stated that the 75lbs could make the difference between her
living or dying. In her case he felt that at her weight she would not be
able to get up and walk after surgery which is so critical to avoid chest
complications and blood clots. She could have found another surgeon, and
there's more than one out there who will do anyone. You need to weigh in
the skill and education of your surgeon. If your surgeon does high risk
parients normally or is well documented as knowing their "stuff",
and still thinks you need to lose weight before he operates then you may
want to heed his advice. If you don't trust his judgement, then you may
want to find another surgeon. Good Luck!!
— M B.
April 11, 2003
My surgeon handles high risk a BIT DIFFERENTLY, HE DOES THE rny IN two
STAges. One restrrictive the other after many pounds are lost the
intestinal bypass part. This reduces table time and although inconvenient
is much safer for the high risk. Easier recovery to.
— bob-haller
April 11, 2003
Being the non-confrontational person I am.....I always get mad at myself
when I get puffed up about something. You have had some terrific responses
to this question! However, requiring that a patient lose weight prior to
surgery is not "cherry picking" patients - it's responsible
patient care. Our surgeons often require patients to go on a high protein
weight loss diet prior to surgery. This accomplishes several things. The
first, and possibly most important reason, is that it makes your liver
smaller. A fatty liver is the main cause that laparoscopic surgeries have
to be converted to open. It creates poor visibility in the surgical field.
A loss of only 20 pounds or so vastly reduces the size of the liver and
improves visibility. Second, protein is a very valuable tool or building
block in our recovery. If we're already on our way to good health when we
have surgery then it can only get better after the surgery. Weight loss
also takes stress off our lungs and makes mobility easier immediately
following surgery. Lastly, in defense of the hundreds of wonderful
surgeons who perform this surgery......if they all operated on maximum risk
patients and didn't require some weight loss and health improvement prior
to surgery then there would, in fact, be more deaths. Then, the very same
people who complain about having to lose weight prior to surgery would be
complaining about the surgeons having a high mortality rate. I commend
your surgeon on requiring the pre op weight loss. It means he has your
best interest at heart. I know you can do it!! And you'll lose it faster
than you think. Hang in there - sounds like you've got a good doc on your
side!
— ronascott
April 11, 2003
Sheri I had the same exact problem when I went to see Dr Robles he told me
to quit smoking and lose 50 lbs yeah right. I now am seeing another doctor
and having no problems he wants us to lose 20 or close to it that just
makes it easier during surgery because it shrinks your liver. But other
than that. If you have any more questions or doctors names let me know.
Jamie
— jnmcneil
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