Question:
Negative Info. about doctor

I'm in a bit of a bind. In the last week, my primary MD and another MD told me not to see a particular surgeon in my area. I had already decided not to use him, but I feel a responsibility to let other folks know. Are we liable legally for passing on that kind of information?    — [Anonymous] (posted on May 10, 1999)

May 13, 1999
Is this site for the benefit of obese people contemplating weight loss surgery? If so, I think it one must follow their conscience and open up discussions regarding the competency of the surgical team, nursing staff and hospital. This surgery is expensive, the procedure is majorly invasive and the recovery is not easy. One does not want to have complications requiring reoperation if they can be avoided. I believe that if you are giving an opinion or relaying an opinion from a patient who had the surgery, then it would be most helpful to others contemplating surgery.
   — Deborah L.

October 15, 1999
I would like to know the surgeons name or at least what city he's in. I should know by Thursady and have yet to settle on a surgeon.
   — Mary C.

October 15, 1999
What is your physicians reasoning for telling you not to use the surgeon??? Does he not believe in WLS? Did the surgeon kill 10 of the last 15 patients he operated on??? What you need to do, is do your homework, call the medical board in the area, find out if the surgeon has a ton of law suits and complaints and problems following him ... If he doesn't I'd tell your family doc to get a grip, and pass along FACTS not just warnings. And yes, unsubstantiated information written about someone in public that could cause him/her damage to them personally or professionally is called slander and you could be sued.
   — Sherrie G.

October 25, 2000
I really like the point Sherrie made about the FACTS. When I had surgery, I wrote to people I found on this site who had the same surgeon I had and received a ton of positive replies. I also received one negative, which I thoroughly checked out. This person had had a terrible experience and I will be forever grateful she shared that with me so I knew what to look out for during my hospital stay. It turned out I had a great experience (as far as having major surgery goes:), but I got a lot of suspicious hate e-mail from people who NEVER had a personal experience with my surgeon or hospital giving me a hard time because I posted my recommendation of them. THEY had heard about the terrible time this other patient had and felt it was their duty to dissuade all others from going there. The problem is- it was none of their business to get involved and it DID become "he said- she said" and noone was stating facts anymore. When I asked my PCP, he called all bariatric surgeons butchers, my OB-GYN told me to go for it- who was right?? Long and short of it- give information about what you KNOW 1st hand- even if you tell people your PCP didn't suggest that surgeon, that is what you know without getting into what you DON'T know. Unsubstantiated gossip not only hurts the Doctors, it hurts the patients who could be helped by them. Good Luck!
   — M B.