Con: Weight-loss surgery can be dangerous, unnecessary
James Clifton
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It was supposed to save her life. Instead, it killed her.
After her 2003 weight-loss surgery at Citizens Bariatric Center, Sherrill Oeding of Victoria died, her sister, Mickey Parma, said.
"Her surgery was on a Wednesday. They sent her home Friday and by Monday said she would be able to go back to work," Parma said. "But over the weekend, her staple didn't hold and she died from gangrene."
Parma said that while she knows weight-loss surgeries such as gastric bypass help people, the risks associated with it can be devastating.
"It's been tough. I'm still bitter about it," she added. "She told the doctors she was in pain, and at the first sign of trouble they should have looked at her. Instead, they told her to take two Tylenol. There needs to be stricter guidelines, especially for after the surgery. This could have been prevented."
A 2007 University of Washington study that examined safety results for bariatric surgeries found that for every 1,000 patients, three die during or within a month of their surgery and 43 had a major complication.
As with any surgery, patients undertake risks when they have the surgery, said Dr. B. Dean McDaniel, director of Citizens Bariatric Center. For gastric bypass, a long-term risk is vitamin/nutritional deficiency, and patients are required to supplement certain vitamins after surgery.
Lapband patients can have issues with the mechanical malfunction of the band. The most common reported is slippage or movement of the band position on the stomach, although the occurrence is rare, McDaniel said.
While weight-loss surgeries have increased significantly during recent years, with at least 220,000 done in 2008 in the U.S., it's not the only way to lose weight, even for someone who is 75 pounds or more overweight.
With his 50th birthday approaching, James Clifton, of Victoria, decided it was time for a change. At 5-foot 10-inches and 269 pounds, Clifton had always struggled with his weight, starting when he attended graduate school. But this time, he decided to scrap trying yet another diet and go for a lifestyle change instead.
"I turn 50 in January, and I thought what a nice present to myself. I was getting to that point that I couldn't do things that I had in the past, like outdoor activities," he said. "So this spring I decided to make a change."
Starting with a pre-package meal plan, Clifton gradually lost enough weight to start exercising again, eventually moving up his routine to his current six-day-a-week regimen. After three months, he learned to cook healthy meals for himself and got rid of the pre-packaged meals. Now he has lost 70 pounds and is still going strong.
"This time, it's truly a lifestyle change. I want this change to carry me through to the next 50 years of my life," he said. "I haven't been the best steward of my body. I overate, didn't exercise, had high stress jobs. But I changed the way I looked at food and exercise. And now I feel like a million dollars."
Clifton added that he does believe in bariatric surgery and thinks it's a great option, but it wasn't something that ever crossed his mind.
"I never thought of it. I just started with taking small steps. I'm really proud of what I've done and I want people to know that there are resources out there for them if they are trying to lose weight. There are a lot of places around here that can make this journey easier," he said, adding that he had the support of a trainer and his boss, who taught him how to cook healthy meals.
The long-term solution to the obesity crisis isn't bariatric surgery, but rather prevention, McDaniel said.
"Like other diseases, we have to detect early and intervene. This problem is difficult to treat once the weight gain has occurred. Early detection beginning with children is need to stop this epidemic," he added. "Bariatric surgery is designed for those already in trouble, but we can do so much more for future generations not in trouble yet."
Related: Pro: Bariatric surgery gives new life, hope to patients
Comments
My name is francis and Sherrill was one of my older sisters.Iam posting this because iam still ticked off that the DR.you know who you are.is still being allowed to practice medicine. This wasnt the first time he has had marks againt his medical career.
October 12, 2009 at 3:21 p.m.Right? Dr. you know who you are.
All he got was a little slap on the wrist.
I still miss my sister terribly.
I just needed to blow off a little steam.
Maybe, god forgives him, but i dont.
Enought said, now i want to give you dear DR. an example of what a good and great doctor really is.
I had major back surgery 8 years ago.I was releashed after 3 days and at the time my girlfriend was in washington taking care of her daughter who has lupus.anyway, i was home alone & i wokeup one morning & my back felt wet & my head was pounding & first thought was i was bleeding but it wasnt blood, so i called my doctor & he said for to get to his office imediately because i was losing spinal fluid.i couldnt drive & everyone i knew was at work,so i called my girlfriend & her cousin martha rushed me to my dr.i had surgery again & i was in there for 12 days & my doctor came by every day to see me & after i went home again he was calling me everyday to check on me.Do you see my point Dr? He didnt tell me to take a pain pill,he told me to come to see him right then & there.Also he kept calling everyday to see how i was doing.
Thats being a real doctor & a great DR.
At the time of Sherrill's death "Mr Wonderful", Dr Chang was the doctor on call at Citizens, when she went there the day after she was released from the hospital, which was Saturday morning, her husband took her to the emergency room because she was in such terrible pain - oh yes, the nurses would come by and check on her - they were given her morphine and would ask her what her pain level was on a scale of 1-10 she told them 11 - she was at the hospital for 8 hours that day and Dr Chang never once came up there to see her and then he released her over the phone - ask Dr Chang what he should have done? If he would have done his job, my sister would be alive today - like so many others she wanted the surgery so she could live longer - she wanted to grow old and see and love her husband, children and grandchildren but instead, Dr McDaniel & Dr Chang you took that away from her - ya'll negligence let her die. Dr McDaniel's office finally made her an appointment to come see him on Thursday morning - when her husband went home to get her ready for her doctor's visit she was dead. If Dr Chang would have examined her on Saturday or if Dr McDaniel would have asked to see her on Monday, then the problem or mistake would have been detected and my sister would be alive today. When the family went to see you your words to the family were "I didn't do anything wrong" and those words still haunt me today. At that time you did not know if you had done anything wrong or not....Monday morning you should have told her to come in, instead of to take 2 Tylenol. As a doctor you take an oath to save lives not to ignore your patience when they need you most, which was after the surgery. My sister also wanted the lap band done, but you talked her into the bypass so that she could lose more than the normal 100 pounds. I know that that gastric-bypass has helped a lot of people but if you lose one patient needlessly - then I'm glad I'm not you because it would be hard to know I could have saved her life and didn't do anything except ignore her plea's for help and let her suffer the horrile death she had. I do hope and pray that Dr McDaniel and Dr Chang have learned something from my sister's death and is taking care of the patience after the surgery.
October 12, 2009 at 2:18 p.m.blueberry1 I think Dr. Chang and his office staff are great. Also, so friendly. I can tell you that J.R Ortega will be doing a story about me. Dr. Chang welcomed him to my first visit. I will have my gastric bypass at Detar. Dr. Chang made a comment that i would be his first pt. that he has done due to me not being over 215 pounds. I started
October 12, 2009 at 12:20 p.m.off wanting the lap band, but through conversation
he told me i cannot promise that you would be dibetic free. With the gastric My 2,000 mg of metformin would cease.
Just to let yall know Dr. Chang does his surgeries at both Citizens and DeTar.
October 12, 2009 at 10:13 a.m.I agree with tipsy361, Dr Chang is by far the best in town. I have never felt more taken care of by any other dr I have been too. He and his staff have always been available for any issues that have ever come up. He also makes sure to explain what is going on, as well as, why he is giving his instructions and what to watch out for...
I think that it really does come down to having the best dr available AND a dr that cares about his patients. Luckily Dr Chang was there and I am thankful for the opportunity he has given me. My life has changed ten fold and I have no intention of ever going back.
October 11, 2009 at 9:10 p.m.While I cannot comment on this tragedy I can say that I was at 417 pounds just over two years ago. I had tried to go back to work and stepped on a small piece of tubing and broke my foot. The orthopedist said my feet were not designed to carry that much weight He said "lose weight or die!" My family doctor told me the same thing and so did two different doctors I went to for psyc evaluations. I had Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, the beginnings of congestive heart failure and serious depression and lack of will. I can recall getting up from the reclyner and walking to the kitchen and forgetting what I went for but did not have the will to go back and sit down. I stood there for ten minutes. I began seeing a weight control doctor who diagnosed me with thyroid disease and began to treat me with the proper thyroid medication at the proper dose. Within a year I had lost 70 pounds. However, my back was in bad shape and my right leg was going numb. All the doctors were happy about the weight loss but insisted I didn't have two years to lose another 140 pounds so I saw Dr. McDaniel. I had a bypass and lost another 92 pounds for a total of 162 pounds so far. Dr. McDaniel was very attentive and his P.A. checked on me regularly. I weighed in for some time and I have gone from a size 62 waist to a size 44. Yipee! I will be back at work next spring.
October 11, 2009 at 7:07 p.m.I get up in the mornings now and I have a will to GO! I have my meds, a dose of protein, coffee, an energy drink and you had better get out of my way 'cause it's time to move!
I must always keep my protein intake high, a B-12 shot twice a week and take my vitamins. Eat meats, cheese, beans and protein shakes and bars.
I start weight training on the bench press this week.
These doctors saved my life and I thank God for them. I shall pray for the Oeding family. My deepest condolances on their loss.
opps i also wanted to say that my sugars are very out of contol. I have good days and have bad days.
October 11, 2009 at 2:11 p.m.Dr. Chang makes you go through different phases such as seeing a dietician,a psyc eval, seeing your family doctor for 6 months amd every Dr. has to agree that this is best for me in the long run.
Well I am having the gastric bypass done Oct 19th.
October 11, 2009 at 2:06 p.m.I truely beleive in my Doctor. Dr. Chang explained the pro's and con's to me. Some say its a quick fix. but when you have type 2 diabetes and follow my diet to a T. I beleive this will resolve some of my issues. I take 14 different medications for different issues.
I like how Dr McDaniel is the "expert" that commented on this article and he is the same Dr that told Sherrill to take the tylenol. But you don't see that at all in the article. Sure he had no idea what was wronge with her but how would he...he didn't even look at her. What happened to doctors being "GOOD" doctors. Now, if it's an out patient surgery your on your own after you leave the hospital. "Call us if you have problems but don't expect to see me until your 6 week check up" should be what they tell you!
October 11, 2009 at 1:19 p.m.