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Floating Feathers: A Doctor's Harrowing Experience as a Patient Within Conventional Medicine — and an Impassioned Call for the Future of Care in America
Dr. Ross I.S. Zbar spent his career as a plastic surgeon, in the US as well as abroad in developing countries, mending disease- and trauma-related deformities--and he was never hesitant to make his voice heard as an advocate for better patient care.
Then, on a warm December day in 2018, Ross suffered a trauma that nearly took his life, putting him into the hands of his profession in a way he never anticipated. While his life was ultimately saved, his journey to wellness within the conventional medical establishment--from three weeks in the ICU to in-patient rehab--was nothing short of nightmarish. Frequently sedated and physically restrained, he was inundated with mental, emotional, and sensory evidence of an industry gone haywire, experiencing clearly from the patient side what he had only touched on as an advocate.
Vowing to be an even stronger voice for change, Ross used the power of his mind to recover faster than any of his doctors predicted. Floating Feathers not only recounts his compelling story but elucidates a thoughtful and authoritative critical call to the members of his beloved profession for a massive overhaul.
"We possess the technology and the brilliant minds to motivate this level of sweeping change so desperately required," he says. "We simply need to champion it as a non-negotiable priority."
This profoundly personal yet overarchingly relative book endeavors to be a vital first step toward that goal.
Then, on a warm December day in 2018, Ross suffered a trauma that nearly took his life, putting him into the hands of his profession in a way he never anticipated. While his life was ultimately saved, his journey to wellness within the conventional medical establishment--from three weeks in the ICU to in-patient rehab--was nothing short of nightmarish. Frequently sedated and physically restrained, he was inundated with mental, emotional, and sensory evidence of an industry gone haywire, experiencing clearly from the patient side what he had only touched on as an advocate.
Vowing to be an even stronger voice for change, Ross used the power of his mind to recover faster than any of his doctors predicted. Floating Feathers not only recounts his compelling story but elucidates a thoughtful and authoritative critical call to the members of his beloved profession for a massive overhaul.
"We possess the technology and the brilliant minds to motivate this level of sweeping change so desperately required," he says. "We simply need to champion it as a non-negotiable priority."
This profoundly personal yet overarchingly relative book endeavors to be a vital first step toward that goal.
- GenresMedicalNonfictionMemoir
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 12, 2020
251 people are currently reading
1877 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 2, 2022
Falls are very common among the elderly and carry high risks of injury; however, these falls happen to “conatus mortem” physicians and not just patients. “Floating Feathers” is a moving story about a traumatic fall told by plastic surgeon Dr. Ross I.S. Zbar. In December of 2018, on a toasty day (while on the roof) he happened to fall toward death.
Just a day in the ICU is enough to have family motoring to reconcile with a family member that they had been out of touch with. It’s during these events that many occluded items become clear despite what seemed the continual sedation and physical restraint of Dr. Ross I.S. Zbar---who survived three (3) weeks in the ICU---the patient.
"Every patient needs someone to watch over them, but these patients in particular are in need of an angel in the form of a human...She made the hospital staff feel as if they were directly accountable to her, and as a result, I received better and more meticulous care than I would have otherwise."
---Dr. Ross I.S. Zbar
Reading “Floating Feathers: A Doctor's Harrowing Experience as a Patient Within Conventional Medicine — and an Impassioned Call for the Future of Care in America '' illustrates a dire need for melioration of antiquated and outdated practices in his profession. His journey into hell and the subsequent resurfacing, Dr. Zbar illuminates the need of a redesigned bedpan. Buy and cry.
---
Stürze sind bei älteren menschen sehr verbreitet und bergen ein hohes verletzungsrisiko; Diese stürze passieren jedoch "conatus mortem"-Ärzten und nicht nur Patienten. "Floating Feathers: ist eine bewegende Geschichte über einen traumatischen Sturz, erzählt vom plastischen chirurgen Dr. Ross I.S. Zbar." Im Dezember 2018 stürzte er an einem warmen Tag (auf dem Dach) zufällig in den Tod.
Nur ein tag auf der Intensivstation reicht aus, um die familie mit einem familienmitglied zu versöhnen, mit dem sie keinen kontakt hatten. Während dieser reignisse werden viele verschlossene Gegenstände klar, trotz der scheinbar kontinuierlichen Sedierung und körperlichen zurückhaltung von Dr. Ross I.S. Zbar – der drei (3) Wochen auf der Intensivstation überlebte – der Patient.
"Jeder Patient braucht jemanden, der auf ihn aufpasst, aber diese Patienten brauchen besonders einen Engel in Form eines Menschen … Sie gab dem Krankenhauspersonal das Gefühl, direkt ihr gegenüber rechenschaftspflichtig zu sein. Ich wurde besser und sorgfältiger betreut, als ich es sonst getan hätte."
---Arzt Dr. Ross I.S. Zbar
Die lektüre von schwimmende federn: Die erschütternde erfahrung eines arztes als patient in der konventionellen medizin – und ein leidenschaftlicher aufruf zur zukunft der pflege in Amerika“ verdeutlicht die dringende notwendigkeit, veraltete und überholte praktiken in seinem beruf zu verbessern. Seine reise in die hölle und das anschließende wiederauftauchen, Dr. Zbar, beleuchtet die notwendigkeit einer neu gestalteten bettpfanne. Kaufen und weinen.
Just a day in the ICU is enough to have family motoring to reconcile with a family member that they had been out of touch with. It’s during these events that many occluded items become clear despite what seemed the continual sedation and physical restraint of Dr. Ross I.S. Zbar---who survived three (3) weeks in the ICU---the patient.
"Every patient needs someone to watch over them, but these patients in particular are in need of an angel in the form of a human...She made the hospital staff feel as if they were directly accountable to her, and as a result, I received better and more meticulous care than I would have otherwise."
---Dr. Ross I.S. Zbar
Reading “Floating Feathers: A Doctor's Harrowing Experience as a Patient Within Conventional Medicine — and an Impassioned Call for the Future of Care in America '' illustrates a dire need for melioration of antiquated and outdated practices in his profession. His journey into hell and the subsequent resurfacing, Dr. Zbar illuminates the need of a redesigned bedpan. Buy and cry.
---
Stürze sind bei älteren menschen sehr verbreitet und bergen ein hohes verletzungsrisiko; Diese stürze passieren jedoch "conatus mortem"-Ärzten und nicht nur Patienten. "Floating Feathers: ist eine bewegende Geschichte über einen traumatischen Sturz, erzählt vom plastischen chirurgen Dr. Ross I.S. Zbar." Im Dezember 2018 stürzte er an einem warmen Tag (auf dem Dach) zufällig in den Tod.
Nur ein tag auf der Intensivstation reicht aus, um die familie mit einem familienmitglied zu versöhnen, mit dem sie keinen kontakt hatten. Während dieser reignisse werden viele verschlossene Gegenstände klar, trotz der scheinbar kontinuierlichen Sedierung und körperlichen zurückhaltung von Dr. Ross I.S. Zbar – der drei (3) Wochen auf der Intensivstation überlebte – der Patient.
"Jeder Patient braucht jemanden, der auf ihn aufpasst, aber diese Patienten brauchen besonders einen Engel in Form eines Menschen … Sie gab dem Krankenhauspersonal das Gefühl, direkt ihr gegenüber rechenschaftspflichtig zu sein. Ich wurde besser und sorgfältiger betreut, als ich es sonst getan hätte."
---Arzt Dr. Ross I.S. Zbar
Die lektüre von schwimmende federn: Die erschütternde erfahrung eines arztes als patient in der konventionellen medizin – und ein leidenschaftlicher aufruf zur zukunft der pflege in Amerika“ verdeutlicht die dringende notwendigkeit, veraltete und überholte praktiken in seinem beruf zu verbessern. Seine reise in die hölle und das anschließende wiederauftauchen, Dr. Zbar, beleuchtet die notwendigkeit einer neu gestalteten bettpfanne. Kaufen und weinen.
August 4, 2021
Amazing
Incredible story of trauma and the amazing will to live. Dr Zbar was injured in a devastating fall. His tenacity coupled with the strength of his wife and her never ending support this doctor beat the odds and recovered. This book doesn’t end there. There is a plethora of information that is invaluable for patients regarding insurance issues, ICU issues, rehab and emotional issues and help finding information that has to do with everything you can imagine.
Incredible story of trauma and the amazing will to live. Dr Zbar was injured in a devastating fall. His tenacity coupled with the strength of his wife and her never ending support this doctor beat the odds and recovered. This book doesn’t end there. There is a plethora of information that is invaluable for patients regarding insurance issues, ICU issues, rehab and emotional issues and help finding information that has to do with everything you can imagine.
February 25, 2023
This was a good book, very informative. I just expected more.
March 26, 2021
A book both frightening and enlightening
Dr. Zbar’s subtitle is as accurate a subtitle as I’ve ever seen. His time as a patient in an ICU was truly horrific. His explanation of the terror and torture (yes torture) of being intubated and unable to communicate, being restrained and unable to move, and then alone with no family present at night in the ICU was the stuff of nightmares, yet all too true. To think of all the Covid patients that were intubated and kept from family makes me want to cry all over again after reading Dr. Zbar’s experience.
But he doesn’t just leave the reader horrified. He comes up with realistic and workable solutions that, if implemented, would make a hospital stay much more compassionate and truly healing. And if his ideas about how to change the “System” of healthcare in the country were implemented, we might go back to care that is patient-centered instead of money centered.
My trust of doctors is limited after watching what happened to my mom in hospitals and rehabilitation care. But if more doctors thought and acted as Dr. Zbar does, healthcare would be safe and effective rather than what it’s become: a nightmare of services run by business interests more concerned with the bottom line than with people or with healing and health.
Thank you Dr. Zbar’s for sharing your experiences and insights.
Dr. Zbar’s subtitle is as accurate a subtitle as I’ve ever seen. His time as a patient in an ICU was truly horrific. His explanation of the terror and torture (yes torture) of being intubated and unable to communicate, being restrained and unable to move, and then alone with no family present at night in the ICU was the stuff of nightmares, yet all too true. To think of all the Covid patients that were intubated and kept from family makes me want to cry all over again after reading Dr. Zbar’s experience.
But he doesn’t just leave the reader horrified. He comes up with realistic and workable solutions that, if implemented, would make a hospital stay much more compassionate and truly healing. And if his ideas about how to change the “System” of healthcare in the country were implemented, we might go back to care that is patient-centered instead of money centered.
My trust of doctors is limited after watching what happened to my mom in hospitals and rehabilitation care. But if more doctors thought and acted as Dr. Zbar does, healthcare would be safe and effective rather than what it’s become: a nightmare of services run by business interests more concerned with the bottom line than with people or with healing and health.
Thank you Dr. Zbar’s for sharing your experiences and insights.
December 18, 2021
Dr. Ross I.S. Zbar spent his career as a plastic surgeon, in the US as well as abroad in developing countries, mending disease- and trauma-related deformities--and he was never hesitant to make his voice heard as an advocate for better patient care.
Then, on a warm December day in 2018, Ross suffered a trauma that nearly took his life, putting him into the hands of his profession in a way he never anticipated. While his life was ultimately saved, his journey to wellness within the conventional medical establishment--from three weeks in the ICU to in-patient rehab--was nothing short of nightmarish. Frequently sedated and physically restrained, he was inundated with mental, emotional, and sensory evidence of an industry gone haywire, experiencing clearly from the patient side what he had only touched on as an advocate.
Vowing to be an even stronger voice for change, Ross used the power of his mind to recover faster than any of his doctors predicted. Floating Feathers not only recounts his compelling story but elucidates a thoughtful and authoritative critical call to the members of his beloved profession for a massive overhaul.
"We possess the technology and the brilliant minds to motivate this level of sweeping change so desperately required," he says. "We simply need to champion it as a non-negotiable priority."
This profoundly personal yet wide-reaching book endeavors to be a vital first step toward that goal.
Then, on a warm December day in 2018, Ross suffered a trauma that nearly took his life, putting him into the hands of his profession in a way he never anticipated. While his life was ultimately saved, his journey to wellness within the conventional medical establishment--from three weeks in the ICU to in-patient rehab--was nothing short of nightmarish. Frequently sedated and physically restrained, he was inundated with mental, emotional, and sensory evidence of an industry gone haywire, experiencing clearly from the patient side what he had only touched on as an advocate.
Vowing to be an even stronger voice for change, Ross used the power of his mind to recover faster than any of his doctors predicted. Floating Feathers not only recounts his compelling story but elucidates a thoughtful and authoritative critical call to the members of his beloved profession for a massive overhaul.
"We possess the technology and the brilliant minds to motivate this level of sweeping change so desperately required," he says. "We simply need to champion it as a non-negotiable priority."
This profoundly personal yet wide-reaching book endeavors to be a vital first step toward that goal.
February 19, 2024
A good reminder of how messed up our healthcare system is and a good reminder to treat everyone as humans and to think about how I can incorporate that into my own nursing practice.
June 28, 2021
Great Idea that goes nowhere
Reform is not possible when politicians accept the hand outs given by pharmaceutical companies. As for nursing staff , it is unfathomable how they are treated by patients and physicians. Nursing homes are a joke played on their patients. Insurance companies rule America and do not play by the rules.
Reform is not possible when politicians accept the hand outs given by pharmaceutical companies. As for nursing staff , it is unfathomable how they are treated by patients and physicians. Nursing homes are a joke played on their patients. Insurance companies rule America and do not play by the rules.
May 11, 2021
Probably skilled and dedicated, but also arrogant and naive
As a patient with multiple health issues; I appreciate that most of the physicians I require are part of the same multispecialty group that share common patient-centered protocols and communicate seamlessly, from my point of view, via a shared EMR. So much easier and more informative than a bunch of docs “ doing their own thing”.
As a patient with multiple health issues; I appreciate that most of the physicians I require are part of the same multispecialty group that share common patient-centered protocols and communicate seamlessly, from my point of view, via a shared EMR. So much easier and more informative than a bunch of docs “ doing their own thing”.
June 3, 2022
inspirational - Every single person should read this book.
Dr. Zbar is truly thoughtful in his quest to help patients and their caregivers alike. In a series of well thought out chapters he has convinced me that our healthcare issues in America can be fixed. If every single person takes the 14 hours I took to read this, there would be a miraculous change in the whole healthcare industry from the insurance companies to big pharma and hospitals alike. Before reading this book I had despaired of ever seeing the massive change that has to take place, but he is correct. If every metric is based on asking if it’s the best for the patient, then it’s a really pretty easy answer. Yes we need help, but if we can get people to revisit some procedures and methodologies, put the profit motive out of the hospitals and make it easier for people who want to be doctors to go to school and then work a few years in charity wards or whatever to reduce their student debt, it would be worth it. Cudos Dr Zbar, I’m very proud of you. Keep up the good work. If you come to Florida and set up the ICU helping hands I’ll volunteer weekly.
Dr. Zbar is truly thoughtful in his quest to help patients and their caregivers alike. In a series of well thought out chapters he has convinced me that our healthcare issues in America can be fixed. If every single person takes the 14 hours I took to read this, there would be a miraculous change in the whole healthcare industry from the insurance companies to big pharma and hospitals alike. Before reading this book I had despaired of ever seeing the massive change that has to take place, but he is correct. If every metric is based on asking if it’s the best for the patient, then it’s a really pretty easy answer. Yes we need help, but if we can get people to revisit some procedures and methodologies, put the profit motive out of the hospitals and make it easier for people who want to be doctors to go to school and then work a few years in charity wards or whatever to reduce their student debt, it would be worth it. Cudos Dr Zbar, I’m very proud of you. Keep up the good work. If you come to Florida and set up the ICU helping hands I’ll volunteer weekly.
January 18, 2023
Dr. Zbar has a great story to tell. He is able to evaluate his experiences recovering from trauma as an insider. We all hope to never have to be dependent on strangers for care, but if we do, it is valuable to have the insights that you can gain from reading this book. If you are blessed to have family members who can stay with you when you are in the hospital, this is an amazing help. Dr. Zbars wife was a great support and advocate for him, and it is beautiful to read his appreciation of her. He and his wife had to advocate for decreased sedation--he told her he wanted to feel less drunk. Sadly, if you don't have a supportive human to help you through the disorientation of being in an ICU, sedation keeps you safe and less bothersome. I hope he is able to encourage someone to modify endo tracheal tubes. His critique of them convinced me it is time to make them better. I know that Dr. Zbar has gained insights that will be invaluable to him as a surgeon, and I hope he is able to work to make our hospitals better.
July 15, 2023
Floating Feathers
The initial part of the book, his personal story, is a POV I hope none of us live through, but I found it wonderful reading someone's words repeating what my heart has been saying for decades! I became a nurse in 1991, in my mid-30's, & found I had waited too long. Nursing, medicine in general, was no longer a noble service. It had already become a business! I always put my patients first, though. I always did my best to BE my best for them! I've lost two jobs due to management changes, but I still don't understand breaking up a successful team to bring in their own! You know patients aren't going to feel cared for when their nurse doesn't return & strangers suddenly enter their homes! (Both these were Hospice jobs) After this however, my interest slowed. Probably because he was preaching to the choir! I knew things were going to get bad when advertising drugs began. The good Lord knows, I didn't know just HOW bad! I believe EVERYONE should read this book. Everyone needs to know what's going on!
The initial part of the book, his personal story, is a POV I hope none of us live through, but I found it wonderful reading someone's words repeating what my heart has been saying for decades! I became a nurse in 1991, in my mid-30's, & found I had waited too long. Nursing, medicine in general, was no longer a noble service. It had already become a business! I always put my patients first, though. I always did my best to BE my best for them! I've lost two jobs due to management changes, but I still don't understand breaking up a successful team to bring in their own! You know patients aren't going to feel cared for when their nurse doesn't return & strangers suddenly enter their homes! (Both these were Hospice jobs) After this however, my interest slowed. Probably because he was preaching to the choir! I knew things were going to get bad when advertising drugs began. The good Lord knows, I didn't know just HOW bad! I believe EVERYONE should read this book. Everyone needs to know what's going on!
August 19, 2023
Although I sympathize with the traumatic fall he experienced, the entire book was written in a tone that I can only express as a "humble brag." And to be honest, it wasn't even that humble. I was hopeful that he would have done more to inspire change in the obviously corrupt healthcare industry, but he just wrote an opinion-piece pointing out things that Americans have been screaming for decades. Not to mention, absolutely nothing was his fault throughout the book. He never once made a mistake in his entire career and was always a victim of the system since he was the second-coming of Christ within the medical industry. He was always the moral compass who was punished for it. I am glad his experience pushed him to treat his own patients better, but I was hoping for more action than this essay.
Read
December 13, 2023Ignore the Zen-like title – this is a modern horror story minus the decaying mansion, creaking stairs and moving-eyes portraits. It wouldn’t be the first scare-fest to be set in a hospital, but the fact that it’s a first-hand account makes it more terrifying than anything fictional. The sub-title gives it away: “A Doctor’s Harrowing Journey as a Patient Within Conventional Medicine and an Impassioned Call for the Future of Care in America.” A mouthful to be sure, but at least you can’t say the author didn’t warn you.
Read our entire review and see more book club selections on The DO!
Read our entire review and see more book club selections on The DO!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2024
An ICU nurse reads floating feathers.
A well written, yet hurried example of a physician who ends up critically injured, his time in ICU from both he & his wife's Pont of view. I was disturbed about the end as he indicates patients should have less sedation and go without restraints. While I don't disagree with this, by his own admission he extubated himself while unrestrained, then got out of bed & fell, A separate incident. He blames his fall on lack of survaliance by his nurse, but absolutely knew what he was doing by getting out of bed when he was alone because he was sure he had enough strength to do so! All in all just an ok read.
A well written, yet hurried example of a physician who ends up critically injured, his time in ICU from both he & his wife's Pont of view. I was disturbed about the end as he indicates patients should have less sedation and go without restraints. While I don't disagree with this, by his own admission he extubated himself while unrestrained, then got out of bed & fell, A separate incident. He blames his fall on lack of survaliance by his nurse, but absolutely knew what he was doing by getting out of bed when he was alone because he was sure he had enough strength to do so! All in all just an ok read.
June 1, 2024
Informative and Enlightening .
As an ICU nurse for 20 years, this book hit home. Reminds us that our care is not limited to patients health status only. Mental health and caregivers play a huge role in the healing and recovery process.
The book is a genuine attempt to remind us we have a lot of progress to make in all areas of medicine and health care. We should always be improving.
As an ICU nurse for 20 years, this book hit home. Reminds us that our care is not limited to patients health status only. Mental health and caregivers play a huge role in the healing and recovery process.
The book is a genuine attempt to remind us we have a lot of progress to make in all areas of medicine and health care. We should always be improving.
July 11, 2021
Repetative
The first part of the book tells an excellent story about a fall off his roof by a doctor and his time in ICU. But this is less than half the book. In the rest of the book he delves into how hospitals, the medical community insurance operates. To me this is boring and feel he could have done this offer words in fewer words and less negativity.
The first part of the book tells an excellent story about a fall off his roof by a doctor and his time in ICU. But this is less than half the book. In the rest of the book he delves into how hospitals, the medical community insurance operates. To me this is boring and feel he could have done this offer words in fewer words and less negativity.
July 14, 2021
This book should horrify you. I get that we live in a Capitalist society. Health care professionals cannot do their work out of the goodness of their hearts. They have some of the best hearts in the world but they also need food, clothing, shelter, et cetera... On the other hand, if health care professionals (and folks who work in health insurance) are only in it for the money, patient care suffers, as do the patients. Sometimes what is cheapest isn't what is ideal for the patient.
July 16, 2022
For the sake of change there go I!
1 only has to
Go through Personal Traumas to understand helplessness have being Imprisoned By others . I do wonder What would happen to our health care system If CEO's fall Victims To traumatic experiences. This book is very well written And there are not many doctors like him
1 only has to
Go through Personal Traumas to understand helplessness have being Imprisoned By others . I do wonder What would happen to our health care system If CEO's fall Victims To traumatic experiences. This book is very well written And there are not many doctors like him
August 13, 2020
This book was eye opening for me, and a little shocking. I feel better informed about my personal health care and how I can help my loved ones too.
Highly recommend reading this book if you ever think you'll need a doctor or hospital stay in your lifetime.
Highly recommend reading this book if you ever think you'll need a doctor or hospital stay in your lifetime.
April 13, 2021
Should be required reading
Every health care provider should read this. I saw so much of the Dr.'s issues when my son had a cardiac arrest and emergent CABG.
Every health care provider should read this. I saw so much of the Dr.'s issues when my son had a cardiac arrest and emergent CABG.
March 5, 2023
We all need hope
I appreciate reading your book
There’s so many people who gave up because they don’t want to burden their loved ones with bills
I appreciate reading your book
There’s so many people who gave up because they don’t want to burden their loved ones with bills
April 8, 2025
2.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews