NB's inadequate prep.& support for WLS program.

I am beginning to realize that NB's surgery preparation and post op supports are woefully inadequate. As I have said elsewhere this is not a reflection of anyone currently working in the program. I want to do some research and I want to start here. Could someone enlighten me re the program at the QE II?
When I contacted my cousin, Dean of the medical post grad program at the University of Chicago, about bariatric surgery, one thing that he stressed is that support pre & post op are key to success. I intend to be successful. 

Hi Charline, I hate to disagree but I'm going to.  My husband and I just finished saying less than 30 mins ago, how wonderful the bariatric team at the dumont are and have been.  I cannot say enough good about what they have done for me.   when you begin the process they over-inform relative to the band and what to expect during the surgery phase.  they also over-inform relative to post op care and nutrition.  I had to call them this morning and within 3o mins I heard back from lise and within 2 more hours I had another call from her after speaking with Dr. B. who is in surgery all day today.  He leaves for a conference today and won't be bac****il the 13th and he is fitting me in on the 13th because he feels it's important enough to do so.  I'm not sure about the other types of surgeries you could be referring to, but compared to the pre and post op care in the US, the dumont has been second to none.  I can't compare to halifax because I haven't had surgery here in a while, but from what I hear from others, it may not be as good as NB has been to me.

Charline, I agree with you. I don't know about the band but I do know the info for bypass is woefull inadequate. After day 12 you are on your own. It says on day 10 you can eat toast. It does not mention altered taste or the many many food intolerences. It mentions lactose intolerances in passing. Makes no mention whatsoever nausea, pain, vomiting. It is way too vague. I guess if you have a perfect recovery and absoutel no problems the booklet might be O.K.  I have called and gotten no answer. The answering machine make no mention if the person is away from the desk for an hour, a day or a week. When I was able to get a hold of someone about a problem the answer I got was pretty much "I don't know"  go to my family doctor. My family doctor has had no one else have bypass surgery so is in the dark as much as I was. She did order something for my Thrush in my mouth. I had that when I left the Dumont. I had to go the the Emergency romm at SJRH the night I came home from the Dumont. I had to fight with them in the morning because they wanted me to drink 20 ounces of barium for a cat scan. I was trying to explain that I was physically unable to drink that much fluid and was met with many many rolling eyes. I am not the first person in this province who has has wls. Seems like everybody in the health care field is in the dark too.

Once I had left the Dumont. I really felt like I was on my own. Sink or swim. I still feel that way. I feel like I am really sick and there is nowhere to turn to get help or even get a question answered. When I talked to Lise this morning, she asked if I wanted an appointment with Rinette next week. I feel like there are too few resourses.

I am definitely not criticizing the members of the team. They are wonderful. But they are understaffed and I am guessing underfunded as well. There is the basis of my criticism of the program-
1- There wasn't any psych assessment.
2-My doctor didn't receive anything from Dr B's office re my surgery. No information was requested or given.
3- I have called and have heard back from the clinic (other times they have called back to be fair).
4-I was not referred to the diabetic clinic. As an insulin dependent diabetic, I should have been. The directions given to me to stop all insulin when I went on the liquid Prue-op diet was incorrect. I still take a large dose of my long acting insulin, with occasional booster of my mixed insulin.
5- I  have no local resources. I was not advise if or what local resources I should access.
6- Support group meetings in Moncton are for post-op patients only and also mix the WLS types, contrary to recommended best practice. (This is where my comment about inadequate funding comes in).
7- I was not asked one question about my eating habits as per best practice.
8- Fills are 9 weeks behind (they are trying to address this).
9- I want & need a local education /support group focused on my WLS.
10- My doctor has not received any information on how she needs to support and follow up. I am assuming that she has or will do some research, but I am her first band patient.
11-My surgery was delayed and I was not told why. (symptom of how busy they are)
12- I am a social worker in this city but I have no idea where to turn for psychological counsel ling to deal with food issues. If I were an abuse victim, i would know. Other than the short blurb at the info session, I have not even been told if it is recommended or not. Never mind, who might be versed in these issues.

I am not saying they aren't coping as best they can at the Demount. Like everything else under Medicare, the program is underfunded, therefore under staffed, and if it isn't critical, it is minimally provided. Dr B is working his butt off.
I want to find out what should be happening and look for ways to provide it for myself and if I am lucky, for others in the same boat.

Charline you can learn a lot about the program in Halifax by going to http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/ and click on Capital Health A-Z - then A and select Obesity Network. I, personally, believe that the psychological component of bariatric surgery is essential. At the first meeting of our support group in Halifax we had one woman who has suffered from serious depression since her surgery more than a year ago. Most of the post-op people did have a counsellor of some sort assisting them. It's a huge change in your life and many people need help adapting to that change. Good luck with your research.

Shirley

Not to agree or disagree with Charline - just my thoughts. In the 3 years waiting for my RNY and in the one year since - I have observed the Bariatric Program at the Georges Dumont evolve and change. In the right direction I might add. Compared to the Bariatric Centers in the US and other places - the one at Georges Dumont is in it's infancy. And remember - alot of the dedicated Bariatric Climics in the US and elsewhere are PRIVATELY owned and funded. That's where a lot of the difference comes in. With loads of $$$$ - the clinics can and do offer much more individual and comprehensive support both pre and post op. The friend I originally got my info from had an RNY about 4 1/2 - 5  yrs ago. She flew up from Newfoundland with her consult appt- and had her surgery THE NEXT DAY!!!! No pre-op appts, info day - nothing! So - I think we have to look at the big picture. Dr. Beausoleil recived the bulk of his training from Dr. Christou- in Montreal. And that wasn't all that long ago. So I really feel that although the program at Georges Dumont does indeed lack some of the components that other programs do - we in the Atlantic Provinces are quite fortunate to have it at all. And being way over here in Newfoundland with NO formal support group and being so far away - I have really felt alone and out of the loop at times. But I have to say that OH and the main RNY message board was my rock the first 2-3 months post op. And - since then - the WLS friends I have made on - line - are ALWAYS there for me. Be it to get support, to have a laugh or just to say - "You go girl!" And they are everywhere - from Texas to Vegas to St. John, NB. So - yes - I realize how inportant support groups are to success - and I'd love it if there were more of that available to us - I also think that the programs in the Atlantic Provinces will grow and evolve even more as time goes on.

Right you are.  the program is still growing with the addition of 2 nurses plus a nurse and doctor doing band fills. the program is still evolving. I just want the supports I need now.  When there wasn't a support group in Fredericton, I started one. Now I I would like to see a more formal group set up locally. I also want to know what are the optimal supports for my journey and then set out to fill the gaps. I would love to help others along the way too.

There is one re-starting in Fredericton Charlene. I will get you the email I have it at home. It was one they had at the DECH. Denise Columbe was running it and she just emailed me last week about restarting. I am sending you another private message so please check them. :)