What happens at the following appointments?

(deactivated member)
on 1/13/15 12:17 am - Mississauga, Canada

Just wondering what happens at the following appointments?

-Social Worker

-Dietician

-Nurse

Thanks!

Brittany_31113
on 1/13/15 1:15 am
I think it depends on what center you are out of. I was at HRRH, so if your somewhere different the appointments may not be run the same. Social Worker- This appointment can sometimes get pretty emotional and in depth, at least it was for me. They ask you questions about your childhood and what you where like growing up. They ask you about your eating habits and their connection to your emotions. They ask you about the support systems you have in your life. they basically want to get a picture of what your life has been and is like. Dietician- This appointment is basically them going over what you are eating and how your eating will change after the surgery. Nurse- Takes your blood pressure, takes your medical history and any medications you may be on, they will also send you for blood work. Good luck, You'll do amazing! The appointments are't as scary as some people make them seem

"The First step towards getting somewhere is to decide that your not going to stay where you are" - John pierpoint morgan

Referral- April 27,2013   Orientation class- may 29, 2013   Meet the surgeon,SW,dietitian - July 20, 2013  Dr Glazier- October 4,2013  Sleep study- October 10,2013   Dr Glazier again- October 16,2013   SW,dietitian again- February 2,2014    DR Sohi- march 4,2014   Start Opti- June 11,2014  SURGERY- July 2,2014

    
(deactivated member)
on 1/13/15 1:51 am

As per Brittany's response, I am going through TWH and the process with these appointments is exactly the same.  You will be asked a series of questions with the Social Worker to determine if you are prepared for this type of surgery and lifestyle change.  The detailed history of diets you tried will also be discussed at this time to ensure thast you have attempted to lose weight.  Nurse & Dietician _ ditto with Brittany's comments.  Good luck and enjoy the process. 

Dreamy74
on 1/13/15 1:56 am
RNY on 02/04/15

Hi Melly,

For the social work appointment, which was my first appointment after orientation, the social worker asked me if I had had any childhood trauma/past abuse, if I used food as a comfort and if I felt I was addicted to food.  She asked me about my housing situation, my mental health, how much money I made a year, and if I had a any support people.  She asked me who I planned to tell and who I didn't plan to tell about the surgery, and why.  She also asked me "if you were scheduled for surgery tomorrow, on a scale of 1 to 10 how ready would you be?".  Basically she wanted to know whether I had good supports for after surgery, if I could afford the cost of the vitamins for life and the protein shakes for a good while after surgery, if I was preparing myself properly and she wanted to get a sense if I had my "head in the game" so to speak.  We talked in depth, she was very nice and afterwards she told me she had no concerns about me being a candidate for WLS.

The dietician appointment was wonderful.  I had Mary W. at TWH and she was sooo nice.  We went over the steps after surgery - clear fluids, liquid diet, pureed food, soft food, etc. etc. and she advised me of many of the foods that a lot of post-WLS patients report not being able to tolerate.  She went over the stuff I could eat right away as well as stuff that I should wait to try (for example, she recommended for me to avoid sushi rolls as rice was often not tolerated well, and to try sashimi only, and not until about 6 months post-op).  We went over dumping syndrome in depth, why it was important not to drink carbonated beverages, and stuff like that.  She then went over all of the diets I tried and read through my questionnaire with me.  One thing I forgot to do was my assignment that was given to us at the nutrition class, so just a reminder to do your assignment.  I was able to hand it in at my next appointment.

For the nurse practitioner appointment, she went over all the medications I take, advised me which ones to discontinue (i.e. no more Advils or NSAIDs) weighed me and ordered blood work and an endoscopy (as years ago I had an ulcer).  The endoscopy was a month later.  She had a diagram of the stomach and intestines and went over in depth how the procedure would go in the operating room.  My hubby to be came with me and he got to ask a lot of questions.

I hope this helps you.  When is your next upcoming appointment? 

xx

(deactivated member)
on 1/13/15 5:53 am - Mississauga, Canada

Thanks for all of the information. It is greatly appreciated.  

My next appointment is January 30, 2015 for the social worker, then February 10 for the dietician and April 14 for the nurse.

At our orientation, we were told to have our own family doctor do our blood work and to bring it to our nurse appointment, so I am taking care of that tonight with my GP.  I am also getting a referral for a sleep study with my family doctor so that I can have it done in advance and bring it to my nurse appointment as well.

I am really excited and ready to go.  If I could do it tomorrow, I would :)

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