How would you rate your surgeon's program in preparing you for WLS?

Hi Partylypollyanna,

This is great news as I feel the more we are prepared the more successfully we will be! Personally, it was my truth! So glad your program met your needs! Kudos to your surgeon and his/her program

I have not had surgery yet. However, it's been approximately been 13-14 months since I got my referral from my family doctor and I'll probably end up having surgery just before the 18 month mark (meeting my surgeon next month). When I started the process, I thought I'd get referred, attend an orientation, do some labs, and then have surgery 3 months later. Boy was I was wrong. I'm happy that I was. So far I've had to attend nutrition classes, private meetings with the dietician and kept food logs, met a social worker, had a psychological evaluation, made lifestyle changes, but more importantly do the self work about why I got fat as I didn't get fat until adulthood. I am learning tools to deal with my triggers for overeating, developing a sensible workout plan (I used to do long 2 hour work outs 6 days per week back in the day and I wasn't training for an elite sport), and learn more about nutrition and health. Part of it is the program as they teach you the practical things related to weight loss surgery, but I think also the process being long one helped too. The long process and NOT having instant gratification has given me time to think. I really confronted my issues, as I knew being fat would no longer be an excuse for why I can't do X, Y, or Z. I had to learn alternatives for dealing with emotional barriers and develop techniques so I don't sabotage my weight loss. I think the only way my program could improve is if they put equal emphasis on the psychological issues that lead to weight gain, but maybe they already do and wasn't something recommended based on my psychological evaluation.

I'd rate my program 8 out of 10.

Great insight VioletFemme

Dr. Takahashi, 10

Torrance, CA

nutrition classes, private meetings with the dietician and psychological evaluation

there are monthly nutrition classes, and weekly support classes are available

when i had surgery 3 years ago i explained to Dr. Takaha****hat I felt that the nutrition classes were super important for me to teach me the correct way to eat onceI went back to food. They have been a life saver.

though you asked just about the surgeon i think my surgeon has an entire team which helps with my success.

Way to go Team Takahashi

Dr. Partridge at the Center for Weight Loss Surgery at Newton Wellesley hospital in Massachusetts gets a 10 as do the staff. I felt very prepared by the time of surgery and fully supported thereafter. I attended 3 group support meetings plus a meeting on post-op instructions. I met with the surgeon and a nutritionist multiple times prior to surgery and afterwards. I also had plenty of written material to back up the information. They hold regular group support meetings near where I live even though it is 90 minutes away from the hospital (in addition to the ones at the hospital).

Hi Liz,

I am so glad to hear Dr. Partridge and her staff has the excellent program they do. It's key to long term success in my book!

WOOHOO, way to go Dr. Ryan Horsely and the Geisinger Bariatric Center program

My Surgeon has a comprehensive booklet he gives us. He's very involved, so he monitors me and makes changes as needed.

Dr. Ara Keshishian - If I could give more than a 10, I would