LACK of Pre-op Education

I have not recieved any pre-op patient education materials on WLS from my surgeon (my surgery is scheduled for May 30).  I have a friend who helped set up the WLS surgery program at a different hospital and she got me their patient education materials and I feel much more prepared (as one can be pre-op).  I plan to talk to my surgeon about this at my next appointment.  I also happen to work at the corporate headquarters for the hospital system where I will have my surgery and also plan to talk to my supervisors about developing a system-wide standard program whi*****ludes patient education both pre and post-op.   If nothing else, my surgeon could have recommended WLS for Dummies (Yes!  It really does exist!).   Have a Great Day! Pretty Bird North Highlands, CA

I totally agree that pre-op ed is essential and am sorry to hear how little some of you have available, My surgeon requires 4 hours of classes in additon to the psych eval and two meetings with the nurse practioner. The hospital offers 5 support groups a month (lapband, pre and recent post-op, general bypass "is it normal", nutrition, and relapse/maintenence). They also provide a large book of required reading. I am scheduled for lap RNY 8/23/07 and have been attending the support groups regularly. All but the nutrition group are moderated by a therapist. I have found the pre/post op and relapse groups particularly enlightening. And of course, I have been all over the web and dropped a wad at Amazon. Having been all over the place (lapband, rny, am I crazy?) these supports groups have helped me feel more secure about my decision. Realizing many of you have limited surgical choices - but if you do, post-op support offered is critical, IMHO. BJ

I agree that there should be more information given, and the emotional aspect (which is the long-term part of it all) should be addressed way more (around when hitting maintenance stages, almost at goal, the emotional part of it all sets it and needs to be focused on then in order to help continue progress)

I have been reading stuff by Dr. Teri Kai Holtzclaw....it is related to dealing with the mental health issues related to being overweight and having GB. Her book whi*****ludes a workbook is free on line.


http://www.becomeyou.com/

I was all gung ho to have the surgery- still want to but this is making me look at my issues with food. The surgery isn't going to fix that. Any way I am going to be doing the work book and sharing it with some of my WLS friends. LIke she says this isn't brain surgery....so your issues with food and all will still be there at some point after surgery if you don't deal with them. I do think it is important to know what you are getting into.
I have lost weight (a lot) in the past and I do know some of the issues- the shock at seeing your self in the mirror (it is nice but who is that person??) seeing how others look at you.....advances from men and jealousy from women....I think some people aren't prepared and it is like they go way overboard and forget their friends and family (and sometimes their friends no longer are friends because of jealousy.

Life is just life...with good and bad and your weight doesn't really change that. Hopefully you will look better, have more fun shopping and be healthier....but if food was your comfort and your solace and how you dealt with sadness and fear and anger....what will you do afterwards? what will be different?

I totally agree that mental/emotional work needs to be done ahead of time.....do what you need to do for you and your success and future. I hope I can.