big ifs...

I'm posting on several boards to get as much response as possible- Thanks! Hi everyone, It's been on my mind for a while and I ahve decided to take action. So, I thought I'd put it out there, see what comes back and depending on the response, try to put together set of a comprehensive results. Thanks in advance for your help ( and for not FLAMING me... ! If you had to take a "written" test to help you understand if you were prepared to deal with, take on, cope with WLS, would you take it? What quetions would be on this test? If there were a test to help you determine where you needed to improve your skills and habits in order to have a successful WLS, what would be on it? If there were a test you could take periodically to assess your strengths and weaknesses in your pre- and post-WLS progress, would you use it? What topics would it cover? if there were a workshop for your "circle of support" to take to help you on your journey, would you ask them to participate? Why or why not? Would this be a one shot deal or a series of workshops? If there were a test devised to suggest and/or assess which WLS would be most successful for you, would you take it? What questions do you think should definitely be on it? If there were an assesment you could use to determine if your WLS medical team was a good fit for you, would you use it? What questions would be on it? What info would you "have" to know? How would you define WLS "success"? How would you define being "WLS-challenged"? Thanks again!!!!

ps Actually it is something for me personally- I am not writing a paper or publishing anything- just want to know if others think this might be a useful tool or approach to WLS. The only thing I would do with the info is make a post of the results here on OH. And if there is anything significant- I hope it can be helpful for others to see and find something maybe they weren't aware of or didn't think of. Tara

Hi Tara Interesting set of questions although quite a few of them overlap a bit. Here goes 1) In our program you cannot have surgery unless you have attended two classes. One is a nutrition class designed to help you lose the mandatory 10% weight loss before surgery. The other is class designed to help you eat correctly post operatively. AND there is a test. It had questions on it like. How big will your pouch be? 30 cc's How many grams of protien should you eat a day? At least 70 grams How much fluid should you drink a day? 64 fl oz What are the stages of eating and what kind of food is in each. I can't remember anymore, but it was pretty comprehensive. If we didn't pass the nutritionist would take us aside and go over the information again one on one. They just want to make sure the info is in the brain. Test to help assess strengths and weaknesses post op. Well, I would take it. I guess some of the questions should be like above. How much protien do you eat per day. How many protien supplement drinks do you consume as opposed to food? Do you exercise if so how much and what type? Are you bolemic?? Do you drink alcohol?? Are you a shopoholic?? What type of weight loss device would be the best fit?? Well we had no choice, only RNY was offered. But I understand in some programs the doctor has the ultimate decision and in some programs the patient and doc come to a consensus. But on the other hand what kind of an overeater makes a difference what type of surgery should be performed. Also what kind of health you are in on and on and on..... I would define WLS success as losing between 60 and 80 % of your excess weight with improved health issues. Being WLS challenged? Those *****fuse to follow the WLS rules as put forth by our surgeons. Things like refusing to exercise, drink our fluids, eat the wrong things consistantly without regard for the program(making the same mistakes all over again), not taking your vitamin supplements. Our docs made it very clear to all of us that this surgery was a one time deal. They would not repeat the surgery or revise it in any sort of way. They would give us the tool, but it was still up to us to use it properly. If we did that we would be a weight loss success. There you have it. Take care, Nancy S. PS Curious what response you have had and what was said generally speaking.