Newbies - What are YOU getting?

  The differences the in quality of care that I read WLS patients get is astonishing. 
I have to admit that even though I researched surgeons thoroughly before I made my choice, I kinda took the care that I received for granted.  

  I feel so blessed that I chose the right surgeon.  I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to do your research and find out what kind of support you will receive throughout this journey.  

This is has been my experience:

 

 

The First Information Class

• PowerPoint presentation and handouts to take home
• Description of R&Y, Duodenal Switch and Lap Band
• Risks and benefits of each surgery explained
• Question/Answer session after the presentation
• Post op patients also participated and shared their experiences

 

Nutritionist

• One group NUT class with other pre op R&Y's
• Handouts with detailed eating plan
• Taught how to chew food post op
• Taught not to drink with meals
• One individualized NUT consult
• Given NUT phone number to call with any questions

 

Surgeon / Staff

• Friendly and efficient office staff; several of them are post op patients
• Help with processing insurance paperwork
• Knowledgeable nurse readily available to answer questions
• Group tour of the hospital bariatric unit and opportunity to meet nurses
• A dummy was set up like a post op patient so they could show us what kind of equipment we would have and know what to expect
• Post op prescriptions were provided before surgery so I could get them filled ahead of time. 
• Included scripts not only for iron supplement and pain, but also for nausea.
• An abdominal binder
• A pain ball with a catheter that went directly to the incision site
• A syringe to injec****er into my stomach tube to prevent dehydration just in case I could not drink enough fluids post op
• Instructions regarding nutritional supplements, how to eat, and expectations regarding post op care were given multiple times (verbally and written) and I had to take a written test to show that I understood it.
• Referrals made to other specialists when necessary
• Annual lab work and check ups for life 
• Required to write down how I’m eating and taking my supplements at each doctor’s visit
• Weekly support group meeting available for each different surgery type
• A partner in the group covers for my surgeon when she is out of town
• An experienced and caring surgeon

What are YOU getting?   

I had all of the above with a few exceptions but  of the following is dfferent:

-I have to see my nut for a year, she's accessible anytime by phone and email.  If she is not available she will call back.
-I see the PA more than the surgeon(what do u think about that?)

That is really cool having a nut follow you for a year.  It sounds like a very thorough approach.

A lot of doctors are using PA's now.  I've found that often the PA's are more thorough than the docs when it comes to information gathering.  Are you comfortable with him/her?  Do you have trust that your information is being communicated to the surgeon?

Sorry for the delay.  Yes I feel pretty good with her, I think
everything is getting to him.  I haven't had any big issues yet.  Thank God!

Thank you for checking in with the newbies, I really appreciate your post.  I dont want to bother my friends with every little thing.

Thank you for checking in with the newbies, I really appreciate your post. 


I'm just trying to pay it forward.  A lot of people on this board were there for me when I needed them and I appreciate all the help that I received. 

Wow!!! Now that's a program!

I have an excellent bariatric team but after reading your post I feel shorted.

I went to a seminar.
Had a surgery consult.
Psych evaluation.
NUT class
Surgery

My pre-op would've been more involved if I choose their program, but I didn't...oh well. I did TONS of research to get me ready for my journey.

I have access to my surgeon and NUT. There's a walking group on the weekends and a monthly support group. My NUT is offering a "Touch Up" class to remind us of the basics.

I wish there was a walking group here.  I've become a lazy slug.  I exercised a lot more pre op than I do now.

Hi Sue,
good question. I feel that I have a great surgeon, he is always available to address concerns and answer questions that his patients may have. His office has a variety of surgeons who perform every type of weight loss surgery. They work as a team to handle the needs of all patients since they are all trained accordingly. Although my surgeon is very experienced and caring, he is not the peaches and rainbows type. He is straight forward and doesn't play. I am actually scurred to see him at my appointment on next Tuesday because he told me to either wear the binder or get a hernia. I wore the binder and STILL got a hernia but I am worried that he may not believe meand when he finds out about my dehydration I KNOW that things will get ugly.

(back to the story) I ended up not attending the information session because my surgeon required that I spend at least 4 hours at my initial consult. I was also decided on the surgery that I wanted to have, so he said to skip the informatinal.  The consult  was well worth it and I ended up there well over 4 hours. We consulted again 2 days before surgery and I was told to expect to be there 8 hours which I was.

Although my surgery type had to be changed due to band removal complications, I was pleased that everyone involved fell right into position in regards to my post op care and experience. It was wonderful and I was able to be a team player to do what was required of me with their help. Everything went very smoothly.

The hospital is a Center of Excellence, and in comparison to the hospital that I had my lapband in there was none.  The COE won hands down.

The staff are wonderful. My only complaint is the NUT, she is new since the other one transferred and the new NUT is only familiar with the eating requirements of the RNY patient. Much of it is universal however, but it would be nice to speak with someone who is more familiar with the VSG. I just feel that all staff should be trained in at LEAST knowing something about every surgery.

My surgeon offers a FREE support group twice a month. Many charge a $2000 (or more) up front fee for their support group and then require the patient to pay up front. Many cannot even have surgery because they do not have the money to pay which is horrible.

There is much more but I will stop after this.

I was provided with quite a bit of literature that contained email addresses, articles, book references, plastic surgeon lists, nutritional info, surgical stats, etc. I was also given a large bag full of products to sample etc.

Thanks

It's wonderful that you have such a good team.  It can make all the difference in the world, especially if you have unexpected complications.  Your comment about the product samples reminded me that they gave us some vitamin samples too.

 

 

I chose him for his experience and after care follow up.  Standard nut, psych, nurse practitioner, exercise therapy support team.  First 90 days after surgery you have unlimited access to staff by in person or phone, email etc depending on needs including surgeon with no further payment.  Did pay a steep education fee of $600, but it included a manual the size of a phone book, a half day RNY training class and three months of pricey bariatric vitamins.  There is a monthly support group at the hospital and in a nearby city as well.  I've been very satisfied.  

Ohhhh & forgot to mention lifetime membership in a health/ nutrition tracking and info site and on line support groups and information on the surgeon's site.