Are hospitals ready for WLS patients??

This was a reply to a woman's issue on the Main Board with a hospital she is currently at.  Just wondering if hospitals are ready for all the WLS patients who will be headed their way over the years.  Except for the people in the know at the hospitals, much of the staff just do not know how to handle our special needs.  here was my post.  I had a bad case of acid reflux (sp) back in Feburary. Since I had a heart attack 7 years ago I ended up in the emergency room just to rule out heart.  I was in the hosptial 2 1/2 days.  They ran a ton of test.  The biggest issues I faced there was food.  I could have gone to 3 different hospitals but I chose the one where I had my WLS and they work with heart also, just in case.  I had to have my wife sneak in WLS food for me!!  The hospital was clueless about my needs.  In the emergency room I asked for protein.  They gave me a roast beef sandwich.  Later I let the management know about WLS issues that I faced and what will be coming to them over the next few years.  I think I sent a wakeup call to them.  You would think that the hospital would be on top of these issues.  I told them they need some basic foods for WLS patients who come in and can handle regular foods, or some special diets we may need.  Lets hope the hospitals wake up and get the message because over the next few years we will be coming ready or not...Brian

A most thought provoking question.  All three of the area hospitals here where I live have WLS programs and I, like you would think that they would know what my needs would be. Not having been in the hospital since surgery I personally don't have an answer for you, but I am very intrested in other peoples replies.  The hospital I was in puts all post-op WLS patients on the third floor and the nurses know what their needs are. My post-op menu was a bottle of water, jello and I think some skim milk three times a day, after the leak test that is.  Something to think about. Thanks for bringing it up Brian. pan head

Brian.... I just lifed this issue in January...I was a a bariactic center of excellence too....they never could get the food right....first the gave me a bariactric diet....(sf jello sf popcycle..that ****) then they went to a diabetic diet....oh hell no...no gravey, no sauce, no salt ..... this time when I went in I told them I wanted a double portion of a regular diet....I ate theprotein that I wanted and tossed the rest...we do have very specif diet requirements....and when you cook for the mass' there are too many variations....like the different religious diets.... So I say be aware and take care of yourself in the hospital the best you can Russ

I think to answer your question bluntly...that most hospital and doctors are clueless about WLS, including doctors at bariatric center of excellence.  it's unforutnate that doctors do not take it upon themselves to keep themselves educated about the "latest" fads in medicine.  WLS has been growing expodentially since the 90s...and yet I read a recent study said that 63 percent of doctors were unaware of what the RNY was...and I have yet to find a doctor who knows what the DS is before I explain it to them.....lol. Hospitals in general are still operating with a 1950s menu.  Lots of white bread, little fresh veggies...unless you count iceburg lettuce as a vegtable...considering it has no nutritional value...i wouldn't....even though it te*****aily is.....if you've ever stayed int he hopstial you know what i mean. Ask for a protein shake, and they'll show up with a high protein ensure that has about 6 grams of protein and 35 grams of sugar....not a good combo if you ask me for a post WLS patient.  Are they ready?  the answer is no.....i think with limited budgets....tighter insurance restrictions, and a move to nationalize medicine...we're like to not see that change in the very near future. Scott

Brian, Thanks for raising this topic.  I wonder if a call to the chief dietition in the hospital would make a difference.  Many years ago when I was in high school, I worked in the kitchen of a nursing home.  There were more diet variations than you could imagine.  It was the dietition that made all of this happen.  And, it was supervised very carefully.  The rest of the staff did not have a clue.

Hey Brian, good post and a valid concern.  The local hospital here in Boynton Beach has a bariatric department, though not as big and well renowned as Cleveland Clinic near Fort Lauderdale where I had my surgery, and is also 40 miles away.  My wife and I have discussed, and I've told her that if I ever have what may be an emergency related to my bypass, then we go the 40 miles, unless it cant wait.  I only want the best dealing with my insides from here on out.  Lets just hope that all hospitals start waking up.  After all, with the growing popularity of WLS, think of all the future patients.  Be well. John

Very interesting question. I guess my experience with hospitals is a bit limited at this point other than to my WLS. I had my surgery done at Carolinas Medical Center - Mercy  and I did have to travel 2x by MEDIC to CMC - Main for a rapid heart rate (hitting highs of 165 at rest) and although I was never hospitalized they did seem to be on the up and up about the bypass because the doctor the first time was very informed of my current needs (I was only 2-6 weeks out when all this happend) after a barage of EKG's and CT's (for blood clots) and even some heart blood work and all they ruled against anything serious but while I was there they did ask if I needed any special food and when I said pureed or some form of protein they got me some carnation instant breakfast shakes with lactaid milk (just like the Bariatric diet at Mercy) so I don't know if it is hospital specific of possibly staff specific. I think alot of it has to do with management. Luckily I had my Gastric Bypass at CMC Mercy with Dr. Gersin who is actually the Chief of Bariatric Surgery for Carolinas Healthcare System. So I think a lot of it has to do with how the Chief of Staff and all that convey the rest to the medical staff. Sadly they don't always so it leaves everyone trying to figure it out. Anyways I hope everyone is waking up.