What questions would you askat the Bariatric seminar that you didn't think to ask the first time?

I'm going to attend the Bariatric seminar for a Bariatric surgery group in Little Rock, AR at Baptist Hospital on Friday, Dec 2nd.  I am concerned that I will not think of something that is important to ask.  If you could go back to that seminar what would you ask....

The surgeon that spoke at our seminar was so completely thorough that not that many questions were asked 

Maybe I would ask:  1) What positive changes in thinking has happened over the recent years in the bariatric profession?  2) What are the possible changes in the bariatric world coming the general public aren't aware of yet?  3) What traits do you see in patients with high WLS successes?  4)  What does your bariatric team wish more WLSers were aware of or would do before and/or after WLS?   5)  If your bariatric team could change one thing about WLS, what would it be and why?  

Knowing the center for weight management I had WLS is a long-standing facility with long-term staff, I asked one professional "what might you notice a lot of WLSers die from?"  The answer was, "cancer."  Even though cancer is all too common anyway, the answer still caught me by surprise.  Maybe I was thinking she would say nursing homes across the nation are bursting with WLSers roaming the hallways holding supplement bottles in their hands mumbling something about more protein grams.

Really great questions!

I especially like question #3.   I would have wanted to know that, but wouldn't have known at the time to ask that!

Thank you for posting so many good questions, it is very much appreciated!

Hi,

every clinic will probably be slightly different. My first seminar was very general, more about the various types of wls, general lifestyle changes you should practice before surgery, and what surgery can help with, and what it can't. 

The one area I didn't have a good understanding of was constipation. It was mentioned a few times, but just in passing, and didn't seem that big of a deal. Granted, I eat fewer carbs than they recommend, but it's something that I have to manage and be aware of now. 

My clinic was amazing at pre op support, surgery support.

overall, I was happy with the info, but to be honest, I got a better understanding of day to day reality of post op life by searching these boards and asking questions.

good luck, and don't shy away from asking questions. Most people have the same ones, but are too shy to ask in a group setting. 

Good luck!

You will always have a dozen questions. When you get one answer, it will bring up another dozen questions you didn't even know existed.

You'll get a lot more questions answered -- and answered correctly -- on OH than at a seminar. Stick around, and ask away.

Ask them about support for post-ops... support groups, seminars, educational opportunities, resources available. Be sure they don't let you go on your merry way after 1 year.

The frequency of their lab draws.