Improving Bariatric Coordinator

This seems to be the day for questions, so I have one. I am in the development stages of a bariatric program. If there was one thing that could have improved your experience, what would it be? Was there anything you wished you had been told, that would have made life easier? Were you given any specific advice (besides the normal protein first, etc...) that you will never forget and you pass on to all pre-op that ask for advice? Thanks Dawna

Dawna--Don't ask me why I didn't know this, but I didn't know how hard it was gonna be to drink anything immediately post-op. It really was the only thing that shocked me.

Thanks. I will be sure to offer this information.

I was pretty lucky pre-op and got a lot of good info from my doc's office and this website, among other places, so, no responses on your first two questions. On the third, there is one piece of advice that really stuck out to me, and that was, Not to do anything the same way with WLS as I'd done before with diets. I took this to mean that I should really avoid anything which, in the long run, hadn't helped me keep weight off, and to embrace new stuff that might make the WLS experience seem different from previous diets. Seems simple, but when I start to stumble, and reach for the same who-am-I-kidding old solutions that failed before . . . I try to remember it. It's one reason I still do protein shakes (because I never did them before). It's one reason I don't do extreme diets anymore (such as all-fasting protein-shake regimes to break a carb addiction -- it works for some, but for me, it's the type of thing I'd have done as a pre-op and so I steer clear of that approach as it's not a good choice for someone with my particular diet history -- too remniscent of Optifast for me). It's a reason I don't use many of the same foods I used on previous diets, but made a big effort to learn to like new ones. (It's not that I don't use some old favorites, but I don't rely on, for instance, a freezer full of Lean Cuisines anymore -- not just because they're too carby and sodium-soaked, but also, 'cuz that's how I did "diets" in the past and it didn't work then so why would it work now.) Heck, even my bad habits post-op are mostly groundbreaking, new bad habits for me, not re-treads of my old ones! That kinda thing.

I really did my research for a long time and chose my surgeon carefully. BUt I think one of the key things for not having any surprises afterwards and being prepared for the ups and downs, was joining a local support group and attending regularly for more than 6 months before surgery. Our active group does lots of social events so I got to see people in real life situations. The gruop meets weekly and I continued for 1 year post-op and now go just once a month. I'd also like to add that following YOUR surgeon's rules/guidelines takes precedence over anything your read on the message boards. never try to change those guidelines by asking post-ops "would it be OK if I just..." if already know/think you shouldn't. It's kind of like asking, "If the fire doesn't look hot, will I get burned if I stick my hand in it." Have a wonderful, safe and happy journey. Ann

Thanks everyone. I appreciate your input. Have a blessed day!

At the time I had my surgery I only knew of one kind and that was the RNY. I saw an advertisment on TV and called it. At this time I do know that the RNY is not a one size fits all surgery, it's not for everyone, I would like to have known that I had other choices I could have opted for. My surgeon only does the RNY and I was number 2 WLS patient for him so I guess I really didn't have much of a choice. Darlene (wearing a new suit)

Make sure the people in your program really understand the importance of the vitamins that they should be taking. In the beginning you are scared and do it....as you get further out people tend to slack off. Also no one warned me of the plateaus and how long they can be.....when you are losing at a fast rate its hard to take when nothing comes off and you have to figure out what you did wrong...most of the time its not you its your body! Excess skin.....what to do with it before PS time....It drives me nuts now! But I am not ready for PS yet. I have pounds to lose if I ever get over this plateau!

AT 3 YEARS POST OP, I DIDN'T KNOW HOW HARD IT WOULD BE TO KEEP THE WEIGHT OFF. THE THINGS I WILL NEVER FORGET IS... WATER, PROTEIN AND WALK, WALK, WALK.

Dawna, The best advice my surgeon gave me was to stay off the scales during the first year of rapid loss - and then to weigh two or three times a week after reaching goal - when the losing stops. Other than that, I think that it's even more important to stress the need for vitamins and calcium than for protein - the protein becomes a big issue that most people pick up on - but they do need to be reminded that protein, vitamins and calcium are for life - not just til the weight loss ends. Another helpful thing for me was my doctor telling me that drinking the water was essential for kidney health - not for weight loss. He explained in detail the horrible things that could occur if you don't get adequte fluids. And, I think reminding people that this is about good health - not vanity. The numbers on the clothes and scales aren't nearly as important as the numbers related to blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol and other lab work. So, if you started out at 350 and you only got to 200, say, and you still wear plus sizes, it's ok as long as your health is good. We all want to be little and skinny but it doesn't make one a failure if you don't achieve that goal - the most important one is good health. Patty