What Do Doctors Need to Know??

Hello Everyone!  Today, in our newly started in-person support group (only 2 of us showed, but we shared some great support!!), a question came up that has us wondering.  Being in a rural community without a "bariatric presence" in our medical community, we were wondering whether or local doctors, especially the ER doctors, would know what they can and cannot do with us bariatric patients in terms of treatment.  For example, they would not be able to administer ibuprofen to us, and if we had to be scoped for some reason, they would need to be extra careful.  We plan to talk to some people at the hospital to see how aware they are of some of our restrictions.

Being proactive, we started wondering what those restrictions are, and I thought maybe you all could help us so that we know ourselves.  So, what do doctors need to know about what they can and cannot do with us???

Thanks for your thoughts!


Guayas

I think it's terrific that you have started your own group and making sure that you will be taken care of properly if something happens.

I am no expert but my suggestion is to get a copy of the book, "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies."  I have found it to be a great resource on this journey.  It's hard to get answers when you don't know enough to know what to ask. 

Good luck and let us know how your group is doing.

Colleen

i got some dog tags made on ebay. they explain i have had this surgery and not nsaids or scope. had my surgeons name and number and a emergency contact on it. now if i would just remember to wear it all the time.  vick

yep..
They must use care with scoping procedures, NO Nsaids, No tetracyclines, no feeding tubes, unless a dr very knowledgable in wls does it. You may want to go to our group blog here and print out the list of medications to avaoid for your group.
They also need to know your dietary restrictions. And if they are going to do any kind of tests that involve barium or other liquids they want you to drink...you are not able to do those as your pouch cannot handle the amount of liquid that would be needed to do those tests. best to use an IV contrast on us.

I have another thought.. I think if I were you I'd contact my WLS doc and ask him if he could provide you with a list og guidelines to present to other docs in case you are not able to see one that is wls savy. Maybe his nurse could even do this for you.

You got some good answers, my ideas are included in a couple of spots.  I like Patrece's idea of getting information from your surgeon's office.  Please come share your final insights.

Yes.. please do share.. it will assist us all in knowing how to handle this.

Thank you all for your suggestions!!  I will act on all of them and let you know what else I discover.  I am always happy to share!  :)


Guayas