Question:
Can anyone help me improve our program by giving me info about the questions below?

1. Are there support groups pre bypass and are they mandatory? 2. Did you go through a pre-bypass support group and education process? 3. If yes, does it get covered by insurance or is it out of pocket? 4. If you dont attend the prebyass ed sessions, do you not get the surgery? 5. Are you required to go to a post bypass support group? How often are the groups offered? 6. If you are required to go, how many do you have to attend? 7. What is the repercussion of not attending the support group post op? 8. What if you no show for post op appts, what is your follow up with that? 9. Do you have a social worker involved for post op support? 10. Are they required to see the social worker or psych post op? We are looking at our current program and want some input from successful bypass pts to incorporate what works and doesnt. Any help would be appreciated. Please email me at [email protected]. Thanks so much! Natalie Egan    — majorcat (posted on February 14, 2002)

February 13, 2002
Let me start by telling you that I am a military dependant so things are a little different. The support group offered to us is super. The surgeon really encourages everyone to attend pre and post op. I found that going as a pre-op enabled me to understand better what I would be going through as a post-op. It was always exciting to go. They are not mandatory, but we did get documentation placed in our chart that we did attend and that we are 'getting informed'. We also had a mandatory 4-hour orientation which the surgeon explains the surgery, why one would qualify, what to expect, post-op diet, etc. It was super-informative and I got a lot out of it. We were also given phamplets and booklets explaining post-op diet and nutrition. I have referred to these occasionally and glad to have them. Insurance is not an issue with any of these things, everything is 'covered'. You are not 'disqualified' if you don't attend. You are not required to attend the post-op support group. But it doesn't seem to be a problem. We have over 100 folks turn up for these once a month, we all look forward to seeing everyone and enjoy talking about it days later. "So and so looked great". I am not sure about the 'no-show' for appointments. All of my friends have followed up like they are supposed to. With this surgery, I think that it is imperitive to follow-up for our own sake. We did this for our health, I don't understand why one would not follow-up and put their health in jeopardy. We do not have a social worker involved. We are not required to see psych postop. Our nutritionist is always available if we need her. She also stays in her office after work before the support group where a lot of us post-ops go and get a one-on-one with her and she goes over our labs, eating habits, and we weigh in. I would also like to mention that the whole group of surgeons attend EVERY support group meeting. Their RN runs the group. The bariatric case manager and nutritionist also attend every meeting. With all of the 'experts' available, there are many issues covered and questions answered. We get a lot out of it and I think that is why it is so successful. Thanks for inquiring to make your program the best that it can be, it will mean a lot to your patients!!
   — Cheri M.

February 14, 2002
1. My surgeon offered support groups pre-surgery but they were not mandatory. 2. I did go through a pre-bypass support group program and a nutritional education class. 3. I paid for this program out of pocket ($500 for lifetime support). 4. Attendance at these support group sessions is not mandatory. 5. Support groups are offered monthly but attendance is not mandatory. 6. Not required. 7. No repercussions, except that you get "out of the loop." 8. I have never no-showed for a post-op appt. 9. I did not have a social worker involved in my post-op care, but this option was available to me if I felt I needed it and it would have been covered through my insurance. 10. This is not required. Overall, my opinion is that you should make as many of these educational support programs mandatory as possible. They have been very helpful to me.
   — Terissa R.

February 14, 2002
Whew... okay let's see here 1- There is a support group and attendance to one was mandatory. 2-yes, my Dr shows a tape your fist consult appt. Then you have to go to a day of preops and education all wrapped up in one very long day. We met with the nurse, the nutritionist, the social worker. Our significant others were encouraged to attend also to help us and understand the program. At follow up appts after the surgery I again meet with the nutritionist, nurse, and social worker to find out how things are going, what I'm eating, etc. 3-The education is part of the all inclusive surgery price my dr charges. It's the surgery, education, follow up appts, etc. 4-yes, the attendance was absolutely mandatory 5-we aren't required, but we are encouraged to attend the meetings. There is the official support group meeting at the hospital once a month, the first 1/2 hour is everyone, then people wanting the surgery go to one room to ask questions of the dr and stuff, and the post ops go to a little mini class usually run by the nutritionist, social worker, or nurse. They sometimes have guest speakers, people at goal or a plastic surgeon for example. 7-umm.. they take away your birthday? Sorry but what exactly would be the point of punishing someone for not coming to a *support* group? For people who have to travel or have other issues or scheduling conflicts there are alternatives, including this site. 8-okay, here is what my dr does and I know people don't always agree with this but then they don't have to go to him if they don't like the policy. He is very very into aftercare so... he collects 300 dollars that goes into a trust run by the hospital. When you make all your appts to 6 months you get 50 back, when you do your year you get 100 back, and when you go to your 2 year you get the other 150. He does make provisions for emergencies, having to relocate, whatever. If you don't do your follow up the money is forfeited and goes to a children's rehabilitation charity. My dr never sees a penny of the money either while it's held in trust, or if you lose it. 9- yes, we meet with her pre-op and post-op. 10-yes again, plus a psych eval.
   — Becky K.

February 14, 2002
1. We have to attend and education seminar, one group support meeting and one group nutritional meeting. 2.I attended all three (under protest) and had very neagative experiences at the groups. The education seminar was very useful. 3.All support groups and seminars are covered by my insurance. 4. No attendance, no surgery. 5.Support groups are monthly one is encouraged, not required to attend 6. 0 7. This question made me laugh- what could be done to me if I chose not to attend? Short of forcibly putting my insides back together, there is nothing meaningful anyone can do to me for not attending. 8. I have always shown up- I expect I would get a phone call from the PA if I skipped, though. 9. No Social worker. I have voluntarily chosen to see a counselor. 10.Not required, but I have found the support of my therapist very useful. Personally i think we don;t trust people enough to make good decisions. It just isn;t fair to assume that because a person makes poor choices with food that they can't decide wherther they want or need a group, a shrink, or a social worker. I think all these things ought to be available and covered , but NOT required. And. no, I am NOT EVER going to a support group, not even if they threaten to take away my birthday!
   — jomu

February 14, 2002
I attended no support group meetings pre or post op. I wasn't required to. I know of one support group., but there are no charges associated with attending. I've done extremely well without that. I've seen no social workers or psychs postop, didn't need to. No problems without them. Best wishes to you. P.S. This website (obesityhelp.com) makes a great support group in and of itself.
   — Cindy H.