Question:
Did you/would you have liked to have contact with a chaplain in your WLS journey

I am wondering if anyone worked with a program that had a chaplain involved in the pre and post op care team. If so, what was your experience like? If not, do you think such contact would have beneficial? I'm trying to research whether this would be a particularly helpful piece to add to a program.    — Jenni K. (posted on April 29, 2004)

April 29, 2004
While I think this is good in theory, how will you help those that are not Christian? If you have a chaplain will he/she be comfortable ministering to a Jewish pre-op, or Muslim pre-op, or how about a Pagan or Buddhist, etc...?? While I know that chaplains are supposed to be non-denominational, most will have a Christian background and may not know HOW to minister to those of another religion. You may be setting your program up for some uncomfortable questions.
   — Ali M

April 29, 2004
I did not request one, but when I was in ICU and one just stop by my room and asked me if I wanted to pray. I did!
   — Just P

April 29, 2004
The hospital where I had surgery apparently routinely asks if you would like to see a chaplain. If you say yes, they arrange a visit with a person from your denomination. If you say no, they do nothing. I already had a pastor from my church so I said no.
   — scbabe

April 29, 2004
For me personally I came with my own Pastor and would not have done it without him. Good luck with your program. Prayer WORKS!!!
   — Vitabella

April 29, 2004
I am personally non-denominational and did not request a chaplain. I think it has been far more helpful to enlist the aid of a therapist (CSW) who has been able to help me in my journey, meaning my journey from the old me to the new me. Regardless of denomination, there are still some very real life things that happen to us and it is just nice to have someone to talk to about them.
   — Tara J.

April 29, 2004
My pastor was also a chaplain at my hospital. He provided tremendous strength by his spiritual guidance and his friendship. For me, I could not have ever had the surgery if I hadn't realized that I was powerless to fight my food demons on my own-- I had quite a few conversations with God to try to find the strength to ask for His forgiveness for what I had done to my body and to then ask for some help in trying to forgive myself for all the years I had let pass while my weight skyrocketed. So for me, at least, having a chaplain along on this spiritual ride has been a tremendous blessing.
   — SteveColarossi

April 29, 2004
My response is for Ali M. My husband is a hospital chaplain. What you might not realize is that Board Certified Chaplains do a hospital residency in clinical pastoral education. Even if they are "Christians" - they are trained to be "non-demoninational". All religions - that I am aware of are "faith based" - and even if you are dealing with someone of another faith - Chaplains have the ability to be a comforting presence, a wonderful listener, encourager, and can offer prayer. I can speak personally from what my husband has shared with me - he always asks permission from a patient if he can pray - and he has only been told no on a few occassions. I know that when I had my surgery it, had I not had a deep peace, I would have called for a Chaplain.
   — Susan B.

April 30, 2004
With my experience on this journey, the actual process started long before my surgery. I fought having it done for a year before I finally relented and began the process of evaluation and finally the surgery. My father and my son are both pastors, so I didn't have to ask for a minister. But I do believe, this would be a great asset to any bariatric program. As some of the people who have already posted here, pastors will ask the patient if they would like to have prayer. Having worked in a hospital for 29 years, I've seen pastors having prayer with patients many times over. We all know there are people who would not want to have a minister involved in their experience, but to be able to offer the services of a minister working with the program is a great service to all. Those patients who want to decline any counsel or prayer from a pastor have their right to do so. But those who would like to have someone pray with them and counsel with them spiritually would greatly benefit them. My dad and my son are always with members of our congregation when they are undergoing any major procedure. I guess I would just sum it up to say if you have a pastor for service in your program it would be a great benefit for most people. I know I would never have been able to undergo this procedure without the Lord. I prayed long and hard and turned it completely over to Him for His will to be done...I prayed I would have a good outcome, but if this surgery was not for me, I prayed He would put the block up. I have had many surgeries..more than I can count...and I have to say this was the ONLY time I ever went into the OR completely and utterly at ease.
   — Katherine F.