initially i thought everyone had a NUT - now i'm not sure that is true

if you had WLS in Mexico, do you get LOTS of paperwork, information on what to do post-surgery - does a "patient" go to his own PCP to help with directions once you are home?

there are many people on the board that had the sleeve in other countries - how are you helped - where do you go post WLS

its great for sleevers to give info, help here with stages of food and drink, thats what we do - but a dr./NUT would respond in different ways

don't misunderstand - we all have our questions, i know i always will, thats why we come here for help

just curious about NUT and surgeon - vs no REAL help except the forum of course - we are "real" help

hope i said the above ok

I like you question Kathy. I would also like to know this info. I often hesitate to give advice on what to eat due to the fact that I don't know the if the doc has specific limitations due to an underlying medical problem.

I had my surgery in Oregon by a great surgeon. I didn't have a NUT, the RN in the office did the only education session that I had to attend. ($550.00 for 45 min) I believe she is available for questions as needed, although I have never needed to call her. They have support group meetings once a month. I was given a binder of instructions. I had a follow up at 6 weeks, other than that...not much. BUT, I know they are available by phone, if I should need anything. It might have something to do with my being self pay.

I had surgery with Dr Ortiz in Mexico & work with his nutritionist. She is very knowledgable and much much more responsive to my emails & phone calls than I anticipated. My friend had surgery here (in US) and it takes forever to have anyone get back to her.

I answer as both a sleever and as a RN. You should contact your PCP and get a referral to a dietician. I work in a family practice office and we do this all the time. You should not have to go this alone and your PCP should then take over the follow up on your labs, etc that are needed to be reviewed from time to time post surgery.

I'm self-pay in the U.S. and I see my dietician monthly. It's just $20 for 30 minutes. Plus my Dr's office has a deal for self-pay patients where you pay $300 before surgery and you get free monthly visits with the doc, dietician, and exercise physiologist for two years! I thought the dietician would be a huge waste of time, but it turns out she's invaluable.