Tons of questions and concerns come up before and after weight loss surgery. When should I start my pre-op diet? Can I eat this brand of Protein powder? What happens if I feel nauseous? When can I start lifting weights again?

Some of the questions aren’t urgent, but sometimes you feel like you need an answer ASAP. If you’re wondering whether a particular brand of Protein shake is okay for dinner, you want an answer fast. Same with a medical concern, like low blood pressure or shakiness, since you don’t know if it’s something serious to worry about.

So, who’s on your call list? Whom do you go to when you have urgent questions? Is it your surgeon? Your primary care doctor? A friend who’s had weight loss surgery? BariatricPal? Does your answer change if it’s a weekend versus a weekday?

Where do you go for help and information when you need it?

ALWAYS Bariatric Pal

I think this goes to doing your homework when choosing a surgeon. I think many of us put a lot of effort into getting the surgery done, but fail to take into account post-op life. Part of choosing my doctor was knowing that they had support 24 hours via phone and via email for none urgent care. I was also fortunate to be discharged with a visiting nurse. This was an unexpected and unplanned but very pleasant surprise.

I use this site more as a support group. For me it's a place to bounce off ideas and suggestions. However for questions I always go back to my medical team and I'm thankful that I have a program that is responsive to questions and concerns no matter how minor they may seem.

I don't really have anyone to get an immediate answer pre op. Google?

My surgeon gives her pager number upon discharge. Nurses are available free for life. I've utilized them and look forward to this benefit in the future.

Alex, I never really felt this "urgency" post sleeve. I was super well prepared by my surgeon, nutritionalist, the booklet they sent home and the months reading this forum. Oh, and the FREAKING YEAR I spent in hell trying to decide if I was ready to have the better part of my stomach removed! I was well prepared.

This probably sounds nuts, but the worst part for me was the band removal which was 3 months prior to the sleeve. I thought it was a no biggie, but I felt wounded. I had this hole where the port had lived for 10 years. I felt sickly, I felt feverish, I felt scared. I felt absolutely huge and somewhat hopeless. I went back and saw a PA at the surgeons office. He checked me over and we both agreed that it was primarily my emotional grieving. I very much appreciated that they took my worries seriously, checked me out and talked it through. I was fine, I just needed to be sad for a little while.

Maybe not everybody needs this, but I credit so much of my success to the support from my surgeon's office.

I think this is an important thing to think about and to prepare for.

Fortunately, I didn't have any urgent medical issues, but my Bariatric Program/surgeon's office has a 24 hour phone number to call for post-op questions and issues. For my NUT, she is reachable via phone and email during business hours.

Also, my surgeon's and discharge instructions were very clear about issues that would require an ER visit. He also stressed the importance of keeping him in the loop if I did have an emergency or had to go to the ER.

Frankly, I am really surprised how many people seem to seek medical advise, especially about urgent issues, online. Some people ask questions that I would be on the phone asking my surgeon.