I apologize in advance if I'm going to offend anyone

first of all I want to say this place is awesome, a great resource of support and personal experiences

But I am seeing posts here that kind of confuse me. I understand each doctor is different and some are more thorough than others. But I don't understand when I see posts that ask such basic post op questions like how much Water or Protein they should be having, or specifically what they should be eating.

I think it's great that people can come here and ask questions and see what other people are going through. But there are things that you should be getting from your doctor or nutritionist, not an online message board

I wonder if it's that some people are going into surgery not having done much research, or is it that some doctors or nutritionists are not educating people well. My team was so amazing, I had so much information given to me that by the time I had my sleeve I felt like I could be a nutritionist myself

I think you'll find there is nothing tailored whatsoever about NUTs' instructions or advices.

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My NUTs preferred method of "educating" me is to give me a long blank stare. That is followed by a visit to an ancient filing cabinet where she fishes out a "ditto" (I didn't even know these still existed- last time I saw one was in 2nd grade and that was many many moons ago) and handing it to me with a big fake smile. She weighs maybe 96 pounds, most of it long blond hair and eyelashes.

I just get the impression she's not the sharpest tool in the shed therefore I come here when questions pop up. Thank goodness this site exists.

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@jaxmon this app has been beneficial in learning not all bariatric programs are created equally... I'm not sure if there's another surgery that has such diversity of post op directions.

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them"

Einstein

Edited June 2, 201610 yr by nyteacher125

I am 3 years post-op RNY gastric bypass surgery. About a month before surgery, I received almost a day of training that went into great detail about all the requirements. So I think that some of these questions are driven by:

1. Individuals in the beginning part of pre-op who have not received the training yet and were trying to get up to speed.

2. The level of training especially those undergoing weight loss surgery in other countries (where training may be is lacking).

3. Confusion. There are many types of surgery. For example there is RNY gastric bypass and then there is mini-bypass. They are different operations and I suspect have different requirements. After all someone with a lapland has a different set of requirements than gastric bypass. Think of gastric balloon!

My NUTs preferred method of "educating" me is to give me a long blank stare. That is followed by a visit to an ancient filing cabinet where she fishes out a "ditto" (I didn't even know these still existed- last time I saw one was in 2nd grade and that was many many moons ago) and handing it to me with a big fake smile. She weighs maybe 96 pounds, most of it long blond hair and eyelashes.

I just get the impression she's not the sharpest tool in the shed therefore I come here when questions pop up. Thank goodness this site exists.

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Lol...this made me laugh!!!

Q. You know what you call someone who was at the bottom of his class in medical school?

A. Doctor

In every profession, a few are great, most average and some dangerously incompetent.

I am blessed to have done political work for some of the best doctors in Oklahoma. They give me referrals to the best specialists when I need something specific looked at. This probably saved my ex-wife's life, when I realized her neurologist wasn't taking her symptoms seriously. (Side note: this is a real problem for women, I have only met a few who can talk to male doctors in a way that works with the doc's brain, and male doctors too often don't know how to communicate with women).

With that said realize no GP doctor can keep track of all the latest findings in all the various fields of medicine. Heck the specialists have a tough time keeping up. That's why I try to bring copies of research studies I have found on my concern to my doc. I always ask "what do you think? are they just blowing smoke or is there some thing to this?" He is the one who took 8+ years of his life to become a doctor, I didn't. (If he ever tried to tell me how to get a bill through the legislature I'd remind him I'm the one with 30 years experience in that area).

My point is if you find something on this site that may contradict what you have been told, ask the poster, "where did you get that info" and take it to your doctor. This should be a collaborative effort, not a competition.

And enjoy the encouragement and camaraderie of this site (and occasional tough love when needed).

I wonder if it's that some people are going into surgery not having done much research, or is it that some doctors or nutritionists are not educating people well. ....I felt like I could be a nutritionist myself

Yes and yes. Then, too, we have those who are given complete, reliable information and instructions, but mess up because it wasn't what they wanted to hear. Another group or subset are the people who leave an appointment knowing they need more info or clarification, but they take no responsibility to ask. There are other variations which I'm sure you've seen.

Beware the "nutritionist" trap. In the U.S. anyone can hang a "nutritionist" shingle. There are no standards for the title. If a state does have standards, it is an exception. An R.D. meets standards set by states. I've since gotten past noticing, but when I'd see a BP post refer to "my NUT," I'd think, "I do hope you got that wrong." There are those who bill themselves as nutritionists and really have studied in depth, so I wonder why they didn't go all the way for credentials.

Dieticians are to Nutritionists as Dentists are to Toothologists.

"When all is said and done, usually more has been said than done. "

@@WLSResources/ClothingExch and @@Fredbear - Very good points. I dated a lady who was a "nutritionists" and took some really tough classes...from an absolute quack.

Just had a reminder of another category: Those who clearly need medical attention. Instead of calling their surgery practices, they post to asking what's wrong. Some seem to be taking polls in order to pick the problems that most please them, while others appear to be compiling scrapbooks of speculative replies.

Edited June 3, 201610 yr by WLSResources/ClothingExch

I help to moderate the community forum for the university where I teach, and frequently encounter questions that have previously been asked and answered a multitude of times. The majority of the time the answers are also detailed on a webpage, in a syllabus, or in some other material readily available to the poster. Still, I can see the reasons for asking the questions and the benefit of doing so. Sometimes there's such an abundance of information that combing through it all to locate something specific can be tedious, so instead they ask about it. Oftentimes when people respond they not only provide the requested information, but personal anecdotes or advice in regards to it. So even if the basic information remains the same, it can be packaged with new information from various responders. On here I think it's sort of similar. It's also interesting to learn how different surgeons and nutritionists have different philosophies and guidelines. Some people have mentioned receiving binders from their surgeon's office, and depending on how it's organized they might not know where certain information is located within it. For some the whole process of WLS can be overwhelming and cause them to not retain information as much as they normally would, so even if everything has previously been covered by their surgeon's office and nutritionist they might have forgotten it. Some nutritionists and surgeons are very approachable and reachable by email, and others are not, so it's simpler to post the questions on a forum such as this one.

There's also a lot of people on here who've sort of had a DIY experience for surgery. Since my BMI was under 35 my insurance wasn't going to cover any of it, and I chose a reputable surgeon in Mexico. I did receive information from my surgeon's office there. I also consulted with a nutritionist in LA my endocrinologist recommended. Still, questions have arisen at times, and it's simpler to look for answers online. I usually will do a keyword search of info from the bariatric centers at hospitals, but have also asked them here and received knowledgeable responses. The whole purpose of this site is to exchange information, experiences, and advice, and discuss bariatric surgery. To me this forum is a way of educating yourself.

I have to say, I think my bariatric group's procedure to obtain surgery is great; but every single person I have worked with has been a bit of a flake and not specific AT ALL about the nitty-gritty.

I followed their outline to the letter and did everything required on my end within a month; necessary labs, sleep apnea test, using CPAP machine, support group meetings, follow-up appointments, etc.

HOWEVER, the psych evaluation was kind of a joke -- a VERY young psych who weighed maybe 100 lbs gave me Bambi eyes and rattled off questions from a screen. I asked very sincere questions about follow-up psychiatric care/counseling as I don't think you get to the point of needing surgery without some underlying emotional issues -- and not only did she say she didn't do that kind of counseling, she had no referrals to anyone who did -- nor did she make any effort whatsoever to FIND a referral.

The NUT was a no-nonsense, again, very thin (which is only appropriate,) woman who looked over my food diaries, chastised me for eating a cookie (warranted,) told me to cut down on cheese to only one meal a day, and had me go back for the required 3x, then passed me for surgery.

I asked the NUT about what macronutrients I should shoot for, what ratio of carbs/protein/fat, to which she refused to answer and said we'd go over that post surgery. I was then given a folder of copied suggested healthy foods and given the bum's rush.

Met with the surgeon, had the personality of naval lint, and asked about lifting restrictions (I have two 40-lb toddlers) and being out of work (self-employed from home, desk job,) and was met with a flat expression and told "If it hurts, stop."

Um, thanks so much. That is so totally unhelpful.

I asked pointed, detailed questions -- and got bupkiss. I have learned more from this site than anyone affiliated with the bariatric "team."

Heck, the most informed person I have talked to that spent TIME answering my questions was the CPAP rep who fitted my face mask!

I know it's annoying to read the same questions over and over, but I DO think there's a lot of grey area that isn't covered.

As well, there are still the lazy slugs who want to be spoon-fed the information or be told they are the exception and; yes, you can still drink soda, eat chips or crackers, etc., at X interval after surgery without consequences, LOL.

You have to be your own advocate in almost everything now days. The ones you put your trust in because they are the professionals have become just too enveloped in routine complacence.

I just went to a Urologist because of some back pain and my history of kidney stones. I researched this Doc and he is supposed to be the best urologist and surgeon in the entire region. After 1 1/2 hour wait, saw him for 2 minutes. I had blood in urine so he had his assistant do an ultrasound.....found nothing. Sent me for CT scan.

Did CT scan at local hospital. (I always ask for a copy on disk). Later that day I call the docs office to find the results of CT scan. They tell me urologically unremarkable. Meaning, nothing found.

I review the scan myself and of course, I find stones in both Kidneys. A week later I go in to Doc's for a follow up and when I question them about the scan results, they tell me they usually rely on the radiologist report. So, the great Doc I chose to see, doesn't even read the CT scan he sends me to. I tell them I'm upset they didn't even look at the scan and I disagree with the radiologist. I'm pissed. So, after waiting two hours this time.....the Doc makes an appearance and pacifies me by looking at the scan. Well....la de da !!! Stones in both kidneys. Uh, ummm gee whiz.....they see alot of scans.......duh.... a ton of excuses.

Two appointments with the supposed best Doc in the area, and a couple thousand dollar CT scan and a professional radiologist......and they are all incompetent and would have done nothing without my researching it myself. REALLY. This is what is has become.....a money making business only. No regard for accuracy or the patient's care.

So, moral of story is........You better look out for yourself. ........always.

...But you do raise a bigger point, it really is up to each of us to verify what we reading. 78.6% of statistics presented online are made up on the spot, so caveat emptor.

Here is a perfect example of misinformation, everyone knows that 77.956% of the statistics are made up on the spot.

I know that is true, someone told me, who heard it from someone else, who overheard two people talking on a train that they read it in an internet post.

Before I had my surgery, I was on here religiously ( it was still vertical sleeve talk then) and did a lot of research. So to my surprise when I got sent home, I was not told a certain amount of Protein or calories to be Intaking. Because from what I read here, other people's surgeons did that. I was given a food stage list week by week and what kinds of food I could have. I don't remember how long I had to stay on liquids after surgery, but I was told to drink drink drink. I think I was cleared for all foods either 4-6 weeks post op. They only reason I knew how important protein intake and Fluid Intake was post op was due to these boards I was on religiously before my surgery. I had a very good surgeon too who was very involved with his patients. He would come to our support groups every month. As a side note, I'm allowed to have carbonated beverages and use a straw per his plan. Anyway that was four years ago.

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I have to agree with you. I had my surgery in 2013 at a Center of Excellence and although they did a fairly good job at educating us patients, I learned so much more from these boards. I was also on when it was just Vertical Sleeve Talk.

I also think that not everyone really pays attention or chooses to retain as much information and research as possible. I was always surprised at my monthly pre-op weigh-ins that people where coming in with bags of fast food and junk food right before they were about to be held accountable that month. It was shocking. I was a sponge for my six month waiting period and I soaked up everything that I could. And a lot of that came from this website. I lost all of my excess weight in 10 months and have maintained at my goal weight for 2 years. I did all the hard work, but I owe some of the credit to the veterans on here that unselfishly choose to stick around and spread the knowledge and tips.