I've got to have a rant- sorry guys but there you have it.

I have noticed that there are so many people starting threads/posting on this site recently with questions for other members. However, they are normally questions that they should be asking their surgical team as they are the people who are qualified to answer. They will be in charge of care so ultimately it's their necks on the line if anything goes tits-up. It's them who will have to deal with any lawsuit that ensues due to anything that might go wrong.

For every bit of surgery I've had (and believe me as an old hoofer there have been plenty of orthopaedic bits of mending and replacing on my knackered carcass) I did as I was told by my surgical team.

If they had asked me to whistle Dixie whilst standing on my head farting the National Anthem and air dancing the Marseillaise I would have done it. Apart from my VSG all my surgeries were paid for by the National Health Service (NHS) and that included my hip replacement. I did as I was told pre-surgery and then post surgery. I read all the info and watched the DVDs that I was given. I had to give myself the anti-blood clotting jabs every morning and wear those REVOLTING AND UNCOMFORTABLE anti-thrombosis socks for WEEKS after my hip replacement but I'd been told to do it so I did it!!!!!

After my VSG (which was self pay as our NHS here in the UK do very few) I stuck like glue to all the info that I was given. Any questions I had I knew that I could call or email my team for their help and advice.

It appears that there are a lots of newbies (and sometimes more experienced WLS patients) who really don't want to adhere to instructions that they have been given. They post on this site in the hope that they can find someone who will give them the answer that they WANT. Not the answer that they NEED! My answer to those people - JFDI. Just as you're told by the professionals who are in charge of your care.

Maybe Alex you should start a forum with the title 'Half-arsed Questions from Those Too Lazy and Arrogant to Listen to Their Surgical Team'.

Rant over. Happy Monday. It's pissing with rain in the UK so could start a rant about British summertime but.........................!

It is all a bit confusing at times, so I can see people getting VERY confused. Some doctors have two weeks of liquid diets post op, not my doc. Day three is puréed and I'm just fine. My doc says no carbs and no tomato sauce, yet people are making chili to purée and mashed potatoes are on their approved list. Nothing nutritious about mashed potatoes.

My doc says no milk or yogurt, yet everyone I read has been having yogurt. I asked my doctor about this and he said don't listen or pay attention to what they're all doing cause it's wrong. I assume I should believe him. As much as I'd love to have yogurt or puréed chili.

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My doc says no milk or yogurt, yet everyone I read has been having yogurt. I asked my doctor about this and he said don't listen or pay attention to what they're all doing cause it's wrong.

That's interesting. In the hospital where I got my surgery milk, yoghurt and quark are staples from the second post-op day on. As for Beans (or other legumes) they said not for the first four weeks, after that just fine. Raw vegetables not for the first four weeks, after that just fine. Same for coffee. Ok to drink after four weeks are over.

And I'm also sure they would say "don't listen to others" as well.

I already said it: not that much evidence based stuff out there, as it seems.

Edited June 26, 201610 yr by summerset

@@jintycb, Of course I think it’s really important to do as you’re told by your surgical team! I also think that before that, you should make sure you trust your surgical team. Find a team you trust, so that you are willing to do whatever they tell you. If they tell you something you don’t agree with, ask why they want you to do it. Usually they have a good reason.

But I also think it is legit to ask around online to see what other patients have been told. You can learn a lot and even come up with some new questions to ask your surgical team.

I think it's interesting/frustrating to compare the differences in "rules" from different surgeons. I'm not always happy about it, but it's interesting. It's also easy to distinguish between real questions (I ate some chicken breast on my 2 week pre-op shake only diet, am I doomed?) and those looking for justification for their actions (I'm 2 weeks post-op and drank a case of Natty lite and didn't die, so why is my surgeon so stupid about restrictions?). While I agree with OP that you should follow your surgeon's guidelines, I don't think it's the end of the world to educate yourself about all the different approaches that different practices take. It's all knowledge.

Edited July 17, 201610 yr by leebick

My bariatric team contradict themselves constantly. My surgeon wanted me to take antibiotics the size of horse pills at two weeks post op. The ward staff refused to issue the tablets and I got a frantic call from the nurse telling me not to take any tablets until I was six weeks out.

Just an example. I won't bore you with the other thousand.

They "forgot" that I was still on fluids (8 weeks out), so I needed to experiment with foods. Using my discharge booklet as guidance, I also looked here to see what other people found successful.

I have asked questions here at 2 in the morning when no team was available.

I have asked questions here to see what others have actually experienced.

None of my bariatric team have actually ever had bariatric surgery.

They don't know how it feels.

And once you don't trust your team, other humans can be helpful.

I have to have a colonoscopy on Thursday which means a massively strong enema solution. At 8 weeks out, I am worried that my new stomach won't like this. Asking my surgeon is not helpful (remember the horse pill?), my nurse is on holiday. The colonoscopy team don't know. My GP says that is "beyond her".

Who will I ask?

I will research as much as I can, then decide what to do myself.

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