I am reading so many posts about the lack of communication between doctors and patients before and after surgery it makes me wonder how everyone is being treated. I have this feeling that many wouldn't know what to do if it weren't for this message board. What has your experience been like?

I'm still going through the steps needed to get banded but so far I have received a lot of info from the nutritionist, once when I had an hour, one on one appointment with her and then I had to attend a 3 hour nutrition class with her. I received over 150 pages of info at both appointments. I also received a packet from the surgeon when I attended a seminar and then received a two page contract I had to sign which had specific instructions on when I should contact him should I experience any complications/problems, along with what is required from me.

Now I'm waiting for my surgeon to receive and review information from my psych evaluation before I get an appointment with him to find out when I will get my band date and other tests I might need.

My center is great for providing information and support before & after surgery. I always feel a little sad for people who got stuck with bad staff. :thumbup:

I met with my surgeon twice before surgery for him to monitor me and answer any questions I may have had. He also has a counselor that comes in and covers other "issues" we may have. I got a tour of the bariatric floor of the hospital and a team of nurses to answer questions. I went to a psychiatrist, a nutritionist, a sleep study doctor. They really worked me over!! After surgery the nurses were great, and I received a FAT folder with all kinds of information inside. If I call my surgeon or email him, he usually answers me back within an hour or two. But always by the next day depending on the problem. He also has support group set up to monitor us after surgery as well. They are an amazing bunch of people and keep me motivated. His set up is first rate.

Hi, I got no help from my surgeon or his staff. Fortunately, I have a great PCP who helped me alot.

It is indeed unfortunate that so many of the Surgeons involved in WLS do NOT give the patient whatthey need to know to make everything work the way that it should. GOOD communication between patient and doctor is CRUCIAL.

And yes, you are in the RIGHT place by being on this Forum.

If you feel at all uncomfortable with the information you are getting from your Dr and his/her staff, then you need to consider looking at other providers.

My surgeon provided great information. I actually had to take a quiz-type thing before my surgery. They also send a mandatory video via email for me to watch, it's called Emmi. They send it at different stages before and after your surgery. I already know most of the stuff on the video (thanks to this website) but it's really good for the ones that haven't gotten info from anywhere else.