people not educating themselves

[Sophie74656 1,572]

Sorry if this comes off rude but....

I've been here for a little while and have read a lot of topics. Some things I've seen have really surprised me. I'm referring to topics where people ask questions that seem so basic that their surgeon or NUT should have explained to them on day 1. For example, I've seen people ask how much Water they're supposed to drink or how much Protein they need to get. Personally I had to meet with my NUT several times and sign papers saying that they explained everything to me, I got pamphlets and booklets and printouts and powerpoint presentations on what to eat and when along with meal ideas. This was all before I was given a date for surgery.

I'm just wondering if people simply aren't doing enough research ahead of time or if the doctors and nutritionists are dropping the ball.

[James Marusek 5,244]

I think sometimes people just need a personal touch.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

The learning curve is different for everyone. Some people get overwhelmed by all the info they receive from the medical team. Some people want to hear real life experiences from other pts. Depending on the program and situation some self pay patients honestly don't know. Coming here for some is an attempt to get educated. My own rule of thumb is when the questions start to feel redundant, that's a post I need to skip.

[psychprof 141]

Some of us haven't met with a surgeon yet and are trying to get a sense of everything that's involved, which is presumably one of the basic functions of a forum like this. Thanks.

[Djmohr 6,965]

I am always very surprised at how little information is given to patients that do not have their surgeries done at Bariatric centers of excellence.

Most insurance companies require that you use one but there are still some out there that do not.

The pre care and post care of a center of excellence is outstanding. Mine literally gave me a 3 ring binder (my bible). It told me everything I needed to be doing day by day, week by week, month by month.

It described the 3 different surgeries, the risks and benefits associated with each one. It had a section for each specialist you meet with and a special section for the 6 month supervised diet.

Then it provided a huge list of sites to get even more information. I knew exactly what I was getting into from day 1.

In addition, my center of excellence made me literally sign a contract stating I would not drink alcohol for the first year and that I would follow all the rules required of someone who has WLS.

I also agreed that I would get my labs checked twice per year and take my required Vitamins.

I feel bad when I hear about people not getting this level of care. I cannot imagine going through this without all the data.

I also met with bariatricians, Bariatricpal nurses, Bariatric physiologist, and a nutritionist every month leading up to surgery,

I was beyond educated and would love to see that every patient is but it just seems that is not a requirement of some insurance companies.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

The longer you're online, the more you'll realize how much variation there is in programs / instructions given by bariatric centers. Some do a good job, some not so much, and that some programs are much more conservative (risk-averse) than others.

Yes, there are some basics, but boy is there a lot of variation on the basic program themes.

Another thing you'll see is that many WLS patients assume that the WLS experience they're having is the same WLS experience others should be having. That assumption results in some odd advice / reactions / comments on WLS message boards.

[Kindle 8,667]

And as someone in the veterinary field I can tell you most people only listen to about half of the instructions we give them (if we're lucky) The vet will tell them something, I will repeat it, we will send them home with those same instructions in writing and they STILL don't follow directions. We get a phone call later asking the same questions we've already answered. Or a frustrating call two weeks later wondering why their pet isn't better only to find out they never filled the Rx we gave them or only did treatment for a couple days rather than the full two weeks. And then throw in the "but I read on the Internet....." and "my friend's vet said....." excuses and It makes me want to strangle them. It's incredibly frustrating and I feel like I'm wasting my breathe most of the time.

Client compliance is a major problem. We have whole continuing education conferences addressing the issue. I'm sure it's similar in human medicine with patient compliance. Yes, it's often a lot of info but you also need to take some responsibility for your own health and well being. READ what they send home. ASK QUESTIONS if you don't fully understand. Spend some time on the Internet. With the internet's access to almost unlimited information, there is no excuse for going into an ELECTIVE life changing surgery without knowing all the facts, including how varied different programs can be.

[Babbs 14,681]

Something I'm curious about. Did any of you're NUTS or surgeons talk to you about stalls? Specifically the 3 week stall? Seems the only way we learned about it was on forums like these.

They either don't know about it, or don't bother to mention it to many people. I really wish they would warn people to ease the panic that sets in when it ultimately happens.

[Yaberhoo 358]

Yes, I was warned about stalls. The company I went through has an active Facebook page and 5 minutes reading the posts on that would also tell you that they are normal. I think most people dismiss it because it isn;t going to happen to them and don't remember what was said when the stall hits.

I researched the surgery, pre op, and post op for two months before deciding to have the surgery. I do think there is a distinct lack of research done by those considering surgery. They know someone who had surgery and decide it's a good idea to have it as well. That thought scares me.

I have a friend who is having surgery on 12/29 and told me I am her inspiration. Strange that she never contacted me to see where I had surgery, who my doctor is, etc. I asked her if she had questions and she said she has lots. I have yet to hear back from her on those questions. I am quite worried about her. She leaps before looking and I question as to whether or not she is truly ready to make the life change that this surgery requires.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

@@Babbs - I've only heard about stalls in support group and on here. I wasn't an every day weigher. I got weighed at my 2 week f/u and then at my 6 week f/u. If I had a stall I missed it so I'm glad my doctor didn't say anything.

To piggyback on what @@Kindle said, a lot of it is human natural. Working as a Child Life Specialist I literally explained what felt to me like the most basic of instructions. People either didn't know or did not believe it and would rather take advice from their friends/neighbors/relatives. Often the pre-surgical tours were as much to educate parents as they were to calm and educate the child. I also worked in hospitals long enough to know that not every doctor, no matter how skillful has a good bedside manner. If you are given info in a someone dismissive manner you may be unlikely to ask questions for clarification.

You also cannot completely prepare people for how the body changes post op. I've seen many a poster in so much pain post-op that they would rather just take pain meds and sleep, not realizing that they may have to push through some pain to drink initially or try different brands of Protein shakes/drinks until they figure out what works.

[rking 484]

It seems to me from all my reading on here that not all offices do a good job. I am so lucky to have a wonderful doc and staff. I was given paperwork that detailed instructions, diet, pre op, first 7 weeks post op. I read and read and highlighted and highlighted and took notes on that paperwork. I agree, some people don't do their homework and don't read what was given to them. You have to take responsibility yourself, it is your life and surgery and body. Be sure you get educated, hopefully by doc and NUT, and if not educate yourself. I would be Leary of a doctors office that didn't give me ALL the info I needed personally.

This is a GREAT place to ask questions!!!!!! I love the people here. I knew just what to expect and feel after surgery. I was so prepared!!!!

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,444]

Agreed on all the points made so far. One other factor in the new-person questioning is that some just dislike what they were told by their surgery practices. They come here to take a poll and then either do whatever anyone has done and is what they wanted to hear or so that they can go back to their practices and squawk about the easy life other people have.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

@@Babbs ... I don't recall there being a lot of time (perhaps none) spent by my surgeon's educational programs on "stalls."

I learned about stalls by reading WLS message boards for a good 9 months prior to my WLS.

As a result, I realized stalls didn't matter -- as long as I did what I was supposed to do post-op, which was to eat sufficient Protein, not eat slider foods, graze, drink my calories, drink with meals, or violate any of the other behaviors I was instructed to follow post-op.

I also learned by reading WLS message boards that some patients who were "stalled" were simply not losing weight anymore because they weren't doing what they should be doing to lose weight. You could see that in threads that started out: "I've been stalled for a month / two months / six months," and when others would ask what / how much they were eating, you'd see the OPs admit they were grazing, eating crackers, chips, not focusing on Protein, etc.

Obviously, that's not a stall.

[cookarue 233]

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Edited December 11, 2015 by cookarue

[Babbs 14,681]

I was talking more along the lines of the surgeon or NUT just saying something like this:

"You're going to lose quite a bit of weight the first couple to a few weeks after surgery, then it will probably come to a halt for a while because of these reasons".

Also, explaining that you aren't going to lose 100 pounds in a month.

I guess i'm just asking why they don't tell these patients who don't do years of research before hand (which is most people) about REALISTIC weight loss expectations and the 3 week stall. How hard would that be? Why do we see so many people with these crazy expectations of weight loss who think the second the scale doesn't move something is immediately wrong?

I can tell you for certain that when the information given has to do with weight loss, they will listen.