Since we talk about a "DS IQ test...."

If you could devise a DS-appropriate preop diet and nutrition education plan, what would it include? (Please include professional citations wherever possible--sorry to be a party pooper, but again, this is about preparing a good STRONG presentation for the pros, and there are rules to follow.)

I think a candidate should be able to explain the DS, maybe even draw a basic diagram? I mean is it not important to have an understanding of your own guts? All to often we hear stories of people who couldn't even be "sure" of what surgery they had. YIKES! 

I like this too! Can we come up with basic parameters for this explanation?

I'll start with my own minimal explanation that I give to random strangers: "Most of my stomach was removed, but what's left is completely normal in function, just lots smaller. My small intestine was divided approximately in half and rerouted so that stomach contents go down one side and digestive enzymes go down the other side. These two sides meet at the bottom of what is, in my case, about 10% of the small intestine. That's where I absorb protein and fat, so that I have to eat a LOT of both of those to avoid malnutrition. I also have to take quite a few supplements to offset the malabsorption and get lab work done every three months."

Continue/refine please?

 Nope, yours is good. I would only add that they should know that the pyloric valve is intact and why that is important to them. 

Well it is important to me anyhow. As I would rather not experience dumping syndrome. So Pyloric Valve = Friend 

I think it is important they know the difference between the DS and Lapband/RnY BECAUSE some medical professionals (I.e. emergency room situations etc) will likely get their anatomy confused and if someone doesn't know that they DON'T have a blind stomach and tells an ER person that they have no idea or that they do, they are 9/10 times going to be treated like a gastric bypass patient. They also need to know that DS'ers can pass gas and poo and still have an obstruction.

Knowing our anatomy is incredibly important so I definately agree

Very good points all! Now, how would you phrase these points in language that could go into a university level paper for presentation to professionals? Can you find professional literature support for your points? (I know, those questions suck, but those are the kinds of things that docs are trained to see. They tend to go blind, deaf and mute to regular folks and regular language. So we gotta work on this to make it, um, "professional" quality.) 

Why do you want this particular surgery?
What other surgical procedures have you researched?
How does this surgery compare to other weight loss surgical procedures?
What are your expectations?
What are the mechanics of this surgery?
What type of diet will you need to follow after surgery?
 a. immediately post-op
 b. 3 weeks out
 c. 6+ weeks out
What type of vitamin regimen will you need to follow after surgery?
How long will you have to supplement with vitamins?
How frequently will you be required to get your labs done?
What are the risks associated with this surgery?
What are symptoms of these?
a. bowel obstruction
b. leaks
c. gallstones
d. strictures

YES MARVELOUS!!!

Now, remember that we are not presenting this stuff to patients. We're presenting to "professionals." This means that there are certain rules of language and supporting evidence to follow. Can you come up with professional-level citations to support each of these points? (Links are fine. I can put it into APA format.)

I think all preops should know the relationship between calcium, D and PTH. Thats a biggie. They should also know the percentages of malabsorbtion for vits, protein, fat, carbs and should fully understand the difference in fat and water soluable...whether its vits or RX meds.

All DSers should have a working knowledge of the DS...the changes to their anatomy, and be able to explain it simply.

If this were a perfect world, everyone who gets a DS would have a support person for life. someone who knows the DS and its requirements and who is willing to be there from here on.

I'm sure I'll think of more.

You mean somebody like you? *smoochies*

Keep thinking m'dear....And even better would be if you could come up with "real professional" citations to back up these good ideas. Bugs the hell out of me that WE are not "good enough" sources for this stuff, but the "professional" world has rules, so we gotta try to follow those rules where possible.

But if you're reading here and KNOW something, don't walk away cuz you don't have the citations to back it up. There are folks here on the board who are geniuses at finding that kind of thing. Post away and don't worry about that format/evidence thing. I'll keep asking for "proof," but that doesn't mean your input is invalid. I hope you'll be motivated to look at professional literature and to rethink and reformulate your statements to be more detailed and concise.