Pre-op qualifying exam???

I agree more with Catnip than I disagree. . .I am tired of reading posts about "OK I am on clear fluids, what can I eat?  OR I was really hungry two does out so made a "roast beef puree, is that wrong. . .to name a few

ok here comes the flame....

It seems easy for you to recommend training and exams seeing as you are about 2 years post op and wouldn't have to do it. Maybe you have forgotten what it feels like to be taking in all this information at various stages of the journey and feeling emotional about its risks and possible complications.
 
People ask questions to make sure they have enough information to make good decisions and gain knowledge. This forum is currently one of the few places we can get accurate first hand information. But it is also used for sharing and emotional support. The information coming from the centres is far too minimal. I agree with you that we are not given enough detailed information on the whole process. Perhaps a better solution might be for the government to set up one website with complete and accurate information. But no-one seems to want to do this in Canada or the States. 

Who would you expect to be administering this training and exams and at what cost? No other surgeries require training and exams and some of those have much greater risks. Why just target WLS? 

"Not meaning to be a meanie" but according to your own profile posts at one year post op you didnt even know "basic stuff" such as needing to drink protein shakes, recommending to drink using a straw, nor did you have to do optifast being given a special diet. I wonder if you would have passed this pre-requisite exam before surgery?.

A little understanding goes a long way Catnip. Maybe you need to lay off chewing on the Catnip for awhile. (lol) and think it all through.

Anyway, thanks to all those great OH people who share their experiences and don't get aggravated at all our questions. Luv you all!

Lorriane,

Thanks for your response.  

Your response asks me if I think I would have passed this exam before surgery and I can say without a doubt I would have. The question is as someone having surgery in a few weeks, are you comfortable that you would?

I am not sure how long you have been on the site (although I see your surgery is soon) but the process was very different in the past. There was no referral system. No classes, no mandatory appointments. 

I had to do alot of learning and alot of advocating to get my surgery.  I didn't have a choice. I had to convince my doctor and another medical professional that this was a good idea, I had to coordinate all the testing myself and make sure the results got to my surgeon in Detroit, I didn’t have a nutrition class, I learned myself.  Yes, I asked questions, and yes, I read here, I also did a lot of other reading, websites and two books (plus a cook book) . I had to sit through an appointment with the “Ottawa bariatric specialist" and have him tell me that if I had the DS I was going to die, that I would pay for that surgery with my life. (BTW 3.5 years later I am not dead yet, he must have meant dying after a long healthy life, or maybe he was...well he was something...) My appointment with my surgeon was an hour long,  he tested your knowledge and made sure you understood what you were getting into, I clearly remember him saying ‘catnip, you obviously have done a lot of studying and understand the DS".  I guess when I started asking about the surgical methods for determining the common channel, he could just tell.  I didn’t expect him or the clinic to educate me. After surgery there was very little support, I remember going to my doctor and her looking at me and saying “you know this better than I do, what do you think we should do? And you know what I did, I told her the name of a drug I thought I should try to  relax my pyloric valve, and yes it work’ How could I do? that because I made sure I learned my **** But that is me I am a details person, not everyone is like that.

My idea for an exam isn’t so much for the day to day support stuff just before or just after surgery, it is the long term stuff that is going to hurt you, seriously hurt you. You must take supplements, why? How much? When? Can you mix iron and calcium? (No!) Are gummy vitamins just as good? (no!)  Can I take NSAID’s, what are NSAID’s? Is it just oral NSAID’s or IV NSAID’s as well? What about drinking with a straw and what should your medically alert bracelet say?  What are the signs of an obstruction? Birth control options? What should you tell your doctors? The list can go on and on.

I think that many of questions asked here are repetitive, annoying, and very important.  They will never end and never should, your brain is half mush from the moment you get your surgery date till at least 3 months afterwards. Things are going to get forgotten in that period, you need the emotional and educational support from this site. But it is important for people to recognize that not everything here is correct or accurate.  But the comments of people who do not know how to keep themselves safe now and in the future, those scare me. “i.e. “you mean just the pill isn’t enough for birth control after surgery?" “Can I use these gummy vitamins?" “I am two years out and I don’t know how to figure our how many grams of protein I am eating" How did people get surgery without knowing this **** What is OHIP going to do in 10 years when there are a slew of blind, toothless, boneless WLS’ers with a ton of medical problems because they didn’t bother to get the information  to look after themselves. What is going to be cut to pay and try and keep them healthy and alive? How many future WLS’ers are going to be denied surgery because of the ignorance of a few having surgery today?

You stated

“Perhaps a better solution might be for the government to set up one website with complete and accurate information. But no-one seems to want to do this in Canada or the States.  “

Why? Why is it the government or your doctors responsibility? Why are people not supposed to be proactive and do their own research? I believe there are a ton of good websites out there already. I know them for my surgery but not the RNY.  You only have to use google and in 2 seconds you will have more information at your finger tips then you want. What you decide to do with that info is your decision.

So I will keep chewing my “catnip" (gag), advocating that people learn before they get cut, and posting on the Ontario board,

Hugs

CNC

P.S. I am not sure why you felt the need to disseminate inaccurate information about me in your post. But please get your facts straight.  CNC

I'm sorry, I will have to disagree.  There are so many variable here.  There are many people that don't actually test well. Taking a test wouldn't even be fair to many! 
I totally agree we should be educated about the surgery we are having.  But even as educated as I was.  I soaked up every bit of information I could, I am four months out and still learning.
Should people take a test to have a child?  Many are failing at that?
This board is where people are learning and yes the same questions get asked but thats what this board is for.  There are many people joining on a daily basis and are just starting the process and need help, so I never get annoyed when I see the same question as this is a new question for them.

My two cents

Char

I also disagree with you, Catnip.  I always read the responses, when I see duplicate or even triplicate questions....the more I read, the more sinks in.  Every suggestion on this forum may not be correct or easy but it gives me lots of options.  The patience of the vets, Monica, Karen, etc is amazing.  They don't need to take the time to respond to these questions time and time again, but each time they do, they respond professionally and compassionately.....and answer the same question over and over. 

I see new people every day on this forum.  They haven't seen all those responses and, in fact, I seldom go back to look for the responses for a question that I know was on there in the past.  We all help each other on this site, (I don't offer advice....I'm too new) but I sure as hell read every word.

I'm sure after my surgery I will be asking the same questions again.  A test will may assess what you learn at the centres but here we gain knowledge, support, tricks of the trade and amazing insights. 

I wonder if you remember the big fuss over teacher testing....it lasted a year and failed miserably. 

Linda G
Toronto

How is someone who is 6 months out considered a "vet" exactly?  No offense intended, but seriously.

not sure who you are referring to?

The person other than myself that you mentioned in your post.  :)