Pre-op qualifying exam???

I think people chose to not "get it". 

 

Also think some people choose to "forget" the info that is contrary to what they wanna hear.

Steph

 

 

Hmmm.... good question.  I've often thought that there needs to be a better screening process in place to qualify as ready for surgery and post-op life. I see far too many people asking very basic questions post-op lately.  Not sure that a test would suffice entirely though.  I believe that more intensive psychological evaluation should be happening.  I also believe that the dieticians should be having more than one appointment with patients pre-op to evaluate whether or not they have learned and retained the information that is shared.

As for people's comments about this forum - yes, it IS intended for support and learning, but it's really your own responsibility to be prepared with your medical team, not panicked posts immediately post-op about what you should be eating, for example.  It's also your own responsibility, and good manners and etiquette, to check back a few pages to see if a question was already answered or use the search function in the upper right corner, which isn't as useless as some people let on.

My 2 cents.

 Karen,

I think you have got it spot on. 

" there needs to be a better screening process in place to qualify as ready for surgery and post-op life."

You are right it isn't just about the education, it is a better screening process. It can be informal but maybe not necessarily automatic pass on to the next stage.

I would offer to kiss you but I am not sure how you feel about that so I'll blow you kisses and send virtual hugs.

XOXOXOX

CNC

Hi Catnip,
I was wondering what stats you are referring to about deaths due to patient error and skyrocketing revision rate.  I'm pre-op and I self-educating while I wait for my turn.  Any info you have to share would be greatly appreciated.  I like to take what I learn here and follow-up with my doctors if I feel it is relevant to me.
Thanks

I posted something similar to this a week or so ago.  Maybe not from the same viewpoint however.  I don't want the newbies to ever stop asking questions, heaven's knows I asked enough.  My point was similar in that I would like to make sure that people REALLY know what they are in for before the surgery.  MOST people on here, are here to add to their knowledge base and perhaps fine tune some of the knowledge when they think of a question and don't happen to be sitting in a surgeon's office. Someone posted in response to my thread that the social worker asked the appropriate questions to make sure that they were prepared, and that to me, is a great test, one that I never got, but wish everyone had.

 There is the RARE person, that seems to have slept through their classes and seem completely unaware of what to expect.  Those are the ones that I am afraid for.  I hope when I posted this a while back that people didn't think I thought that I didn't want them asking questions, quite the contrary - its just the odd post that makes me do a double take wondering if that person is for real, lol.

If you develop diabetes, cancer or heart disease, I hope they make you take a test before they give you help.  That way they'll know for sure you are a good candidate for treatment for those health conditions.

 

Damn right.  If you're too stupid to pass the WLS exam, you shouldn't have surgery.  Only smart people deserve to be healthy.  Oh - and the rich.  We should also make sure you can pay for a smart person to write your exam if you can't pass.  Just so the rich also have access.

(p.s. in case you didn't notice - tongue planted firmly in cheek)