if you could aks the leading bariatric professionals ANYTHING...?

Hi guys

I am currently working on writing a bariatric book for the dutch market, you have many books for patients to read about WLS, we have none. So I am writing an A to Z kind of book about WLS with lots of info for people who are thinking about it, in pre op stage or long post op.

There will be a lot of before and after stories in there, experiences from WLS peeps, but also medical information. I am interviewing the top bariatric surgeon in Europe today and I also have interviews scheduled with the top bariatric nutricionist, top wls psychologist, top plastic surgeon who does wls patients and also top endocrinologist (about supplementing and bloodwork etc) all in their A game in the Netherlands, some even Europe, so I am very content :-)

So, what questions can I NOT forget? If you could ask these leading bariatric professionals ANYTHING in their fiels of expertise, what would you ask? What needs to be in such a book?

Would love to have your input and experience with this!

Being almost 1 year out I do know a lot myself, but some one else always gives a fresh outlook...

 

friendly greetings from the Netherlands

Cat (GBP 15 november 2010, lost 68 kilograms so far)

 Have you actually ever seen a patient who developed protein deficiency after weight loss surgery.  We hear a lot about it, but is it true or a myth?

He did, the surgeon I saw yesterday, but only in DS patients, his GBP patients generally get enough protein if they follow hus guidelines (70-100 grams a day)

DS is a lot harder to reach enough and absorb enough

I would sincerely like to know why any surgeon (that you interview) would still consider any of the LAGB a viable option when their are safer alternatives out there.

I would like a professional, researched comparison of the pros and cons of the various surgeries, as well as clear writing about long term complications and the chances of developing them.

Why aren't the contraindications of the lapband divulged more completely by a lot of  surgeons? Knowing how many lapbands fail and cause permanent damage, why do bariatric professionals still offer it as a viable (not to mention, safe and effective) weight loss surgery?  I've spoken with numerous surgeons who claim the lapbands are a "nightmare" to remove and yet the manufacturers of the lapband still tout it as being "safe" and "less invasive." I would like to know why surgeons still recommend a device that causes so many problems for so many patients.

Congratulations on your book deal. I hope you get all the information you need.

Ask them about the stomach pacemaker and then post it here..And ask them why it isn't more popular?

Tot Ziens
Petra

I will be surprised if you get true honest answers to most questions. Surgeons tend to promote the type of surgery that they do so look for biased opinions.

 I'd ask why they can't all AGREE on a lot of stuff.

- Vitamins! What kind? From whom? Are the over the counter ones as good as the expensive, made-for-WLS ones (especially for lapbands)?

- Pre op diets! We have people who have had to do a MONTH of liquids preop, people who have NO preop diet at all, and most who run somewhere in the middle.

- Postop diets. Why are they so different?

- Will carbonation kill you, stretch your stomach, rip a hole in time and space and end life as we know it - OR NOT??? My GASTROENTEROLOGIST says there is no danger; a lot of WLS say it's no big deal, but some say no way. WTH???

Will carbonation kill you, stretch your stomach, rip a hole in time and space and end life as we know it



Loved this...and totally agree with wondering about all the differences!  My pre-op and post-op plans are so different from most everyone on here.  I've come to realize that my surgeon is more laid back than most, but it's still working for me!  So...why all the differences??  Good questions/post!