Did Anyone Make a Living Will Before Surgery?

I honestly would not have thought of it except that it was mentioned in a form I had to fill out at TEGH for my PATTS, and I was given a pamphlet on how to find advice and free government forms on the internet to create a living will or power of attorney for personal care. 

It seems almost completely 100% unnecessary for a RNY, but then, I don't have a will either... so, I might not be the most responsible person around...

I'm just curious if other hospitals made such a point of this and if anyone actually made a POAPC?

Jenn.  :)

lol - you should always have a will and living will ready. People cross the street and something "can" happen.

My motivation was when one of my friends told me what happens - and how the government steps in - when you don't have one. LOL - That was the motivation for me.

Yes you should always have one however, if you are married then it will be your husband that will make the choices for you.

It also lets your family know what exactly your choices are and it also helps lets say if you are unable to take care of your finances and gives them power to do so while you are unable.

Jenn I had both my will and powers of attorney's updated before surgery.  You just don't know.  You can never assume that they will let your husband make decisions for you-for instance if you were to go in a coma and didnt recover and your name was on the mortgage and you had your own bank account-your husband would have no way of selling the house if he needed to or get access to your account.  You definitely should have the power of attorney's done if nothing else.  They give you a form from the gov't that will do until you can get a formal one done but I would highly recommend it.

I have a will and living will that my husband and I had done years ago.  You should have one anyway just to be safe.

Would you like the government to decide who gets your stuff, how the plug gets pulled, how much or how little you get to fight or slip away, how much your survivors have to go through to wrestle control of your power of attorney from a court...  I have seen many very wrong things happen to those who fail to plan.  If the WLS is what brings you to putting your house in order with regards to wills and estate planning it is a good thing.  Even for those that read this and do not go through with WLS putting a will and a living will or health care directive in place is desirable.  Having the surgery does not increase the need for such good planning.  

A-men!

What he said!

My body, my money, my decisions -- it's only prudent that *I* decide what happens.

The superstitious, hide one's head in the sand, "if I make a will, I will die", doesn't fly.

Prudent people don't put their families through the horrors of poor planning.

Sing it, Ian!

mmm

Okay I hear you all, I'd better step on it and get a POACP and will written out fast.  I'm not married and don't have a lot of assets, just half a condo which would revert back to my father upon my death (don't worry, a lawyer did that paperwork), so I've never made a will.  I guess at 38 it's about time.

Thank you all for your replies!!

Jenn.  :)

Absolutely, I made a new will and POA and a living will before surgery.  Your hospital does not get involved in this unless you cannot give instructions re your care and they will then ask if there is a POA in place or who you next of kin is. Make sure you give a copy in a sealed envelope to your next of kin in case they need it. Also make sure they know what you want.

Problems do occur and any surgery where you go under can turn bad unfortunately.

You can buy a will kit including a POA for Ontario at Staples or Grand and ToY.  Make sure it is for Ontario. Going to a lawyer shouldn't be that expensive.  I would recommend that especially if you have kids and need to name a guardian for them.  Most laywers have a set rate so you can call and ask ahead to choosing them.  

When I had my cardiac arrest in November 2011, I was in terrible shape. While I was in a coma my husband was asked if they could harvest my organs. In shock from that conversation he honestly could barely speak. It's better we have these things in writing instead of next of kin having to actually make this decision for you is what we both learned from that.

Anything can happen, anytime anyway, its best to be prepared, we weren't but now we are, just in case.