OT: Survey for Post Ops (Please Help if You Can)
Hi All,
I'm working on a research paper for one of my classes and I am trying to get an idea of how prepared a typical bariatric patient is for the dietary changes required for life post op. I would love it if you could take a minute and answer a few questions to help me out.
Thanks in advance!
1. How far post op are you?
2. Were you required to meet with a nutritionist prior to surgery? How often?
3. Was a nutritionist available to you after the required meetings?
4. Were you provided with a diet plan? If yes; Is it highly detailed or does it give a basic guideline? Do you feel deprived by the perameters of your plan? If no; Do you feel that you were at a disadvantage due to a lack of guidelines or do you prefer to create your own plan and do things your own way?
5. Did your plan include a vitamin regimine? If you weren't given a plan; Were you ever given a list of vitamins that you would need?
6. Overall, do you feel that you had an adequate idea of the lifestyle changes that had/have to take place post op or were you surprised by a lot of the changes that came about with your new anatomy?
Please feel free to include any additional information that would be helpful.
I'm working on a research paper for one of my classes and I am trying to get an idea of how prepared a typical bariatric patient is for the dietary changes required for life post op. I would love it if you could take a minute and answer a few questions to help me out.
Thanks in advance!
1. How far post op are you?
2. Were you required to meet with a nutritionist prior to surgery? How often?
3. Was a nutritionist available to you after the required meetings?
4. Were you provided with a diet plan? If yes; Is it highly detailed or does it give a basic guideline? Do you feel deprived by the perameters of your plan? If no; Do you feel that you were at a disadvantage due to a lack of guidelines or do you prefer to create your own plan and do things your own way?
5. Did your plan include a vitamin regimine? If you weren't given a plan; Were you ever given a list of vitamins that you would need?
6. Overall, do you feel that you had an adequate idea of the lifestyle changes that had/have to take place post op or were you surprised by a lot of the changes that came about with your new anatomy?
Please feel free to include any additional information that would be helpful.
Alicia ~ HW 307 ~ SW 287 ~ GW 135
~ CW 160
1. How far post op are you? I'M ONE MONTH TODAY
2. Were you required to meet with a nutritionist prior to surgery? How often? YES, I HAD TO DO 6 CONSECUTIVE WEEKS, ONCE A WEEK MEETING WITH THE NUT.
3. Was a nutritionist available to you after the required meetings? YES, WE ARE EVEN GIVEN HER DIRECT LINE TO CONTACT HER, SHE IS ALSO AT EVERY ONE OF THE MONTHLY SUPPORT MEETINGS.
4. Were you provided with a diet plan? If yes; Is it highly detailed or does it give a basic guideline? Do you feel deprived by the perameters of your plan? If no; Do you feel that you were at a disadvantage due to a lack of guidelines or do you prefer to create your own plan and do things your own way? IT WASN'T REALLY A DIET PLAN. FIRST MEETING, WE REVIEWED WHAT I ATE ON A NORMAL WEEK AND SHE GAVE ME SOME THINGS TO CHANGE. IT WAS NICE TO DO THIS GRADUALLY. I GRADUALLY GOT USED TO NO SWEET TEA AND NO JUNK FOOD. I LIKED HOW SHE DID THIS. I WOULD'VE HATED TO GO COLD TURKEY ON EVERYTHING RIGHT BEFORE SURGERY.
5. Did your plan include a vitamin regimine? If you weren't given a plan; Were you ever given a list of vitamins that you would need? PRE-OP I WASN'T TOLD TO TAKE VITAMINS. i WAS GIVEN A LIST OF VITAMINS I WOULD NEEP POST-OP ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE SURGERY DATE.
6. Overall, do you feel that you had an adequate idea of the lifestyle changes that had/have to take place post op or were you surprised by a lot of the changes that came about with your new anatomy? I WASN'T SURPRISED WITH ANYTHING...SO FAR. MY DOCTOR'S OFFICE GIVES YOU A WHOLE BOOK ON PRE-OP, SURGERY, IN THE HOSPITAL AND POST-OP STUFF TO EXPECT AND DO. I EVEN HAVE SAMPLE MEALS TO HELP OUT DURING EACH STAGE. OH HELPED THOUGH. I'D COME ON HERE DAILY AND I FEEL I WENT IN KNOWING SO MUCH.
2. Were you required to meet with a nutritionist prior to surgery? How often? YES, I HAD TO DO 6 CONSECUTIVE WEEKS, ONCE A WEEK MEETING WITH THE NUT.
3. Was a nutritionist available to you after the required meetings? YES, WE ARE EVEN GIVEN HER DIRECT LINE TO CONTACT HER, SHE IS ALSO AT EVERY ONE OF THE MONTHLY SUPPORT MEETINGS.
4. Were you provided with a diet plan? If yes; Is it highly detailed or does it give a basic guideline? Do you feel deprived by the perameters of your plan? If no; Do you feel that you were at a disadvantage due to a lack of guidelines or do you prefer to create your own plan and do things your own way? IT WASN'T REALLY A DIET PLAN. FIRST MEETING, WE REVIEWED WHAT I ATE ON A NORMAL WEEK AND SHE GAVE ME SOME THINGS TO CHANGE. IT WAS NICE TO DO THIS GRADUALLY. I GRADUALLY GOT USED TO NO SWEET TEA AND NO JUNK FOOD. I LIKED HOW SHE DID THIS. I WOULD'VE HATED TO GO COLD TURKEY ON EVERYTHING RIGHT BEFORE SURGERY.
5. Did your plan include a vitamin regimine? If you weren't given a plan; Were you ever given a list of vitamins that you would need? PRE-OP I WASN'T TOLD TO TAKE VITAMINS. i WAS GIVEN A LIST OF VITAMINS I WOULD NEEP POST-OP ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE SURGERY DATE.
6. Overall, do you feel that you had an adequate idea of the lifestyle changes that had/have to take place post op or were you surprised by a lot of the changes that came about with your new anatomy? I WASN'T SURPRISED WITH ANYTHING...SO FAR. MY DOCTOR'S OFFICE GIVES YOU A WHOLE BOOK ON PRE-OP, SURGERY, IN THE HOSPITAL AND POST-OP STUFF TO EXPECT AND DO. I EVEN HAVE SAMPLE MEALS TO HELP OUT DURING EACH STAGE. OH HELPED THOUGH. I'D COME ON HERE DAILY AND I FEEL I WENT IN KNOWING SO MUCH.
1: I had surgery 08/01/12.
2: I was required to meet with a dietitian (saw her three times I think), a psychologist, attend a seminar as well as a day long learning thing called Immersion day.
3: Nutritionist is required to see after surgery as well as psychologist.
4: I was provided with a plan. It was sort of detailed I guess. I do not feel deprived- actually the last stage seems sort of more free than what some others say.
5: Yes I was provided with a vitamin regimen. Multi X2, D3, Calcium Citrate, B12 and for me Iron.
6: I do feel I got an adequate idea of the lifestyle change- as much as one can have without going through it. I feel the staff at the program were helpful and are approachable to go to with any concerns. Also we are supposed to attend monthly support meetings for at least a year. A psychologist and RN run the group.
Good project!
1. I am eight weeks out from surgery now.
2. Yes, I was required to meet with a nutritionist, once...then again at my 6 wks. post op.
3. Yes, the nutritionist was available.
4. Yes, I was provided a diet plan. It was very detailed and was a great resource for me and my husband (who was the caregiver my first week after surgery). Deprived, no. It was good for what my recovery period was and it was exactly as it should be. No, I did not prefer to create my own plan and do it my way at that point...was why I got into trouble with my weight in the first place, it was time to let someone else tell me how to start this process.
5. Yes, I even had a vitamin type training. We had reference cards of what we needed additional if we were taking certain brands. Very helpful.
6. Yes, I had a very good idea. I had a few friends that have had the surgery and I had a lot of heads up prior. I was prepared for the changes and ready. It was a chance to do something for myself that would greatly benefit my health down the road.
7. Getting this surgery is like doing anything that you have to set your mind to. In order to be successful, you need to understand why you're getting it and what changes you need to make in your lifestyle. You CANNOT go back to the way you were, eating is not for enjoyment anymore. Eat to live, not live to eat. I am thankful I have a very restricted amount and more so about what I can eat. It doesn't allow me the chance to cheat if I wanted to. I know down the road things get a bit easier, but overall it shouldn't. Best thing I ever did for myself (other than quit smoking).
1. I am eight weeks out from surgery now.
2. Yes, I was required to meet with a nutritionist, once...then again at my 6 wks. post op.
3. Yes, the nutritionist was available.
4. Yes, I was provided a diet plan. It was very detailed and was a great resource for me and my husband (who was the caregiver my first week after surgery). Deprived, no. It was good for what my recovery period was and it was exactly as it should be. No, I did not prefer to create my own plan and do it my way at that point...was why I got into trouble with my weight in the first place, it was time to let someone else tell me how to start this process.
5. Yes, I even had a vitamin type training. We had reference cards of what we needed additional if we were taking certain brands. Very helpful.
6. Yes, I had a very good idea. I had a few friends that have had the surgery and I had a lot of heads up prior. I was prepared for the changes and ready. It was a chance to do something for myself that would greatly benefit my health down the road.
7. Getting this surgery is like doing anything that you have to set your mind to. In order to be successful, you need to understand why you're getting it and what changes you need to make in your lifestyle. You CANNOT go back to the way you were, eating is not for enjoyment anymore. Eat to live, not live to eat. I am thankful I have a very restricted amount and more so about what I can eat. It doesn't allow me the chance to cheat if I wanted to. I know down the road things get a bit easier, but overall it shouldn't. Best thing I ever did for myself (other than quit smoking).
1. I am almost four years post op.
2. Yes, I met with the dietician once pre op and also attended a 90 minute class she taught about post op nutrition.
3. Yes.
4. Yes, but it was not highly detailed and did not include information about a vegetarian diet, which I needed. No, I don't feel deprived at all.
5. My plan included a vitamin regimen but an inadequate one. The recommendations of my plan did not meet the ASMBS guidelines. For instance, I was told to take calcium carbonate, which RNY patients cannot absorb, and I was told I did not need iron.
6. I certainly could have been better informed.
2. Yes, I met with the dietician once pre op and also attended a 90 minute class she taught about post op nutrition.
3. Yes.
4. Yes, but it was not highly detailed and did not include information about a vegetarian diet, which I needed. No, I don't feel deprived at all.
5. My plan included a vitamin regimen but an inadequate one. The recommendations of my plan did not meet the ASMBS guidelines. For instance, I was told to take calcium carbonate, which RNY patients cannot absorb, and I was told I did not need iron.
6. I certainly could have been better informed.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
1. 3 and a half months
2. yes, one visit that lasted an hour and a half
3. yes, one while I was in the hospital, and one I can visit for free at my surgeons office
4. yes, general guidelines. no I have not felt deprived. I don't eat foods higher in fat or sugar; I feel detoxed from them so I am not craving them
5. yes, in our wire-bound book, there was a page listing a suggested schedule of when to eat, drink, and take which vitamins. Also there was material on each vitamin, its function, and recommended daily dosages.
6. Yes I felt well informed between the book and the 4 hour educational class I attended, visiting OH, and internet searches, and talking to people who have had WLS. In the end, no matter how prepared I was, I did not have a full appreciation for it until after surgery when it became a reality.
2. yes, one visit that lasted an hour and a half
3. yes, one while I was in the hospital, and one I can visit for free at my surgeons office
4. yes, general guidelines. no I have not felt deprived. I don't eat foods higher in fat or sugar; I feel detoxed from them so I am not craving them
5. yes, in our wire-bound book, there was a page listing a suggested schedule of when to eat, drink, and take which vitamins. Also there was material on each vitamin, its function, and recommended daily dosages.
6. Yes I felt well informed between the book and the 4 hour educational class I attended, visiting OH, and internet searches, and talking to people who have had WLS. In the end, no matter how prepared I was, I did not have a full appreciation for it until after surgery when it became a reality.
1. How far post op are you?
8 years, 2 months
2. Were you required to meet with a nutritionist prior to surgery? How often?
Had one nutrition class, but nutrition was part of my midwifery degree
3. Was a nutritionist available to you after the required meetings?
No
4. Were you provided with a diet plan? If yes; Is it highly detailed or does it give a basic guideline? Do you feel deprived by the perameters of your plan? If no; Do you feel that you were at a disadvantage due to a lack of guidelines or do you prefer to create your own plan and do things your own way?
Very basic guidelines - no problems due to my background
5. Did your plan include a vitamin regimine? If you weren't given a plan; Were you ever given a list of vitamins that you would need?
Multivitamin only was my plan. I have had pernicious anaemia for 20 years so B12 regimen already in place. Researched vitamin needs for myself and adjust them according to lab trends.
6. Overall, do you feel that you had an adequate idea of the lifestyle changes that had/have to take place post op or were you surprised by a lot of the changes that came about with your new anatomy?
I was normal/overweight according to the BMI charts for most of my adult life ****il 40) only MO for about 18 months, including a pregnancy, and so surgery bought me back to who I have always thought I was - the MO me wasn't the me I knew.
8 years, 2 months
2. Were you required to meet with a nutritionist prior to surgery? How often?
Had one nutrition class, but nutrition was part of my midwifery degree
3. Was a nutritionist available to you after the required meetings?
No
4. Were you provided with a diet plan? If yes; Is it highly detailed or does it give a basic guideline? Do you feel deprived by the perameters of your plan? If no; Do you feel that you were at a disadvantage due to a lack of guidelines or do you prefer to create your own plan and do things your own way?
Very basic guidelines - no problems due to my background
5. Did your plan include a vitamin regimine? If you weren't given a plan; Were you ever given a list of vitamins that you would need?
Multivitamin only was my plan. I have had pernicious anaemia for 20 years so B12 regimen already in place. Researched vitamin needs for myself and adjust them according to lab trends.
6. Overall, do you feel that you had an adequate idea of the lifestyle changes that had/have to take place post op or were you surprised by a lot of the changes that came about with your new anatomy?
I was normal/overweight according to the BMI charts for most of my adult life ****il 40) only MO for about 18 months, including a pregnancy, and so surgery bought me back to who I have always thought I was - the MO me wasn't the me I knew.
Proud Feminist, Atheist, LGBT friend, and Democratic Socialist
1. How far post op are you? 16 months
2. Were you required to meet with a nutritionist prior to surgery? How often? Yes, 1 hour meeting pre approval, 1 hour group class on pre op liquid diet, 1/2 day group class right before surgery,
3. Was a nutritionist available to you after the required meetings? Yes, and continuing
4. Were you provided with a diet plan? Yes, given a notebook. If yes; Is it highly detailed or does it give a basic guideline? Detailed. list of foods at each stage, example menus, some recipes. Support group also does at least 2 carry in dinners a year and dietitian puts together recipe booklet of recipes brought.
Do you feel deprived by the perameters of your plan? If no; No, most of the foods I should not eat on a regular basis don't sit well in pouch anyway (bread, pasta, bread, rice, bread) Do you feel that you were at a disadvantage due to a lack of guidelines or do you prefer to create your own plan and do things your own way? I have no problems following the plan
5. Did your plan include a vitamin regimine? Yes, in the pre-op binder but I get better vitamin advice from OH. If you weren't given a plan; Were you ever given a list of vitamins that you would need?
6. Overall, do you feel that you had an adequate idea of the lifestyle changes that had/have to take place post op or were you surprised by a lot of the changes that came about with your new anatomy? Yes, they do their best to prepare us. But until you go through it, I don't think you can be 100% aware. Example: It is hard to understand "foamies" and the discomfort until
you actually go through it.
2. Were you required to meet with a nutritionist prior to surgery? How often? Yes, 1 hour meeting pre approval, 1 hour group class on pre op liquid diet, 1/2 day group class right before surgery,
3. Was a nutritionist available to you after the required meetings? Yes, and continuing
4. Were you provided with a diet plan? Yes, given a notebook. If yes; Is it highly detailed or does it give a basic guideline? Detailed. list of foods at each stage, example menus, some recipes. Support group also does at least 2 carry in dinners a year and dietitian puts together recipe booklet of recipes brought.
Do you feel deprived by the perameters of your plan? If no; No, most of the foods I should not eat on a regular basis don't sit well in pouch anyway (bread, pasta, bread, rice, bread) Do you feel that you were at a disadvantage due to a lack of guidelines or do you prefer to create your own plan and do things your own way? I have no problems following the plan
5. Did your plan include a vitamin regimine? Yes, in the pre-op binder but I get better vitamin advice from OH. If you weren't given a plan; Were you ever given a list of vitamins that you would need?
6. Overall, do you feel that you had an adequate idea of the lifestyle changes that had/have to take place post op or were you surprised by a lot of the changes that came about with your new anatomy? Yes, they do their best to prepare us. But until you go through it, I don't think you can be 100% aware. Example: It is hard to understand "foamies" and the discomfort until
you actually go through it.
Winnie
1. How far post op are you? A little over 3 months!
2. Were you required to meet with a nutritionist prior to surgery? How often? I was required to attend one meeting. Which really didn't give us too much information!
3. Was a nutritionist available to you after the required meetings? No which is sad.
4. Were you provided with a diet plan? If yes; Is it highly detailed or does it give a basic guideline? Very basic guidelines which can be frustrating at times. We were given a few pages in our notebook but it didn't give much details. Do you feel deprived by the perameters of your plan? If no; Do you feel that you were at a disadvantage due to a lack of guidelines or do you prefer to create your own plan and do things your own way? I do not feel deprived but I do get frustrated about the lack of support of a Nutritionist.
5. Did your plan include a vitamin regimine? If you weren't given a plan; Were you ever given a list of vitamins that you would need? Yes although it was touched on but not to a deal of actual explaining about how many, how often etc.
6. Overall, do you feel that you had an adequate idea of the lifestyle changes that had/have to take place post op or were you surprised by a lot of the changes that came about with your new anatomy? I feel I had a good idea of lifestyle changes. I think it would have been easier if I had a Nut to consult with.
2. Were you required to meet with a nutritionist prior to surgery? How often? I was required to attend one meeting. Which really didn't give us too much information!
3. Was a nutritionist available to you after the required meetings? No which is sad.
4. Were you provided with a diet plan? If yes; Is it highly detailed or does it give a basic guideline? Very basic guidelines which can be frustrating at times. We were given a few pages in our notebook but it didn't give much details. Do you feel deprived by the perameters of your plan? If no; Do you feel that you were at a disadvantage due to a lack of guidelines or do you prefer to create your own plan and do things your own way? I do not feel deprived but I do get frustrated about the lack of support of a Nutritionist.
5. Did your plan include a vitamin regimine? If you weren't given a plan; Were you ever given a list of vitamins that you would need? Yes although it was touched on but not to a deal of actual explaining about how many, how often etc.
6. Overall, do you feel that you had an adequate idea of the lifestyle changes that had/have to take place post op or were you surprised by a lot of the changes that came about with your new anatomy? I feel I had a good idea of lifestyle changes. I think it would have been easier if I had a Nut to consult with.
Lori 
(deactivated member)
on 9/20/12 6:51 am
on 9/20/12 6:51 am
Hi there, I wanted to chime in so my answers are below. Feel free to follow up with questions. Thanks!
Laura
How far post op are you? 7 months.
2. Were you required to meet with a nutritionist prior to surgery? Yes. How often? At least twice. I met with her 3 times so she was satisfied that I understood what I would be eating like post op.
3. Was a nutritionist available to you after the required meetings? Yes. I could call and talk any time during business hours or schedule an appointment to meet with her again.
4. Were you provided with a diet plan? Yes. If yes; Is it highly detailed or does it give a basic guideline? It was pretty detailed. It said the volume of food I should be able to eat 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months, 9-12 months, and beyond one year. Both during my preop liquid diet and post op at each stage I was given a list of foods to eat and a list of foods to avoid. For instance 3 tablespoons of protein (from a list of appropriate proteins for each post op stage) and 1 tablespoon of carbs (from a list of approved carbs). Als a separate list of foods to avoid that were likely to cause weight gain or dumping.
Do you feel deprived by the perameters of your plan? Not within the parameters of my plan, no.But I feel limited by the food allergies I am discovering I have. I was gluten intolerant pre op but seem to be developing a whey/milk/dairy allergy post op so I am giving up dairy and that limits me a lot.
If no; Do you feel that you were at a disadvantage due to a lack of guidelines or do you prefer to create your own plan and do things your own way? I like the guidelines I received but also planned things my own way and did what works. For instance my NUT said I could have pork at 3 months but I threw up when I ate it that soon, every time, so I stopped having it until 6 months out and found it worked for me to do this.
5. Did your plan include a vitamin regimine?Yes, I was told to take 500 mg of chewable calcium citrate three times a day, a sublingual B12 once a day, two multivitamins once a day, and a vitamin D 5000IU once a day for the rest of my life. Also to consume a minimm of 80 g of protein a day or I would suffer hair loss and other nutritional deficiencfies.
If you weren't given a plan; Were you ever given a list of vitamins that you would need? Yes
6. Overall, do you feel that you had an adequate idea of the lifestyle changes that had/have to take place post op or were you surprised by a lot of the changes that came about with your new anatomy?
I got a very good idea of the lifestyle changes required. They drilled it into my head that I should eat protein first, sip water all day except 30 minutes befrore during and after meals, exercise at least 30 minutes most days of the week, eat only when hungry and stop before being full, chew my food to applesauce consistency, say goodbye to alcohol for at least a year and possibly forever and to only have one drink when and if I do drink, and realize this was a huge change that was permanent and for life. I had to go through pretty extensive psychological testing to ensure I understood these changes and was ready to make them.
The only issue I wish they would have addressed more is the fact that its normal to mourn over not being able to eat as much or eat socially such as at parties.It is hard sometimes to feel left out because I am done eating after only a few small bites and everyone else is drinking and eat tons. But I have no regrets and this forum has helped me address that.
Laura
How far post op are you? 7 months.
2. Were you required to meet with a nutritionist prior to surgery? Yes. How often? At least twice. I met with her 3 times so she was satisfied that I understood what I would be eating like post op.
3. Was a nutritionist available to you after the required meetings? Yes. I could call and talk any time during business hours or schedule an appointment to meet with her again.
4. Were you provided with a diet plan? Yes. If yes; Is it highly detailed or does it give a basic guideline? It was pretty detailed. It said the volume of food I should be able to eat 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months, 9-12 months, and beyond one year. Both during my preop liquid diet and post op at each stage I was given a list of foods to eat and a list of foods to avoid. For instance 3 tablespoons of protein (from a list of appropriate proteins for each post op stage) and 1 tablespoon of carbs (from a list of approved carbs). Als a separate list of foods to avoid that were likely to cause weight gain or dumping.
Do you feel deprived by the perameters of your plan? Not within the parameters of my plan, no.But I feel limited by the food allergies I am discovering I have. I was gluten intolerant pre op but seem to be developing a whey/milk/dairy allergy post op so I am giving up dairy and that limits me a lot.
If no; Do you feel that you were at a disadvantage due to a lack of guidelines or do you prefer to create your own plan and do things your own way? I like the guidelines I received but also planned things my own way and did what works. For instance my NUT said I could have pork at 3 months but I threw up when I ate it that soon, every time, so I stopped having it until 6 months out and found it worked for me to do this.
5. Did your plan include a vitamin regimine?Yes, I was told to take 500 mg of chewable calcium citrate three times a day, a sublingual B12 once a day, two multivitamins once a day, and a vitamin D 5000IU once a day for the rest of my life. Also to consume a minimm of 80 g of protein a day or I would suffer hair loss and other nutritional deficiencfies.
If you weren't given a plan; Were you ever given a list of vitamins that you would need? Yes
6. Overall, do you feel that you had an adequate idea of the lifestyle changes that had/have to take place post op or were you surprised by a lot of the changes that came about with your new anatomy?
I got a very good idea of the lifestyle changes required. They drilled it into my head that I should eat protein first, sip water all day except 30 minutes befrore during and after meals, exercise at least 30 minutes most days of the week, eat only when hungry and stop before being full, chew my food to applesauce consistency, say goodbye to alcohol for at least a year and possibly forever and to only have one drink when and if I do drink, and realize this was a huge change that was permanent and for life. I had to go through pretty extensive psychological testing to ensure I understood these changes and was ready to make them.
The only issue I wish they would have addressed more is the fact that its normal to mourn over not being able to eat as much or eat socially such as at parties.It is hard sometimes to feel left out because I am done eating after only a few small bites and everyone else is drinking and eat tons. But I have no regrets and this forum has helped me address that.
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