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Hmmmm, now you have got me wondering…if it was only going to affect pre-ops, i would think more surgical times to shorten the waitlist. Since the announcement affects post-ops as well it must be something else…i cant even imagine what it could be.

I too am waiting and wondering… Ron???

The suspense is getting to be a little much. lol.  Please do tell.

OK, The PHSA finally got back to me. Their communications experts do not want the invitation for the BC WLS Bariatric Focus Group posted on Face Book or web pages …. so I have sent each of you a PM (private message) here on the forum that provides details. Check your PM inbox.

There are limited seats, so you should contact the PHSA people ASAP.

Ron

I would like to participate but living a days drive away in the interior won't allow that to happen. Any chance of being able to participate by use of the computer? I am having surgery in 19 days. Thanks Frances

PS. I would like to write an artcile about the focus group after the event. If you receive an invitation and would like to contribute info for a future artcile here at WLS Support, pls email me at ron.merk@telus.net before attending the focus group. Thks.

If I lived closer to Victoria I would want to go, but living in the interior that just won't be possible. Frances

Oh no! I would have participated but i dont have a surgical date yet and dont live in victoria! I could have attended by conference call!

I did tell them that the wording of their invite sould severely limit participation. Most Pre-ops have no idea when they're within 6 months of their surgery. I suggested they re-word it to say " Pre-ops who have at least 6 months with their surgeon"

I understand Victoria, as the vast majority of WLS is still being done here.

Sadly, the results of the forum does reflect the total lack of understanding of the issues of WLS in the Gov't AND the medical system. Hopefully they'll get what they need from the phone interviews.

I wou'ld suggest Pre-op patients should ignore the wording of the original message and contact the PHSA anyway. Ask them to allow you to provide your input for their business case.

So on Tuesday I had a telephone conference call with the PHSA people.  Just to bring everyone
up with the program – the provincial government asked the PHSA to come up with a business plan
based on input from physicians, surgeons, specialists, and bariatric patients.  They have already
had forums with the doctors and support staff.  They have also done interviews with bariatric
patients on the mainland.  They wanted to do more of Amson and Tang's patients but they were having
trouble reaching people.

We were going to have a conference with three local people but I was the only one who was able
to be around when they called.  So I guess that my interview will have a slight bent to my point
of view.  So just so we are clear – all these opinions are mine and I am not talking for the WLS
community.

The PHSA people had a list of things to talk about but really it just sort of fell apart into a
90 minute conversation.  First on the list was my history; why I was obese; and what I did to
become a patient.  For me, I was a thin kid, stopped exercising and developed a sendentary lifestyle,
ate too much, and became obese.  I formed my own exercise group for large men and when I was having
breathing issues, my respirologist, Dr. Sanders, recommended bariatric surgery and through my GP
got me hooked up with Dr. Amson.

So we talked about the process of getting a surgeon and working with the bariatric team prior to
my surgery.  I suggested that it was not as much about working with a team as running a gauntlet
of tests, anyone which can eliminate you from the surgery you need, and then endless waiting until
the surgery time comes.  

We discussed how my lifestyle changed as the waiting process went forward.  First of all through
my meetings with Jan K about nutrition and how I followed Dr. Amson's suggestion to start walking
more and join in a few walkathons or 5k's to help motivate me.  We also talked about the importance
that exercise held to a pre-surgery and post-surgery lifestyle.

The people from the PHSA asked about how when I went to the hospital I was treated and informed by
the pre-surgery appointment with the internist and anesthesiologist.  She asked if I was given
quality information and resources that would prepare me for a post surgical lifestyle.  I was kind
of taken back that I was supposed to get this information.  For me meeting the internist and the
anesthesiologist was more like tests I had to pass but I couldn't study for them.  It wasn't like
they were there to help me but to ensure that I would qualify for the surgery.  The rest of the
tests like doing a full blood panel or x-ray were just more footpaths along the way.

She suggested that a co-ordinated team approach to bariatric surgery would be of great benefit to
surgery in BC.  I agreed but suggested their team was too small.  Of course the team should involve
a family GP, Surgeon, Anesthesiologist, Internest, Nutritionist, Respirologist, Endocrinologist,
Fitness trainer, and experienced bariatric patient.  What would then happen is that rather than as
individuals, groups of people could go through the process to learn about bariatric surgery and how
it would effect their lifestyle and add to their success in a post surgery world.

I mentioned that I liked this idea of a team approach since it would also provide an opportunity
for the doctors to talk about each other.  From what I have seen there is a difference in treatment
and surgical choices that the surgeons do not share with each other.  

Then we talked about the surgical proceedure and recovery period.  I complimented the nursing and
support staff at the hospital.  They were great with me.  I was asked if I was given sufficient
information when I left the hospital to go on with a bariatric lifestyle.  I said I didn't need that
information when i left the hospital but to have it months before the surgery so I could prepare
for the changes.  We also talked about the value of having assistance from people on facebook and WL&S
forum to answer immediate questions.  

We talked a bit about how decisions are made for who gets surgery.  In my opinion the decisions need
to come from the surgeons but they also suggested that it could be done on a team basis.  

We discussed what happens to the attrition of patients post surgery.  Some are successful, some are not,
and some just dissappear. I think it is important for people who have had surgery need to keep in
touch with either other bariatric patients or for sure a bariatric team.  I think that people who have
experienced the surgery can help with their knowledge of the post surgery lifestyle.  That information
would be useful to physicians as well as other patients.  Keeping in touch would also help patients
if they are having trouble with their post surgery lifestyle.  We are seeing some of this in the
demand for revision surgery.

Finally we talked about the value of their report.  I am highly skeptical of the BC Government and
its approach to health care.  They said that they were asked by the government to put together the
report so it is at least it is a step in the right direction.  Lots of interesting stuff, hopefully
it will do some good but it isn't going to happen tomorrow.  This report will take at least three
more months to complete and longer to make it through the government's offices.  And of course, if
it takes too long, we may have a new government.