Gummy Tummy

A morbidly obese middle age male came to the pharmacy to get an rx for Reglan.  He was telling me about how he had problems with his stomach emptying but his physician was sure the issue could be fixed with bariatric surgery. He then complained that one lady at the office told him he wouldn't have to follow any diet plan then a different lady told him he would have to follow a diet plan.  He also complained that the surgery needed to happen soon because he was losing health insurance coverage at the end of the year.  He purchased five boxes of $1 movie theater candy (Mike & Ikes, Gummy Lifesavers, etc) with his rx.

So I'm thinking to myself "Self, in what world does waxy, gooey candy help with stomach motility?  What a whiney dumbass.  I know when I open my mouth to tell him about the woes of gummy candy and surgical complications he's gonna look at me with stinkface."

Anything I tried to tell him about diet restrictions with his surgery were just plain wrong. What would a pharmacist know about post-surgical care?   This patient is gonna have complications after surgery and eventually will gain back any weight lost in the first few months.

One of the main criteria for bariatric surgery is that the patient is "Committed to lifelong healthy eating and physical activity, medical follow up, and the need to take extra vitamins and minerals." (from Medline Plus website)

Fail #1  Not gonna follow a diet

Fail #2  Not gonna do physical activity

Fail#3  Not gonna follow up due to loss of insurance

Fail #4  Not gonna take extra vitamins/minerals when he won't take a multi-vite anyway

Fail Fail Fail Fail Fail Fail Fail Fail Fail Fail Fail Fail Fail