IIRC Dr Handsome had them consult with a dietician. Most bariatric practices have at least one dietician on staff to deal with the pesky “medically supervised weight loss program” that many health insurers require before they’ll approve surgery. The surgeon really does nothing with the patient at all, other than one appointment before the surgery to discuss risks, surgical choice etc, and maybe they’ll have an introductory appointment to sell themselves, or they’ll just give a talk at the group sessions most practices run as part of their program, by way of introduction. They are specialist surgeons, who normally don’t waste their time with their patients non surgical consults. You might get one follow up with the actual surgeon after the surgery, but the rest will most likely be handled by an on staff general practitioner (that specialises in obesity), or even just a nurse practitioner. WLS needs lifetime followups, but the actual surgeon is not usually the person that does them. The surgeon does surgery, and unless the practice GP sees a reason for a surgical consult, then there’s no need to waste their time with all the non-compliance bullshit of fatties regaining later down the track.
TLC really don’t show it like it is. Dr Nowzardin’s practice actually runs weight management classes and group sessions for his patients. We did glimpse it once in the Where Are They Now first series, because they showed both Melissa and Henry working for Dr Now in counselling roles. Melissa worked for him for many years after her surgery.
