What questions to ask???

My insurance has coverage for WLS (because I'm on a Federal Gov't plan that picked up this option) and I have my first appointment with the referral doctor on October 10th. It took over 2 months from receiving my referral by my primary doctor to see him. I've been reading and researching various forms of bariatric surgery for months now. My sister had the MGB, but I don't know which kind of surgery Kaiser will pay for. Probably not this one. I'm 50 years old, diabetic (*but under control with diet, meds and exercise - A1c of 6.2), high blood pressure, asthma and a huge family history of heart attack, strokes, diabetes, etc. I'm a single Mom of a 12 year old as my husband died of cancer at 42 - so I HAVE to do this so I can be here for my daughter. I've been able to lose 40 lbs, but haven't been able to get it down much further in 2 years. I have already significantly changed my eating and exercise habits for about 4 years now and I'm willing to do what it takes to make this successful. I'm asking of any of you have good questions I should ask that I might not have thought about. Any input would be appreciated.

Hi Juanita, I am on a federal plan too and my RNY is being covered without a hitch. It is still best to check with your insurance provider to find out what the qualifications are, such as if you need to do a 6 - 12 month physician supervised diet, have been MO for at least 5 years, or things. Here is a long list of questions that I snagged off of someone's profile a while ago. Many questions can usually be answered at your surgeon's information/education meetings. Some questions may not apply to you or even be relevant. Elizabeth 1. How much common channel will I have? 2. How many supplements should I take? If they say none, ask if you CAN take them. 3. What vitamins supplements should I take post-op? 4. How big will my stomach be? 5. Can/should I drink milk after surgery? Sugar? Fats? 6. How often do I need labs? 7. How long am I off solid foods? 8. Of my excess weight, what percentage will I lose? What percentage will I keep off? 9. How "strict" of a diet will I be on? 10. If I am still nauseated or vomiting after surgery, what will yo do for me? 11. What is your mortality rate? 12. How many of each surgery have you performed? 13. How many patients lost? 14. How many leaks? 15. What do you think my goal weight should be? 16. What is the pre-op diet? 17. What are the preparations for the surgery? 18. What is the post-op diet? 19. Can labs be ordered by my PCP and faxed to your office for analysis? 20. What do I do about my medications pre-op? Post-op? 21. How will the incision be closed? Stitches, Steri-Strips, Glue or Staples? 22. How long is the Open incision? 23. Will my surgery be open or laproscopic? 24. How long should the surgery take, barring complications? 25. Will I go home with a feeding tube? 26. Do I bring my CPAP machine with me? 27. Will I be in I.C.U., due to my sleep apnea? 28. Will I have the leg compression devices that help prevent blood clots? 29. Will I get a binder in the hospital? Or Do I need to provide my own? 30. How soon will I be able to drive? 31. Will I have an epidural? 32. Will I be tested for H. Pylori bacteria? And, is there anything I can do to prevent it? 33. Have you ever started a surgery and couldn't complete it? 34. Will I have a drainage tube? For how long? Will I go home with it? 35. What type of pain medication will I be given for home use? 36. Are there gowns in the hospital for someone of my size? 37. After surgery, when can I resume my normal activities? 38. Do I have a limit on how much I can carry or lift? For how long? 39. How soon can I begin an exercise regimen, besides walking? 40. Do you have a list of medications that I can/cannot take? 41. What about future pregnancies? Will they be considered high risk? Will I need a specialized OB/GYN? 42. Should I get a medic alert bracelet? 43. When will the staples/stitches be removed? Will I have either? 44. Will I get injections of Heparin, to prevent blood clots? 45. What supplements can I take to help prevent/lessen/diminish hair loss? 46. How many of your patients have lost their spleens? 47. What are my odds of getting a hernia? 48. Can I actually cause a hernia? 49. Will I have a Foley? If so, how long will it stay in? 50. After surgery, how do you detect for leaks? 51. What are my odds of getting a UTI, bladder infection or yeast infection? 52. Can I meet the anesthesiologist beforehand? 53. How soon will I be able to shower after surgery? 54. When is the soonest I can get scheduled for surgery? 55. What are my odds of adhesions? 56. What is the youngest person you would perform this surgery on? 57. How long do I stay in Recovery? 58. Can someone stay with me IN the hospital? 59. How long before I will be at 100% healed, barring complications? 60. How long will I be in the hospital? 61. How often are follow-up visits, post-op? 62. What year did you begin performing WLS? 63. Are you a general surgeon, or do you specialize in Bariatrics only? 64. Are my gallbladder and or appendix removed during surgery?

what a great, comprehensive list of questions!!! i have already chosen my surgeon and surgery is scheduled for october 23..... lots of these questions have already been asked and answered but there are lots of others that i will now ask! thank you so much!!!