Post op Questions, Can anyone help?

I am Trying to get together a list of questions for the surgeon? Can anyone offer any to ask?

opps i meant to write Pre-OP

People looking, but no answers?.....

Danette Here is a reply There are certainly lots of issues depending on your particular situations. Health risk, surgical risk, what tests need to be done, what sort of goals you have, what sort of comittment is necessary, are you willing to make short term and long term goals, how much exercise is anticipated, are you willing to be involved in a support group and does the surgeons group have one, what is the level of competency ie surgical expertise. You need to ask the questions that are going to put you at ease. Everyone is different when it come to that. Questions like what is the hardest thing about this have 100's of conflicting answers because everyone is different and has different agendas as well as backgrouds. The surgery is not a slam dunk for success. There is lots of effort on the patients side that needs to be done, It is not so much what the dr. can do but the chages you are willing to make. Your satisfaction will come from your action. The surgery is just a tool. Hope this note helps RML 3/8/04 At goal

Hello Danette, I think that it's a good idea to do as much research as you can before your surgery. This gives you a good fundamental background to draw your questions. I asked my surgeon questions like, how much does it hurt, how long will it take to recover, will I have drainage tubes, how long will I have to not lift my kids, will I be lucid after surgery, which comorbidities can I expect to drop after surgery, how much weight should I expect to lose, is an exact diet written anywhere, who do I call if I have more questions, will I be able to get myself to the bathroom after surgery, how long will I have a catheter, will I be on a respirator when I wake up, what is your success rate, have you ever lost anybody in this surgery, what complications might I be in for, how many surgeries have you done this way, etc. I found that the more I learned the more scared I got. Once I was able to ask my doctor all of these questions I was much much more at ease. Also, this board is a little slow, so if you want good quick answers consider asking at the main messageboard. Good luck, Paul 379/261/200

No amount of research could have prepared me for what I was facing....I am glad i had the surgery now but the 3 wk stay in the hospital the blood loss it was no way what I read and the mega reasearch I did helped. Its great for the people who had it easy but you name a side effect and I had it................it is not the lovely picture some paint ...........