What questions should I be asking?

So I have consultation Thursday. I am trying to think of things that I would want to know before I get into all of this.

All I can think of is to find out if I should get the Mirena right away and if thats an ok birth control. And I need to find out if I can stay on my wellbutrin or if I will need to get off of it before surgery.

Do you guys have any suggestions of things that are different from surgeon to surgeon or things that you wish you would have known about before? I'm such a list maker and planner and I just hate the unknown.

Thanks,
Ayreka

Kathy wrote this in early March for newbies and it bears re-posting to help others.  Hope she does not get angry with me for re-posting this but it is great information::

Post Date 3/18/09 12:59 pm
Topic: Consultations & Talking with Bari Doctors Pre-Op

I wanted to give everyone my experience with consults and talking with the doctors before our bariatric surgery.  I've seen several posts and talked to several patients that say they only had the opportunity to talk with their bari Dr. after the consult when they had their one on one.  The next time they saw their surgeon was the day of surgery.  In some cases, they were not prepared for this at all.  They knew very little about the surgery they just had or the surgeon.   

Yikes!  To each their own.  I don't know if there is a "policy" at St. V's about # of visits with your doctor but when I was considering bariatric surgery and decided on Dr. Tim Glass to do my VBGB, I took a nurse friend with me for the consult and initial visit.  We both ask questions and we both wrote things down.

Within a span of 6 months or less, I called Dr. Glass' office and scheduled 2 additional appts.  with him.   Each time I had several more questions and got to know Dr. Glass on a more personal level.  He obviously was and is a very patient, understanding, and compassional doctor.   He has a very good bed side manner and never rushed me out of his office.  Their office staff is always very nice and they return my calls promptly. 

There was no hesitation what so ever about me coming in and asking more questions and getting to know the surgeon that was going to perform such a life changing operation on me.  I felt my surgical history was very complicated, as well as, my health history.  I nearly died from a perforated bowel years earlier that required several more surgeries and lots of scar tissue.  I needed lots of reassurance that I was a good candidate for bari surgery.  And Dr. Glass gave that to me.  Dr. Kaderabek assisted him.  I've not had 1 day of trouble with my bari surgery in 8 1/2 years. Not even 1 endoscope.  I've complied with the program tho not perfect and God gets the Glory. 

But don't almost all of us that walk thru those doors have lots of health issues and/or a complicated health history.  That's why we need to lose weight, right?  St. Vincents would probably have my head on a platter if I was advocating that everyone call to see their doctor more than once before their surgery date.   But this is a life changing surgery that you are thinking about having.  I don't think that you should assume that you can only see your doctor ONE time and then just go under the knife.  If you are not comfortable with that, then call to see the doctor again.  This is only my opinion. 

When you have your consult with whomever you choose, ask them how many years they have been doing bariatric surgeries, not necessarily how many thousands they have done.  It is quality, not quanity that is important.  True also for cosmetic surgery.

Hope this helps some of you,
hugs,
Kathy

Hugs & Blessings,
Kathy E.  
Highest Wt 350# / Current Wt 135#
Maintained my BMI for 6 1/2 yrs

1 day @ a time, 1 step @ a time, 1 choice @ a time, 1 change @ a time = a new happy, healthy lifestyle that IS attainable!