What to ask?

Hi, as a newbie I'm really impressed by this community. I saw a presentation from the Bari program last month, turned in my paperwork a week later. Now I find that Blue Cross says yes (wow, didn't expect it to go so easily) and will meet one-on-one with the surgeon this Thursday. WHAT SHOULD I ASK? He does lap RNY only, unless there are complications.

ask how many lap RNY surgeries he's done. Ask him about his success rate and if he foresees any complications for you. Try to make sure he's done hundreds and hundreds without any deaths or with only one or two.

1. What are my pre op procedures and expectations? 2. What tests are included in pre op? 3. How long will I be in surgery? 4. Will I be in ICU? 5. When I get home, what kinds of things should I expect? Emotionally and physically? 6. Will I be meeting with a dietician to help me manage my food and protein choices? Is that part of the coverage insurance wise? 7. Will there be staples that will need to come out several weeks post op? 8. When I am in the hospital, how long will I be there? (days) 9. Will your office coordinate follow up visits? And for how long will those continue? 10. Do you offer a support group? 11. Can you refer me to a former patient of yours I can speak to who had the same procedure done? 12. If I have questions to ask after surgery will you help answer them? ******I researched my surgery for about a decade. Become knowledgeable in the procedure you are having done, know what is expeted of you pre op, surgery day and while in the hospital, what to take along, and care at home after surgery. Having support and people to help you is critical in your recovery at the hospital and at home. It takes time to heal, and it takes hands to help. Make sure you have those in place before you schedule the day of surgery. I did not have help after two days out of the hospital and had to do it all by myself and regret that I did not have more support. The surgery however, I would do it again in a heartbeat. Make sure you trust this man with your life. Make sure you have become comfortable with his manner. Make sure you have every question answered before you go in. Make sure that you have done your homework, and become familiar with things that will change for you after surgery takes place. I wish you the very best in your quest and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask. All my best

Your list is great!!!! You should have this published for easy access. Can you put this in the library on OH? Really it should be for all to have when they go in. kp @ goal

Your insurance okayed the surgery before ever meeting the physician?? I never would have expected that from BC/BS. Good luck

Hi Barbara, No matter what we list here you will have dozens of questions come to you after you have gone home from the consult. Aside from the usual questions about which procedure will be best/performed, ask about mortality rate, complication rate and are emergency/trauma facilities ready in case. Not likely but in case. After care and how much do you have to pay if any at all. Support meetings and emergency call numbers. Talk to the staff and see if you like them. My surgeon gave me his pager, cell and home numbers - obviously caring and trusting - that's how he got me on his list of creations! I have also come up with a new question to ask especially if your surgeon is affiliated with a "company". Had I known before my surgery what was being planned and before my surgeon left the "company" I would have asked for a financal statement of the parent company and are there any restructuring changes to take place near my surgery time. When CORI first started it was great the MSO got in and screwed it all up and lost sight of the bottom line - Patients and Doctors making people right. Now it's how much and how many. I made it in under the wire and now my doc is on his own and doing it the way it should be. I actually got a thank you from his team and the hospital after my lipectomy for selecting them!!! I would like to know if when I am having my chitlins reworked if the "company" will be going into receivership and if someday when I show up for post op care will there be a padlock on the door. Or worse yet, being scheduled for your surgery after selecting your doctor only to have to have your surgery cancelled because your doctor was transfered out of state or has left because of contract issues. It sounds crazy but it can happen. Stay on top of the process and keep a paper trail. I hope we help you here. There is a lot of experience on this site. kp @ goal