Decision Visit Tomorrow!!!

I'm going in for my decision visit tomorrow with Dr. Chapman.  Just wanted to know whta to expect and if there are any specific questions I should be sure to ask.  Any advice will be greatly appreciated. 

Also, anyone go to their decision visit and have a surgery date scheduled for 2weeks later???

Ginny

Hi Ginny, a dear friend of mine will be having her history & physical visit tomorrow with Dr. C.  Her name is Lynette.  Her apt is at 1:00.... what time is yours?  Maybe you guys will meet. 

Wish you the best!

Alice

My appt is at 3:00 so it's not likely but I'll look for her anyways.  Thanks!!!

Hi Ginny,

It's nice to meet you and I look forward to getting to know you as you make your way on this incredible, life-changing journey.

Re: scheduling the surgery ... That really depends on the office, I know that where my husband and I had our surgeries the wait is usually longer, but I also know that insurance usually requires that you have met with your surgeon within 30 days of surgery, so it might be just on the horizon.

Here's a list of questions that I had for my appointment. I hope you find some of them helpful:

Questions for the Surgeon

How many years have you been a bariatric surgeon?

What percentage of your practice is bariatric surgery?

Are you a board-certified bariatric surgeon?

Are you a member of ASBS (American Society of Bariatric Surgery)?

What other certifications or professional memberships do you have?

How many and what type of weight loss surgeries do you perform each year?

Based on my personal health and weight, what surgery do you recommend for me?

What are the advantages of this procedure?

What are the disadvantages of this procedure?

What are the risks of weight loss surgery?

What complications of surgery do you come across most often?

Is your complication rate greater or less than the national averages and why?

What are your complication rates for leaks, DVT, stricture, bleeding and infection?

What is your program and personal mortality rate? Is it greater or less than the national average?

What are the risks of this procedure?

How many of my type of surgery (lap-band, gastric bypass, DS) have you performed? (An experienced surgeon should have done at least 250 of your procedure)

Do you perform the majority surgeries laparoscopically or open?

What would cause you to switch from a laparoscopic procedure to open?

Will you perform the procedure, or an assistant?

Will you be in the operation room during the entire procedure?

Where will the surgery be performed?

How many people on the entire medical team?

Is everyone of the medical team licensed?

Are the radiologists and anesthesiologists in the program board certified?

What pre-op testing will be done?

What post-op testing will be done?

Do I need to bring my biPAP?

Why don't you recommend the other procedures for me?

How long should I expect to be in surgery?

Will I see you post op?

What is the length of my anticipated hospital stay?

How long before I’m likely to be able to return to daily activities?

How long before I can travel by car or air?

What changes will I be expected to make with regards to diet and exercise?

Do you have someone I can call if I have a question during non-office hours?

What is my expected weight loss?

At what percentage of excess weight will you consider me to be successful?

What weight range of weight do you expect me to lose?

What would be considered my “ideal” weight based on my age, sex, height, and build?