What to expect at the Consultation???

I have my consultation on Thursday and I'm wondering what to expect! Any advice would be great! Thanks Nicole!

Nicole, Is this w/ your surgeon I am assuming? Make this surgery consult what YOU NEED! Here is info I have posted before....Be assertive and an educated and informed consumer of your life and health!

When you're looking for a Bariatric surgeon/points to ponder:

 

http://www.amylhwilliams.com/questionsforsurgeon.html good link also 1) Check out info on this site: http://www.nydoctorprofile.com/ (*search under his name & look for any malpractice suits, payouts etc. You can ask about that). 2) Is he board-certified by the American Board of Surgery? www.absurgery.org American College of Surgeons? http://web3.facs.org/acsdir/public/Detail.cfm?CHKDGTS=00299031800 3) Is he a member of the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons? http://www.asbs.org/html/about/membersearch2.html 4) What is the mortality rate (is the number of deaths) of the surgeon, the success rate (those losing > 50% of their excess wt at 5 yrs out)? Complication rates (wound infections, hernias, strictures, leaks, reoperation etc)? Average length of time in hospital. 5) The surgeon you find should be well experienced in the area of weight loss surgery (BARIATRICS). It's clear that the more experienced the surgeon, the lower the risk of mortality. Ideally, you would prefer to find a surgeon who has performed at least 100 of these procedures. (I say over 500!). I also recommend a surgeon who dedictes his practice to WLS, not one who does a case a week.... 6) What you are looking for doesn't stop with numbers and statistics -- you will also need a multidisciplinary team one that includes: Surgeon, nutritionist, exercise physiologists, psychological support & support groups, that can be utilized pre- and post-operatively. 7) Look for a center or hospital that offers educational seminars to those who are just beginning the process so you can learn more about the actual procedure, the benefits, and the risks. 8) Is the hospital a Bariatric Center of Excellence? http://www.asbs.org/html/about/coe.html or http://www.surgicalreview.org/locate.aspx

 

http://www.facs.org/viewing/cqi/bscn/fullapproval.html 9) The preparation, both physical and mental, comes next, and is as crucial to the entire process as the actual procedure. Look to a surgeon that requires clearance from (what is indicated w/ your particular medical status) various doctors (psych/endocrine/hemotology/pulmonary/cardiology/nutrition etc). No this is not @ hoops this is making sure your health status is optimized before surgery. Preop smoking cessation, preop wt loss..etc. 10) What procedures does he do? Open or Lap? What is his follow up plan? Recovery time? Education is a tremendously important part of the preoperative process & there is no question that there are major risks associated with the operation. However, those risks can be minimized by having a thorough preoperative workup so there aren't surprises during the procedure, and by making sure the surgeon is experienced and qualified. This is a courageous step for people to take, and it's not just about weight changing -- it's about life changing. SO take your time, find the right surgeon/surgical program for you for your life and your health and success long-term! WLS is a decision many of us make, but should not be made impulsively (*the average time one thinks about and has WLS is 2 yrs!) as we as MO people can feel quite desperate and see this as a last resort and can sometimes go with whoever is telling us they will perform, that may not be in our best interest! EDUCATION IS KEY, AS IS A COMMITMENT & dedication to a healthy diet and exercise regimen, continual follow-up with doctors to monitor progress, and commitment to a new life. Ask him all these questions or any others think of or you think of, if HE isn't right, find someone who is! After all you’re putting your life in his hands and needing someone to care for you for life!!! Be an educated consumer of your own health! HUGS!

Hi Nicole,my consultation was uneventful.I was weighed , measured and explained the detailes of the surgery.I had written down questions during the week I wanted to remember to ask the Dr.. I was told what amount of weight my insurance co. wanted me to lose before the surgery.Just be honest and tell the Dr. what ails you.Back,Knee, ect....The time flies by.You will be on the losing side soon ! I have been losing since Jan 4th 07 and have lost 108 lbs with only 20-25 to goal.I feel great and I am off all meds. The best of luck,Bob

My consult was as simple as Bob's, other than my telling them I wanted lapband, not RNY.  I sat through the RNY informational session.  I never had an informational session for lapband, so I educated myself. Good Luckeroonies, sweets!

Yeah and congrats on the consult!  I think mine was like Bob & Cheri's...calm and easy.  You will breeze through!!!