Help Quick!!

So tomorow is my firt apt with my surgeon!!! im wondering if yall could tell me what to expect...what kind of questions will they be asking me??what should i be asking them!!! i know that there are many people who have been throught his and i am hoping you will share your wisdom with me!!! what should i take with me? my doc. is Dr Klein in? Toronto, Ontario!!! please write me!!! [email protected] kate

HI KATIE, DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE MD APPOINTMENT. HE WILL ASK YOU YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY IF HE HASN'T BY NOW, AND TELL YOU IF YOU ARE A CANDIDATE FOR THE SURGERY. (YOU USUALLY NEED TO LOOSE 100 LBS OR MORE, HAVE TRIED AND FAILED TO KEEP WEIGHT OFF ON A VARIETY OF DIETS, HAVE OTHER MEDICAL PROBLEMS LIKE DIABETES, HYPERTENSION) HE WILL DISCUSS THE OPTIONS OF LAP BAND AND BYPASS SURGERY,VERY DIFFERNT PROCEDURES, AND THEN GIVE YOU A LIST OF MULTIPLE TESTS THAT YOU MUST HAVE BEFORE YOU GET A DATE FOR SURGERY. WHILE YOU'RE IN THE OFFICE BY THE WAY, MAKE SURE THEY CHECK THAT YOUR INSURANCE WILL PAY AS THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE PROCESS. THE BEST OF LUCK, THERE ARE UPS AND DOWNS BUT I'VE NEVER BEEN SO HAPPY (80 LBS LOSS IN 4 MONTHS). PS, I'M A NURSE AND I WAS SCARED TO DEATH WHEN I MADE MY DECISION, BUT NEVER REGRETTED IT. TAKE CARE, SANDY (FROM LONG ISLAND, NY)

Hi Kate~~ Good Luck tomorrow with your first appointment!! Here is a list of questions for you~~ Questions to ask your surgeon: ~~~ How many surgeries have you performed? ~~~ Success rate? ~~~ What type of surgery is best for me...VBG...RNY (Gastric Bypass) Distal or Proximal ~~~ Why do you suggest this type for me? ~~~ Do you staple or suture the stomach? ~~~ How can I prepare for surgery...Mentally... Physically!! ~~~ Do you require me to stop smoking before surgery? If yes, when? ~~~ How will smoking affect my recovery period? ~~~ What are your Special instructions 2 - 3 days before surgery? ~~~ How soon can we schedule surgery?... Can I choose a specific date? ~~~ Does the hospital allow my husband to spend the night? ~~~ Does the hospital have a Weight Loss Surgery Ward? ~~~ How long will I be in surgery? ~~~ Do you visit my loved ones after the surgery to tell them how it went? ~~~ Reasons the surgery may not happen after you open me? ~~~ How long is the average recovery time for...open...lap surgery ~~~ How soon can I...Shower...Do Water aerobics...Exercise...Have Sex...Drive a car? ~~~ What types of pain management do you provide...at the hospital...at home? ~~~ How many follow up appointments will I have? ~~~ Do You have support group meetings? If not....where do you send your patients as they are very important to attend....Before and After surgery! ~~~ Will I have an opportunity to meet with the anesthesiologist before surgery? ~~~ Does he/she have experience with heavier people? ~~~ Will I be on a ventilator? ~~~ Will I have a tube down my nose or throat, when I wake up? ~~~ Will I need a catheter? ~~~ Will I have drainage tubes in my incision...how many...for how long? ~~~ How long will I stay in the hospital...barring NO complications? ~~~ Do you suggest that I wear a binder? ~~~ Will I be experiencing hair loss....if so, what do you suggest I do. ~~~ What do you recommend to avoid vitamin deficiencies? ~~~ How many grams of protein do you recommend daily? ~~~ What do you recommend regarding the amount of sugar per food item? ~~~ How common is vomiting?...how can I try to avoid it? ~~~ What is your Food Plan for the first few months post op? ~~~ How does the insurance billing work? ~~~ What MEDS will I have to advoid after WLS...Why...Is this temporary or permanent? ~~~ What else will I need to avoid? ~~~Do you have a list of everything printed up, so I can take it home today and make sure I understand everything? ~~~Do you have a doctor on call 24 hours, in case I need to have a question answered after WLS?