Garth Ballantyne for lap surgery
I have my first consult with dr ballantyne at hackensack hospital on tuesday . I have waited 6 weeks for this appointment after his intro seminar. he has great credentials, but has not signed onto this group. I have heard good and bad about him. does anyone have any input. I want a lap-roux n y. as I have a bmi of 61. and many comorbid conditons like diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, enlarged heart and liver.
thanks for your input.
Hi Marisa~~
Sorry, I don't know your dr. Go to your appointment a little early and just start talking to the people in the waiting room 
and call his office and find out when the next support group meeting is and attend. That's where you will meet others and be able to ask all the questions you need answered. Just do as much research about WLS and become an informed patient. Below is a list of questions for you. Good Luck and please keep us posted!!!!
********** 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?
~~~ Will my Insurance Co cover the type of surgery I have chosen?
~~~ How long will it take to get Insurance Approval?
~~~ How does the insurance billing work?
~~~ How soon can we schedule surgery?... Can I choose a specific date?
~~~ How long will I be in surgery?
~~~ 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, why and when?
~~~ If your are a smoker how will that affect my recovery time.
~~~ What are your Special instructions 2 - 3 days before surgery?
~~~ Does the hospital allow my husband to spend the night?
~~~ Does the hospital have a Weight Loss Surgery Ward?
~~~ 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? Ask for Sugar-Free meds.
~~~ 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 obese 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? And at 1 year!!
~~~ What Medications will I have to avoid after WLS...Why...Is this temporary or permanent?
~~~ What else will I need to avoid?
~~~ How much weight can I expect to lose with this surgery?
~~~ 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 immediatly after WLS?
Alice
Sorry, I don't know your dr. Go to your appointment a little early and just start talking to the people in the waiting room
and call his office and find out when the next support group meeting is and attend. That's where you will meet others and be able to ask all the questions you need answered. Just do as much research about WLS and become an informed patient. Below is a list of questions for you. Good Luck and please keep us posted!!!!
********** 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?
~~~ Will my Insurance Co cover the type of surgery I have chosen?
~~~ How long will it take to get Insurance Approval?
~~~ How does the insurance billing work?
~~~ How soon can we schedule surgery?... Can I choose a specific date?
~~~ How long will I be in surgery?
~~~ 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, why and when?
~~~ If your are a smoker how will that affect my recovery time.
~~~ What are your Special instructions 2 - 3 days before surgery?
~~~ Does the hospital allow my husband to spend the night?
~~~ Does the hospital have a Weight Loss Surgery Ward?
~~~ 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? Ask for Sugar-Free meds.
~~~ 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 obese 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? And at 1 year!!
~~~ What Medications will I have to avoid after WLS...Why...Is this temporary or permanent?
~~~ What else will I need to avoid?
~~~ How much weight can I expect to lose with this surgery?
~~~ 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 immediatly after WLS?
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