First appointment with surgeon

Hello! I have my first appointment with my bariatric surgeon tomorrow. Any suggestions on questions that I should ask him? Just want to make sure I cover all the bases and that he is the right surgeon for me. Any input you can give me will be much appreciated. Thanks!

Good Morning:

I work in the insurance industry so I had a lot of good feedback from the companies medical directors who I have a friendly relationship with that were able to coach me on questions to ask.  Have a great visit today.  Here is the list:

• How many years have you been a bariatric surgeon?
• Are you a board-certified bariatric surgeon?
• Are you a member of ASBS (American Society of Bariatric Surgery)?
• How many and what type of weight loss surgeries do you perform each year? (this shows overall skill level)
• 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 are the risks of this procedure?
• How many of my type of surgery (lap-band, gastric bypass, etc.) have you performed? (An experienced surgeon should have done at least 250 of your procedure)
• Do you perform the surgery laparoscopically or open? (If possible, laparoscopic surgery has a quicker recovery)
• 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?
• Is the hospital or clinic a Center of Excellence?
• How many people on the entire medical team?
• Is everyone of the medical team licensed?
• What pre-op testing will be done?
• What post-op testing will be done?
• Why don't you recommend the other procedures for me?
• What changes will I be expected to make with regards to diet and exercise?
• Do you have an insurance and/or financial coordinator available to patients?
• Do you have a nutritionist available to patients?
• Do you have a psychologist available to patients?
• Do you have a support group for patients?
• Do you have someone I can call if I have a question during non-office hours?
• What is expected weight loss?
• Ask for specific statistics regarding complications and outcomes with your particular type of surgery. They should be willing to provide the information and not try to hide any negative results.
• If lap band surgery, what type of band? (Inamed or Johnson & Johnson)
• Are you certified with that type of band?
• Regarding lap band surgery, what is rate of infections? (should be less than 1%)
• Regarding lap band surgery, what are your slip statistics? (should be less than 3%)
• Regarding lap band surgery, what are your erosion statistics? (should be less than 1.3%)
• Regarding lap band surgery, are fills included in post-op care? If not, what is the cost for a fill? (many doctors provide fills for the first year if they perform the surgery)
• Do you have patients who are willing to share their experiences with me?

BRAVO Ida!!

Wow, that's a great list of questions Ida!  I wish I would have had that list with me when I went to meet my surgeon.  Well informed is well armed.

Swede

BTW I was born and raised in Meadville!  Howdy!  I dont live there now but my Dad lives on patricia dr. by roche park.

Wow that's close to where I live (I think). I live off of Debra Dr.

The list Ida gave you is awesome.  The only thing I could add would be:

Once I am discharged, how do I reach you for questions or problems?  My surgeon actually gives out his cell phone number and is available via that.  That has been such a comfort.

Good luck,
Trish

I want to thank everyone for your replies and well wishes! My appt went very well and I feel very comfortable with my surgeon. So now after waiting 5 years to get insurance that will cover bariatic surgery, my journey begins! I am so excited! If all goes well with the pre-op appts/tests I should be looking to have surgery in February! I can't wait. Thank you all so much for your input and Ida, your list of questions was awesome! Thanks again!