Any specific questions I should ask?

Time is ticking and I have my final consult with Dr. Halmi before my surgery on the 27th is their any specific question I should ask before I go under the knife. I've done a ton of research and I'm drawing blank. Help please! Thanks Again

Jean, The key thing is to make sure you go over your post op requirements so everything is crystal clear. Make sure you have instructions for the hospital. (what you can bring, when they want you to shower before surgery, what pills you should take, etc) Every surgeon / hospital / dietician tells you something different, so just because I had to take a shower with antibacterial soap twice the night before, doesn't mean they will ask you to. Find out what questions your anesthiesiologist will ask. Probably it will be about your general medical history, smoking, asthma, allergies, etc. Make sure you are 100% honest with those questions, they base putting you under on how you answer so if you lie, you might end up with anesthiesia issues. Find out what the rules are when you are in the hospital. How often do you have to get up and walk, when can you start drinking water, how much, when can you take a shower. Just make sure all this is clear in your head. If you have to do anything like lab work before your surgery, make sure you are clear on what and when. You dont want to show up the day of surgery and they can't do it because they are missing some blood work! The biggest thing is to make sure you are clear on anything YOU may have questions about. If you think of something later, call your surgeon's office. Don't let a question go un answered! Best of luck! Leland

Good for you in going into this with questions. I always tell patients that you are the consumer and need to know . 1. What is his mortality rate ? 2. What is his after care plan for you .. Is is long term .. for life ?? 3. What types of foods are you going to be on . Does he supply access to a nutricianist ? 4. What types of anthestia will he use 5. Does he require a pre-liquid diet before surgery ? 5. Does he perform a liver biopsy ? 6 Will he take out my gallbladder ? 7 . What will his weight loss goal for me be ? 8 What percentage of fat will I loose ? 9 . When will I be able to go back to work ? ( if it applies ) 10. What are my follow up visits like ? These are just some I had written down when I went . Best wishes to you ! Natalie

Hello Jean - I had a gazillion and one questions for my surgeon - the actual list is IN my profile, with a hyper link at the top of the profile that'll take you straight to the list. I have a pretty big (read as: long winded) profile and those on dial-up have problems getting it to load, so just in case you have those problems, I'll cut and paste the list below. Keep in mind, this list is now FOUR years old - I have not fine tuned it since my early "researching" stages of my journey - so some of it may not make ANY sense. Good luck to you - Lei Questions to ask your surgeon: 1.Are you board certified? If so, what is the certification in? a. How many surgeries have you performed? b. Success rate? c. Starting in 2. What type of surgery is best for me? a. VBG (Gastro plasty) b. RNY (Gastric Bypass) Distal or Proximal c. Why? 3. Do you staple or suture the stomach? 4. Do you Transect? 5. How can I prepare for surgery? a. Mentally? b. Physically c. Special instructions 2 - 3 days before surgery? 6. How soon can we schedule surgery? a. Can I choose a specific date? 7. Can my mother-in-law (a registered O.R. nurse) be in the operating room during surgery? 8. Is my husband allowed in the recovery room? a. Can he spend the night? 9. Does the hospital have a Weight Loss Surgery Ward? 10. How long will I be in surgery? 11. Do you visit my loved ones after the surgery to tell them how it went? 12. Reasons the surgery may not happen after you open me? 13. How long is the average recovery time for open surgery? 14. How soon can I: a. Shower? b. Do Water aerobics c. Exercise d. Have Sex e. Drive a car 15. What types of pain management do you provide: a. at the hospital? b. at home? 16. How many follow up appointments will I have? 17. Where is the nearest support group to me? a. Contact Info? 18. Will I have an opportunity to meet with the anesthesiologist before surgery? a. Does he/she have experience with heavier people? 19. Will I be on a ventilator? 20. Will I have a tube down my nose or throat? 21. Will I need a catheter? 22. Will I have drainage tubes in my incision? a. How many? b. For how long? 23. How long will I stay in the hospital, barring NO complications? 24. Do they have gowns large enough for me? 25. Will I need a binder? 26. How can I combat hair loss, I've heard Biotin and Nioxin, do you agree? 27. What do you recommend to avoid vitamin deficiencies? a. Dietician recommended (per online research): * multi-vitamin (morning and night) * calcium citrate (1200 - 1500 mg) * B-12 (500 mcg.) * 2 tsp. Of fish oil * 50 to 80 grams of protein 28. How common is vomiting? How can I try to avoid it? 29. What is your recommended menu for the first few months post op? a. Clear Liquids, what kind and for how long? b. Full Liquids, what kind and for how long? c. Pureed Foods, what kind and for how long? d. Real Soft Foods, what kind and for how long? 30. How does the insurance billing work? 31. I read some advice that after surgery I can not take things like aspirin, advil, bufferin, etc. Why is this? Is this temporary or permanent? 32. What else will I need to avoid? Do you have a list of these things printed up?