What do I ask my surgeon? What will he ask me?

Hi. I have been researching my weight loss surgery options since I posted the first time and I think I may have found the surgeon I would like to meet with. I am going to call today to see if he will accept my insurance. Crossing my fingers! I had a bad car accident years ago which kept me bedridden for quite some time and I steadily gained weight during and after my recovery and now I can't seem to reverse my weight gain with the exception of a few pounds here and there. So I really don't know where to start when talking to a surgeon that might perform weight loss surgery on me. What kind of questions should I ask him and what will he ask of me?

He will ask about your eating habits and your weight over your lifetime. You will be asked about what weight loss programs you have tried in the past. He will want to know your exercise habits. Most surgeons will require you to go on their diet and lose 10% of your excess weight to see if you are capable of following a diet.

You will normally be given a goal and a date to come back at that goal weight.

You can ask about which surgeries he performs. Also ask what he thinks you can reasonably expect to lose with weight loss surgery. Does he operate at a Center of Excellence? How long has he been doing weight loss surgery? What is the preparation program? What is the follow-up program?

Why or why not does he thinks you are a good candidate for weight loss surgery. What are insurance considerations? Which surgery does he recommend for you and why?

So very helpful! Than you very much.

Mine asked which surgery I wanted and why. We spent a lot of time on why.

Good luck,

Tek

Thank you!

Ask about what type of support program is required. There is a lot of variation.

My program, exclusive of any insurance requirements, required a 10 week behavioral modification program, an assessment with a psychiatrist and psychologist, as well as the bariatric nurse and RD, plus the surgeon. I also had to attend one of their support groups pre-op, plus from the first day of the assessment to the day of the surgery, I had to keep a detailed, written food journal that focused on what I was eating, how I felt, where I was eating it and that was part of the discussion each time I met with any of the program staff.

It's a lot of work but I think it's helped with the ongoing head work post op. Hope your surgeon has a good support system for you!

Very insightful! Thank you!