Help with questions please
Okay so i go in for my first consultation thursday. and im wondering if i have all the questions i need for the surgeon. Here's my question for you............ if you could go back to your first consultation and ask any question you wanted to..........what would it be????????????? yes im trying to cheat. i want your questions. lol...........
Sometimes im the windshield and sometimes Im the bug, Blessing from God for both types !!!!!
Frankly, I would have had the guts to ask him why he doesn't do the DS. That is my only regret - I asked basically everything under the sun but that. I knew he didn't do it and I knew he was an extremely skilled and reputable surgeon with RNY/Band, and I didn't want to go anywhere else. But I wish I would have at least asked that question.
Let me be clear: I have no regrets about the RNY - I believe it's a wonderful surgery and I'm working my tail off to make sure this stays the right surgery for me. But I'm a huge proponent of being your own advocate and that's one area where I certainly could have pursued more information.
Let me be clear: I have no regrets about the RNY - I believe it's a wonderful surgery and I'm working my tail off to make sure this stays the right surgery for me. But I'm a huge proponent of being your own advocate and that's one area where I certainly could have pursued more information.
Highest: 380 / Surgery Day: 344 / Current: 203.8 / Goal: ~180 / Total Loss: 176.2
http://www.sangriasisters.com
http://www.sangriasisters.com
These are some of the questions I asked!
Take out what doesnt apply to you and ask questions that apply to you. One of my questions was, when can I have sex after op, lmao
- 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? (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, DS) 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?
Take out what doesnt apply to you and ask questions that apply to you. One of my questions was, when can I have sex after op, lmao
ok I went and dug out my ACTUAL questions I asked my surgical team:)
Pre-op:
1. What pre-op testing do you require, such as blood tests, gall stone sonograms, upper GI, lung x-rays, etc?
2. Can I have these tests performed locally?
3. What can I do to improve my fitness for surgery now?
4. Will I need to stop taking medication before surgery? How soon? Can I take Paracetemol before surgery? What about Warfarin if within 3mos?
5. Can I take vitamins until surgery? Do I need to? A friend told me she got peripheral neuropathy as a result of being operated on whilst being low on vitamins.
6. Do I have to do anything special the last few days before surgery, such as a clear diet, fasting, special soaps, or laxatives?
7. How soon will I have surgery? Is the list prioritised? Can I be put on a cancellations list?
8. When will I be admitted to the hospital?
The Surgery:
9. How are the incisions closed? Staples? Stitches? Other?
10.Is the anaesthesiologist experienced with super super morbidly obese people?
11.When will I get to meet with him/her before the surgery?
12.Does the hospital have gowns that will fit me?
13. Will I have a clot filter put in my leg? How is this done and is it invasive?
14.Can I have a sleeve sized sleeve (the smaller the better) with the possibility of not needing the second half of the DS? Even if I have second half in 18-24 mo, stomach will be stretched to DS size anyhow.
15.Do you use compression socks or anything to prevent blood clots?
16. Can laparoscopic surgery be done on me as I am today? How much weight would I need to lose to have it done laparoscopically? How would you recommend I achieve this given my past failures?
17.Will you do a liver biopsy? Is this only for open procedures?
18.During lap surgery, are you able to "check" other organs?
19.Do you automatically remove the gallbladder and/or appendix?
20.How long will I be in surgery?
21.Will you visit my loved ones in the waiting room after the surgery to tell them how the surgery went?
After Surgery – In the Hospital:
22.How long will I be in recovery?
23.What types of pain management will you provide?
24.What are the alternatives to the pain management if what you initially prescribe doesn't work?
25.What are your standing orders re being contacted by nursing staff if I feel I need you or if prescribed pain management isn't working?
26.Will I have an epidural?
27.Will I be in ICU?
28.Will I have IV's?
29.Will I have a naso-gastric tube?
30.Will I be on a ventilator?
31.Do you insert a catheter?
32.Will I have drainage tubes in my incision or elsewhere? How many and for how long?
33. How soon will I be allowed to consume water after the surgery?
34.What about ice chips?
35.Will I eat in the hospital after surgery?
36.If I don't like the food, can I provide my own as long as it is the same sort prescribed?
37.How soon after surgery will I resume taking my regular medications?
38.How soon and how often should I walk after the surgery?
39.Will I have lung therapy?
40.Will I be put on a bariatric ward or is it a general surgical ward?
41.How long is the hospital stay? What needs to happen before discharge?
42.Am I required to stay in the hospital until I have opened my bowels?
43.Will I need to remain in a hotel near the hospital following discharge? How long?
Complications:
44.What types of complications are associated with this particular surgery?
45.Are there any reasons why the procedure may not be performed after you open me up?
46.What kinds of things could prevent/delay the surgery? Flu? Cold? Infection?
47.If this is Lap surgery, is there any situation that might cause you to switch to an open?
48.What type of complications may I have post-op, such as vitamin or mineral deficiencies, hair loss, gall stones, infections, hernias, ulcers, etc?
49.Have you had any patients die on the table or post-op due to complications? Please explain:
Recovery from Surgery:
50.Typical discharge instructions?
51.Follow-up care? How many appointments will I have at Kings after my WLS? Can a local GP. provide this? How can he/she communicate with you about my particular long-term needs?
52.How will I have to eat immediately post-op and down the road?
53.Will I have problems with diarrhea or gas post-op? How can this be treated?
54.Will I vomit a lot?
55.Recovery time for lap? for open?
56.What kind of post-op care/help will I require once I go home and for how long?
57. How long should I wait before having sex?
Long-term Post-op Life:
58.How much weight should I expect to lose and how fast?
59.Should I expect to regain any of the lost weight?
60.Will there be medications that I can no longer take post-op, or medications I won't absorb normally?
61.Will I get sick eating sugars, natural or otherwise, or from eating fatty foods?
62.What percentage of calories and fat will my body absorb post-op?
63.How many calories and fat grams should I eat post-op?
64.How many grams of protein will I need to consume each day?
65.Do you recommend protein supplements?
66.Are there any specific foods I should not consume post-op?
67.What supplements and medications will I be taking post-op?
Describe long-term follow-up:
68.What about pregnancy post-op?
69.How often should I get weighed?
70.What types of exercise do you recommend and at what stage post-op?
71.How can this surgery affect health problems I might develop later? cancer (treatment), need for stronger meds for arthritis, osteoporosis, etc.?
Personal Questions:
72.Where did you receive your training?
73.How long have you been in practice?
74.How many of these surgeries have you performed?
75.How often do you perform this surgery? (Per week, month, etc.)
76.What percentage of your patients receiving this surgery have had major complications? What kind? Why do you think these happened?
77.As above, what percentage have minor complications? What kind?
78. Is there anything I can do to prevent these?
Communication:
79.May I call the office to enquire about cancellations?
80.What should I do if I feel my needs are not being met?
81.How should I contact you if I have more questions?
Pre-op:
1. What pre-op testing do you require, such as blood tests, gall stone sonograms, upper GI, lung x-rays, etc?
2. Can I have these tests performed locally?
3. What can I do to improve my fitness for surgery now?
4. Will I need to stop taking medication before surgery? How soon? Can I take Paracetemol before surgery? What about Warfarin if within 3mos?
5. Can I take vitamins until surgery? Do I need to? A friend told me she got peripheral neuropathy as a result of being operated on whilst being low on vitamins.
6. Do I have to do anything special the last few days before surgery, such as a clear diet, fasting, special soaps, or laxatives?
7. How soon will I have surgery? Is the list prioritised? Can I be put on a cancellations list?
8. When will I be admitted to the hospital?
The Surgery:
9. How are the incisions closed? Staples? Stitches? Other?
10.Is the anaesthesiologist experienced with super super morbidly obese people?
11.When will I get to meet with him/her before the surgery?
12.Does the hospital have gowns that will fit me?
13. Will I have a clot filter put in my leg? How is this done and is it invasive?
14.Can I have a sleeve sized sleeve (the smaller the better) with the possibility of not needing the second half of the DS? Even if I have second half in 18-24 mo, stomach will be stretched to DS size anyhow.
15.Do you use compression socks or anything to prevent blood clots?
16. Can laparoscopic surgery be done on me as I am today? How much weight would I need to lose to have it done laparoscopically? How would you recommend I achieve this given my past failures?
17.Will you do a liver biopsy? Is this only for open procedures?
18.During lap surgery, are you able to "check" other organs?
19.Do you automatically remove the gallbladder and/or appendix?
20.How long will I be in surgery?
21.Will you visit my loved ones in the waiting room after the surgery to tell them how the surgery went?
After Surgery – In the Hospital:
22.How long will I be in recovery?
23.What types of pain management will you provide?
24.What are the alternatives to the pain management if what you initially prescribe doesn't work?
25.What are your standing orders re being contacted by nursing staff if I feel I need you or if prescribed pain management isn't working?
26.Will I have an epidural?
27.Will I be in ICU?
28.Will I have IV's?
29.Will I have a naso-gastric tube?
30.Will I be on a ventilator?
31.Do you insert a catheter?
32.Will I have drainage tubes in my incision or elsewhere? How many and for how long?
33. How soon will I be allowed to consume water after the surgery?
34.What about ice chips?
35.Will I eat in the hospital after surgery?
36.If I don't like the food, can I provide my own as long as it is the same sort prescribed?
37.How soon after surgery will I resume taking my regular medications?
38.How soon and how often should I walk after the surgery?
39.Will I have lung therapy?
40.Will I be put on a bariatric ward or is it a general surgical ward?
41.How long is the hospital stay? What needs to happen before discharge?
42.Am I required to stay in the hospital until I have opened my bowels?
43.Will I need to remain in a hotel near the hospital following discharge? How long?
Complications:
44.What types of complications are associated with this particular surgery?
45.Are there any reasons why the procedure may not be performed after you open me up?
46.What kinds of things could prevent/delay the surgery? Flu? Cold? Infection?
47.If this is Lap surgery, is there any situation that might cause you to switch to an open?
48.What type of complications may I have post-op, such as vitamin or mineral deficiencies, hair loss, gall stones, infections, hernias, ulcers, etc?
49.Have you had any patients die on the table or post-op due to complications? Please explain:
Recovery from Surgery:
50.Typical discharge instructions?
51.Follow-up care? How many appointments will I have at Kings after my WLS? Can a local GP. provide this? How can he/she communicate with you about my particular long-term needs?
52.How will I have to eat immediately post-op and down the road?
53.Will I have problems with diarrhea or gas post-op? How can this be treated?
54.Will I vomit a lot?
55.Recovery time for lap? for open?
56.What kind of post-op care/help will I require once I go home and for how long?
57. How long should I wait before having sex?
Long-term Post-op Life:
58.How much weight should I expect to lose and how fast?
59.Should I expect to regain any of the lost weight?
60.Will there be medications that I can no longer take post-op, or medications I won't absorb normally?
61.Will I get sick eating sugars, natural or otherwise, or from eating fatty foods?
62.What percentage of calories and fat will my body absorb post-op?
63.How many calories and fat grams should I eat post-op?
64.How many grams of protein will I need to consume each day?
65.Do you recommend protein supplements?
66.Are there any specific foods I should not consume post-op?
67.What supplements and medications will I be taking post-op?
Describe long-term follow-up:
68.What about pregnancy post-op?
69.How often should I get weighed?
70.What types of exercise do you recommend and at what stage post-op?
71.How can this surgery affect health problems I might develop later? cancer (treatment), need for stronger meds for arthritis, osteoporosis, etc.?
Personal Questions:
72.Where did you receive your training?
73.How long have you been in practice?
74.How many of these surgeries have you performed?
75.How often do you perform this surgery? (Per week, month, etc.)
76.What percentage of your patients receiving this surgery have had major complications? What kind? Why do you think these happened?
77.As above, what percentage have minor complications? What kind?
78. Is there anything I can do to prevent these?
Communication:
79.May I call the office to enquire about cancellations?
80.What should I do if I feel my needs are not being met?
81.How should I contact you if I have more questions?
I asked my Surgeon, "Why are you a Bariatric Surgeon? Why did you choose this field?"
His answer made me satisfied... his "Mother-in-Law fought with obesity issues," and wanted to help her and others. "I hated seeing her suffer..."
Many into Bariatrics are newly "Jump on the Bandwagon" types -- Bariatrics is a BIG business - no pun intended, but it sure fits! I want I surgeon who cares about the patient, not just the success rate. Yeah, I want to be successful, but I also want someone to give a damn that as a human, I need help.
Brenda : )~
His answer made me satisfied... his "Mother-in-Law fought with obesity issues," and wanted to help her and others. "I hated seeing her suffer..."
Many into Bariatrics are newly "Jump on the Bandwagon" types -- Bariatrics is a BIG business - no pun intended, but it sure fits! I want I surgeon who cares about the patient, not just the success rate. Yeah, I want to be successful, but I also want someone to give a damn that as a human, I need help.
Brenda : )~
Most it is important to how much weight you need to before he think can do the surgery safely. It is different for every doctor depending on you size. Some Doctor don,t want to operate on really heavy people. So they waste your time.
I spent a year half trying to lose eighty pounds. I lose thirdy pounds but was nowhere near he wanted me to be. He just telling me to come back in three month once I lose the weight. After two years. I already had my six monthe diet done. But,He still was still in no hurry to do anything.
So Now I have start over with a new doctor. Just get a doctor who compassionate and helpful. Becusr you to work with him and his staff her a long time.
I spent a year half trying to lose eighty pounds. I lose thirdy pounds but was nowhere near he wanted me to be. He just telling me to come back in three month once I lose the weight. After two years. I already had my six monthe diet done. But,He still was still in no hurry to do anything.
So Now I have start over with a new doctor. Just get a doctor who compassionate and helpful. Becusr you to work with him and his staff her a long time.
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