Consult w/ surgeon

 Hi guys,   After not hearing back from my Dr. for over 2 weeks about my initial consult I called again today and got lucky, I will see her 1-19 which is a few weeks sooner than I had anticipated. Are there any questions I must be sure to ask? I have educated myself about RNY, the main things I am curious about is how often a Lap ends up being an open procedure, her "record", and any specific pre- surgery diet. Can you folks think of anything I must not forget to ask?  Thanks, Brian

You will probably also want to check and see where she plans to do the surgery.  Then research that facilities record as well.  Some hospitals have a high rate of infection and post-surgical complications, not related to the surgery but the care or infections and such.  I would be just as careful with the facility as you are with the surgeon you choose.  Either one can really hurt you or kill you if they aren't top knotch!

Make sure you have a good understanding of the plan.  Pre-op plan, post-op phases (clears, full, mushies, etc) and when to move from phase to phase.  Also, just my suggestion, make sure she has a good support program and staff.  Especially the staff.  If she doesn't have the people to work with you and help you succeed long term, then that should be a red flag.  (If you could do it on you own, why would you be having a RNY?)

Best of luck!

 Hey, thanks Charlie...  Hospital is top-notch and I had minor surgery there before. I have been reviewing their online materials and they are very thorough. There are also many pre and post op support groups but I don't know how I feel about the group scene...  Brian

I don't do the support "group" scene either.  Between work, gym, and enjoying this new health I have gotten, I choose not to spend time at support groups.  THIS is my support group.  I don't see how actually "going" would do me any good.  Most of the folks I have spoken with that have/do go say it is mostly a estrogen-fest and I don't care to deal with that.  Instead, I get on here and learn from, and get support from, the guys on here.  I trust these guys, and find that they know what they are doing and talking about (or atleast will say they are just guessing).  

Either way, I wish you the best.  It is hard work, but definately worth it in the end!!!!!

 Thanks Charlie, In the short time I've been here I've really grown to like the folks here too. I keep very busy too but might just sample a group and make sure I am not missing anything! I'll report back and if my voice is a higher pitch it means they sucked the Testosterone right out of me! Thanks for the words of encouragement! Edit:  Meant to ask (If it is OK) why VSG over a different procedure?  Tkx.

Brian      Not sure about the support groups pre and post. You may want to think more about them. I was not so positive on the groups prior to going but my Dr. required the pre support group meetings. So I went and glad I did. The Doctors that perform the different types of WLS procedures are always there for the meetings. So it was a way to ask different doctors questions that I had about the overall process and outcome. I how have been 3 months post op (125lbs less) and still attend the meetings. At least try one time and if you do not like it then on't go.

 Thanks so much Kdin, I appreciate hearing from anyone who has taken the path before me! I will likely stick a toe in and see what the groups are about... Support at home is slim, I am so glad I found this board and the great folks here. Congrats on your loss, keep up the good work.

I have to say, at first, I really hated the idea of support groups... I thought they'd be full of stupid people, or a waste of my time... and less than a year later I'm now running a support group!  (See the link in my signature).  

I ended up liking support groups because these people feel how I feel, and felt how I used to feel when I was morbidly obese.  Also, when I'm in a tough situation, these people (who are now my friends) come up with cool solutions that don't come up here on the boards.  I'd recommend you go and hear from people's face why they choose the surgery that they picked.  When you find yourself with some challenge, you are going to find at least 50% of the people there already had the same challenge.  The last thing is that I feel attending keeps me more honest... sometimes when I think about cheating on my diet, I think about having to see this group in 2 weeks... and I want to them keep saying that I'm losing more weight!

" The last thing is that I feel attending keeps me more honest... sometimes when I think about cheating on my diet, I think about having to see this group in 2 weeks... and I want to them keep saying that I'm losing more weight!"

Ah Ha...  Good old peer pressure! They said it ended after high school!   Thanks for your input, I think I isolate because of others'  view of me or my perception... no fear of that in a group of folks in the same boat as me is there!

I think support groups are good providing they are useful. I have been to some that were the defintion of lame. I go to one a month that is a mix of men and women and it is great. It stays on topic and is relevant. The human contact is good for me. On line is great for a no bs guys perspective and that's why I like it here.