I will be going for my first consult appt soon. Was there any questions you wished you asked ?

Beyond the basic of price, insurance, etc?
Thanks, Val

I had a list of questions to ask mine on our first appointment. As I read these forums I jotted down questions. One that I forgot to ask was how much intestine they actually bypass and if they ever vary that measurment depending on the patients weight or the amount they need to lose.

I'm sorry that I didn't ask more specifics about vitamins and supplements for after surgery.  I just want to do everything the right way...

Good luck to you!

I think the vitamins and the malabsorption question is a good one. I didn't realize that, even though I had read everything I could before my meeting. I just wanted to do something, I was so desperate to lose weight. Not that I'm sorry I had my surgery ... I would redo it in a heartbeat. It was the best decision I have ever made.

Also, I didn't realize before I met with the nutritionist that I had to give up caffeine, and then suddenly I had to do it cold turkey two weeks before surgery. Wish I had known that much more before then so I could phase it out. Would have been easier. I think now my bariatric center tells its patients that earlier; they didn't then.

Also, ask about aftercare; make sure they have a good nutritionist available for you, an exercise program specialist for you to consult. These are things you need to have, and if your program doesn't offer them, ask why or find another program. A good bariatric program should do more than just cut you open and pronounce you well. It should provide support for your nutrition afterward and for you to learn to use your tool and your new lifestyle. I was fortunate in that my bariatric center provides those things (and still does, but they charge for it, of course, if I need the dietitian).

Good luck.

I've switched from caffinated coffee to decaf, dropped all sodas.  Stopped eating out.  I am trying not to eat pasta, rice, potatos.
Val

You don't have to stop eating out ... I still eat out, often (well, not anymore, but that's because of money). Eventually, you have to eat and live like a real person again. And a real person eats out with their friends and family. I eat at buffets, too ... just not like I used to. I enjoy the company of those I'm with and have a little bit of the things I enjoy, making sure to have protein first. I have rice, but it's brown rice (some can't tolerate rice at all), I eat potatoes but not fried, I have pasta, but it's whole wheat, and in small quantities. You will eat normal things again ... some can't handle them, some chose not to eat them, but that up to you. 

We  stopped eating out due to the money and I am a gourmet cook and can cook better then most resturants. 
My Dr says no potatoes, milk, flour, rice, pasta every again.
Val

We probably eat out more than we should, but any time we do, I normally have 2 more meals left to take leftovers to work.

Just make sure you understand all the changes that will be involved in your everyday life.

Two of the main ones for me were:

1.  No more drinking with my meals. 

2.  No more straws.

I see that your surgeon does the LapBand, the RNY and the DS.  Have you decided upon a surgery type yet? 

If not, I'd ask about each of the procedures and which one he recommended for me based on my current weight, lifestyle and insurance coverage (if any).  If I had coverage for more than one type, I'd be sure to ask about the other covered types to make the best decision for me.

I'd ask if he would be doing my surgery open or lap.

I'd also ask for the immediate post op and long-term post op regimens of eating, vitamins, fluids, etc so you can be prepared with what he requires.

Best wishes! 

Ev

My insurance will only approve RNY or Lapband.  I leaning more toward RNY.  I want to get rid of my diabetes, sleep apnea, etc
Val