DON"T GET A LAPBAND UNLESS YOU ASK THESE QUESTIONS
I am posting this again as I think it is extremely important. In my opinion if your aftercare sucks at your clinic it is almost impossible to be successful.
Cross Post from what I posted on other Forums
These are just a few of the questions that come to my mind that I
feel are important in helping to make a decision on if the lap band
is appropriate and in deciding which band surgeon and clinic to go
with in my opinion.
Another bandster that is a patient also at my clinic (SWLC) added some more excellent questions to ask also when she saw my post.
Many of these questions can be answered by the clinic's patient coordinators so as not to waste valuable time with the surgeon.
If you are a revision what tests will you need to have done ahead of
time to be sure you can have a lap band?
What type of warranty comes with your lap band surgery?
What type of bands do they use and how do they determine the type and
size?
In case of an emergency or concern you encounter after hours, is
he/she available on call to answer or return your calll?
Is there an after hour phone no.?
Even more important is follow up care
What type of aftercare program does their clinic have?
Do you have support groups available locally and in my area?
Is there a fee for any aftercare services?
How soon after surgery is your first fill usually?
What hours am I able to come in for fills and days?
How often between fills are you eligible for your next one?
How are the fills performed and are they with or without fluroscopy?
Do you have to pay for your fills or are they covered in your surgery
fee?
If they are not covered what is the fee?
If you live far away from the band clinic do they have anyone local
or closer to your home who is trained by the clinic to do your fills?
If so do you pay a fee to them and if so how much?
What is covered in the cost of your surgery in regards to aftercare?
Is there a pre-op diet you need to follow?
What tests and paperwork do you need to have done and is there any
charge and what is the time span?
Is the surgery performed in the clinic or at the hospital?
In case of an emergency what is the procedure that is followed?
How soon after surgery can I go home?
What type of accreditation does your clinic have?
How do your operating rooms compare to those in a hospital if surgery
is performed at the clinic?
In case of complications post op, if you had a slippage or worse case
scenario band erosion is any further surgery to remove the band
covered or would you have to pay? How long before I can be rebanded?
In case of a defective port or leak is the surgery to replace it
covered in the lap band surgery cost?
In case of a defective lap band is it replaced at no cost to you the
patient?
If you needed a new band for any reason such as the above or band
leak, etc. is it replaced free of charge to you? If not what type of
cost would you be responsible for?
At the clinic does the surgeon do your follow up fills or fill
nurses?
If so what training do these nurses have and can you meet them before
committing to this surgery?
What criteria do they base your needing a fill or defill on?
How long does it take when calling to book a fill does it take to get
an appointment?
How much time is the fill nurse available to spend with you answering
any questions or concerns also?
Are any of your staff at the clinic banded?
What other staff are available to patients such as dieticians,
nutritionists, psychologists?
Does the clinic have a website and a messageboard and or chatroom
available for Lap Band patients to access?
What percentage of your bariatric clinic is devoted to lap band
patients?
What is your medical education?
What experience in terms of years and number of procedures do you have
in lap band surgeries?
What experience do you have in performing revisions?
Do you have any statistics regarding your lap band practice and
number of patients who have had slippages, band erosions or other
complications?
Can you give me references from other patients I may talk to,
especially those who are a revision from my past weight loss surgery?
If I have further questions may I contact you or your clinic with
them?
How long am i required to be in town before my surgery?
Is there a hotel that is recomended? Is their a preferred rate at this
hotel?
Is there a shuttle available from this hotel to clinic and back,
how much does this cost?
Are my family members allowed to remain in the waiting room while I
am in surgery or are they asked to leave until i am in the recovery
room?
How long after I wake up can I go home?
What special medications will I need to purchase before hand? Gas-x
liquid calcium, chewable multi vitamins ....
How long would you recommend I take off work after surgery?
If i have a hernia do you fix this, is there an extra cost
associated ?
If I dont follow the pre op diet perfectly am I still allowed to get
the surgery?
How long doI have to have a caregiver with me after surgery?
Is there someone I can hire to be my caregiver if I come alone?
Do you use latex?
Is there a deposit I have to put down to hold my surgery? Is it refundable
if I change my mind?
How must my final payment be made? money order/visa/cheque?
Does it have to be in before my surgery or do I bring it with me on
my surgery day?
Is there a fee for consultation?
Cross Post from what I posted on other Forums
These are just a few of the questions that come to my mind that I
feel are important in helping to make a decision on if the lap band
is appropriate and in deciding which band surgeon and clinic to go
with in my opinion.
Another bandster that is a patient also at my clinic (SWLC) added some more excellent questions to ask also when she saw my post.
Many of these questions can be answered by the clinic's patient coordinators so as not to waste valuable time with the surgeon.
If you are a revision what tests will you need to have done ahead of
time to be sure you can have a lap band?
What type of warranty comes with your lap band surgery?
What type of bands do they use and how do they determine the type and
size?
In case of an emergency or concern you encounter after hours, is
he/she available on call to answer or return your calll?
Is there an after hour phone no.?
Even more important is follow up care
What type of aftercare program does their clinic have?
Do you have support groups available locally and in my area?
Is there a fee for any aftercare services?
How soon after surgery is your first fill usually?
What hours am I able to come in for fills and days?
How often between fills are you eligible for your next one?
How are the fills performed and are they with or without fluroscopy?
Do you have to pay for your fills or are they covered in your surgery
fee?
If they are not covered what is the fee?
If you live far away from the band clinic do they have anyone local
or closer to your home who is trained by the clinic to do your fills?
If so do you pay a fee to them and if so how much?
What is covered in the cost of your surgery in regards to aftercare?
Is there a pre-op diet you need to follow?
What tests and paperwork do you need to have done and is there any
charge and what is the time span?
Is the surgery performed in the clinic or at the hospital?
In case of an emergency what is the procedure that is followed?
How soon after surgery can I go home?
What type of accreditation does your clinic have?
How do your operating rooms compare to those in a hospital if surgery
is performed at the clinic?
In case of complications post op, if you had a slippage or worse case
scenario band erosion is any further surgery to remove the band
covered or would you have to pay? How long before I can be rebanded?
In case of a defective port or leak is the surgery to replace it
covered in the lap band surgery cost?
In case of a defective lap band is it replaced at no cost to you the
patient?
If you needed a new band for any reason such as the above or band
leak, etc. is it replaced free of charge to you? If not what type of
cost would you be responsible for?
At the clinic does the surgeon do your follow up fills or fill
nurses?
If so what training do these nurses have and can you meet them before
committing to this surgery?
What criteria do they base your needing a fill or defill on?
How long does it take when calling to book a fill does it take to get
an appointment?
How much time is the fill nurse available to spend with you answering
any questions or concerns also?
Are any of your staff at the clinic banded?
What other staff are available to patients such as dieticians,
nutritionists, psychologists?
Does the clinic have a website and a messageboard and or chatroom
available for Lap Band patients to access?
What percentage of your bariatric clinic is devoted to lap band
patients?
What is your medical education?
What experience in terms of years and number of procedures do you have
in lap band surgeries?
What experience do you have in performing revisions?
Do you have any statistics regarding your lap band practice and
number of patients who have had slippages, band erosions or other
complications?
Can you give me references from other patients I may talk to,
especially those who are a revision from my past weight loss surgery?
If I have further questions may I contact you or your clinic with
them?
How long am i required to be in town before my surgery?
Is there a hotel that is recomended? Is their a preferred rate at this
hotel?
Is there a shuttle available from this hotel to clinic and back,
how much does this cost?
Are my family members allowed to remain in the waiting room while I
am in surgery or are they asked to leave until i am in the recovery
room?
How long after I wake up can I go home?
What special medications will I need to purchase before hand? Gas-x
liquid calcium, chewable multi vitamins ....
How long would you recommend I take off work after surgery?
If i have a hernia do you fix this, is there an extra cost
associated ?
If I dont follow the pre op diet perfectly am I still allowed to get
the surgery?
How long doI have to have a caregiver with me after surgery?
Is there someone I can hire to be my caregiver if I come alone?
Do you use latex?
Is there a deposit I have to put down to hold my surgery? Is it refundable
if I change my mind?
How must my final payment be made? money order/visa/cheque?
Does it have to be in before my surgery or do I bring it with me on
my surgery day?
Is there a fee for consultation?
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