my consult with my Dr. is on the 18!!

Hey everyone, this is my first time posting so bare with me. My consult is on the 18 and I'm really excited to get things going with this lengthy process. I was wondering if any of you had and any advice on questions I should ask at the apointment. I'm thinking about lapband/ or realise band but RNY isn't out of the picture either just want to talk to my docter about which he thinks would be better for me. I plan on asking all the normal questions, just thought I'd see if there was anything anyone wished they would have asked about before their surgery that way I can go in as prepaired as possible! Thanks

 Hi! 

Congrats on your consult, that was the hardest step for me so far was just making the decision to go.  My dr. and his staff were very good about informing me about everything and even though I did have questions, they answered them for me before I even had a chance to really ask.  Like you, I went in thinking about the Lap Band but after my consult, I knew RNY was the best choice for me.  There are a lot of factors to consider with each, so just do in your heart what you think will be best for you.  I wanted to know about recovery time, having children after the fact, and just asking my surgeon more about himself to get a good feel of bedside mannor.    It seemed like I had more questions afterward, but I just kept reading every book I could find and talking to people on here.  I know I wont know completely what it's like until after it's all over but I'm hoping I wont have too many surprises.  Also, a good surgeons office won't mind if you call just to ask a question you forgot during the consult...don't be afraid to either, that's what they are there for.  

Best of luck to you and congratulations on making your decision!!! 

~Emily~ 

The most important questions I asked my surgeon were:

1. How many procedures have you done? in total? band? bypass?

2. How many serious complications have you had? Deaths? Why?

3. If you're asking about band/bypass I would be aware of which he prefers and why... because, thankfully many doctors like and do both, but some of them are more experienced in one or the other and therefore prefer it... which is fine, but it's good to know for you.

Other questions that I asked that were okay:
1. what's the follow-up like?
2. If I really like sweets, am I gonna have a hard time with a band?
3. (I asked this later, as I became more familliar with WLS) What do you thing of the Vertical Sleeve Gasectomy? Would you consider performing it if it gets more studies and attention and possibly insurance coverage in the next few year?

With banding, I wanted to know which band he prefered and why (but I waited until much further along to ask). Mostly, my surgeon was very patient and attentive and he gave me his email and told me if I had any questions at any point to just email him. That was a load off. I wish I had written them down though, I think I initially forgot a few

hi brittnie. wellcome to the board!!!!.
congrats for making the 1th step.
if you don´t have references, you should ask some cuestions abot his practise.
also about after care.
if you need to be in a preopdiet, etc.

i had RNY i had the oportunity to had the band before and i did not wanted, i don´t know why i just did not want some extrange object in to my body, i don´t know i wanted a long term comitment. talk to your dr. what`s the best choise for you. but don´t let him decide for you. just ask his opinion. remember that is your body.

good luck, you are gonna do awesome!!

take care.hugs.
mariana

hey

CONGRATS on your first visit its exciting isn't it.  I just wanted to let you know that I was initially dead set against the RNY.  I went to an initial visit with a surgeon and he told me point blank he does not recommend the band for me.  He said that I am 23 and there is not enough research done for the durability of the band.  He showed me several studies and I did alot of research on my own.  I found one study that said after 5 years the band has a 70 percent failure rate.  Due to erosion, band movement band failure, the band misfunctioning. 

I personally decided on RNY for this reason.  I want this to be a lifetime commitment and I worry about the band.  Even on the OH website search band pproblems you will find many people who have immense problems. 

Also another thing to think about is revision surgeries...high amounts of lap bands need revisions.  If you are self pay will you be able to afford it.  If you have insurance are you sure you will have insurance for the next couple of ideas.

I hope you don't think i am being negative I just want you to have all the facts.  Either way it is going to be an amazing step in your life...I can't wait for mine...

Nicole

I think everyone offered some good advice...my appt is next month. The only other thing I would think of to ask is if they do other WLS procedures too. I came here only knowing about the band and RNY. there's a few others and many here will tell you to look into all your options. I originally though the band was for me, but after reading on here and some other places I think RNY is more for me, but I'm going to go with what I feel is right after hearing what my doc has to say plus what he recommends.

Hey!  My 1st consultation is on the same day as you! Whee.
I've been waiting a year and a half for my consultation so I'm pretty excited about it even though its not that huge of a deal to most people.

I was originally (back when I first started looking into WLS) wanting the Lap band, but I have since changed my mind to the RNY.  My choices are hard to explain, and may be taken the wrong way...but mainly was because I wanted the lap because it was reversible if needed.  When I realized that was the reason I wanted it, and the only reason I liked that fact was because it gave me that "way out" and it just reminded me too much of all my previous ways out of doing it on my own and excuses.  Of course the RNY is somewhat reversible, I still do not think of it as such.

Anyways, going for lap RNY and the questions I will be asking are:
-Do you remove the gallbladder?
-Do you leave in drains?  How many?
- Will I need to come back to you to have my stitches removed?
- How many incisions are most people left with?
- How long is the hospital stay?
- How long must I stay in the area after getting out of the hospital? (I live about 3 hours away)
- How many followup appointments will I need post-op?
- How long does it generally take for me to be given a surgery date?  How long after the first consult does the surgery date usually fall?
-Which specialists can I be booked to see in my area or are all of them in the same area as the surgeon?