Question:
I've put together a list of questions for my surgeon at our first consultation . . .

. . . and I'd like to see what people would add to it (Please bear with me, it's kinda train-of-thought-y in places!) There are several of these questions that I know the answer for, but I want to hear his answers (you know, to kinda double check them against what I've already heard -- is that weird!?!). Here they are: How long have you (the surgeon) been doing the surgery? How long/how many of the lap version? Why do you do this particular WLS? Do you have a surgical practice outside of obesity surgery? If so, which other surgeries do you do? How many deaths? What determines who the surgery will be appropriate successful for? What's your biggest concern about this surgery? Most common complications? How many people will need additinal surgeries? Lap vs. open? Difference in recovery time, time in surgery, benefits & risks of each, what makes you choose open or lap for a patient/I'm concerned about the surgeon's loss of feeling/sense of touch, how much of an issue is this? Proximal vs. Distal? Which one do you do? Difference? Why do you do the one you do? Is this surgery simply surgically induced anorexia/bulimia? Is malnutrition/vitamin deficiency completely preventable? What vitmains/supplements will I be on? B-12? Calcium (osteoperosis)? What do we know about that section of bowel that won't have food going through it? Long term effects (and effects of rapid weight loss) on liver, kidneys, gallbladder? Long term effects of surgery - I'm 23, I'm gonna live with this surgery for decades to come, how many 10+ year patients do you know? How are they doing? In 2+ years (after the weight loss stage), how many calories would/should I be eating a day? Is that enough to be properly nourished? What effect will rapid weight loss and continued decreased diet have on my metabolism? Nausea - What will cause it? Is it avoidable? How long should it last? When should I be concerned? What can be done if it's interferring too much with my day to day life? What kind of hair loss can I expect? Gas/foul smelling BMs? Skin issues at my size/age? Weight loss expectancy? Keeping it off? What do your patients tell you was most suprising/unexpected to them post op? Does this change how/what medicines I take for other medical reasons? Absorbtion issues? What can I expect when waking for surgery (tubes, drains, etc)? How much did the smallest person weigh who you've done this on? The biggest? What diseases/problems will I be at a higher risk of because of this surgery? (Gallbladder, osteoperosis) Walk me through 2-3 days before the surgery and the 2-3 days after? What happens? What will I need to be doing? Between now and surgery, what needs to be done? What can I do to best prepare myself for surgery? So, anyone have anything to add? What would you ask your doctor if you had it to do over again! Thanks for the input!    — Hilary C. (posted on September 30, 2002)

September 30, 2002
Great list of questions! I would also ask how much intestine he bypasses. I think that up to 150 cm (5 feet) is usually bypassed in a proximal, while a distal would be much more. Some surgeons, though, only bypass as little as 30 or 50 cms, which I personally think is too little. I would also ask about what your BMs will be like with whatever form of RNY he does, and how large a pouch he creates (usually 15-30 cc - sorry, don't know what that is in ounces). Good luck!
   — Patricia E.

September 30, 2002
I would also want to know what his infection rate is.
   — barbara A.

September 30, 2002
you might want to ask if the stomach is completely seperated (transected) or if it is simply stapled to form your pouch. I know I want to make sure it is completely seperated. ;)
   — Tammy O.

September 30, 2002
Very first question should be...Are you Board Certified? Second question should be...Which boards? If the answers are yes and Surgery and Internal Medicine, then procede with your list.
   — Sue A.