Question:
Side Effects of gastric Bypass.

I am now on the waiting list for gastric bypass surgery, I am very excited and want to be prepared for any questions I will be asked. My email is [email protected]. I wait for your responses. Thanks    — Kristan J. (posted on September 7, 2003)

September 7, 2003
Hi Kristan, There are so many questions to ask but since I am just going by memory I will probably only skim the surface a little. Here are a few that I remember asking.... 1. How many gastric bypass surgeries have you done? 2. Have any of your previous patients died from complications? 3. If I were to have any complications, what are the most common? 4. Will it be an open procedure or laproscopic? 5. What can I expect when I wake up after the surgery (as far as having any drainage tubes, oxygen, monitors, etc. 6. What is used to close my incision? (staples, dissolvable sutures, glue, or steri-strips) 7. What will be used for pain control immediately after surgery. 8. Typically, how long will my hospital stay be. 9. How often will I need to come for post-op appointments. 10. Do you generally take out the gallbladder while you are performing the bypass? If not, how likely will it become a problem for me afterwards? 11. Realistically, how much weight do you expect me to lose if I follow the post-op orders faithfully? 12. Will you be using an assistant during the surgery and if so how can I find out whether that will be covered by my insurance company? (MINE WAS NOT!!) Anyway those are just a few, I hope they help. Good luck!
   — Laurel C.

September 7, 2003
Your question really is unclear - do you mean what questions will they ask you? If so, 1. How long have you been overweight? 2. What diets have you tried - how did you do on them? 3. What health problems are you experiencing? 4. What health problems run in your family? 6. Can you comply to this on a life time basis? 7. Do you realize the risks and complications of this surgery? 8. What type of surgery do you want -Rny, Lap or Band etc.? 9 What type insurance do you have (not all Dr. take all insurances)? 10.Do you have a support system at home to help you after the surgery and beyond? 11. Are you 100 lbs overweight with a BMI of 40 or more -- or 35 with health issues? There's alot to think about and alot that can be answered on this site - but it boils down to you only-- what do YOU want and are you willing to go thru the loops they put in front of you, the surgery and the lifetime committment - and do you want to feel as good as you will look!!!!!! Love, Sally, Harrison,MI (almost 80 lbs since 3/26/03!!)
   — Sally P.

September 7, 2003
One poster said to ask how many persons have died. Well, don't expect to get the truth! I've had 14 surgeries in my life and I asked tons of questions for the one surgeon who butchered me. (NOT WLS RELATED!) Anywho, knowing what I know now, I'd talk to "former/current patients of a surgeon". They are the ones who would be more likely to be honest. Funny, the butcher of Portland Oregon would never tell me any of his patients... probally because none of them were happy campers. Neither am I. Now my situation is vastly different than anyone else's. So you will almost certainly be just fine. Now to ask a surgeon how many people he's lost IS a good question, but don't expect the truth. If the surgeon is willing to contact former patients to see if they are willing to talk with you then he's probally on the level. Do have all your questions written down in advance, and make sure your writing is readable. (Mine is worse than a doctors handwriting). Best of luck to you!
   — Danmark

September 8, 2003
You should be the one asking. :-) Ask about the cost and payments - up front!! There have been too many people on this website who have stated that 2 or 3 days before surgery the surgeon's office tells them that the surgeon wants a few thousand up front even if the insurance is approved for payment. Check to see if he will have a surgeon "assist", many insurance companies do not pay for the second surgeon. Again, patients are surprised when 30 days after the surgery, they get a few thousand dollar surgical bill for the second surgeon. They are even more surprised when they find out the insurance company won't pay for him/her.
   — M B.