Question:
For my inital appt are there any important questions anyone can pass on?

My inital appt w/ Dr. Vanguri is on Aug 15 and I am trying to start making a list of important questions to ask. Can anyone give me any good questions??    — Lisa L. (posted on July 26, 2002)

July 27, 2002
i have mine on the 23, aug your best bet to do is to join your hosptals recommended support group and ask the people in the group questions. so far for me I really want to know about the diet plan and the different stages liquid in the begining and then soft foods what type of pain killers are safe, if I get a upset stomach can I still take petobismal. is there a place to get special sleeping pillows for when you come home from the hospital because i hear you won't be able to sleep on your stomach. do I need to lose 10% befor surgery, why do they require that. do i have to do anything special the day before surgery besides not eating and drinking the bowel prep stuff.
   — sheri B.

July 27, 2002
I WOULD START BY CALLING YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY AND FINDING OUT WHAT THEY REQUIRE WITH THE SURGERY. I HAD TO GET PICTURES TAKEN, HAVE A 2 YEAR DIET REPORT FROM MY PCP AND GET A PSYCH EVAL DONE. THAT ALONE TAKES A WHILE. FIRST YOU HAVE TO FIND A PSYCHIATRIST WHO WILL DO IT THEN YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR AN AVAILABLE DATE. THAT MAY TAKE A WHILE. YOU MIGHT GIVE YOUR SURGEON'S OFFICE A CALL. TELL THEM WHAT INSURANCE THAT YOU HAVE AND THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO TELL YOU WHAT YOU WILL NEED BEFORE YOU GET THERE SO YOU CAN GATHER SOME OF THE ITEMS BEFORE YOU EVEN GO. GOOD LUCK, YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS.
   — SHERRY P.