Questions for lap-band info session next week

[medicgipson 0]

I am scheduled to attend a lap-band info session on Monday. I want to be prepared with lots of questions. Can y'all suggest any to ask?

[Jamie83 0]

Ugh, I typed a response and it got erased. I am going to the seminar on Tuesday the 8th. I don't have a list of questions, but I think they will do a pretty good job of giving an overveiw and answering FAQ's. I would want to know things like:

1. Incidence of complications

2. How many lap bands the surgeon has done

3. Pre and post op diets

4. If I would stay in the hospital or have a same day surgery and then go home.

5. How much time to plan to be off work.

6. How long the process takes.

7. Pre op testing required.

8. If they require a 10% weight loss prior to surgery (or other amount).

Hope that helps. Good luck. I am excited to go and get things started.

[Corrigan 75]

I think I'd ask "How much money up front", If it's more than just enough to cover the seminar, I'd run, not walk to a reputable Hospital.

[Jamie83 0]

I think I'd ask "How much money up front", If it's more than just enough to cover the seminar, I'd run, not walk to a reputable Hospital.

Did you pay for your seminar? Ours is free.

[mgmagnolia 1]

I've had my band for 2 years. All of the questions suggested to you are excellent. I have one more to add: "If I have a problem with my band can you see me right away?" I've had very little problems with mine, but it has closed up completely twice. Once it happened because I had a nasty stomach virus and all the inflammation caused it. I had to go and have some of the fill removed. The second time was my fault completely. When you have a fill, you are given a protocol to follow as far how to eat for the next 4 days following it. I decided that being a year or so out, I knew what to do and guess what...I messed up!! I had to go back and have some of the fill removed then too. If your band closes up completely, you are very sick and can't even drink Water. Nothing will go through it. If you need to be seen right away then you need to know that you can do that. I'm thankful that my surgeon's office saw me right away both times. I didn't think about that before I had the surgery. I hope that helps.

[honk 780]

I agree you should never pay a program fee. That is just pure profit above and beyond your insurance. I would ask how agressive they are on fills. I've read some doctors do 1 CC at a time. At the beginning that would have taken me a very long time to hit restriction. Depending on how much you may have to pay for fills it is a cost to keep in mind.