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Someone suggested that I post my list of questions that I brought to my consultation. Some are redundant, sorry about that.

I hope this helps and please add your questions too.

ABOUT THE DOCTOR:

  • How many gastric banding procedures have you done?
  • Is he a board certified surgeon?
    What types of complications has this doctor personally encountered during lap band surgery and recovery and life with band?
  • Is there a difference among the two different adjustable gastric bands?
  • Do you have other Lap-Band® patients that I can talk to?
  • Do you have a video or presentation that I can watch that shows the surgery?
  • Do you specialize in the Lap-Band® or do you perform other procedures as well?
  • Do you perform other gastric band procedures?
  • What is the Realize band, pros/cons of each?
  • What are the short term issues?
    What are the long term issues?
  • What is the doctor's policy when a complication occurs during a procedure? (ie: does he discuss options with family or immediately convert to bypass or other WLS).
    What qualifications does this doctor have regarding the specific brand of band that will be used? (Lap-Band System, by Allergan or Realize Band by Ethicon/Johnson&Johnson)

ABOUT THE PROCEDURE:

  • Lap Band vs Realize?
  • What is the “scarless surgery?”
  • Do you perform the procedure on an outpatient basis or will it require an overnight stay in the hospital?
  • What kind of anesthesia will I be getting?
  • Will an anesthesiologist be present during the entire procedure
  • Is the surgery being done at a surgery center or at a hospital?
  • How will you protect me from infection/staff infection during the procedure?
    What types of complications has this doctor personally encountered during lap band surgery?

PREPARING FOR SURGERY:

  • What tests do I have to have prior to surgery?
  • Will I need to have a special diet before surgery?
  • Will you notify my primary care doctor about the procedure?
  • Do you need any of my medical records prior to surgery?

AFTER SURGERY CARE AND FOLLOW UP

  • When can I resume taking medications?
  • How soon after surgery do you want to see me for a follow up visit?
  • How do does the doctor determine whether or not my band will need to be adjusted?
    Is there a direct line in case of Emergencies?
  • When should I have my first adjustment/ fill?
  • What will I need to have prepared when I get home in way of food items?
  • When can I resume exercise?
  • How will I manage my pain after surgery?
  • How will I have to change my eating habits after surgery?
  • How much weight should I expect to lose in the first month?

FRIENDS AND FAMILY

  • What help can you give me to help educate my family and friends so that they can also support me?

LIFE AFTER BAND:

  • How do adjustments work and how often will I need adjustments during the first year? Ongoing?
  • How often will I have to see the doctor over the next year and at what cost?
  • How is it better than other forms of bariatric surgeries like Gastric c Bypass and Gastric Sleeve?
  • What is the expected weight loss?
  • How much time will be required for losing weight?
  • Is there possibly a better weight surgery for me?

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    • Theweightisover2024🙌💪

      Question for anyone, how did you get your mind right before surgery? Like as far as eating better foods and just doing better in general? I'm having a really hard time with this. Any help is appreciated 🙏❤️
      · 2 replies
      1. NickelChip

        I had about 6 months between deciding to do surgery and getting scheduled. I came across the book The Pound of Cure by Dr. Matthew Weiner, a bariatric surgeon in Arizona, and started to implement some of the changes he recommended (and lost 13 lbs in the process without ever feeling deprived). The book is very simple, and the focus is on whole, plant based foods, but within reason. It's not an all or nothing approach, or going vegan or something, but focuses on improvement and aiming for getting it right 80-90% of the time. His suggestions are divided into 12 sections that you can tackle over time, perhaps one per month for a year if a person is just trying to improve nutrition and build good habits. They range from things like cutting out artificial sweetener or eating more beans to eating a pound of vegetables per day. I found it really effective pre-surgery and it's an eating style I will be working to get back to as I am further out from surgery and have more capacity. Small changes you can sustain will do the most for building good habits for life.

      2. Theweightisover2024🙌💪

        That sounds awesome. I'll have to check that out thanks!

    • BeanitoDiego

      I've hit a stall 9 months out. I'm not worried, though. My fitness levels continue to improve and I have nearly accomplished my pre-surgery goal of learning to scuba dive! One dive left to complete to get my PADI card 🐠
      I was able to go for a 10K/6mile hike in the mountains two days ago just for the fun of it. In the before days, I might have attempted this, but it would have taken me 7 or 8 hours to complete and I would have been exhausted and in pain for the next two days. Taking my time with breaks for snacks and water, I was finished with my wee jaunt in only 4 hours 😎 and really got to enjoy photographing some insects, fungi, and turtles.
      Just for fun last week, I ran two 5Ks in two days, something I would have never done in the past! Next goal is a 10K before the end of this month.
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    • Teriesa

      Hi everyone, I wrote back in May about having no strength. I still get totally exhausted just walking from room to room, it’s so bad I’m using a walker with wheels of all things. I had the gastric sleeve Jan. 24th. I’m doing exactly what the programs says, except protein shakes. I have different meats and protein bars daily, including vitamins daily. I do drink my fluids as well.  I go in for IV hydration 4 days a week and feel ok just til evening.  So far as of Jan 1st I’ve dropped 76 lbs. I just want to enjoy the weight lose. Any suggestions or has anyone else gone thru this??  Doctor says just increase calorie intake, still the same. 
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