Help! First visit tomorrow!

[Husky2Healthy 1]

I originally was going to get a LapBand, but I am currently switching gears, LapBand to VSG. It just feels like a better option for me. I did loads of research and reading books, blogs and vlogs about the LapBand. Unfortunately with VSG being fairly new, the resources are just limited. I have a list of questions to ask tomorrow, but I really need help with other questions I might want to ask, HELP!?!?!

Here are a few questions I have other than the standard, credentials, blah blah blah:

1) After surgery, will I have soft and hard stop to warn me when to stop eating.

2) Can I drink with meals or will I have to wait before and after meals.

3) Do medications have difficulty dissolving? Will I have a problem with absorption?

4) Will I have PB's or sliming with a VSG?

5) How do you check your stapling for leaks?

6) How long does it usually take to get an appointment?

7) With VSG, will I have to take daily supplements like with LapBand? Will this be for the rest of my life?

8) What is the general monthly after cost for maintaining (ie. supplements, Fiber, ect)?

Most of the questions I have are really regarding LapBand, but am I missing any other questions for VSG?

Thanks,

Best,

Steven

[SParkle 4]

Here's a list I complied when I went for my consults.... some is from various forum posts on this forum, others are ones I added myself... but I think its pretty comprehensive.

Good luck.

<a name="OLE_LINK1">Questions to ask

Pre Op /The Op

If self pay - What does your fee involve?

Is there some follow up care thrown in there, like labs at 3,6,9and 12 months, check ups with surgeon, Pysch and nutritionist?

Pre op diet – what to eat/drink and how long for?

Do I need to lose a certain amount of weight/reach certain BMI on pre op diet?

Do I get a nutritionist/psychologist?

What size bougie is used? (This is the medical instrument whichdetermines the size of your remaining pouch)

Do you oversew the staple line?

How many incisions do you think you will make on me?

Do you go in thru previous scars?

How many nights in the hospital – is there facility for someoneelse to stay in my room as well?

Do they need to be with me 24/7 during my hospital stay?

How many leak tests do you do?

How many sleeves have you performed?

Complication/leak stats? How many if any deaths?

Who do I contact if I think I have a problem (most places give outan emergency number)?

Is the hospital equipped an ICU and blood bank in case of complications?

(Although you may not want to think about this, in the event of something terrible happening, someone has to know you are having the operation, and you should consider making a will if you haven't already done so... the likely hood of you dying is mimimal, but it is a risk)

If complications do happen to occur, are thesecomplications/additional surgery/days in hospital covered by the originalquoted price of the surgery?

Would you remove my gall bladder at the same time if needed?

Can you give me some patient testimonials or do you have any before/afterpictures of your patients that I could read/look at?

Is it standard operation procedure, ie: no nail polish, no body jewellery?

Do I need to stop taking any particular medication pre op? (Take alist of what you take and dosage)

Post Op

How often are the post op check ups?

Where are they? – is price included?

What supplements/anti acid drug would I need to take and for howlong?

Do I need labs done post op? – Are these checked with you or mylocal doctor?

Do I get a dvd of the operation?

Post op diet?

How much weight would I be expected loose?

What if I loose too much, how to maintain?

Do you use heparin? – Will I have to inject it myself?

How soon after the op can I……drive, swim, work out?