Pre-op questions for the surgeon

[emily_0192010 168]

Hey everyone!! I am going to have my pre-op appointment with my surgeon on the 7th and I want to make sure that I have covered all the bases question wise.

Does anyone have any suggestions on things that I should ask my surgeon?

Thanks!

[earthchick97 0]

I would ask how many nights you anticipate being in the hopsital. I was originally under the impression that I could be released after the first night, but then after surgery I stayed two nights. See what your surgeon says and if it is two nights, make sure your insurance coverage will cover a two-night hopsital stay. Some won't.

You can also ask if he/she will speak with anyone in the waiting room after surgery. I think this is very important for peace of mind for loved ones anxiously waiting.

Good luck and way to go on the approval!

[emily_0192010 168]

Ohhh, that's a good one! I have been told that it is normally at least one night, maybe two. I will ask again though just to make sure. I hadn't thought about asking about the waiting room thing. My mom is probably going to freak out enough for the both of us so i'm sure that would be a big help to her!

[ChooseToChange 19]

Ask the bougie size and why they choose to use that particular size. They will hopefully explain to you what that means as well.

My size was 32 and that means that the tube they use to measure the new stomach from the inside is 32mm in circumference, about the size of a straw.

[Mr-Smith 7]

If I recall correctly, 1 French = .33 mm so your stomach was actually three times smaller at 10.56MM in diameter. Still the size of a straw

[heartonmysleevey 133]

Good question!

One of my questions will be, what is the doctors track record? Me being over worried, I have to know about complications.

Best of luck to you.

[emily_0192010 168]

Good question!

One of my questions will be, what is the doctors track record? Me being over worried, I have to know about complications.

Best of luck to you.

I have already asked this one My doctor hasn't actually done that many, but he was up front and honest with me and has been doing bariatric surgery for many, many years so I feel comfortable with him doing the surgery. Thanks for the suggestion though!

[Kami 9]

If you are on any medications, ask your surgeon about when you need to stop them. I asked about my birth control pills mainly, and he said I could keep taking them right through the surgery.

[heartonmysleevey 133]

I have already asked this one My doctor hasn't actually done that many, but he was up front and honest with me and has been doing bariatric surgery for many, many years so I feel comfortable with him doing the surgery. Thanks for the suggestion though!

Thats a relief! I still have a ways to go until I meet my DR. Thanks for this thread. I will writing all of these great questions down.

[emily_0192010 168]

Thats a relief! I still have a ways to go until I meet my DR. Thanks for this thread. I will writing all of these great questions down.

No problem!! I love getting back feedback from other people Hopefully more people will chime in eventually. I have already made quite the list just from browsing around on here. I posted this thread to see if there were any I missed!

Some of the other questions I have are:

- What do you use to form the sleeve (not all surgeons use bougies)

- What do you do to prevent leaks

- How long should I expect to be off of work?

- When can I resume exercise?

- When can I bathe/swim? When can I swim laps (versus just hanging out and taking it easy)

- After the surgery will you go out to the waiting room and talk to my mom?

- Is there anything after surgery, immediately after and long term, that I am not allowed to have (certain foods, drinks, meds, etc.)

- My surgeon uses a drain so how long will it be in for and how do I take care of it?

I'm sure there are more as well! Luckily I know a couple people who used the same surgeon so if I should forget something I have a backup

[heartonmysleevey 133]

Great list Emily! I just jotted it down and will keep it handy.

If any others arise, I will put it up on here.

Thanks

[losinmyweigh 0]

Okay, you have me at "size of a straw". Do I understand that after surgery my stomach, the whole way down will be the size of a straw? Okay, so how in the heck will 3-7 ounces ever fit into that? WOW....I did not know that about the bougie stuff. I knew he had mentioned the word but it didn't cause me to pause and ask. Thanks.

Ask the bougie size and why they choose to use that particular size. They will hopefully explain to you what that means as well.

My size was 32 and that means that the tube they use to measure the new stomach from the inside is 32mm in circumference, about the size of a straw.

[losinmyweigh 0]

I asked if there would be a certain regime to follow concerning food/fluid. I knew that I wouldn't be able to drink with the meal but I wasn't sure about other times. The dietician is actually going to give me a schedule to follow for the first little bit, and will fill in, with my help, what I will drink and eat so that I do not have to question it. I have already started drinking the whey Protein shake mix....has 26 grams of Protein in each shake and all the flavors I have tried are awesome. I am afraid of losing my hair because I have very thin sparse hair anyway so I wanted to get a jump start on it. Hope this helps.

No problem!! I love getting back feedback from other people Hopefully more people will chime in eventually. I have already made quite the list just from browsing around on here. I posted this thread to see if there were any I missed!

Some of the other questions I have are:

- What do you use to form the sleeve (not all surgeons use bougies)

- What do you do to prevent leaks

- How long should I expect to be off of work?

- When can I resume exercise?

- When can I bathe/swim? When can I swim laps (versus just hanging out and taking it easy)

- After the surgery will you go out to the waiting room and talk to my mom?

- Is there anything after surgery, immediately after and long term, that I am not allowed to have (certain foods, drinks, meds, etc.)

- My surgeon uses a drain so how long will it be in for and how do I take care of it?

I'm sure there are more as well! Luckily I know a couple people who used the same surgeon so if I should forget something I have a backup

[emily_0192010 168]

I thought of another one to add I am going to ask about alcohol.... in the future of course (since my surgeon knows that I am not yet 21... but I will be soon and I want to know what is and is not allowed).

The size of a straw seems to be more what the size of the bougie is. They put that inside the stomach and cut around it, so you will be a bit bigger than the straw. I know my surgeon uses a 42, cuts tight to it (some surgeons just use it as a guide) and then oversews the staple line... he said it was about the size of his pointer finger... which is about the size of my middle finger. I still don't know how we fit anything in there!! Especially at first when it is swollen :/ But apparently it is done!