What To Ask The Doctor?

[Tamara Carter 22]

Ok guys!! I am going to be meeting my doctor in the next month or so. What questions did you ask your doctor prior to surgery? Or what questions do you wish you would have asked prior to surgery? I dont know what tests are required by my doctor yet so that is one question that I will be asking. Thank you all for the help.

[thehappycat 91]

My questions for my doctor were about pregnancy after VGS. Which is totally possible with no foreseeable complications. Probably even better since I won't be morbidly obese.

I asked if I could keep the part of my stomach that they took out. Not entirely sure why. I was just curious. But I couldn't because it's considered biological waste.

I asked about how many calories I will need per day. He said about 800-900.

I asked if he did surgical staples or stitches. He said he does a combination to make sure that the stomach is completely shut.

I asked if it was okay if I went to my in-law's house to recover right after surgery (about a 2 hour drive). He said that was fine.

I also asked if I needed to, can I take a laxative as I've had Constipation problems in the past. He said yes, over the counter Miralax is fine.

I think that's about all. Be sure to write your questions down. I know I wouldn't have remembered them all if I didn't have them right in front of me.

[Tamara Carter 22]

Yep I already have the list started. Thanks

[legal loser 77]

Ask questions that will help you be comfortable. The above questions are great!! Recovery time, when you will be released back to work, etc. I also asked about his patients' success rate and complication rate. My doctor was very open and honest. He admitted he has had one WLS patient die from a leak that was caught too late. He talked about what he does now to help protect against that. You have to own your surgery and be 100% comfortable with your surgeon. I absolutely love my doctor!!

[dwbrown1978 26]

Not sure if this will apply to many folks, but I have cancer (diagnosed 2009). For me, being morbidly obese, I felt like my own body was letting me down, sabatoging my efforts to heal itself. I found a surgeon who has already had three cancer patients (all sleeved) and are having amazing success. One had the surgery while going through chemo! All three of them have responded really well to the sleeve and the diet. It was important for me to find a surgeon who could work with my oncologist and be sensitive to my needs and special circumstances. Also - he took a lot of personal time to review my history and research my cancer, as well as work with my PCP and oncologist. I know I made the right choice.

Good luck on your journey!

[legal loser 77]

Not sure if this will apply to many folks, but I have cancer (diagnosed 2009). For me, being morbidly obese, I felt like my own body was letting me down, sabatoging my efforts to heal itself. I found a surgeon who has already had three cancer patients (all sleeved) and are having amazing success. One had the surgery while going through chemo! All three of them have responded really well to the sleeve and the diet. It was important for me to find a surgeon who could work with my oncologist and be sensitive to my needs and special circumstances. Also - he took a lot of personal time to review my history and research my cancer, as well as work with my PCP and oncologist. I know I made the right choice.

Good luck on your journey!

I was in the same boat, in a sense. I am a melanoma survivor (diagnosed in 2009). My surgeon was extra cautious and wanted details and approval from my surgical oncologist as the staging of my melanoma as well as her opinion as to the surgery. This made me even more comfortable that he was concerned about my health as a whole, not just making $$ off the surgery. While I was frustrated with the delays (especially since I was self pay), I was very appreciative of his concern.

[desert19 93]

I asked if he took the gallbladder out at the same time. I would also make sure the dr knows all the medications you are taking and if he forsees issues with any of them. I asked if I could keep drinking my coffee (my dr said yes, no problem). I was self-pay and I wish I would have asked if there was a max $ amt of my hospital bill included before the hospital could charge me extra (I ended up having to stay an extra night that ended up being paid for extra, which was really hard). I can't remember everything else I asked him, but I know I had a whole page full of questions, and he sat patiently and answered every single one.