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Questions To Ask My Surgeon



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I finally have made it to consultation day!!! I find out my surgery date today! I was curious, cam anyone think of any really good questions I should ask? My mind is drawing a blank here. The only question I could think up was a question about my medication, other than that I can't think of anything!

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Ask them how they want you to eat. Sometimes there are different stages. Ask about what size bougie they use for measurement of the stomach. Talk about your anxiety with the surgeon. You got this! Let us know how it goes..... :)

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Here is a list I came up with to share with a friend who is going for his consultation soon:

* What is your readmittance rate?

* What is/are the typical reason/s for readmittance?

* How many of your patients have had leaks? How long after surgery were the leaks typically discovered? What was the resolution (% healed on their own vs. % needing surgical intervention)?

* How many rows of staples do you place?

* Are the insides of the staples checked, too?

* Do you sew over the staple line?

* Exactly how do you test for leaks immediately after surgery (before the barium swallow test the next day)?

* Is the part of the stomach that is removed also tested for leaks?

* What size bougie do you use to measure the “sleeve?”

* What is the biggest factor in failure after this surgery?

* What is your mortality rate? Of this, what % is attributable to the surgery itself and what % was from pre-existing conditions?

* What type of post-surgery support do you offer? Is there any additional cost for the support?

* Where were you trained? Are you board certified?

* How many sleeves have you performed? Over what period of time?

* At what hospital will my surgery be performed?

* Why do you believe you are the best surgeon to perform my surgery? What differentiates you/your practice from the others in the D/FW area?

* When can I return to work post-surgery?

* Based on your experience, in this practice, what % of excess weight does your average patient lose with the sleeve? How long is the loss maintained? What can I do to increase my success?

* Why do you feel that your pre/post surgery nutrition guidelines are the best? Have you tailored your plans for sleeve patients or do you use the same plan for sleeve, bypass & lapband? If the same, why?

* Do your patients have a support group on FB or via other social media? Other than the formal support group/monthly classes, do your patients have informal support groups? How do I join these groups?

* How much interaction should I expect with you, the surgeon, vs. with your staff? If mostly your staff, what is their training and experience with bariatric WLS patients? Will I typically see the same staff members on my post-op check-ups or will it vary?

* Are your staff members, such as nutritionist, available for one-on-one consultations? If so, what are the charges, if any?

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    • cryoder22

      Day 1 of pre-op liquid diet (3 weeks) and I'm having a hard time already. I feel hungry and just want to eat. I got the protein and supplements recommend by my program and having a hard time getting 1 down. My doctor / nutritionist has me on the following:
      1 protein shake (bariatric advantage chocolate) with 8 oz of fat free milk 1 snack = 1 unjury protein shake (root beer) 1 protein shake (bariatric advantage orange cream) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein bar 1 protein shake (bariatric advantace orange cream or chocolate) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein soup (chicken) 3 servings of sugar free jello and popsicles throughout the day. 64 oz of water (I have flavor packets). Hot tea and coffee with splenda has been approved as well. Does anyone recommend anything for the next 3 weeks?
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        All I can tell you is that for me, it got easier after the first week. The hunger pains got less intense and I kind of got used to it and gave up torturing myself by thinking about food. But if you can, get anything tempting out of the house and avoid being around people who are eating. I sent my kids to my parents' house for two weeks so I wouldn't have to prepare meals I couldn't eat. After surgery, the hunger was totally gone.

    • buildabetteranna

      I have my final approval from my insurance, only thing holding up things is one last x-ray needed, which I have scheduled for the fourth of next month, which is my birthday.

      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BetterLeah

      Woohoo! I have 7 more days till surgery, So far I am already down a total of 20lbs since I started this journey. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Well done! I'm 9 days away from surgery! Keep us updated!

    • Ladiva04

      Hello,
      I had my surgery on the 25th of June of this year. Starting off at 117 kilos.😒
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Congrats on the surgery!

    • Sandra Austin Tx

      I’m 6 days post op as of today. I had the gastric bypass 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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