What Should I Ask My Surgeon?

[Iniysa 157]

I'm sure I can find this topic if I look long enough through old posts, but I would like some fresh perspectives.

What are you going to ask? What did you ask? Or what do you WISH you had asked?

Thanks for all the advice!

[Evolving 973]

I'm sure I can find this topic if I look long enough through old posts' date=' but I would like some fresh perspectives.

What are you going to ask? What did you ask? Or what do you WISH you had asked?

Thanks for all the advice![/quote']

Hi! Congrats on taking steps to be sleeved! On Monday I will be 2 weeks out!!

I'd ask about:

Diets pre and post op

What U will be required to do prior to being sleeved...tests, etc

Contact info to dr and if the hand a dietitian or counselor

If there's any support groups or physical gym trainers avail

I think the pre and post diets are the biggest thinks along with a timeline of what is happening and what Incan expect!!

Good luck!!

It is all worth it... All of it!

Sent from my iPhone using VST

[Iniysa 157]

Thank you Evolving for the ideas. I already saw the counselor and had my first dietitian visit. (My next two are scheduled. So check! )

Hi! Congrats on taking steps to be sleeved! On Monday I will be 2 weeks out!!

I'd ask about:

Diets pre and post op

What U will be required to do prior to being sleeved...tests, etc

Contact info to dr and if the hand a dietitian or counselor

If there's any support groups or physical gym trainers avail

I think the pre and post diets are the biggest thinks along with a timeline of what is happening and what Incan expect!!

Good luck!!

It is all worth it... All of it!

Sent from my iPhone using VST

[fyre_storm 1,412]

Ask about post op care, meetings, and see if they offer nutrition classes. Ask what you can bring to the hospital. And whether they use drains or not.

[prettylittleheart 95]

Pain management in hospital & at home, lifting restrictions, when you can return to work/driving, diet restrictions and length of time, a number to call if problems arise, follow up care- how often, how long does it take him to perform the surgery (this might be pretty standard, but still a good question), how long is hospital stay, pre-op testing, nausea medication if you should need it, also if you have any allergies or have had reactions to any medications let them know, does he use steri-strips, tape, glue, stitches on the sites, does he use drains, you can ask his stats/ratings/success rate, also hear a lot of people use gas-x strips- you may want to inquire with the physician about using this as it may be to your benefit, how long (if your dr. even requires it) do you have to crush your medications/vitamins, do they use blood thinners, scds/teds to prevent blood clots, do they do a swallow study before being discharged to home (I believe most do, but have heard some who haven't), exercise restrictions & how soon you can start walking after surgery as it hurts to get up but helps TREMENDOUSLY with gas pains and it gets easier every day the more you do it, also ask about incentive spirometer, one more this may apply to you not sure just a suggestion - but resuming sexual practices and his recommendations on that. Also if you plan on having a baby, most surgeons have guidelines for that too. Think that's all!

Needless to say, I gave my dr. the 5th degree lol but you can never be to cautious or mindful. Good luck and congrats!

[Iniysa 157]

No those are all very good questions! Thank you!

[pixigrl 33]

awesome thread. Keep the ideas coming, ladies and gents.

[Iniysa 157]

Although my appointment with my surgeon is tomarrow, keep the ideas coming for others as well.

The list so far:

Bougie Size

Pre-op Diet

Post-op Diet

Stomach - Staples? Glue? Stiches? Combo?

Incisions - Tape? Glue? Stitches?

Cathedar?

Approximately how many cases are done by your practice each year?

What is your conversion to open rate?

Am I awake when the catheter is put in?

What is the average hospital stay?

Will I have a drain?

If yes, when will it come out?

What are your complication and mortality rates?

What is the most common complication you have seen with this surgery?

Do you recommend certain Vitamins?

Shots in the stomach to prevent clots?

Pain management in hospital & at home.

Lifting restrictions? How long?

When you can return to work/driving?

Doctors Note?

Diet restrictions and length of time?

Follow up care- how often?

how long does it take him to perform the surgery?

Pre-op testing?

Nausea medication if I need it,?

Aloud to have gas-x strips?

Do they do a swallow study before being discharged to home?

Leak Testing?

Exercise restrictions

Incentive spirometer?