Initial surgical consultation

[hopeliveshere 294]

Any advice on what kinds of questions i should ask at my intial surgical consultation on may 2nd? I have a few questions in mind like asking how many sleeves the doctor/hospital has performed and has there been any complications/death under their care but thats about all i got. any help would be appreciated.

[Kelsan 117]

I asked what size bougie he uses (what size tummy you'll have after). My surgeon uses the smallest size 32, but he said he does not staple the stomach tightly around it, so it lessens the likelihood of leaks.

[Macy6 356]

What their mortality rate is.... What their close to open rate is (how many times they've had to swap from Laprascopic to full open surgery.... If they've ever gotten in and had to back out and why (my dr one time has gotten in, found the liver too heavy and closed up).... How many surgeries have they performed, approx how many are sleeves.... I went in with a list of 20-25, he answered around half in his intro. Ill think of more.

[Macy6 356]

What is their complication rate, this made me feel good. In the thousands of surgeries performed by my surgeon he has had no leaks no blood clots and only 3 blood transfusions (which they blame on their excessive work to prevent clots, but then they say "you can always give blood, you don't always survive a clot"

[Macy6 356]

I had other things like; do you recommend the bariatric geared Vitamins etc. he answered them but in the end I found the nutritionist much more helpful. How long is the hospital stay (they keep everyone in his practice 2 nights, unless needed longer) how long is the surgery.

I honestly walked away a little more confused than anything. I walked in expecting RnY and walked out to a sleeve recommendation. I feel great about it now but it was a shock to the system.

[FeeIsMe2 508]

I think Macy6 has the questions covered...

I would like to add, make sure you like her/his attitude, is he/she warm, friendly, caring?

I can't deal with doctors that are all business. I want to feel that this doctor actually cares about me not just the MONEY!!

[hopeliveshere 294]

Thanks all so much i will def add the questions to my list! so excited to be taking this step!