Need To Know What ? To Ask Surgeon.

[amcdowell779 70]

I see my surgeon tomorrow a.m. And need to know what questions I should be asking. I have some in regards to work and how long I'll be out but need to know if there are other questions I should be asking tomorrow. Thanks!!

[worm2872 635]

1. How long will I be out of work or school?
   
2. Is there a pre-op diet/pre-surgery liquid diet?
   
3. Will there be a limit on how much I can lift or cary? How much and for how long?
   
4. Will I need to have someone stay with me when I get home? For how long?
   
5. How soon can I resume normal household duties?
   
6. What is dumping syndrom?
   
7. How soon can I resume taking care of my children?
   
8. What kind of pain medication will you be sending me home with?
   
9. What supplements do you recommend I take? (If he says “Flintstones” either find another surgeon or realize that he’s not up to date on the latest studies. Flintstones don’t cut it.)
   
10. How often will you be checking my blood Vitamin levels for deficiencies? Can I be tested more often if I wish?
    
11. How small will my pouch be?
    
12. What kind of exercise do you recommend and when can I start?
    
13. What about medications after surgery? I take _____. How will surgery impact the absorption rate and effectiveness of this medication(s)?
    
14. I have diabetes/ high blood pressure/ other co-morbidity. I know that gastric bypass often, but not always, dramatically reduces or even eliminates these problems. How closely will you monitor these conditions after surgery, and how will we know when or if my medications should be changed or stopped?
    
15. Is it possible for my pouch to stretch back out? If so, what can I do to prevent it?
    
16. I’ve heard diarrhea and gas are a common side effects. Is this true and is there anything I can do to prevent them?
    
17. What do you think is a realistic goal weight for me to achieve and maintain?
    
18. How rapidly do you expect me to lose weight? 10 pounds a month? 30? How wide a range is “normal?”
    
19. Can I expect plateaus? What do you recommend when I have them?
    
20. How long can I expect weight loss to continue after surgery? Will it ever again become very difficult or impossible to lose weight?
    
21. How hard will I have to work to maintain my weight loss in 2-3 years?
    
22. This is a lot of information to take in all at once. What do you consider are the most important things I need to keep in mind before having surgery?
    

[Stephanie 49]

[*]How long will I be out of work or school?

[*]Is there a pre-op diet/pre-surgery liquid diet?

[*]Will there be a limit on how much I can lift or cary? How much and for how long?

[*]Will I need to have someone stay with me when I get home? For how long?

[*]How soon can I resume normal household duties?

[*]What is dumping syndrom?

[*]How soon can I resume taking care of my children?

[*]What kind of pain medication will you be sending me home with?

[*]What supplements do you recommend I take? (If he says “Flintstones” either find another surgeon or realize that he’s not up to date on the latest studies. Flintstones don’t cut it.)

[*]How often will you be checking my blood Vitamin levels for deficiencies? Can I be tested more often if I wish?

[*]How small will my pouch be?

[*]What kind of exercise do you recommend and when can I start?

[*]What about medications after surgery? I take _____. How will surgery impact the absorption rate and effectiveness of this medication(s)?

[*]I have diabetes/ high blood pressure/ other co-morbidity. I know that gastric bypass often' date=' but not always[/url'],  dramatically reduces or even eliminates  these problems. How closely will you monitor these conditions after surgery, and how will we know when or if my medications should be changed or stopped?

[*]Is it possible for my pouch to stretch back out? If so, what can I do to prevent it?

[*]I’ve heard diarrhea and gas are a common side effects. Is this true and is there anything I can do to prevent them?

[*]What do you think is a realistic goal weight for me to achieve and maintain?

[*]How rapidly do you expect me to lose weight? 10 pounds a month? 30? How wide a range is “normal?”

[*]Can I expect plateaus? What do you recommend when I have them?

[*]How long can I expect weight loss to continue after surgery? Will it ever again become very difficult or impossible to lose weight?

[*]How hard will I have to work to maintain my weight loss in 2-3 years?

[*]This is a lot of information to take in all at once. What do you consider are the most important things I need to keep in mind before having surgery?

Worm.. When i was at my pre-op with our surgeon she said yes to flintstones. I told her that I have read otherwise. She didn't agree much.

[worm2872 635]

Flinstones are ok for the multi as long as you take the other supplements B12 c Iron Calcium D etc. there are some dr out there that think a multi alone will work. That's were the trouble can begin. Sorry for the confusion! :-)

[kiwiladydee 402]

I take 2 flintstones a day and my first test came back great on my Vitamin levels. However, there are other chewable that are probably better for you that taste nasty.

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[amcdowell779 70]

Thanks for the replies!! I take 2 Flintstones Vitamins a day already but I can't stand them!! Oh well, theres worse things out there than the vitamins! I am practicing how to take my meds right now as I was instructed to do so by my surgeon and I take three meds that I will have to continue after surgery. Right now i''ve found that crushing them in a half oz. of Water and following up with another half oz. of Water is the quickest way to take them, but the nastiest. It'll take me over 2 hours to take 3 pills if I quarter them and take them that way. Trying to figure out how i'm going to do it because if I cant tolerate swallowing the crushed pills now, i'm sure it'll be even worse after surgery.

Just to let ya all know, I did not get my surgery date on Tuesday like I thought. My surgeon wants me to lose my last remaining ten lbs, get some old medical records to him and also pracitce this med thing for at least two weeks. I was bummed but I have a history of pulmonary embolisms so its better to be safe than sorry!! Hope everyones doing good and I appreciate your responses!

[worm2872 635]

Well, I am sorry to hear you don't have your date but it is better to be 100% ready for the surgery. I know you are still bumbed. May those ten pounds melt away!!!! Good Luck!!!

[amcdowell779 70]

Thanks worm!! Damn temptations!! I hate my love for food!! I will work hard at this because I plan on bring down ten lbs by the 13th!! Wish me luck cuz I need it!!

[pwnykat 42]

Vitamins- my dr has said he can prescribe general vits but would prefer me to take the ones they source from the states called Bariatric Advantage. They're specially formulated for post gastric surgery. Maybe have a look into those

[kiwiladydee 402]

Vitamins- my dr has said he can prescribe general vits but would prefer me to take the ones they source from the states called Bariatric Advantage. They're specially formulated for post gastric surgery. Maybe have a look into those

The multi-Vitamin from them is the best you can buy - but it is so disgusting!!

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[mommy2boys 40]

I have my meeting with the doctor I was also TrYing to figure out questions to ask. Thank you worm that list is great