What to Ask Surgeon / Office Staff About Lap Band? - 1st Appt Next Week

[gin765 49]

I have my first appointment with a local surgeon and his office next week. Any suggestions on what I should ask??? Maybe things you wish you would have asked, but didn't? Making a list, because I know it will all be a blur when I get there. They said to prepare for 1 1/2 - 2 hrs, including labs and conversations with surgery coordinator, insurance coordinator, nurse and surgeon. I've already attended their mandatory information session and submitted all advance paperwork and insurance forms.

Thank you!

[LadyMaggie 145]

do they offer fluro-fills (sp?) --- big difference in getting you to the green zone

my surgeon did NOT offer this

[2muchfun 8,927]

How often you can have a fill.

How much saline does the Dr usually put in?

How long are they free?

Does he have a dietician on staff?

Does he have an idea how many of his bands have failed by %?

How long is the pre and post op diets?

Does he have a panic number you can call in case of emergency?

[B-52 7,113]

I would ask your Dr., and be very clear, what happens after I have this surgery?

What is your Dr.'s treatment plan? What are His/Her's expectations? And over how long a period of time?

Does your Dr. have a set protocol in mind for you, and what is His/Her estimate of success...and why or why not?

And how exactly does your Dr. expect you to get to that place?

My Dr. did not hold back, a bit aggressive perhaps.

He explained just having the surgery is nothing...it is after that the real process begins.

He told me exactly what his expectations where for me. First with the series of adjustments to the band (fills) explaining the Yelllow-Green-Red chart and what it means to get there and how we were going to get there....

I knew right up front what was going to happen within that first year, no doubt...

I was to come in every 4 weeks where progress will be reported, questions asked, and adjustments made if needed.

He left no doubt what he wanted the band to do, and where he wanted me to be at the 6 month mark, and then the 1 year mark....

You are having this surgery for a reason...what is that reason? And don't say it is because you want to loose weight..everyone wants that.....but how is the lap band going to do it?

Ask Your Dr....How s this going to make a difference?

I dieted all my life with no success...what is this going to do?

And I guess, make sure your Dr. believes it also...

I read posts here everyday, and judging by the questions I wonder if their Dr.'s explained anything to them? They act as though they don't have a clue?

WHY did some people have this surgery...what were they expecting to happen???

Didn't anybody explain anything???

People are always asking "What is the Green Zone?"...my Dr. had that chart on the wall staring me in the face from visit one, and he would point to it and say THAT is where I want you to be....before 12 months. There was no doubt, and he explained how he was going to do it.

If I'm going to have something foreign put inside my body, wrapped around my stomach, it better be for a good reason and it better make a difference.