What Questions Should I Ask My Surgeon?

[chazaplachta 2]

I have a face to face consult with my surgeon in Tijuana tomorrow. What sort of questions should I be asking to ensure my surgery is safe and goes smoothly?

[thisfathasgot2go 235]

Listen to what he freely asks you.

Does he ask the right questions?

Is he asking about your medical history, current and past meds, the types of foods you like to eat, how and when you eat?

A good doctor should ask questions to make sure he is doing the right surgery, making the right choices.

If he does not ask, tell him about any gerd, diabetes, heart problems, can't walk, knee problems, etc. Tell him if you are an emotional eater, addicted to sweets, overeater, etc.

Ask him about his experience. Sleeve v. Bypass. Why he would recommend one over the other. Also, I wanted to know how the doctor is going to keep in touch with my family waiting. My surgery ended at like 8PM, he came to my family waiting and talked to them at length when he could have been home already. I did not want to see them or for them to see me after, I was in so much pain and discomfort, so I was so glad that he was a very personable and caring doctor to sooth them when I could not.

Good luck!

[dhrguru 1,238]

I agree with @thisfathas2go ...

I didn't ask many questions I listened to what he was asking. I figured if he was good he'd touch on all the things I'd read up on, and I told him about me.

[swimbikerun 1,046]

My big one: ask what his major complications have been and talk to the people involved. A doctor who is willing to say what his problems are how they dealt with them, how they deal with problems, is going to tell you a lot more about the character of the doctor and his office. Many can have good outcomes but if they don't know and look at their own progress to become better, they're in it for the money and will toss you when something bad happens.

[chazaplachta 2]

Thank you to each of you that took the time to reply. Your responses are very helpful.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Ask about recommendations for post op care. Will he coordinate with your primary or does he refer you to someone local. Also ask about things like colace and omeprazole to help regulate your bowels and manage acid. My doctor prescribed a 30 day run of colace and 90 day run of omeprazole starting day 1 post-op. As a result I never had any issues with Constipation and only minor ones with acid/reflux that were quickly managed by increasing the dosage from 20 mgs to 40.

[swimbikerun 1,046]

All I know is at a number of people with non positive glowing outcomes all seem to have one thing in common at the practice I was at: they were told it was all in their heads and fobbed off, dropped, etc. when not all of them had something that needed surgical correction to fix (among other things).

Delayed or missed diagnosis is the #1 cause of lawsuits. You would do good to check all sites for reviews. Forget the USA state medical boards, as they do nothing. Check out the courts, etc. Find local newspapers and see what they say and if they are paid advertisers of the paper or the TV stations.

You really want to talk to other patients who didn't sail though. They always tout those, but lots of people can have success. Its when the surgeon and people are in hot Water that you want to find out how they react. They'll love you if it works out, and you'll love them.