Monday I'm going to san diego to talk to my surgeon! I'm kinda getting nervous now! What things should I ask him?!?!?!?! and what things should I get prepared??? to take to the hospital

How big will your sleeve be?

Clear instructions and guidelines on re-introducing foods and liquids post-op.

Do you need to be on a PPI?

And many others, but those are the ones I should have asked!

If its any help I compiled this list from other lists from other wonderful post op sleevers on here plus some questions of my own....you can never be too prepared!

Good luck

Questions to ask

Pre Op /The Op

If self pay - What does your fee involve?

Is there some follow up care thrown in there, like labs at 3,6,9 and 12 months?

Pre op diet – what to eat/drink and how long for?

Do I get a nutritionist/psychologist?

What size bougie is used?

Do you oversew the staple line?

How many incisions do you make?

Do you go in thru previous scars?

How many nights in the hospital – is there facility for someone else to stay in my room as well?

Do they need to be with me 24/ during my hospital stay?

How many leak tests do you do?

How many sleeves have you performed?

Complication/leak stats? How many if any deaths?

Who do I contact if I think I have a problem (most places give out an emergency number)?

Is the hospital equipped an ICU and blood bank in case of complications?

If complications do happen to occur, are these complications/additional surgery/days in hospital covered by the original quoted price of the surgery?

Would you remove my gall bladder at the same time if needed?

Can you give me some patient testimonials or do you have any before/after pictures of your patients that I could read/look at?

Is it standard operation procedure, ie: no nail polish, no body jewellery?

Do I need to stop taking any particular medication pre op? (Take a list of what you take and dosage)

Post Op

How often are the post op check ups?

Where are they? – is price included?

What supplements/anti acid drug would I need to take and for how long?

Do I need labs done post op? – Are these checked with you or my local doctor?

DO I get a dvd of the operation?

Post op diet?

How much weight would I be exepected loose?

What if I loose too much, how to maintain?

Do you use heparin?

How soon after the op can I……drive, swim, work out?

Plus..... about taking stuff to the hospital - I took WAY too much and didn't use a lot of it, but it was good to know I had it if I wanted it!

Loose clothing - I gained weight and inches in there.....take something like a non wired bra as certainly one of my incisions is quite high up and a wired bra would have rubbed on it. A cover up/wrap/dressing gown to walk down the halls in.

I took books - a couple of different ones, Ipod, phone, chargers, the usual shower stuff although I didn't actually shower in there but before I went and when I got home - I just managed to hand wash myself carefully.

Do yourself a favour and get some Ear plugs!! Boy those places can be noisy!!

Good luck!!

Kathy

One quick suggestion: I took all my medication with me to the hospital because they said I could take it after the surgeon released me to take my medications. He indicated a size that would be right, but I had a question on a timed-release medication that I thought might be too big. I actually showed him the pill and he nixed me taking it. Had to call my primary care physician to come to a different solution (pill couldn't be cut). My solution was actually to take less medication since I stopped taking it.

Also, of the Protein that you want me to get in, (in my case 3 days after surgery) when do you really expect me to be able to get it all in, i.e., after 2, 3, 4 days? I've determined that this would vary based on your personal swelling. But, I think the surgeon says you need a 40-80 grams of protein, but there is no way you will get it in when you are released from Clear Liquids.

Hope this helps.

Thank you everyone for all of your information! I met my surgeon yesterday! His name is Dr. Taller from San Diego Pacific Bariatric! He was very nice and I asked him a bunch of questions. I also met with my psychiatrist and my internist! Very nice people. I feel really taken care of and confident all will come out well =)

within the next couple weeks I should get a call giving me my date! can't wait! Surgeon told me that he uses a size 34 boughie? I'm guessing that's good it's not higher lol. Also he does only 1 leak test and does not oversew because he said something about it wouldn't make a big difference and went into this long explanation as to why he believes I wouldn't need it. I'll just trust him on that....seems he really knows what he is doing. He has done over 700 vertical sleeves all good =)

I will keep you all posted! This is all getting way more real! ahhhhhhhhhh

Ohhh only bad thing I encountered is my insurance told me they were going to cover my copay but yesterday they said that they will not ugh $250 copay outpatient when I get into the hospital. I won't complain because I know many people pay thousands to get the surgery so I'm just happy the surgery it covered!

=)

One quick suggestion: I took all my medication with me to the hospital because they said I could take it after the surgeon released me to take my medications. He indicated a size that would be right, but I had a question on a timed-release medication that I thought might be too big. I actually showed him the pill and he nixed me taking it. Had to call my primary care physician to come to a different solution (pill couldn't be cut). My solution was actually to take less medication since I stopped taking it.

Also, of the Protein that you want me to get in, (in my case 3 days after surgery) when do you really expect me to be able to get it all in, i.e., after 2, 3, 4 days? I've determined that this would vary based on your personal swelling. But, I think the surgeon says you need a 40-80 grams of protein, but there is no way you will get it in when you are released from clear liquids.

Hope this helps.

Good points terri - I'll add them into my list as well.