Finally...surgical Consult....too Many Questions?

[BKMama 179]

So many seem to have their surgical consult early on in the process, with my program it's one of the last things you do. After this, everything goes to insurance for approval. <insert panic here> Anyway, between my husband and I, we have ummm.....4 pages of questions. It's 4 pages, typed up, with room under each question for me to write his answer. Is he going to look at me like I'm crazy? LOL

I admit, many of the questions I've seen various answers for through researching and being here, but I want to hear the answers from *his* mouth. Is that weird?

So, what say you, am I crazy?

edited to add: I just counted, it's 31 questions. some of which may be answered during his spiel (if he gives one).

[legal loser 77]

Not too many. I thought that too for my pre-op consult. The surgeon answered everything and didn't rush me. I even asked a few things right before I was rolled into the OR. They expect you to ask questions!

[beautifulnewme2012 164]

I did my Q and A today..its the last step, for me, just prior to starting the pre-op diet...I took a large spinal notebook with about 2 pages of questions. He sat down and said "hit me"...and answered every one...its your health...ask away!

[irishmama2004 34]

I feel like a dope. I only have 5 questions and two of them are about ambien. Okay, can you cut and paste your qs? Or at least give us your top 5. And by the way, your profile pic is very beautiful.

[GivingItMyAll 168]

Not crazy, you need to have all of your questions answered to make sure this is the best thing for you and that you are completely comfortable with your surgeon. My consult with the surgeon was one of the last appts as well. We started with a group meeting (5 of us) and I felt like I was monopolizing the questions, but I needed answers. After the group meeting, we all went into individual rooms for private meetings with the surgeon and psychologist and ended with a group meeting with the NUT.

[circa 333]

if the doc is bothered by your questions, get another doc! There's never too many questions! This is your life we're talking about!

[irishmama2004 34]

you could always record the convo on your phone and write in your answers later. When I try to write down what people are saying while I'm asking questions I get confused. That way you can review it all later.

[BKMama 179]

you could always record the convo on your phone and write in your answers later. When I try to write down what people are saying while I'm asking questions I get confused. That way you can review it all later.

This is a really good idea! Here are the questions my husband and I came up with (again, many of these are basic questions that can be found with research, I just want to hear his thoughts):

Experience:

How many sleeves performed? On people with a BMI similar to mine?

How often have you had to change to an open surgery?

Surgery:

How long is the surgery typically?

How much of stomach is removed?

Typical size of Bougie? Or typical size of sleeve after surgery?

Do you staple and sew the sleeve or just staple?

Hospital Stay:

Day of surgery – what is it like?

Who can be there?

Bariatric patients with other patients?

Typical hospital stay?

Do you perform surgery on specific days?

How are leaks checked? How many times?

Is a catheter used? When is it placed and removed?

ET tube? NG tube? Drain? If yes, when are they removed?

Recovery:

What types of pain medicines are given? (very bad reaction to codeine)

Taking one week off, then working from home for one week. Sound feasible?

How long until cleared for normal activity? Exercising? Strength training?

Risks:

What are the most common post-op complications?

Any risk of rupturing the stomach (not stretching)?

Chance of leak after leaving hospital?

Risk of blood clots? (hormonal BC)

Risk of hernia or adhesion?

Any risk associated with the stomach not producing grehlin?

Is stricture common? How is it treated?

I have acid reflux , how common post-op? Treatment provided at discharge?

Post Op (down the line):

How often do I see you post-op?

Goal weight?

[irishmama2004 34]

Thank you! I am just going to print this off. There are a couple that I know the answer to because my surgeon meets with us in the beginning so I asked but the rest is awesome. And of course I will ask about ambien too. Irishmama gotta sleep!

[Wheetsin 714]

I had about 17 questions, most of mine were around the experience of being a revision patient.

Just in case you don't know, boughie is pronounced boo-zhe. I don't mean to imply you don't know, but many times I've seen a word, yet had no idea to pronounce it... and between my pre-op classes, waiting room time, etc. I can't tell you how many times I've heard it called "boo-gee" or "boogie."

(When I did my defense for my MS one of the theoreticians covered had a last name of Gagné, pronounced "gone-yay" - and one of the people on my panel kept calling him "gag-knee"... drove me NUTS!)