So I had my preop appt today and asked my doctor a few questions and here was his responses.

What is his complication rate, where there are problems?

About 1%, but they are not necessarily related to the sleeve; it could be pneumonia, infection, spleen. But they count that as part of the 1%. He does not remember any problems with the sleeve, but an incident with a bypass that they thought there was a leak and went back in to check and could find none.

Is it just him doing the surgery? I asked this because he kept saying we for the above question. There are 2 surgeons in the operating room. I like the idea of two sets of eyes.

Why do people say "No blind ng tube"? He said that's probably for the first 6 months while the stomach is healing.

Why no nsaids? He said it's ok to take them occasionally not, just not on a regiment since it could cause stomach irritation.

Do I need a medical id bracelet? He said if I wanted, the for the first 6 months, then don't need it.

How soon can I go back to work? I work on a computer at a desk job, so he said I definitely should take 3-4 days off and can do work. The main thing is driving that I shouldn't do. He said it was ok for me to work from home if I felt like it.

How about blood clots? He said he gives medication for that through an IV

What about antacids? He will prescribe it if I need it.

I'm on blood pressure medicine, should I continue to take it? Yes, but monitor my blood pressure. If I see it going down after a week or so, then stop taking it and talk to my pcp.

Can I have my stomach? No it goes to pathology.

Can you take a picture of it? He said he will try to remember. I told him I would like to see it and have the measurements. He said he would try to remember.

After talking to him, it definitely made me feel comfortable with the procedure. Luckily the doctor's office is part of the hospital so I was able to go ahead and pre-register. I also need to have a phone interview with the nurse, which I already set up for tomorrow, to make sure everything is fine for surgery and to get some information for the anesthesiologist. So I'm all ready! Just waiting to start my pre-op liquid diet in 2 days!

Ask him will the be the follow up doctor after the surgery.

Also, request he clarify " I dont recall" answers. He is a doctor. they HAVE to keep track of their complication rates - they know these things to a precise degree, if for no other purposes to report and be assesed by his practicing liability insurance.

Discuss what type of anestisia will be used. Also what kind of pain medication.

Just suggestions! Good luck!

Actually, he said he could go and pull records to let me know, but I stopped him and said I didn't need to know any further info. I like the fact that he didn't hesitate meaning he wasn't hiding anything from me.

As for a follow-up visit that has already been set-up when I had my appt with the dietitian. Today, I had to agree to attend 3 months of their support group.

I didn't think to ask about the anesthesia since I've had past surgeries with no problems. Pain meds didn't cross my mind because I usually may only take it the day of and day after surgery then no more.

I love that you asked if you could keep your stomach! That made me laugh out loud. I too wanted a pic of my stomach, but my mom convinced me they would think I was nuts and not do the surgery, so I didn't ask. But I really wish I had some documentation.

I love that you asked if you could keep your stomach! That made me laugh out loud. I too wanted a pic of my stomach' date=' but my mom convinced me they would think I was nuts and not do the surgery, so I didn't ask. But I really wish I had some documentation.[/quote']

I asked for pics and got them with no problem. The Dr even explained them to me. If you have already had surgery ask your doctor if he took pics because my doctor has the same set of pics he gave me in my office chart, so it might not be to late to get a copy. It's not unusual for people to want to see what's going on and what they look like , I find it odd that more people don't ask detailed questions about medical procedures. So your far from nuts.

Wow, I never thought to ask for pictures of the stomach. I think I definitely will. I have the pictures from my endoscopy so I'll start a little scrapbook of all my medical pictures, lol. I can just see the family gatherings now, "and here's a picture of my hiatal hernia, here's a picture of my stomach that they took out, here's a picture of the staple line..." lol