Questions for the surgeon?!

[Mrs.FullerRN 189]

I'm getting sleeved 10/14 but have an appointment 10/2 with my surgeon because he at my initial consult I was planning on lap band and didn't ask much about the sleeve. My list is below. I would like to know what you asked or what you wish you would have asked before surgery.

1. What role do residents play in my surgery?

2. What size boogee do you use?

3. Do you use the tool that cuts and staples at the same time or do you cut and then staple?

4. Do you suture the sleeve to underlying fascia to prevent stricture, if not why?

5. How do you know if my sleeve is the right size and not too big or too small?

What else should I ask??

[Mrs.RRn 2,110]

Pre op diet?

Drain?

Will you be hospitalized? If so, how long?

[LBD 121]

I'm having my surgery 10/15 & those sound like great questions to me! Meeting with my surgeon this Friday and will be sure to jot down this list... thanks & good luck to you!

[MNMema 82]

I am not sleeved yet but, can answer #3 for you. If I am not mistaken, they all use the gadget that staples and then cuts. They have to staple first to prevent any stomach acids from leaking into your abdominal space. If that were to happen, it could make you extremely ill with a hospital stay in your future.

The rest of your questions are good though! Good luck!!!

[Indigo1991 1,612]

You may find that your surgeon will give you a lot of info that answers your questions - but unlikely he will offer anything around q4 you will need to ask!

I wanted to know about pain relief post op, how long stitches took to dissolve, how long before exercise, driving etc, risk of leak or any other potential problems/complications, how much weight he believed I would lose, what would the impact be on existing conditions/meds.. I could go on - and there were other questions that arose as a result of stuff he said on the day.

You are right to prepare - good luck with the consultation.

[Peggy D 123]

I asked if he over-stiched the staple line. He said "no" but I see in the video of my surgery that he did some, but just where there were some minor bleeders.

As a nurse, you may want to ask for a video like I did. We nurses do want to see those details!

My surgeon has his ARNP as assistant for surgeries. When I was working in a teaching hospital I always felt comfortable with the residents, probably because we worked with them so closely.