I've just received a call from my surgeons office that my insurance has FINALLY approved my surgery after 2 months of waiting

My pre op with my surgeon is next week and I'd like to have a list of questions to ask him .

Can anyone give me any ideas? Suggestions? I dont want to miss anything

These are my questions.

Congratulations! I had a a notebook and took it to all my appointments -- a place to track everything. They will have a process and each place is different -- mine was a mandatory info session and meeting with program coordinator, then a visit with the nutritionist and a psych eval (did those the same day), then I met the surgeon, then a second visit with nutritionist to go over pre-op, then the surgery itself. Followup is key -- keep all your appointments for after-care. I also wrote down my goals, a list of reasons I wanted the band. Fun to look back on those!

I would ask....that after the surgery and the band is placed,...Then What?

What is your Dr.'s post op protocol? Frequency of visits? What happens at these visits? What is your Dr.'s, and yours for that matter, expectations and how soon can you expect results?

I say this because my Dr. had no reservations telling me EXACTLY what he expected of me and what he expected the band to do for me...he also was very clear on how he / we, are going to get there, and within what time frame....and I don't mean the amount of weight loss, although he did say what he expected per week, but he was more concerned with getting the band, (an me) properly adjusted so the true weight loss can begin.

He has the Yellow-Green-Red Zone chart on the wall, and he would refer to it and THIS is where I want you to be.

And every visit he would say point to the chart and show him where I felt I was, and then explain why.

I'll be blunt....I read posts here from people who have had the surgery, and months later they still don't get it...the questions they ask are so fundamental for people who have been banded so long....

It's good they come here and ask the right questions, I'm not criticizing them for that....but I am wondering "Where the heck is their Dr. ??" and Isn't their Dr.'s telling them anything?

Getting the band is only the first step...a very small step considering it is something for the rest of your life.

Surgery is not the end, but just the beginning...

Sorry for the rant....

Edited March 5, 201511 yr by B-52

That is great advice. I would have never thought to talk after care.

Thank you all for the advice! ... My doctor is well known in our city and is also known for excellent after care so Im not worried about that part thankfully .

I will definitely take your suggestions into consideration when I put together my list ..

What are some of the things that you've all had to purchase for the first week of being home? .. We havent discussed the post op diet YET I assume that will happen next Wednesday at my pre op appointment but any suggestions are welcomed

eeek soo excited , scared, anxious, but mostly ready to get this weight off and be healthy

Unflavored protein powder to mix in your water or crystal light. Isopure drinks. Broth. Get bathroom size dixie cups and a small spoon. Sip sip sip walk walk walk.