What are the best questions to ask the doctor? Seems like as soon as I get in the room my mind goes blank and i don't know what to ask..????

I wrote out a list and took it. I wanted to know...

Will I have a catheter?

Jp drain?

What Kind of sutures will I have

What size Bougie will be used (size the stomach will be)

What type of pain management will be used while in the hospital and home.

Will I get a Prescription for a PPI (acid blocker)

Put me on the private room list! (Got it)

I'm sure there were more because I took a sheet with me and checked them off as we went through.

@

I typed up a list of questions in a Google doc and kept adding to it whenever I thought of something else I wanted to know, then printed it out and took it with me to my appointment. I also made a binder to organize all my pre-op info, post-op instructions, insurance stuff, etc. and brought it with me. I am now known as "the girl with the binder" in my surgeon's practice, but they also say they wish more of their patients were as informed and prepared as I am.

I also made a binder...glad to not be the only one. I am a type A tho!

@@lauraellen80 @@Elode

Thank you for the information. It seems like as soon as the doctor as "do you have any questions?" my mind draws a blank so I will definitely be bringing a typed list and check mark them off. Being new to this journey there's a lot I don't even know where to begin in the question area. Thank y'all so much!!!!

Edited October 12, 201510 yr by brandylc

Here's a good one that I asked. How much weight does surgeon think you can loose if done right after surgery

My doctor office actually gave me a binder, so I will be putting it to good use. Thanks @@ShrinkingPeach

My program also gave us binders and required we bring them to every f/u appt. They were pretty thorough with explaining things so there wasn't much left to ask. A few things I would request based on the post I see on here:

• I would ask about aftercare.
• What will be done to manage constipation & acid. I would ask to be started on prescription strength stool softener and PPI or at least discharged with prescriptions.
• What availability is there in the event of an emergency?
• Will there be support throughout the food stages?

@@BLERDgirl

Thank you these are some very good questions that I have not thought about.

So is there more constipation than diarrhea?

I see many post about constipation. My doctor started me on colace while in the hospital so I had no issues. I just wonder why other doctors don't do the same.

@@BLERDgirl

Thank you these are some very good questions that I have not thought about.

So is there more constipation than diarrhea?

There are some people who have trouble with the Protein shakes giving them diarrhea, but it seems like more people have the opposite problem, myself included. The anesthesia and opiate pain meds you get in the hospital tend to cause constipation, and then I found that for the first couple months after surgery, I wasn't consuming enough Fiber to keep regular. Now I eat half an apple or a couple of prunes each day, and get fiber through oatmeal and Beans, but there for awhile, it was quite unpleasant.

I've always been pretty regular with my BM. Actually more than regular than most people. As soon as I eat I pretty much have to use the restroom not diarrhea either just normal BM. So I am kinda worried how cutting half of my stomach out will change things. I will take whatever change there is in order to feel better. Can't wait to not have pain in my ankles, back and whole body!

With my first big surgery on my ear the Dr discharged me with a prescription for colace it was a life saver I will definitely ask for that

.

Edited October 18, 201510 yr by ASUgrad

I can't remember now I think a 36

So I found out my last appointment that I will be getting a 34 bougie.