Questions To Ask My Surgeon at 1st Visit

**DesertGal** · 01-13-2017 01:30 PM

I see the surgeon for the first time on Monday (tomorrow I go to his seminar at the hospital) and I have questions I want to ask at my appointment on Monday. There's a possibility he could answer some at the seminar. In addition to the basic ones (how long hospital stay; what size sleeve do you feel I need -if he can tell; anti nausea meds are used; what vitamin supplements do you prefer to use afterwards?)...are there any specific ones that I should ask that I am missing?
I am just anxious to get to my last nutrition class and go from there.

**Luna354** · 01-13-2017 02:44 PM

I asked about possible complications and what complications he has specifically had with patients he operated on. I also wanted to know why, out of the five drs in his practice, I should choose him. A major worry for me was throwing up after surgery (I usually do this with anesthesia). He said there are extra things he will give me in my iv before they wake me up. Also, before surgery I discussed with anesthesiologist and he took extra precautions to help avoid it.

**DesertGal** · 01-13-2017 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by Luna354

I asked about possible complications and what complications he has specifically had with patients he operated on. I also wanted to know why, out of the five drs in his practice, I should choose him. A major worry for me was throwing up after surgery (I usually do this with anesthesia). He said there are extra things he will give me in my iv before they wake me up. Also, before surgery I discussed with anesthesiologist and he took extra precautions to help avoid it.

We think a like. Those are all on my list of questions.

sraebaer · 01-13-2017 05:32 PM

Be sure to write your questions down so you don't forget some.

My only surprise was the shots I had to take daily after surgery. I wasn't quite prepared for those. I think they were to prevent blood clots. Luckily hubby gave them to me.

The most important information, in my opinion, is what you'll get from your nutritionist. I basically had a pile of handouts giving the specifics about what vitamins I was to take daily, what kind of protein drinks/shakes were acceptable, then the whole food schedule from before to up to 6 weeks after surgery. It was my bible! I actually had fun shopping each week for what new foods I could add.

Then they never told me about stalls. I remember being so upset early on that I was eating basically nothing and not losing weight. It made no sense to my brain. (Still doesn't, but it seems to happen to almost everyone.) My advice to you is to stay off the scale early on, maybe weigh yourself once a week, or you'll drive yourself crazy.

Best of luck to you! The journey is crazy fun! Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine there would be a day when I wasn't fat, but within the blink of an eye I met my goal. Priceless.

**DesertGal** · 01-13-2017 05:41 PM

"but within the blink of an eye I met my goal. Priceless."
I LOVE that sentence, sraebaer! I was thin half of my life and remember how it felt. I want to get rid of the health issues related to all this excess baggage and once again FEEL good.

**Pam G** · 01-14-2017 02:00 PM

What size bougie does he use?

how many and where will the incisions be? (FYI, one of mine was inside my belly button, so not many scars on my belly...not that I care, but that might be important to you)

How are the incisions closed?

will I have a drain?

another FYI, I had a "caine" pump going into my abd after surgery....I had NO PAIN at all after surgery! Didn't even take a Tylenol. I pulled it out myself when it was empty, about 3 days post op. It was amazing! Ask about that. I had one for my shoulder repair....same thing. No pain after surgery. I don't know why everyone doesn't have this. Maybe insurance related?

**Pam G** · 01-14-2017 02:07 PM

I've never been thin, so it's hard for me to accept and wrap my fat girl brain around. I've lost about 85 lbs and still haven't gone clothes shopping, except for new scrubs and one pair of jeans.

Theres a a little devil on my shoulder telling me I'm just gonna gain it back, so don't spend the money. I think it's gonna take some time to get used to.

Originally Posted by DesrtGal

"but within the blink of an eye I met my goal. Priceless."
I LOVE that sentence, sraebaer! I was thin half of my life and remember how it felt. I want to get rid of the health issues related to all this excess baggage and once again FEEL good.

**Luna354** · 01-16-2017 10:38 AM

Another thing you may want to ask is what their protocol is to try to prevent blood clots. I had heprin shots and then a lovonox shot before going home.

**LoriC** · 01-16-2017 02:10 PM

I should have asked about food available for afterwards as I am vegetarian. They initially brought me chicken broth and Jello (with aspartame, yuck). So I asked for veggie broth, which they brought me but it was almost 100% SALT! I couldn't drink it and tasted it for hours after I tried. They were very sweet and someone ran to the store and got me organic veggie stock. Moral of the story, if I had asked earlier I would have brought my own liquids.