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Thread: Questions

  1. #1
    Gastric Sleeve Member MommyKat3's Avatar
    I have not had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Katina
    Surgery date
    04/25/2017
    Surgeon
    Dr. Bleu Schniederjan
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    Mar 2017
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    Post Questions

    Hi- I have decided to get sleeved. I have done my Dr. research and have my first consultation on Monday. I have started with my list of questions for the doctor, but I don't want to miss asking something important. Any suggestions?




  2. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  3. #2
    Gastric Sleeve Member Christie13's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Christie
    Surgery date
    11/03/2016
    Surgeon
    Dr. Wright
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    Nov 2016
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    Default Re: Questions

    Ask what is included in the prices, what is the pre and post op diet requirements, what type of after care and support does your surgeon offer....ask any questions about anything that you are worried about or afraid of. Good luck!



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  5. #3
    Gastric Sleeve Member jake09's Avatar
    Surgery date
    06/23/2017
    Surgeon
    Dr. Fernando Garcia
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
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    04-21-2017 07:25 PM
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    Default Re: Questions

    ask if tipping is expected and whether they provide medical insurance in case something (heaven forbid) should happen.
    No date set as of yet

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  7. #4
    Gastric Sleeve Member Tamera2's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Tamera Anderson
    Surgery date
    01/24/2017
    Surgeon
    Dr Mario Almanza
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Last Activity
    02-04-2024 03:59 PM
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    Vancouver Wa
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    Default Re: Questions

    Hi Jake, Tipping isn't required but most of us tipped are drivers and some hotel staff but not the medical staff. The drivers and hotel staff work hard and rely on tips for some of their income. If you have a complication while down there the medical team will take care of you and shouldn't be charged extra. I required an extra test before surgery and wasn't charged extra. Hope that helps.
    Highest weight- 288 / Wt at Surgery 268
    1 month 236 -29lbs 2 month 214 -22lbs 3 month 206 -08lbs 4 month 196 -10lbs 5 month 185 -11lbs 6 month 178 -7lbs 7 month 172 -6lbs 9mos -12lbs 156 13mos later wt.144lbs, Wt.138 -150lbs in 15mos

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  9. #5
    Gastric Sleeve Member Tamera2's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Tamera Anderson
    Surgery date
    01/24/2017
    Surgeon
    Dr Mario Almanza
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Last Activity
    02-04-2024 03:59 PM
    Location
    Vancouver Wa
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    Was Thanked 673 Times in 472 Posts
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    Default Re: Questions

    Hi Kate, I'd ask the questions Christy suggested plus ask how much of the stomach your surgeon removes. A lot of the surgeons in the USA remove less stomach than the surgeons in Mexico or other countries. Its recommended to remove 85% for 100% weight loss needed, when less is removed the results can be less. Good Luck
    Highest weight- 288 / Wt at Surgery 268
    1 month 236 -29lbs 2 month 214 -22lbs 3 month 206 -08lbs 4 month 196 -10lbs 5 month 185 -11lbs 6 month 178 -7lbs 7 month 172 -6lbs 9mos -12lbs 156 13mos later wt.144lbs, Wt.138 -150lbs in 15mos

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  11. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  12. #6
    Gastric Sleeve Member Donald G's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    hmmmmm I wonder
    Surgery date
    01/24/2017
    Surgeon
    Dr Romanelli
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
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    01-09-2018 06:02 PM
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    Western Massachusetts
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    Default Re: Questions

    A couple questions I asked were
    1) Does he use stitches, staples or both on your stomach.
    2) Will you have a drain.




    Starting weight 328
    pre-op weight- 298
    1 month out- 262
    2 month out- 244
    3 month out- 227
    4 month out- 215
    5 month out- 203
    6 month out- 195
    7 month out- 194 in 1 month stall
    8 month out- 192
    9 month out-190
    10 month out-
    11 month out-
    12 month out-

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  14. #7
    Gastric Sleeve Member Kindle's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    12/20/2013
    Surgeon
    Ariel Ortiz & Arturo Martinez
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
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    Default Re: Questions

    What are his credentials.....general surgeon or specialized bariatric surgeon?
    Does he work from a bariatric specialized facility or a general hospital?
    How long has he been doing bariatric surgeries and how many VSGs has he performed? (I specifically chose a surgeon out of the country who had done over 12,000 WLSs over several local surgeons who had done no more than 500)
    What is his complication rate for leaks, strictures, GERD (yes, this can be a product of poor surgical technique).
    What size bougie does he use?
    Does he oversew the staple line or use tissue glue?
    Will you have a drain?
    What kind of postop leak tests and followup visits are included?
    How long is the typical postop hospital stay?
    Is his office available 24/7 in case of emergency?
    What are the preop and postop dietary requirements (in detail so you can prepare both mentally and grocery-wise)
    What kind of postop support does the program include.....nutritionist? Therapist? Support group meetings?

    Try and find any previous patients and ask them about their experience. This should be easy if they have a structured support group.



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  16. #8
    sraebaer
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    Default Re: Questions

    Write all your questions down, so you don't forget anything when meeting with the surgeon.

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  18. #9
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    11/04/2013
    Surgeon
    Dr. Hoehn
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    May 2013
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    08-03-2017 07:22 PM
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    MO
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    Default Re: Questions

    You might want to get the "Big Book on Gastric Sleeve" at amazon, it has what to know from day one till after surgery. It will help you alot.


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  20. #10
    Gastric Sleeve Member etsybay's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    04/11/2016
    Surgeon
    Dr Allen Mikhail
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Last Activity
    07-11-2017 12:50 PM
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    Chicago
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    Default Re: Questions

    Wow, all these great questions. I just sort of sat there & nodded. Before I even attended a weight loss seminar I knew what I wanted in a doctor:
    1. They had to accept my insurance
    2. They had to be local
    3. They had to be affiliated with a local hospital
    4. Surgery would be performed at that hospital
    5. Follow-up appointments would be in their office as well
    6. They had to have no negative reviews but I had to be able to find out a ton of information about them outside of their office
    7. I did not want to be their first patient, nor their 10th, nor even their 100th...but I wanted to feel like I was the center of their attention

    My doctor's office also includes monthly support meetings as well as holiday parties, to keep the involvement & camaraderie flowing.

    Of course, the fact that I live outside of Chicago helped as I had plenty of options.
    Slow & steady wins the race



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