General

How many surgeries have you done?

What type of surgery do you plan to perform?

Do you perform distal or proximal?

Have you had any patients die on the table or post-op due to complications?

How long does the surgery take?

Do you remove the gallbladder?

How big is the pouch after surgery?

How far will the pouch stretch over time?

Do you totally separate the new stomach pouch from the rest of the stomach?

Do you cut the acid producing nerve to prevent ulcers and could this cause any problems in the future?

Do you or why won't you use Surgical strips rather then staples?

Do you issue a medical alert card for patients to carry with them in case of emergency?

Do you do a liver biopsy and why?

How long will I be in recovery?

What type of pain management will be provided?

Will I have an epidural?

How long will I be in ICU?

Will I have a nasal tube?

Will I be on a ventilator?

Will I need a catheter?

Will there be drainage tube from the incision and how long can I expect them to stay in?

Will I need a binder and does the hospital provide one?
How soon after surgery will I be allowed fluids?

Will someone go speak to my husband as soon as surgery is over?

Will I have a private room, or will I share it?

How long prior to surgery will I have to be admitted to the hospital?

How long will the hospital stay be barring any complications?

Does the hospital have gowns large enough for me or will I need to bring something of my own?

Am I required to stay in the hospital until I have a bowel movement?

How soon after surgery can I get up and walk? Will there be someone available to help me get up and walk around?

What pre-op testing do you require such as blood tests, gall stone sonogram, upper GI, lung x-rays, ect. ?

What can I do to prepare for surgery?

Why do so many seem prone to hernia's after surgery?

Post-op

What should I expect in taking medications in the future as far as absorption?

Is there a list of medications that I can't take in pill form anymore? Such as antibiotics?

How much calcium should I take a day?

I understand I will always need B-12 shots, how often do I need them and when should I start getting them?

Is there any other way to get the required amount of B-12 other than shots?

What type of vitamins will I need to take and what dosage?

Is there any risk of cancer or other problems in the bypassed portion of the stomach? How will any problems with this portion of the stomach be detected in the future?

Do you supply a diet to follow post-op?

What kind of post-op care/help will I require once I am released from the hospital?

How much weight can I expect to lose after surgery and how fast?

What percentage of calories and fat will my body absorb post-op?

How many grams of protein will I need to get in every day after surgery?

What supplements or medications will I need to take after surgery?

What type of exercise do you recommend and at what stage post-op?

Can the surgery be reversed in the future if medically necessary?

What type of follow ups are required and how frequent?