Correct questions to ask surgeon about sleeve

 Ok, I am on the path at the moment of trying to decide on which WLS or to do it at all as some of you know. I am down to the RNY and the sleeve. I am going to be seeing my surgeon next month and for over a year now I have seen him a couple times and we have always been set on the RNY. I JUST found out recently that his office has been doing the sleeve and it has only been a couple of years. My advocate over there said if i was interested in the sleeve I must speak to him. Fine, I can do that. 

What kind of questions should i be asking him, ESPECIALLY since his team are fairly new to this surgery. They are great doctors and have been doing the band and RNY for quite a few years and this is their proud statement:

Based in Reno, Nevada; Western Bariatric Institute is one of the most comprehensive bariatric centers in the country.

Our physicians are all experienced Board Certified surgeons, are Fellows with the American College of Surgeons, and have been accredited as "Center of Excellence" physicians through the American Society for Bariatric Surgery.

SO do I need to be seriously concerned about how much experience they have in this particular type of surgery? What should I ask? 

I also from time to time see certain posts about "does your surgeon cut this percentage or that percentage" ( i think it was like 20% or 30%) if someone understands what I am asking, can you explain that to me a little bit?

Thanks 

 

How many sleeves has he done? 
How many and what kind of complications have his sleeves had?
What size bougie does he use?  Does he oversew the staple line?
What % of excess weight have his sleevers lost?
Who trained him to do the sleeve and how many did he do with assistance before doing them solo?
What are his post-op eating plans and are they different for the sleeve vs other WLS?

The bougie question will partially explain how much of the stomach he takes out.  It all depends on how tight around the bougie he cuts, which can drastically affect how large or small the final stomach becomes.  A too-big sleeve might be an indication that he's not had a lot of experience.  A too-small sleeve may result in more complications if he's not highly skilled.  It could also lead to more post-op heartburn.

Decisions, decisions!  This is something worth researching to the Nth degree!

 Thank you so much and i totally agree. I have a lot to figure out :)

If you have ever had trouble with reflux, heartburn, etc. you may have a hiatal hernia.  Many surgeons will check for a hernia and repair it if you have one.  This is VERY IMPORTANT.  It will save you much discomfort in the long run.  In case you don't know, a Hiatal hernia is a condition in which part of the stomach sticks upward into the chest, through an opening in the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the sheet of muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. It is used in breathing.  The surgeon will put a few stitches closing the enlarged opening and preventing the stomach from sliding through to the chest cavity.