rubyredslippers
Surgeon Q&A
Dec 01, 2010
Just thought I would share the questions I asked my surgeon at my 1-week pre-op appointment today (Dec. 7 surgery). Naturally, every surgeon will have different answers and these are just summaries of what my surgeon said.
Q. What are the side affects of removing the Ghrelin hormone?
A. They do not know the long-term affects, but it will suppress your appetite for 12-18 months. What they found is that your body will start developing Ghrelin in other areas after about that time so you will get your appetite back.
Q. When is the catheter in?
A. Goes in when you're under anesthesia. Comes out in the hospital when you're awake but shouldn't hurt.
Q. Will there be a drain?
A. Yes, goes in while you're under. Comes out in the hospital when you're awake and it feels "weird".
Q. Do Gas X Strips help and is it okay to use them?
A. It is okay to use them, but there is no real information on if they help. About 90 percent of the gas is removed from your intestine and stomach after surgery. Pains often come from the stomach spasms and the intestine not knowing which way to flow. The flow stops after surgery and takes about 3-5 days to get back to normal.
Q. How large is the sleeve?
A. The actual french number doesn't really say much because a tight 40 could be the same as a loose 32. So it's really just a number, but he uses a guide that allows for a 38.
Q. Do you use stitches or glue over the staples inside?
A. He uses a reinforcement that dissolves after 4-6 weeks. You definitely want to use something, but none of the options have been proven to be better then others.
Q. Do you perform a leak test?
A. Yes, he actually performs 3 of them while you're still in the hospital. The first is done during surgery by submersing the staple area in water while forcing air through and looking for bubbles. I can't remember the details of the second one, but it is done during surgery through another endoscopy. The third and last one is done by testing the fluids from your drain for saliva. If saliva is found, that means there is a leak.
Q. Is there anything I can take for nausea after surgery?
A. Nausea is typically due to the anesthetic, which generally happens within the first 12 hours after surgery. So the hospital staff will give you something as needed, but he usually doesn't send you home with anything.
Q. How long do I need to be on pain medicine?
A. As long as you need - liquid Lortab. He gave me the prescription today so I can get it filled before surgery.
Q. With my developing ulcers, should I stop caffeine consumption forever?
A. A large part of the stomach that produces acid will be removed so the chances are decreased, but there will still be a part left that can produce acid so I should probably stop the caffeine. But some tea or small amounts of caffeine here and there are fine.
Q. Why do some people have their gallbladder removed and others (like me) don't?
A. If you're not having issues with it, there is no reason to take it out. Laparoscopic removal is difficult and he puts all WLS patients on Actigal for 6 months after surgery to help prevent stones, etc.
Q. Will I need to crush my medicines or will I be able to swallow with the sleeve?
A. You will probably need to cut the large pills in half, but should be able to take a sip of water to get them down just fine.
Q. I heard you shouldn't have red liquids before surgery.
A. No, that doesn't matter.
I think that's all I asked....which seems to be a super long list now that I've typed it out. 
I hope this helps someone else as much as it did me.
