First Set of Questions for Surgeon

Jan 10, 2011

After looking back at my profile I realized that I forgot to post my first set of questions for my surgeon.  So here they are.

Surgeon
> How many surgeries have you preformed?
> How often do you perform weight loss surgeries?
> Which surgery option do you perform most?

Insurance
> Is Smart for Life an acceptable diet program for the 6-month requirement?
> Having lost weight and gained it back, does that qualify as failing a program?
> What is the estimated cost?
> Does insurance cover all expenses related to the surgery (hospitalization, medicines, etc.)?
> Do you have financing for my portion of the expenses?

Complications
> How often do your patients have complications?
> What is the most common complication?
> What has been the worst complication with your patients?
> Are there ways to avoid complications?
> How many patients of yours have needed follow-up surgery?
> Is follow-up surgery covered by insurance?

General
> At what point is it truly necessary to consider this procedure?
> Does my previous weight loss effect your opinion on me needing the surgery?
> Which surgery would be best for me? 
       > Is it a laparoscopic surgery?
       > What is my normal weight range and what is the expected weight loss?
       > When will the weight loss start?
> Why don’t you recommend the other surgery options for me?
> What pre-op and post-op tests do you conduct?
> Does the anesthesia make the patient sleep throughout the surgery?
> Is the surgery performed at the hospital?
> Is there a weight loss unit at the hospital?
> Is there someone on call during non-office hours?
> How bad will the scars be?
> How long before I can get pregnant?
> What are the details of recovery (time, pain, etc.)?
> How often and what type of follow-up care will there be?
> What are the long-term medical needs (vitamins, surgery, medications)?
> What percentage of people gain weight back?
> Does the stomach stretch back to its original size over time?
> With my age and having no children, do you foresee me needing plastic surgery?
> Is there nutrition, psychological, exercise, etc. support after the surgery?

Good luck!

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