Pre Op Questions for an unknown RNY Dr.?? - ThinnerTimes

Big Guy · 11-20-2005, 10:46 AM

I am close to securing a date for an RNY and I feel I may not have asked all the important questions in regards to the Doctor, his experience, his team, his statistics, etc.
I have been searching this site and have found some but am curious to hear other opinions.

Big Guy

cprnow · 11-20-2005, 12:34 PM

Hi Big Guy - welcome! I'm pretty new here too. Let's see...when I talked with my surgeon I asked how many surgeries he has performed, their complication rate. Since at that time, I hadn't decided between the Lap band, the lap RNY, or open RNY I asked him to compare complication rates between each. Based on that discussion, and some research papers I read, I'm probably going to go with open RNY. I'm not thrilled about the incision, but I want him to have complete access and view, lol! Probably kind of stupid. But from what he told me, the incision shouldn't be as long as I originally thought....

Make sure you have a surgeon that you feel you can talk to though! You may hit it off better with some than others!

Good luck!

coptergirl · 11-20-2005, 12:43 PM

Hey Big Guy...

A lot of your general surgery questions can be answered by doing online/book research, and reading the testimonials of "those who have gone before". This research will spark "doctor specific" questions (some mandate a liquid diet for 1 week post op, and some do 2-3 weeks). Whether or not your surgeon is "for you": seek out his bedside manner, how thoroughly he answers your questions (do you feel rushed, etc.), and how attentive he is to you. Check out what GB boards he belongs to (things may be different out of the country), how long has he been doing the RNY lap, and how long he has been doing the RNY open? Ask him to expain in detail the surgery you end up choosing. Ask him about after care: what kind of pain can you expect, and how do they plan to control it? After surgery, can his offices be reached any time in case of questions/emergencies?

I am sure you will think of many more questions to ask in your reasearch. If you feel uneasy at all about your surgeon, seek out another - this is your life you are talking about!

I wish you the very best of luck with your procedure. please feel free to post with updates (we love those) or with any other questions you may have. We are all family here

Alleusion · 11-20-2005, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cprnow

Hi Big Guy - welcome! I'm pretty new here too. Let's see...when I talked with my surgeon I asked how many surgeries he has performed, their complication rate. Since at that time, I hadn't decided between the Lap band, the lap RNY, or open RNY I asked him to compare complication rates between each. Based on that discussion, and some research papers I read, I'm probably going to go with open RNY. I'm not thrilled about the incision, but I want him to have complete access and view, lol! Probably kind of stupid. But from what he told me, the incision shouldn't be as long as I originally thought....

Make sure you have a surgeon that you feel you can talk to though! You may hit it off better with some than others!

Good luck!

You know I thought the same way as you and asked the doctor about it when I had my pre-op. After talking to my doctor and actually watching a video of the procedure, I was assured that during that they have total visibility and access. And an off topic bit of useless info....Dr. Wittgrove was one of the doctors that helped design the Lap procedure and instruments. If there are any complications during surgery, they will do open. It's one of the things that they discuss with you.

cprnow · 11-20-2005, 02:03 PM

Yes - that is true, they will convert the lap to open if they need to.

There is one other reason I think I'm going to have open - the surgeon I have has done over 1000 of those, and he hasn't done as many lap. I guess I'm just being weird about it, because visually I WOULD prefer the lap.

coptergirl brought up good questions about aftercare - I just realized I need to know more about that. Make a list of the questions you have as you think of them, otherwise you might forget to ask them all!

coptergirl · 11-20-2005, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cprnow

coptergirl brought up good questions about aftercare - I just realized I need to know more about that. Make a list of the questions you have as you think of them, otherwise you might forget to ask them all!

Sorry...its me again. I am voraciously reading everything I can get my hands on about this surgery (side effect of quitting smoking, I guess), and am finishing up reading Carnie Wilson's 1st book called "Gut Feelings: From Fear and Despair to health and Hope". There is a TON of questions anwered by the experts in the back of the book - from Dr. Whittgorve himself (who did Carnie's GB surgery) to the nutritionalist to the endocronologist and more. Super informative, and you can get the book on Amazon.com or at any Barnes and Noble or Borders if they're in your area. Happy reading!

Doc J · 11-21-2005, 08:02 AM

Make sure your surgeon has performed at least 100 procedures. The complication rate falls way off after 100.

eyesthatkissu · 11-21-2005, 08:22 AM

Actually, it's over 200. And if you can find a surgeon that has done even more, you'd be in better hands. Dr. Callery was at over 2700 when he performed mine last month. Good luck!

SD_Johnsons · 11-21-2005, 10:53 AM

I had to deal with that as well. My surgery is at a Naval Medical Hospital with a new program. My doctor has assisted in many surgeries, but has done less than 50. This had me scared. Just like when I was out of grad school, I had clients question my knowledge. I probably new more of the cutting edge infomration and had the info in the front of my mind more than therapists that had been practicing for years. You might want to check who the doctor has assisted surgeries with. He may have learned from the "best".
Just a thought.

Snubby241 · 11-21-2005, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyesthatkissu

Actually, it's over 200. And if you can find a surgeon that has done even more, you'd be in better hands. Dr. Callery was at over 2700 when he performed mine last month. Good luck!

Yah! Go Doctor C!!!