Weight-loss surgery - before - what to ask your doctor

Weight-loss surgery is done to help you lose weight and get healthier. After the surgery, you will not be able to eat as much as before. Depending on the type of surgery you have, your body may not absorb all the calories from the food you eat.

Below are some questions you may want to ask your health care provider before you have weight-loss surgery.

Questions

What are the reasons someone should have weight-loss surgery?

• Why is weight-loss surgery not a good choice for everyone who is overweight or obese?
• What is diabetes ? High blood pressure ? High cholesterol ? Sleep apnea ? Severe arthritis ?

  Diabetes

  Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.

   

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  High blood pressure

  Blood pressure is a measurement of the force exerted against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood to your body. Hypertension is the ...

   

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  High cholesterol

  Cholesterol is a fat (also called a lipid) that your body needs to work properly. Too much bad cholesterol can increase your chance of getting heart...

   

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  Sleep apnea

  Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a problem in which your breathing pauses during sleep. This occurs because of narrowed or blocked airways.

   

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  Arthritis

  Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. A joint is the area where 2 bones meet. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis....

   

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Are there are other ways of losing weight that I should try beside surgery?

• What is a nutritionist or a dietitian? Why should I make an appointment to see one?
• What is a weight-loss program?

What are the different types of weight-loss surgery?

• What is the scar like for each type of surgery?
• Is there a difference in how much pain I will have afterward?
• Is there a difference in how long it will take to get better?

What is the best surgery to help me lose weight and keep it off?

• How much weight will I lose? How fast will I lose it? Will I continue to lose weight?
• What will eating be like after weight-loss surgery?

What can I do before surgery to lower my risk of complications? For which of my medical problems (such as diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure) do I need to see my doctor before the surgery?

How can I get my home ready before I go to the hospital?

• How much help will I need when I come home?
• Will I be able to get out of bed by myself?
• How do I make sure my home will be safe for me?
• What type of supplies will I need when I get home?
• Do I need to rearrange my home?

How can I prepare myself emotionally for the surgery? What types of feelings can I expect to have? Can I talk to people who have had weight-loss surgery?

What medicines should I take the day of the surgery? Are there any medicines that I should not take the day of the surgery?

What will the surgery and my stay in the hospital be like?

• How long will the surgery last?
• What type of anesthesia will be used? Are there choices to consider?
• Will I be in a lot of pain after surgery? What will be done to relieve the pain?
• How soon will I be able to get up and move around?

What will my wounds be like? How do I take care of them?

How active can I be when I get home? How much can I lift? When will I be able to drive? When will I be able to return to work?

When will my first follow-up appointment be after surgery? How often will I need to see the doctor during the first year after my surgery? Will I need to see specialists other than my surgeon?