NYC2009
Questions for Follow Up Care
Dec 29, 2009
The following list of questions was put together by Penni and a few others who contributed to the list.It has been very helpful to people on other LapBand support sites, and I'm fairly sure that Penni won't mind me sharing it here.
Below you will find questions to ask BEFORE your lap band operation:
1) Follow up care.
What is the schedule for fills?
When can I get my first fill?
How is the fill procedure performed? (ie: with or without fluroscopy)
What is the cost for fills? (under fluro and not)
How often will I need to be seen?
Will I have access to a Nutritionist?
How do does the doctor determine whether or not my band will need to be adjusted?
Is there a direct line in case of Emergencies?
Will I need to crush my pills? If so then for how long?
Are there any pills that cannot be crushed? If so then how will I be able to take them?
2) In the end you are the ONE person that knows your OWN body. The doctor doesn't, the nurse doesn't, your best friend's neighbor's daughter's friend's dog doesn't. Get the picture? You know when your body is telling you that something isn't right. For instant, you are nauseous, light headed, and feeling tired. Could be flu, could be low blood sugar, could be dehydration. The fact is you are being made aware that your body is not happy. So maybe drink some water, eat some protein and rest. If that doesn't work then call your doctor. Not next week not tomorrow but right then. It might be nothing but better safe than sorry.
3) If you are working the band (i.e. drinking before /after small bites forks/spoons down after bite/ protein first - all those things) as hard as you can, and you are still not losing weight, then you might need to be evaluated for metabolic issues. Do not accept the band as just another failed weight loss gimic. Push for answers.
4) Do not leave the hospital before you know exactly what your post op diet should consist of.
Including when and how to advance the diet. (ie: clear liquid, liquid, mushies, regular diet).
Also, have a clear picture of what each phase looks like. (ie: clear liquid = broths; liquids = protein drinks; mushies = mashed potatoes; regular diet = protein then veggies then carbs).
And unless YOUR doctor told you it's ok to change his or her instructions, then NO.. its NOT ok!
5) ON the issue of Pregnancy and being banded, here are some questions you might want to address.
How soon after being banded can I get pregnant?
Once pregnant, will I have to get a partial unfill or be completely unfilled?
Should I expect any issues/complications with a pregnancy after being banded? If there are any what could they be and how will they be addressed?
After being banded, are most babies delivered via c-section or can they be delivered naturally? If my baby needs to be delivered via c-section could that damage the port and tubing?
Are there additional vitamins I should take while pregnant?
If you can't keep water down and you have been suffering for days then CALL YOUR DOCTOR!!
If you are having days of reflux and a burning sensation in your belly then CALL YOUR DOCTOR!!
If you have a redness, swelling, tender, and hot area around your port then CALL YOUR DOCTOR!!
If there is just something that doesn't 'FEEL' right then CALL YOUR DOCTOR!!
If someone has more to offer then please add to this list as needed and then I will post it.
Please know that I am not suggesting that any of us aren't smart enough to know when something is wrong but sometimes we know more what to do for others than we do for ourselves.
We have to LOVE ourselves and take care of ourselves.
