Questions to Ask About Lap-Band Surgery
When consulting a bariatric surgeon about Lap-Band surgery, it is important to ask as many questions as possible beforehand. You have many factors to consider when making the decision to undergo weight loss surgery and you should not hesitate in asking questions. A reputable surgeon will welcome your concerns and make sure you get the information you need. The more you learn and the better you understand what to expect, the better you will be able to make an informed and confident decision.
Questions to Ask the Lap-Band Surgeon
- Are you the doctor who will be doing the surgery? (You want to talk to the surgeon!)
- Are you a Board Certified Surgeon?
- Are you a member of any professional organizations that relate to bariatric surgery?
- What types of weight loss surgery procedures have you performed?
- How many Lap-Band surgeries have you performed?
- What percentage of your practice is dedicated to bariatric and/or Lap-Band procedures?
- Have you completed any special training in advanced laparoscopic surgery?
- Have you completed any special training in bariatric surgery?
- Are you a member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS)?
- What results have you seen in your other patients?
- Do you have other Lap-Band patients who I could talk to about their experiences?
- Do you provide any support groups and/or counseling services?
Weight loss surgery is complex and should be performed by a surgeon who has appropriate experience and expertise. You can learn much about a doctor by the degrees and/or titles he has earned, if he is a member of any professional organizations related to obesity and weight loss surgery, and his or her reputation in the medical community.
You want to find out if your weight loss doctor is Board Certified in Surgery. In addition to becoming a medical doctor (M.D.), a doctor can go thru additional training and become "Board Certified" in a specialty field of medicine. Certification by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) is a voluntary process in the United States but it is an important tool in the medical field that indicates knowledge, experience, and skill in a specialty field.
Board Certified Surgeons may also choose to go thru an additional evaluation process in order to become a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The process is rigorous, but acceptance establishes the surgeon as professionally competent and ethically sound. Fellowship is indicated by the post-nominal title "F.A.C.S."
Questions About the Lap-Band Surgery
- Am I a good candidate for weight loss surgery?
- Is Lap-Band surgery the best procedure for me?
- What happens before surgery? What pre-operative tests or evaluations are done?
- Will I have to lose weight before the surgery? Why? How much?
- What are the potential risks and potential complications?
- Where will the surgery be done?
- What takes place during the procedure? Will the surgery be performed laparoscopically?
- How long will I be in surgery? How long will I stay in the hospital?
- What happens after surgery? What is the recovery time? How will pain be managed?
- How is follow-up care (post-op, adjustments, and long-term care) scheduled and billed?
- How long after surgery will I be able to drive? Resume sexual activity? Other activities?
- Will I be able to take medications and/or oral contraceptives after surgery?
- What will my new diet and eating behaviors be with the Lap-Band?
- Will I be taking protein supplements? Vitamins?
- Will I be able to smoke?
- Will I have to exercise?
- What are Lap-Band surgery costs? Insurance coverage? Payment options?
- What results can I expect with Lap-Band Surgery?
- What will be expected of me as a Lap-Band surgery patients?
