How to Talk to a Gastric Bypass Surgeon

Discussing gastric bypass with a surgeon is often difficult. Candidates for the surgery may be embarrassed when asked to talk about the problems caused by being extremely overweight. They may also not have the knowledge and vocabulary required to effectively communicate their questions and concerns. Read on to learn how to talk to a gastric bypass surgeon.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bariatric surgeon
• Primary care physician

1. Use your primary care physician to get a basic understanding of the things you will be discussing with the bariatric surgeon.

2. Become familiar with terms used to discuss weight. Body mass index (BMI) is the formula used to calculate obesity. It is a ratio of weight to height. A BMI of 40 is considered extremely dangerous to the health.

3. Call the doctor's office ahead of time and ask for tapes or books about the procedures you are considering.

4. Ask your doctor for names of patients who would be willing to discuss their experiences with you. After a discussion with a post operative patient, you will know better how to approach your surgeon.

5. Collect your thoughts in a journal or on a tape recorder. Keep the journal with you whenever you are reading or talking about the procedure.

6. Jot down your questions and important parts of the answers you receive in your journal.

7. Catalog the problems your weight causes for you in your journal. It's important for your surgeon to know the things that bother or worry you the most about your obesity. These concerns will help your surgeon know the right surgical approach.

8. Talk to the doctor about your expectations for the surgery. People often go into gastric surgery expecting to come out thin the other side which does not happen.

9. Ask your doctor about using email for questions which you may be too shy to discuss.

10. Make use of all the resources in the doctor's office. Surgeons often have trusted nurse practitioners working with them. They may be able to help you phrase your questions for the doctor or more fully explain certain issues to you.

11. Look for a doctor who encourages questions. All things being equal, you should choose a doctor with whom you have an affinity.

Tips & Warnings

• Undergoing gastric bypass surgery affects people in many unexpected ways. It also causes lifestyle changes that many patients are unprepared to deal with emotionally and physically, despite intensive counseling.
• You will need to have complete trust in every member of your medical team. If you are uncomfortable with your surgeon, do not go ahead with the procedure no matter how well recommended the doctor is.

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