Guest guest Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 Hi, Jenn ~~ I found this list somewhere on this site, but can't find it again, so this is what I saved: might want to discuss: * for this procedure, what are the pros? the cons? * how many of these procedures have you performed? * can I speak to your former patients? * how will the peristalsis be affected? will it improve? no change? * how long after the procedure before I see changes in eating abilities? * what kinds of changes should I expect? what degree of improvement? * what symptoms would indicate a problem? * under what conditions should I not hesitate to contact you? * is the surgery a one-time-only procedure? if it is unsuccessful, what is my next step? * what will the pre-op preparation consist of? * how long does the surgery take to perform? * how many incisions will I have? where located? stitches to be removed? scarring? * how long will I be hospitalized? * what will my diet be like post-operatively? for how long? * what will be my post-operative limitations? * what kind of care should I require at home? * how long before returning to normal activities? * what kind of activities should I avoid post-operatively? for how long? * what will my post-op pain control be in hospital? at home? * what kind of post-op testing or check-ups will you require? when? A lot of it is actually likely already covered in handouts you'll get from them. Hope it helps. xox, (WV) > > I am working on a list. What all should I be asking him? > > Jenn > Sent from my CrackBerry® powered by Virgin Mobile. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 Greg, I was like you, had the HM and could not eat much. You mentioned you had a dilation. Do you mind sharing the size of the dilation? Thanks. Barb > > Just be sure this Dr. is right for the surgery and right for you. I had a HM in November 2010. I didn't help me one bit. After I went back to the surgeon. He said, " Well 95% of the people it helps, but you are one of the 5% that it doesn't " . He referred me to another surgeon about taking my esophagus out. That was pretty scary stuff to me. I would be sitting here today without one if I took their advice. I decided to see if I could get by on dilatations. I finally got with a Gastro doctor who gave me the right balloon dilatation and I'm now 5 weeks post that. I have not had to regurg any food at all in that time. Eating is pretty much a breeze for me now. I can eat anything I want. Yesterday I enjoyed a nice steak at Applebee's. > > I'm not saying don't have the surgery, I'm just saying be sure. I wish I had been able to talk to some other patients of this surgeon, before my surgery. I asked him about that, he said it wasn't possible. That didn't surprise me. He and his Nurse Practitioner both seemed very competent and sincere before and immediately after the HM. > > FWIW, > > Greg > > > > > >> > Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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