Having a consultation with a surgeon before deciding to have bariatric surgery – or any kind of surgery, for that matter – is an important part of the decision process and essential to having a good, safe surgical experience.
Consultations can teach you more about the clinic you’re researching, the programs they offer as well as the surgeons and the staff who are actually performing the procedure. It can make you confident in your decision to have surgery, as well as to inform the surgeon of any current medical conditions you are dealing with to make sure the procedure goes as smoothly as possible.
When you come in for the consultation, it can sometimes be a little intimidating. With so many questions you may have, we rounded up the top 5 key questions to ask at your consult:
1. How long has the surgeon been practicing for?
This question is important for many reasons, but particularly because it will tell you how experienced and knowledgeable your surgeon is. More importantly, how long has the surgeon been practicing at that specific clinic? Be sure to also ask how long they have been performing bariatric (weight loss) surgery.
2. Am I a good candidate for weight loss surgery?
Surgeons will be able to tell you during your consultation whether you are a candidate for weight loss surgery, because not everyone can be. There are many factors to consider with your medical history and is not solely based just on your weight.
In some cases, you can be the right candidate for a procedure you may not have considered, but the surgeon will be the one to know best and can steer you in the right direction.
3. How can this surgery affect other health problems I may have?
Weight loss surgery has shown positive effects towards obesity-related health problems that many people face, such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Be sure to let you surgeon know about your health, and they will be able to tell you how this surgery will affect you specifically, as well as let you know what you need to do to be ready for your procedure.
4. What type of follow-up care will I receive after the surgery?
Follow-up care is very important when considering having a surgical procedure. You can have many questions and concerns post-op, and having a medical professional to soothe those worries is essential.
Here at SmartShape, we believe that follow-up care is paramount to having a good bariatric surgery experience. Many weight loss centres send you away after surgery to figure everything out on your own – but here, we provide a 5-Year AfterCare program to make sure you lose the weight and keep it off, long-term.
5. What lifestyle changes will I need to make after having surgery?
Much to society’s perception, weight loss surgery isn’t the easy way out – you do not experience immediate weight loss after surgery. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly will help you lose weight and keep that weight off for good.
At SmartShape, we have Registered Dietitians and a Nursing team that will be with you during your weight loss journey.
Make sure to ask the surgeon about what they offer in terms of follow-up care, because if they don’t offer anything, you may be better off having your surgery performed elsewhere.
Please feel free to use these questions as well as your own inquiries to ask at your consultation. These are by no means the only questions to ask, but be sure to have them all written down before consulting with your surgeon.
Lose Weight With SmartShape™
SmartShape Weight Loss Centre has helped over 6,000 patients improve their quality of life and achieve sustained weight loss since the clinic opened in 2005, and continues to be the leading provider of proven weight loss programs in Canada.
Our fully-qualified surgeons perform four life-changing weight loss procedures:
- The Mini Gastric Bypass
- The Gastric Sleeve
- LAP-BAND® adjustments (for SmartShape patients)
- Revision Surgery
If you’re ready to learn more about your weight loss surgery options, feel free to contact us at (888) 278-7952 or book a free consultation to speak with a specialist.