Okay, my consult is scheduled for November 5th and next Tuesday, hubby and I head to Baltimore for an informational session on RNY given by our surgeon's office. I have gained so much overall general knowledge on this surgery but now am trying to think of specifically what to ask about the center we have chosen for RNY. They said to bring our questions and my mind has been swimming with what I need to ask. Suggestions? What is most important to know that they may not offer upfront?
Their statistics. How many patients have they had die? What was the cause? Whatsupports (ie. nutritional counselling) will they offer you? What will be the long term costs for follow up?
"Stef"
Does insurance generally cover follow up?
yep! and since you're going to Hopkins, make sure to ask if their patients are mostly run-of-the-mill or if they take patients that other surgeons turn away [that'll affect their post-op stats. and if they take the difficult patients AND their rate of surgical complications and deaths is within the national range [2% mortality and under 15% complications [i think that's the number], you have a winner.]
be sure to ask about things like experience of the nursing staff with taking care of pts having WLS.
Thank you! Though now I have much more time to think about it. The only bad thing about doing this together with the husband is dealing with his schedule (he is a manager for a big company and has staff etc and they love to send him places). He is now going to Atlanta next week, so I have to reschedule for the second Tuesday in November. Grrrrr.
