Weight Loss Surgery Questions

My Weight Loss
Surgery Questions

61-70

61. I’ve read that my blood sugars may normalize within just a few days after the surgery. Does the diabetes actually ‘go away’ or is it like it is ‘in remission’? Will have I need to consider myself diabetic for the rest of my life?

After gastric bypass surgery, 98% of Type II Diabetics are cured. No, it is not a remission ,it is a cure!

62. How does Dr. Johnell close the incision? Staples? Or the way plastic surgery is closed to minimize scarring? If staples, are these the type that must be removed later?

Incisions after laparoscopic surgery are closed with absorbable suture, and steri-stripped. Open incisions are closed with staples and are removed over the course of a few weeks.

63. Page 12 of the patient handbook states that Dr. Johnell doesn’t use NG tubes. Page 14 contradicts this and says “When OK with the radiologist and surgeon, the NG tube will be removed…” Which is correct?

That was a typo in the handbook, and it has since been rewritten! Dr. Johnell used to use NG tubes in all his patients after GBP, but subsequently decided that they were widely unnecessary.

64. Which anesthesiologists does Dr. Johnell use?

Dr. Johnell uses Dr. Matt Flaherty, Dr. Chris Mills, Dr. Milton Dick, and Dr. Pat Koontz for anesthesia on his patients.

65. How long does the catheter stay in after surgery?

The foley catheter is removed the day after surgery in gastric bypass patients. Lap-Band patients do not have foleys placed at all.

66. Does Dr. Johnell have problems with constriction of the new openings into or out of the pouch with many patients? How is this corrected if a problem develops?

We have seen very little problem with narrowing of the outlet of the pouch. The entrance to the pouch is unchanged in surgery from its pre-surgery anatomy. Treatment for pouch outlet narrowing (aka: stenosis) is typically a series of endoscopies for dilation of the outlet, and is performed by a gastroenterologist.

67. Will I be in ICU after the surgery?

If Dr. Johnell has told you that you will have an open procedure, then you will go to the ICU for observation for 24 hours.

68. Will I be in a private or semi-private room in the hospital?

Most GBP patients have a private room unless there is a "crnuch" for beds. In this case there is an attempt made to put two GBP patients or two Lap-Band patients together in the semi-private room. You can request a private room, but if you don't already have one, there probably are no private beds available.

69. Are the staples used to create the pouch the same type of staples used internally for gallbladder surgery?

No, the staples are different for each type of surgery.

70. What do you recommend patients do to prepare for the surgery and new way of life after surgery?

We very recently added a behaviorist to work with patients in a series of four life-change sessions that are required. Since you came in for your consultation visit prior to the new policy, the sessions are not mandatory. Patients such as yourself may attend the sessions if they wish, by calling our behaviorist to make a reservation, and find out about her fees.

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mossman2@attbi.com
Last updated on 11/1/02