Are you considering weight-loss surgery in phoenix? You’re not alone! More than 100,000 people in the US had weight-loss surgery last year. But before you go under the knife, there are some weight loss surgery questions to ask your doctor.
- What is the best weight loss procedure for me? – your doctor will know exactly what procedure to recommend, and he or she is the best person to ask about procedures. If appropriate, your doctor may also suggest other medical professionals you can consult for this question, such as a nutritionist.
- How many times have you done this procedure? – it’s important to know that your doctor has experience in doing the procedure. If he/she says 5, 10, or 20 times, then ask him or her how many of those cases were successful (i.e., how many patients went on to lose weight and keep it off). Again, your doctor will be able to provide this information.
- What are the risks? – there are certain risks associated with weight loss surgery, such as an inability to eat normally after the procedure and a chance of not losing much weight or none. Ask your doctor directly about these risks, including any specific actions you need to take before weight loss surgery to minimize them. Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions; doctors appreciate that, and your questions will help you make an informed decision about whether this procedure is right for you.
- Are there alternatives to this procedure? – your doctor may suggest a different type of weight loss surgery or something else you can do in the short term, like exercising and eating healthier food. Ask if these alternatives are appropriate for your needs.
- What are the risks of not having this procedure? There are also risks associated with not undergoing weight-loss surgery, including potential health problems from excessive weight gain, psychological problems, and social problems. Ask your doctor about these risks, too.
- What are my chances of losing weight with this procedure? – if you’re considering weight-loss surgery, then you’re probably ready to lose weight. So think about how successful you really can be after the procedure at keeping the excess pounds off. Find out how much your doctor thinks you can lose and what the average weight loss for his/her patients is. Ask if he/she knows of any specific patient who has had a lot more than average success at keeping off excess pounds.
- How much will this surgery cost? – because there are different types of weight loss procedures, the costs will also vary from one to another. the doctor will probably be able to give you some ideas of what he or she thinks your surgery would cost.
- What changes will I have to make after surgery? – what changes will you have to make before and after surgery? The better you know what is expected of you, the easier it will be to prepare for your weight loss surgery. Besides asking about things like eating and drinking habits, find out if there are other ways that you should change your behavior – such as quitting smoking or reducing stress in your life.
What are the chances that my insurance will cover this procedure? – weigh the costs of the procedure against any potential savings from insurance. Private health insurance companies don’t cover many weight loss surgeries, but some will be if you can prove that the surgery is medically necessary. So, make sure that you know whether your specific procedure is covered under your policy before proceeding with surgery. If it’s not, or even if it is, there might be a high deductible or other financial requirements that you will have to pay for out of pocket.
