Have an appointment with the surgeon next Thurs

[masonpips]

I went to my primary care dr. today for the results of my nuclear test and my ejection fration is 9.2%. Anything under 35% is "normal" and even the most conservative of drs usually take it out without blinking at anything <20%. Obviously, my gallbladder functions barely and the recent attacks are expected to continue/get worse if I don't have it out.

I had a co-worker go through this about 3 months ago so I'm seeing her surgeon (my eye dr. who is also a personal friend recommended him as well), and my primary care guy said "he's on my list of 3 I'd suggest".

We're relatively new to town so I don't know many other people to ask for recommendations so I feel ok with this guy. Are there specific questions you asked at your surgery consultation? I have no gallstones whatsoever, so the surgery isn't needed this week, but I anticipate scheduling it fairly quickly (last week of July/early Aug).

My thoughts so far:
how many of these have you done?
how many turn into "open" surgeries?
how many have complications?

others?

[Katie G]

Originally Posted by masonpips

I went to my primary care dr. today for the results of my nuclear test and my ejection fration is 9.2%. Anything under 35% is "normal" and even the most conservative of drs usually take it out without blinking at anything <20%. Obviously, my gallbladder functions barely and the recent attacks are expected to continue/get worse if I don't have it out.

I had a co-worker go through this about 3 months ago so I'm seeing her surgeon (my eye dr. who is also a personal friend recommended him as well), and my primary care guy said "he's on my list of 3 I'd suggest".

We're relatively new to town so I don't know many other people to ask for recommendations so I feel ok with this guy. Are there specific questions you asked at your surgery consultation? I have no gallstones whatsoever, so the surgery isn't needed this week, but I anticipate scheduling it fairly quickly (last week of July/early Aug).

My thoughts so far:
how many of these have you done?
how many turn into "open" surgeries?
how many have complications?

others?

Your list sounds like a good start, but be careful of asking how many had complications because everyone is different how they react to surgery. Maybe ask what kinds of complications might be expected vs. asking how many of this doctor's patients had complications. My surgeon gave me an informational booklet related to GB surgery and I did a lot of web searches too. That way I could go back to him with questions as needed.

There are lots of postings on this board related to GB symptoms and surgery outcomes that I know you'll find helpful.

Keep us posted on what happens,
Katie G