Do you have to tell?

I went to the dentist last week for a routine cleaning.   One that I have gone to for almost 25 years.  Turns out when they moved they misplaced my chart and I had to fill out all the paperwork again.  Part of the  questionnaire was about surgeries.  I didn't put down my sleeve.   I didn't see how that related to my teeth (well I suppose my c-sections didn't either ! )  but it made me think.  Do you have to tell?

I told my dentist last week when I got a root canal but it was a new dentist for me. I know it may have been weirder for me if I had gone to the same dentist for 25 years. I think it's up to you truthfully.

  I just went to the dentist last week also.  It was my first visit & It asked, I did write it down.  Suppose
your in the chair and the dentist does something or you take ill and they need to send you to the ER.
  The main reason I wrote it down was because of being on Heparin, that is very important for the dentist to know because of drilling or cleaning your teeth.   Of course, the entire office was asking me
about the operation, what I had done, how much I lost.  I felt like a celebrity!  ha!

Why would you not tell your dentist or any other medical professional that you've had WLS?

I have had breast cancer and had a bilateral mastectomy. To me that's a much more intimate detail than WLS and I don't hesitate to give that information to a medical professional.

Different things are more or less personal to different people. Not in any way saying that your surgeries are any more or less important, but it is up to the patient what you want to disclose, in all reality.

Personally, I would tell them - I am not ashamed or embarrassed, you would be surprised - most people are really supportive, and those who aren't can kiss my ass, chances are its out of jealousy or spite anyway.

Do whatever makes you comfortable.
Good luck

Of course, you are correct about personal preferences and things that make us uncomfortable and I understand completely deciding to not share a WLS history with a lay person. I consider my dentist as another doctor on my team of health care providers, but I suppose everyone doesn't.

My endocrinologist knows. My gastroenterologist knows. My allergist and pcp know. Even my dermatologist knows.  In general, I tell healthcare providers.  My dentist does not know. I just didn't think of it, but I didn't have forms to fill out like you did.  I'm not worried about it though. My emergency contact and PCP know about my surgery, and they are in the dentist's files.  Also, I just go in for a cleaning. I'm sure if I needed to be put under anesthesia there would be more questions and then I would simply answer. I'm not going to stress over it.

I like my doctors. If I feel that one is less than professional or supportive, I would dump them. I'm not very tolerant of bad service at this stage of my life.

 
Any major surgery should be included in your medical history. Having 80-85% of stomach removed can effect medications prescribed such as pain medications, antiboitics etc. You nutritional status is different from someone that has not had the sleeve surgery. So yes make sure to include everything anytime in the ED , new specialist,etc

Thank you everyone for your input.   All of my other medical doctors and professionals know.  For some reason I just really felt odd telling them at the dentists office.   Like someone says my emergency contact is my PCP and she knows.  

After some thought and getting some great feedback next time I go I will have my records updated to be safe.

You guys are great !