Questions to ask your doctor about MALS: printable checklist
Appointments about median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) are often short, and the condition is debated among doctors. A written list helps you get the answers you need. Tick the questions that matter to you, print the page and take it with you.
Before testing: is it MALS?
- What do you think is causing my symptoms, and what else could it be?
- Which common causes of pain after eating have already been ruled out, and which tests are still needed?
- Should I keep a meal and symptom diary before the next visit?
- Is my weight loss a concern that needs attention now?
During testing
- Which test will you use first (duplex ultrasound, CT angiography, MR angiography), and why?
- Will blood flow be measured both when I breathe in and when I breathe out?
- Who will read the scan, and do they often see MALS?
- If the scan shows compression, how will we know it is the cause of my symptoms?
- Is a celiac plexus block useful in my case, and what would its result tell us?
If surgery is suggested
- Why do you recommend surgery for me, and what happens if I wait?
- Which approach do you use (open, laparoscopic, robotic) and why?
- How many operations for MALS has your team done, and what results do you see?
- What are the main risks, and how often do they happen in your hands?
- What if my symptoms do not improve after the operation?
- Can I get a second opinion before deciding?
After surgery
- What should recovery look like in the first weeks, and which signs mean I should call you?
- How and when should I return to normal eating and activity?
- Will I have a follow-up scan, and when?
- Who do I contact if pain comes back months later?
Living with MALS
- Can I see a registered dietitian about eating and weight?
- Would a pain specialist or psychologist be part of my care?
- Are there support groups or patient organizations you recommend?
- Is there a registry or study I could join? (see our clinical trials tracker)
What to bring
- A list of your symptoms, when they started and what makes them better or worse.
- Your meal and symptom diary summary.
- Copies or reports of earlier scans, endoscopies and blood tests, and the names of the doctors who ordered them.
- A list of all medicines and supplements you take.
- Your weight history, if you have it.
Learn more before the visit: what MALS is, how it is diagnosed, MALS surgery and recovery after surgery.
MALS Compass is an independent educational website, not a medical provider, and is not affiliated with any hospital, clinic or university. This page is educational information and does not replace advice from your own doctor. For any question about your health, please contact your doctor or an official healthcare institution.
