Better than dead

My update - still have not found any real data on surgeons. I called a few of my top choices and don't feel any better yet. All 3 offices were more sales oriented than helpful. They were friendly, but I wasn't impressed and they didn't have answers to some of my questions. They all want me to come in for a consultation to get the questions answered, including things like number of surgeries, complications and such. Since I am out of town, that isn't easy. I will of course have a consult with my Dr of choice or even my "finalist", it’s obviously important to have a face to face. I am beginning to think the decision of selecting a surgeon is more a gut feeling and not based on facts. It is easy to qualify a surgeon as capable and even get some idea of how many procedures they have done, but beyond that I am not so sure. I think any of the surgeons on my list are capable, but how to choose from there is beyond me. It’s such an important choice, I wish there was a better way. Thanks again for input on your choice of surgeons.

I am glad to hear you say that, that was my intent. Thanks! BTW, she is a he.

Not sure what I did to receive such a negative comment. Hopefully you are the only that feels that way. Thanks for your input given in the the thread nonetheless. I found it helpful and hopefully other reading did too.

No, I am not in the metro. I am currently in a rural part of Mississippi (but this isn’t where I will be long term). I chose DFW because I am from there, have family in the area, and I believe they have some great surgeons for this procedure. I decided that it was more important to go with a highly experienced surgeon (lots of procedures under their belt) than stay local. Mexico is out for me. My decision to do it in DFW makes it a little hard since I can’t make lots of visits for seminars and such. I find there is lots of great stories from people who like their Dr. I think part of my problem is that I have too many choices. Thanks for your input, great information! I am excited to make the decision and get the ball rolling.

Good to hear. A little jealous I must admit! haha Congrats.

The Texas Medical Board does have some info; license date, any discipline, specialties, etc... I haven't found any specifics on rates of complications, or record of surgeries performed yet. I will report when/if I do find that. This looks like a good tool once you narrow down your surgeon. There is a physician search engine, here is the link. http://reg.tmb.state.tx.us/OnLineVerif/Phys_SearchVerif.asp

Dr. Nick is still in my top 5 (maybe closer to the top, but who is keeping track). Nice to hear of another out of towner who used him. They seem to have a system for that, and it is laid out nicely. If you think of anything worth sharing let me know. If he is my choice I might PM you with some questions.

I rewrote my last reply a few times to try and make it not sound defensive, I hope it worked. I actually have done most of what you mention. My excel sheet has 46 surgeons in the DFW area. I have them ranked by popularity, and also by # of surgeries performed (this seems to vary depending on where the information comes from. Part of my problem is that insurance is not an issue for me, so my list of choices is really long. I am not able to make multiple seminars since I am 3 states away, but once I pick someone I will make a seminar or more likely a 1 on 1 before I proceed. I that doesn't go well, I move on to #2. The one thing you mention that I haven't done is call the Texas Medical Board; good advice, I will look into that! I still have to say that besides the medical board, all that research you mention is not concrete data in my opinion. It is research yes, but most is just information and opinions. All that is important in the decision process, but I hope the Texas Medical Board has unbiased numbers available. I am a Engineer and live and die (bad choice of words) by data, so what I call concrete unbiased information might be not be the same as the next person. Thanks for your comments, you bring up great points for people to consider in the process. If you think of anything else, please throw it out there. We are all here to learn, gather information and share.

Good luck! Check back in, looking forward to hearing the rest of your journey.

I agree 100% that everyone has to make educated decisions and do their own research. That was the purpose of the post to ask people how they educated themselves. My original post; “Is there an unbiased source for true numbers such as how many procedure completed and complications? How do you educate yourself and make the choice?” So, fair enough. Do you care to share where you obtained your concrete information on surgeons that you used to make your decision? I do appreciate everyone sharing their personal accounts and experiences. Thanks all!

I have to admit you name surgeons I was not even aware of. So many choices ans so little concrete information! Thanks for sharing.

Congrats, good luck.

Good luck. Keep me updated on your experience. Like the cap BTW. 7-0 Wreck em!

I spoke to a friend yesterday that had the band done. He hasn't had any "complications", but he agreed that this was the right way to go and he wished it was common when he got his band. Thanks for all the input all, I am still researching for the right Dr. Keep em coming.

All great information, keep it coming! I have researched Dr. Nick Nicholson quite a bit, but no one else yet. Cant find anything bad on him. I hate to not have other options though. In response to everyone in TX being fat; I am currently living in Mississippi (the fattest state in the US). I guess the good thing about being here is I blend in. haha