How many surgeons did you consult with before choosing THE one?

[Parvathi 2]

As the title says lol, just wondering how many surgeons other people say before picking the one to have surgery with?

I went to three, as insisted upon by my husband lol, before I found the one for me...

[Alexandra 55]

Funny how these things work out. On my very first foray online to get information on the band, the name of Dr. Nicholas Bertha was front and center. He was one of the American physicians who participated in the FDA trials back in 2000. And he was the first to be doing bands in New Jersey. Everything I read just reinforced my impression that he was THE person to see.

Lo and behold, his office was only 15 miles from my house and he participated in my insurance plan! But knowing that Aetna was not covering bands, I explored other insurance options and spoke with another surgeon elsewhere. And when I went to have a consult with Dr. Bertha's practice, scheduling dictated that I meet with his partner, Alexander Abkin. No matter what, their practice remained my first choice.

18 months later, I won my insurance battle and was able to be banded by Dr. Abkin. Dr. Bertha is the one who has done my fills since then. Both of these doctors are among the most experienced in the country and I know I am lucky to have them so close. The first banding doctor I heard of was the one I wanted from the start.

[3loves 0]

I have only been to one consultation. My GP suggested 3 clinics and then I did my best to research surgeons online b4 making a decision. I even searched outside those 3 clinics, but chose my surgeon based on feedback and info on him. After going to my consult with him, I was very satisfied and more excited than ever that this was a good choice. I drive 3 hrs one way to see this guy, so I do hope and pray that I made a good decision.

Also, I still have to confirm with my insurance, but he should be covered at In-Network b/c we have a clause (don't know if that's the official term or not) in our policy that will allow benefits to be paid In-Network if our GP refers us for a procedure that is not offered within a 20 mile radius of our home address. We'll see how that turns out, but I will stick with this surgeon regardless.

[Dody 0]

I wouldn't think you would want to be far from home if you were having this surgery. I would like to know my surgeon was close by in case of anything going wrong. It must take courage to go to Mexico and then come home and not have your surgeon right there, although I guess they do get you follow-up care. I will be seeing the same dr. who is doing my surgery for awhile, but then I have to travel to Salt Lake City for a few mo. and need to find a dr. there. I've been putting the feelers out for a dr. in Salt Lake that might do my fills and people on here have been extremely helpful and I thank them.

[Tricia K. 0]

I only met with one. He came VERY highly recommended and after meeting with him, I had full faith in him. I would recommend him to anyone.

[CCBSTX 0]

(2). They both were well respected with great reputation. I ended up taking the one that was closest to my house. Shawn

[Jachut 487]

I had appointments with 2 but my appointment with the surgeon I didnt use was about 2 months after my appointment with Mr Crosthwaite, I liked him a lot so I never saw the other guy.

[gadgetlady 4]

Two. The first didn't give me any confidence whatsoever. The second seemed very knowledgeable, and I went with him.

[Maggie63 0]

Two. The one I picked came highly recommended. There are only a handfull in my area. Really just two practices with several surgeons in each.

[Kelliebelly 13]

We only have 2 in my area and I went with the first one I seen. He came recommended and I liked him from our appointments.

[Iluvharleys 15]

I only met with one, it was the one that my PCP recommended. When I met with him, I really liked him and his staff. I was there for two and a half hours that day because they were telling me everything about the surgery and what to expect. Even after that, I had to go to the hospital and meet with anyone that would have a part of my surgery. I felt very confident in the whole process and with everyone involved.

[Lynn B 0]

There are 3 medical centers in my area that do the band and each has several doctors. As I researched on line I started leaning towards one facility....I went to their info night and met the doctor I had selected and knew immediately that he was the one! It helped that he was the chief of the whole minimally invasive surgery dept and I did research his past both since he had come to our area and when he practiced in Texas. His wife is also a doctor (anesthesia) and I looked up a ton of studies that they had done together mostly on ways to treat nausea after lap surgery. As it turns out his wife was my anesthesiologist during surgery (he asked if I had arranged that).

I have not regretted my decision, once you have done the research and found someone that has the skill and background to do your surgery (if you find more than one) meet them all and go with the one that you feel more comfortable with because its a long journey and they are your partner for the duration!!

Good luck all,

[stinaNYC 0]

When I first started seriously researching the band, I had it in my mind to go to all the surgeons that performed them in the city (we have quite a few). My work colleague had the band done in October 2005, and he went to Dr. Ren at NYU. I went to the info session, which was supposed to be run by Dr. Ren, but in her stead, Dr. Fielding did the session.

It was love at first sight. :puke:

After listening to him, his credentials (he's done the most bandings worldwide), his own personal experience (he's been banded for 6 years)and immediately taking to his personality and manner, I decided to stop looking. He was who I wanted to do my surgery.

Normally, I wouldn't even think about *not* getting at least three consultations, but my gut (no pun intended) said he was the right one!

T-minus 5 days and counting til my life changes forever!

[Wheetsin 714]

Just one. He came recommended from several people I know who had RNY with him, who in turn knew people who had LB. At the time I thought he was 3 hours away and was still going to consider the trip worthwhile. Come to find out I had misunderstood and he's about 30 mins from our house.

We weren't completely decided until the consultation. DH came with me and was impressed by him. What speaks to us the loudest is the number of LB procedures he's done, and his personal success rates.