Does my surgeon have enough experience?

[Krissy 0]

Hello there,

I am currently undergoing the process of getting ready for bariatric surgery. The gastric sleeve operation is much more appealing to me than the RNY however, I just learned today that my surgeon has only performed about 20 of those operations. It is a relatively new procedure in the US and I read the other day that there are only 50 really experienced surgeons in the US that do this. He has done thousands of RNY surgeries. How do you know your surgeon is experienced enough?

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

Hi Krissy,

I guess I'm not sure how to answer your poll. Both are risky IMO, being that RnY is far more complicated than the VS. Then again, an operation being performed by someone who is not that experienced in it is rather risky as well. I wouldn't give you my opinion on either.

I always go for experience in anything regarding my health and my life. That said, all good surgeons start somewhere. If I were you I'd ask lots of questions and ask him if you could talk to any of his VS patients and see how they are faring. If he has performed a great deal of RnY, then likely he's a good surgeon. Do a background check on him and find out.

This surgery does take a little bit of technique. All sleeves are not created equal. Wishing you much success as you sort this out. Remember too, you're the one who has to live with the surgery, so you should ultimately go for what you really want, whatever that may be.

[bbandre0828 0]

you should really go to a surgeon that has experience and he doesnt practice on you! in the u.s. it is a new procedure. have you though about getting the surgery in another country? i had mine in Tijuana in march =) im doing great! =)

[RRcubed 2]

My surgeon was in the us and has done almost 250. Anything over 150 should allow enough operations for them to have "perfected" their technique. Each operations is different. Anyone who has done a great number of duodenal switches has also inherently dome a lot of sleeves.

[longer-life 139]

I am sorry to say I would not pick either choice. I will admit to being picky. I don't want the bypass and 20 sleeves is not enough for me.

[GetInMyBelly 80]

There are a ton of more experienced surgeons out there, so don't settle.

[RickM 1,752]

I would certainly look for a surgeon experienced with the procedure that best fits you - don't fit yourself around the surgeon's desires or experience. I'm not sure about the numbers of surgeons experienced at what level, or where the numbers come from (ObesityHelp has some of that data, though I don't know how accurate or up to date it is.) Widening the field a bit is the fact that the DS has been around for quite a while and that is a VSG plus intestinal re-routing, so I would count DS experience in favor of a surgeon. My doc is listed on OH as having done about 90 VSGs but well over 1000 DSs, so he is well up the learning curve on it.