Surgeon has only done 26 sleeves

[green*eyed*girl 170]

I recently found out that my surgeon has only done 26 sleeve operations. Do you think that is enough experience to trust?

My doctor has done about 25 sleeves also (only), but he done hundreds of bypass plus thousand of non bariatric surgeries. I am not concerned about his knowledge.

[ChristmasJanet 74]

Thanks green*eyed*girl. I have green eyes also. I like your name.

[jack35 33]

I recently found out that my surgeon has only done 26 sleeve operations. Do you think that is enough experience to trust?

i also face same problem but I gone with surgeon having lot of experience of 400 surgeries though he was much expensive from others

[ChristmasJanet 74]

Thank you Jack. I am going to a meeting with some of the patients that he has already operated on tomorrow. Hopefully, I can decide for sure after that.

[Mr.sleeve 13]

My surgeon has done 22 sleeves and over 1000 lap bands. He has a 100% success rate so far with sleeves. Where it's considered the newer surgery, I actually found bariatric surgeons not having extensive experience. TRUST ME , I've been worried - but I'm far more concerned about my weight/health. He's had high success with the other bariatric surgeries. He's the head of the Surgical Weight Loss Specialist of Mass. Do your research and talk with some of his sleeve patients. Today was my pre op and he offered to connect me with some of his first patients.

He was my surgeon also I had full confidence in him and his success rate, all surgeons have to start at some point.

[ChristmasJanet 74]

Mr. Sleeve So true. Thanks.

[woo woo 872]

My understanding is that, statistically speaking, the higher the number of surgeries done by a given surgeon, the lower the risk of complications. Based on that information plus basic common sense my answer would be no.

I would just rather let him do his learning on others.

[NMJG 1,266]

If he just started recently, I would use another surgeon, just MHO. I would also highly recommend a Center of Excellence.

But if you are comfortable with it, then go for it.

Edited March 6, 2014 by NMJG

[LindafromFlorida 1,542]

My husband decided one of our local hospitals should practice awhile when they decided to have a sleeve program, so several years later we are sleeved. You read on this site that people have problems even with very experienced surgeons, so why hurry? Just read, study and know what you are getting into. Good luck!

[Kay__S 33]

I absolutely would not go with a less experienced surgeon. This is too serious.

Edited March 6, 2014 by Kay__S

[sassypants 674]

I think there are pros and cons who did he study under for one?

Like mentioned has he got experience with other wls?

A pro for me would be I assume he’s making his mark studying up on it as its “new” to him so I wont be stuck in his ways and doing whats current and the best for the best results.

Check his other patients how many had issues if any how was the follow up for them.

Not having as many under his belt means maybe more aftercare too.

As long as I am not patient 1-5 I am good!

Cons you might think he doens;t have enough experience to know what hes doing he might not of studied under anyone he might not know what to do after.

Its just all things to think about I know my surgeon had over 10 years experience in wls and not just wls he would perform other operations on high risk weight patients I know this as he performed my gall bladder op when no one else would and that’s when he told me about wls and if I wanted it to come back to him.

I also wasn;t his only op or sleeve that day either.

For me I was extremely happy with my doc as I already went under the knife with him know for a fact him and his team all have a lot of experience with high risk ops across the board not just solely wls.

[ChristmasJanet 74]

Thanks everyone for weighing in. I went to a support group today and met some of the doctor's patients. They were all very enthused and had done very well. I mentioned the fact that he had not done that many sleeves, and the nurse director said that he has been doing gastrectomies for years, which is basically the same thing, for years. Well, duh, I had not thought of that. He is a general surgeon. I feel much, much better now.

[Ms24 8]

I recently found out that my surgeon has only done 26 sleeve operations. Do you think that is enough experience to trust?

I would go with your gut!!! I'm pretty sure the intern had a big part of my surgery. A year later he's now practicing there. I think once they get that level they're all experts. Let me know what you decide.

[Ms24 8]

Jaime_Boston I don't think I got it. I don't show to have any messages.

Hmm ok

My surgeon has done 22 sleeves and over 1000 lap bands. He has a 100% success rate so far with sleeves. Where it's considered the newer surgery, I actually found bariatric surgeons not having extensive experience. TRUST ME , I've been worried - but I'm far more concerned about my weight/health. He's had high success with the other bariatric surgeries. He's the head of the Surgical Weight Loss Specialist of Mass. Do your research and talk with some of his sleeve patients. Today was my pre op and he offered to connect me with some of his first patients.

I almost considered going to mass for my skin removal surgery I heard the surgeons do it at a discount. Plus one of the top hospitals.

[ChristmasJanet 74]

MS24 I went to a support group today and met some of his other patients. I am going to go for it. I am scheduled April 2.