How Did You Find Your Surgeon? (Or Where Are You Looking?)

[Alex Brecher 10,512]

Choosing a good surgeon is one of the most important parts of the early part of your weight loss surgery journey, and there are a lot of ways to find one! For example:

-recommendation from your PCP or other doctor.

-requirement to go to a certain surgeon or choose from a select few in your HMO or health insurance network.

-word of mouth: recommendation from a friend, family member, or colleague.

-internet search (e.g., Google or Yahoo! or Bing)

-online directory (e.g., Yelp or BariatricPal surgeon directory)

-online discussion forum or special interest group

If you’re post-op, how did you find your surgeon? Are you happy with the way you went about your search? Or would you have tried something different, such as using the internet instead of word-of-mouth recommendations?

If you’re pre-op, how are you looking for a surgeon? Which resources do you wish you had so you could improve your search? Or do you feel you’re already finding every possible option?

[Mountaingal 322]

I found mine right here on Bariatric Pal ! Listened to what was said about him, researched him on line, talked to him on the phone and could not have been happier. I trusted that you guys had done your homework on the surgeons you recommend and you arranged everything for me. Before coming here I was going all over the place and getting more and more confused about finding a surgeon in Mexico.

[Kindle 8,667]

My insurance doesn't cover WLS so I knew I would be self pay. I got info from all of the certified Bariatric surgeons within 200 miles of where I live. I automatically ruled out any general surgeons that just happened to perform bariatric surgeries. I wanted a specialist. Then I got a list of Centers of Excellence and Bariatric Surgeons of Excellence in TJ (any other location in Mexico would have made for difficult logistics). I compared credentials, experience, and complication rates. I narrowed it down to a top 5 and then further investigated surgical technique, anesthetic protocols, staff, and followup care. I corresponded with previous patients and did extensive online searches of each surgeon and facility.

I couldn't be happier with my choice of surgeons and ultimate outcome. I'm super anal about any decision I make (I've spent the last month alone trying to figure out which refrigerator and range to buy), so my extensive search effort was just normal for me. Wouldn't do anything different.

[animallover1247 249]

i'm preop but I chose my surgeon through much research. The research included talking to several other people who had gone to him for their surgery and research on the internet. I asked a million questions. My surgeon is very experienced (has done over 16,000 weight loss surgeries). He doesn't have the best bedside manner but I'll take skill over warm and fuzzy any day, Some of his staff are wonderful and others are not. However, I believe I made the right choice. I hope so anyway!

[Ashlegal 525]

I did a basic Google search for "bariatric surgeons" in my area and many results turned up. Too many. It took me a few weeks to get through all the results, doing research, looking at each of their websites, visiting the hospitals they performed in, reviewing the hospitals and their staff. I did extensive research on every aspect, I had been to one too many hospitals where the surgeon was excellent but the staff at the hospital was horrible.

I found Dr. Sprunger's page and instantly felt a connection between what I was experiencing and the way he explained his passion for helping people in my position. He felt genuine, passionate, compassionate, empathetic, warm and above all dedicated to my success. He was very much what I thought he would be once we met in person. He made me feel listened to, understood, cared for and above all else, not alone in my journey.

I did more research on him thus discovering he had done a fellowship and trained underneath the doctor often referred to as the "father of obesity surgery" Dr. Edward Mason at University of Iowa Medical Center. He is also a designated a Center of Excellence bariatric surgeon by the ASMBS; That secured my decision to start my journey with Dr. Sprunger and his staff. https://asmbs.org/mason-library

There were some bumps along the way and some major hurdles to jump over, none of which derailed Dr. Sprunger or his staff. They are a group of very dedicated, knowledgeable, compassionate people who made everything feel better.

Dr. Sprunger's bedside manner was superb and he came to see me three times in my 1.5 day hospital stay. All three times he soothed my fears, held my hand, helped wipe away my tears, made sure I was being treated well, that my pain was under control that I was comfortable. I would drive a thousand miles to be seen, treated and have surgery performed my Dr. Sprunger, he is just that amazing.

Edited November 8, 2015 by Ashlegal

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

I look at the major hospitals in my area. I knew my insurance would be accepted at most if not all of them. I wanted a Center for Excellence. I then wanted to know if the doctors could accommodate my needs. I am vegetarian with multiple food & medication allergies. Having had a few negative experiences with nutritionist over my vegetarianism, I needed to know if the program would respect that. I looked at one program and honestly wasn't crazy about the doctor. His pre-op diet was 2 weeks on slim fast and he wasn't very open to using other alternative Protein shakes. He was also pushing me towards the bypass and I was more interested in the sleeve. I had a friend who had bypass at UPenn. She raved about her doctor and experience. I attended the seminar. After hearing them speak and asking questions, they seemed a better fit.

I actually forgot to tell my PCP who I adore btw, until a copy of my approval letter was sent. She called to follow up (one of the reasons why I like her). I explained I was in the process of pre-op testing. She was thrilled for me and said to let her know if there was anything she needed to do. I am beyond happy with my choice. My surgical experience was event free. I like the team approach that the center utilizes. I like that I have a nutritionist that I can ask questions and have a back and forth conversation with. I like that they provide a handbook with the entire process from pre to post op life with samples and recommendations. That handbook became my bible of sorts during those early months.

I am completely satisfied and don't think I would have changed a single thing.

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,444]

I attended the info seminar at NYUMC, which is very close to home and where my primary and the specialists I see/were seeing have offices in Faculty Practice. At the meeting I was disappointed to learn that none of the surgeons in the bariatric practice were affiliated with my med plan. A day or two later I phoned the then-"patient coordinator" to ask which other med center has a reputation in the field.. She suggested Columbia UMC and that was it.

Beth Schrope,* my surgeon, is a pro and a mensch on all counts. She did a few of my band adjustments; hit the port on the first try each time and I never felt it. I went back to her two months after banding to have my gall bladder, which had begun slightly problematic perhaps two or three months before band surgery, plucked out. She'd wanted to do that first, but I wheedled for the band, as the GB pain was merely uncomfortable, not debilitating. When the pain had progressed beyond a degree I wanted to live with, I saw her and received an affectionate "I told you so" smile-smirk. I'm throwing in the GB element because I was surprised to learn at BP today that bari-surgeons routinely remove GB's as a preventive move. Maybe it's a development less than six years old.

* Her name and photo popped up when I entered them in my Profile. The zip code was correct, but the street address and town (in Queens, not Manhattan) were unexpected. She's very much at Columbia, but perhaps has an office in Queens as well? Don't know.

Edited November 8, 2015 by WLSResources/ClothingExch

[dhrguru 1,238]

Technically my surgeon found me. I'd registered with a local hospitals bariatric program 5 years ago, but never followed though with the surgery at the time. They must have kept my name in their patient roster cause I got a postcard introducing a new surgeon leading the bariatric program there. I looked into his credentials (where he studied/practiced, some patient reviews) and decided to go for it.

[Dub 9,922]

Selected among the Center of Excellence practices in my area.

Edited November 8, 2015 by Dub

[JustWatchMe 7,117]

I knew nobody in real life who had WLS. I knew our insurance would cover it. I googled and started looking at surgeon websites. One of the first I found was a center of excellence. I checked and he was covered in my insurance plan. I went to an orientation seminar and the team impressed me a lot, although the surgeon wasn't there that night. I booked an appointment for a few days later, met him, asked a ton of questions, and decided it felt right. Six months later I was banded.

I'm happy with my experience and haven't had any complications. I will say that I haven't seen my surgeon since my six week post op. My NP does all my fills under fluoroscopy. She's wonderful and actually sent me away without a ninth fill two weeks ago with gentle advice to change up my diet and exercise instead.

I think I've been fortunate, but I'd probably do it the same way if I had it to do over again. Matter of fact, I had a minor unrelated (not bariatric) surgery last January, and chose that doctor in a similar fashion.

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

my first bariatric surgery - lapband - I did alot of checking around on who the "best" were. I was living in Europe at the time and the band was approved before it was in the USA. I picked a German surgeon who is well known, respected and has contributed to alot of the WLS research and exploration. He was also head of surgery at the hospital in Frankfurt he practiced out of. Excellent surgeon - over the top care in the hospital but really really weak on actual lifestyle changes education.

I was deeply disillusioned by my WLS #1 experience, but at over 300#, late 40s I knew I needed to do SOMETHING. So, I called on a 2 year year lifestyle program. I decided I would turn myself over and just do whatever they said because clearly whatever I was doing was NOT working.

I genuinely felt divine intervention that the day I called, the director of the program happened to take my call. I told her my story and she said "this program will not work for you, you have advanced stage disease of obesity and need bariatric surgery. Go talk to the surgeons and Puget Sound Surgical Center about the gastric sleeve.

I met with Dr Billing who is a kind, caring man but also deeply analytical (which like totally appealed to me!). He educated me, tolerated my very emotional state and in a few appointments convinced me to be brave enough to try again. I will never forget one thing he said to me "this isn't all your fault". I know that seems such a small statement, but it was powerful as I had huge guilt at being so huge, at failing with the band, at being an embarrassment to my family... I felt guilt for being old before my time.

He removed my band, but I was still scared so didn't book my sleeve surgery right away. Luckily (once again, I feel some kind of intervention here!) my insurance company representative called me and told me that in January there were changes and my "pre-approved" sleeve would no longer be covered. That is why I was sleeved in Dec 2011, but Dr Landerholm (same practice of course) because Dr Billing was on vacation.

Yes, my surgical practice is a center of excellence.

Yes, that practice has a comprehensive surgical, nutrition and even fitness program

Yes, they have an excellent 2 year follow up program (I recognized that I needed that given my band experience)

But in the end, it was largely the compassion and hope that surgeons educated in the obesity disease process provided that drove my choice. I cannot begin to express my gratitude.

[Alex Brecher 10,512]

Thanks for all of your answers! They can be so helpful to pre-op members who are looking for a surgeon, because sometimes you don’t even know where to start or what to look for.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

My excellent surgeon was recommended by my PCP.

[JosieK 120]

I found my bariatric and cosmetic Drs. on this website.....