njgal 535 Posted May 22, 2017 As some of you may know I've shopped around before I decided to proceed with my current choice. I have been thinking lately though; first impression, staff, helpfulness, experience and statistics are of course a big part of how you choose who you choose but there's this unknown factor of how a surgery is actually physicaly performed, right? And I started thinking someone could be the nicest person but not be too great as a surgeon. What about scar tissue? What about long term effects of what gets done in there? Does anybody have similar thoughts? Or am I just overthinking this? Or maybe I just read too many horror stories... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OutsideMatchInside 10,166 Posted May 22, 2017 I picked my Dr because he is highly skilled, he fixes the mistakes other bariatric doctors make (is published). Young, does a lot of surgeries. His staff is a pack of $#@%. It amazes me how the nicest doctors have the worse staff. 1 njgal reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
njgal 535 Posted May 22, 2017 I picked my Dr because he is highly skilled, he fixes the mistakes other bariatric doctors make (is published). Young, does a lot of surgeries. His staff is a pack of $#@%. It amazes me how the nicest doctors have the worse staff.Well, mine has been chosen "best doctor" in the state a few times and I would assume that's some measure... thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
njgal 535 Posted May 22, 2017 I picked my Dr because he is highly skilled, he fixes the mistakes other bariatric doctors make (is published). Young, does a lot of surgeries. His staff is a pack of $#@%. It amazes me how the nicest doctors have the worse staff.Also, how come all your messages are always spoilers? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
swimbikerun 1,046 Posted May 24, 2017 As one who has been burned and suffering the problems of getting burned by their surgeon, there are questions you can ask about them to find something more about their personalities. Errors, how they solve them, etc are some of the biggest ones. Talk to people that had not so positive experiences, and what their rates are of dealing with all sorts of oddball problems. 1 njgal reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
njgal 535 Posted May 24, 2017 As one who has been burned and suffering the problems of getting burned by their surgeon, there are questions you can ask about them to find something more about their personalities. Errors, how they solve them, etc are some of the biggest ones. Talk to people that had not so positive experiences, and what their rates are of dealing with all sorts of oddball problems.Thank you for this. I've tried reaching out to as many patients as I could find for this surgeon and everybody was happy. I couldn't find any who weren't... I will ask more questions the next time I see him and if I don't feel convinced I will call it off.... but I hope that won't be the case. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rainyann 118 Posted June 1, 2017 Have you looked for bariatric Centers of Excellence in your area? FInd a place that is certified 2 Shellabella30 and njgal reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joann454 1,329 Posted June 1, 2017 I went to a Center of Excellence. Researched my Dr. He's had no leaks. He's been doing it for many years. I felt very comfortable with his skill. 2 njgal and Shellabella30 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pam_2-06-2017 375 Posted June 1, 2017 I started by finding a "Center of Excellence" I wrote down a list of complications that concerned me and asked the surgeon straight up his stats on said complications (leaks, death, etc). Not only was he not offended (important) he was quick to answer and confident to explain. I liked that. I also read any reviews online and if one concerned me I also asked the surgeon regarding that review. If at anytime he minimized my concerns or made me feel stupid to ask any question, I would have booted him to the curb. Remember not to confuse minimize with confidence, there is a big difference. You need him/her to be on board with you from the very beginning. You also need someone who will talk to you like a person and not an underling that he/she doesn't have time for. I talked to one surgeon at a Center of Excellence in San Antonio and never went back. You do have a choice. 1 njgal reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
swimbikerun 1,046 Posted June 2, 2017 That's interesting. I've heard that if you are told someone has had no leaks, they're lying to you or they don't treat them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
njgal 535 Posted June 2, 2017 Have you looked for bariatric Centers of Excellence in your area? FInd a place that is certifiedYes I have. Unfortunately it was a disappointment. The staff was one thing but the surgeon couldn't even bother to look up, never mind take the time to answer questions. The whole experience felt very much like a factory assembly line and didn't instill much confidence. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
njgal 535 Posted June 2, 2017 I started by finding a "Center of Excellence" I wrote down a list of complications that concerned me and asked the surgeon straight up his stats on said complications (leaks, death, etc). Not only was he not offended (important) he was quick to answer and confident to explain. I liked that. I also read any reviews online and if one concerned me I also asked the surgeon regarding that review. If at anytime he minimized my concerns or made me feel stupid to ask any question, I would have booted him to the curb. Remember not to confuse minimize with confidence, there is a big difference. You need him/her to be on board with you from the very beginning. You also need someone who will talk to you like a person and not an underling that he/she doesn't have time for. I talked to one surgeon at a Center of Excellence in San Antonio and never went back. You do have a choice.Yes, I agree. The longer I research him and the procedure and the more I talk to people who've done this the better I feel with my choice.Thank you! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites