What defines a good surgeon?

[njgal 535]

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...

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

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.

[njgal 535]

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!

[njgal 535]

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?

[swimbikerun 1,045]

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.

[njgal 535]

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.

[rainyann 118]

Have you looked for bariatric Centers of Excellence in your area? FInd a place that is certified

[Joann454 1,329]

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.

[Pam_2-06-2017 375]

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.

[swimbikerun 1,045]

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.

[njgal 535]

Have you looked for bariatric Centers of Excellence in your area? FInd a place that is certified

Yes 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.

[njgal 535]

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!