Finding a physician

fsvasquez · January 31, 2005

I was wondering how everyone went about finding their doctor. I just found out that my insurance covers the procedure, which I'm shocked about because they won't even cover an office visit with my primary doctor when weight loss is discussed. Anyway, I have the list of doctors who perform the prodecdure in my state from the lap band website, but now I don't know what to do with this. I don't want to just pick a name off the list and none of them are extremely close to where I live. How do I find out how many of these surgeries they have performed and how successful they have been?

Thanks

TrishS · January 31, 2005

I did about the same thing, was get all the names of Dr. in my area... found one 400miles away. All I did was I called up and got information. They might even send you a information packet as my Dr.'s office did. Good Luck with it.

La_madam · January 31, 2005

Where do you live? Maybe there is someone here who is in your area whi can tell you their experiences with their surgeon, then go from there..

Alexandra · January 31, 2005

I started the same way you did, and eliminated names based on various practical concerns (such as distance). Then I called the doctors and made appointments, or found out what their first step was. In many cases the doctors will require you to attend a seminar or introductory meeting, and you can learn A LOT by going to them. There's typically no charge and it can help you discover more about the practice, the procedure, and what's important to you. I attended two of them before picking my doctor.

Then once you make the first appointment, remember that you're not committed to anything. Personally, I wanted to meet any surgeon who was going to operate on me BEFORE deciding whether I was going through this with him and his practice. It's not like you have to pick a name out of a hat and you're stuck with the choice you made.