Dr. Carlos Barba--Anyone with surgery/revision experience??
Hi, I'm looking into a revision of a 1982 gastric stapling and I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with Dr. Barba whether it was a first time surgery or specifically a revision. Any complications etc??
"The Joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10START: 330 CURRENT: 274.5 lbs GOAL: 190 TOTAL: 55.5 lbs
i had gastric bypass surgery on may 5 with dr barba... i had alot of people telling me not to go to him... so far no complaints, but then again, i am only into this gastric bypass for 4 days now. i have some swelling and it may be normal after surgery i am going to call the office after their lunch break and see if i should do anything about it.
Cathy RNY 5/5/08 
~Sue 
Hi - I have had no complications with my surgery with Dr. Barba and two of my friends had bypass surgery with him over 2 years ago and neither have had complications - Go with your instinct and definitely read about other surgeons - you want to make sure you make the choice that is right for you.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
Good luck with whatever you decide!
Warm Regards - Tammy - 
Although I haven't had any experience with Dr. Barba, I just wanted to add a cautionary tale or two about relying about patient testimonials and non-patient critiques. First, most people who get a good result praise their surgeons-- whether their results are due to surgical skill, diagnostic acumen or sheer patient grit and determination is anyone's guess, we all tend to think that our surgeon is the one who deserves much of the credit.
Secondly, we all have particular issues that tend to color how we view other surgeons-- perhaps we've heard our own beloved surgeon critique one of his peers, maybe we feel that anyone who has a different after-care program can't possibly be competent or maybe we just have a bee in our bonnet regarding our perception about that other surgeon (for me, I get peeved by pre-op weight loss requirements). But, as a result, it is tough for many of us (and I definitely include myself in this category) to be objective about a surgeon other than our own.
Third, some people suggest that looking at malpractice claims is a good indication of surgeon competence. However, that is not always the case as many times if there is a hospital error or an anesthesia mistake the surgeon will also be named in the suit (even though the operation may have been performed flawlessly). Also, you have some surgeons who might engage in a more high-risk bariatric practice that would result in more litigation. As a result, the suits aren't necessarily an indication of skill.
For me, if I needed a revision, I would prefer to find a surgeon who could perform it laparoscopically or endoscopically. I would probably look very closely at the bariatric program at Brigham and Women's in Boston.
Secondly, we all have particular issues that tend to color how we view other surgeons-- perhaps we've heard our own beloved surgeon critique one of his peers, maybe we feel that anyone who has a different after-care program can't possibly be competent or maybe we just have a bee in our bonnet regarding our perception about that other surgeon (for me, I get peeved by pre-op weight loss requirements). But, as a result, it is tough for many of us (and I definitely include myself in this category) to be objective about a surgeon other than our own.
Third, some people suggest that looking at malpractice claims is a good indication of surgeon competence. However, that is not always the case as many times if there is a hospital error or an anesthesia mistake the surgeon will also be named in the suit (even though the operation may have been performed flawlessly). Also, you have some surgeons who might engage in a more high-risk bariatric practice that would result in more litigation. As a result, the suits aren't necessarily an indication of skill.
For me, if I needed a revision, I would prefer to find a surgeon who could perform it laparoscopically or endoscopically. I would probably look very closely at the bariatric program at Brigham and Women's in Boston.
I actually went up to Brigham and saw Chris Thompson. He did a "quickie" endoscope and said that my stoma was 16mm, which I believe was not big enough to qualify for Restore study, and I am on Coumadin so I believe that also disqualified me. I then spoke to an acquaintance who is a bariatric dietician and she recommended Dr. Scott Shikora at Tufts. I went up there and had a Stomaphyx on Feb 1st, and really do not have any restriction...so...I have been searching around looking at all my options. I have another appointment with Dr. Shikora on 5/20 and I will go (was going to cancel) and see him and certainly feel like a failure. If I can face him, then I will talk to him about a revision. I just have a certain amount of angst about having surgery 2 hours from my house. I still don't know if I'm going to go to Br. Barba's informational on Monday and keep my appointment with him on Friday. Don't know what to do!!
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