Looking for different opinions of Surgeon Qualifications

I want to pose this question to get as many opinions as possible. I have been researching WLS for a while now and since I have had previous surgery that restricts me from having the DS procedure I am considering the RNY which is the alternative that was given to me by the Drs. I know everyone talks about the experience of the Dr. you pick is important,and I agree. However, they all had to start somewhere! I have attended the seminar at US Bariatrics and was impressed with their program. Here is my dilema, there is a Dr. that had performed hernia surgery on me about six years ago who I like very much. He is very proffesional and has a great bedside manner in my opinion. He is heading up a new WLS program at Wellington Regional Medical Center which is very close to my home. His name is Dr. Fred Simon and he has been performing Lap surgery for about twenty years, however he has only performed twenty-five RNY's to date. He had three minor infections on the left penetration site which seems to be common. This was unacceptable to him and he discovered there was a different device that could be used that eliminated this problem. So finally here is my question Since i feel very comfortable with this Dr. should I have the surgery with him or go to someone with more experience? What would you do Thanks for taking the time to read my post, Dennis

Dennis, If you feel comfortable with him, you should go with him. Like you said, every surgeon had to start somewhere, someone had to be their first patient. As long as he has a good history of other surgeries, with minimal complications, then you should be ok. Good luck.

Hi, I agree with Steve. I am actually having my surgery soon and I have picked a surgeon that has done fewer than some of the others but has a great history with laproscopic surgery. I really liked Dr. Webb when I met him and although he has only 80 wls under his belt, I feel like he is the best for me. Everyone has to pick the one surgeon they are comfortable. Since this is my first ever surgery, I wanted to comfortable with the surgeon and staff plus feel his experience will bring the best success. Good luck in your journey. Carol

Ditto to what the others have said. Keep us posted

I agree that you should go with someone you feel comfortable with, but...I would really do your research and talk to the patients that he has done surgery on and ask if they would recommend him. Not to scare you, but something to keep you thinking...I was all set to have surgery with a surgeon who had very good reviews and a good reputation as a bariatric surgeon. But when he started his own practice, something in his pre or post op education was missing. Well the long and short of it...they put a hold on him practicing bariatric surgery at the hospital due to a death. Needless to say, I switched to a new surgeon. Be careful who you pick. Make sure to really research them. Not all laproscopic surgeons have a good program for bariatric surgery. Just be very careful and ask lots of questions. I definently went for experience, because this is a major surgery. Actually I chose US Bariatrics because they had the most comprehensive pre and post op program. The surgeon has had the surgery himself. And they do a lot of research and update the program according to the trends they see in their patients. Brook