Choosing a doc

How did you all choose your surgeons? I'm also wondering if they are "rated" anywhere. I know about the ASBS and to check their mortality and complication rates, but what other criteria did you use? Please feel free to email me if you feel uncomfortable posting names of docs on the boards. Thanks in advance for any help!

I picked Dr Steven Clark because my mom had used him. She had a complication during surgery and if it wasn't for him she would not be here today down 100lbs since December.

i picked dr clark because.......i knew i would be able to do support meetings ect...a friend had used st V and she never went to support and she had gained all her weight back and then some...i felt the support was going to be needed just from my research....and my husband used dr clark as well and even though he had a problem it was nothing dr clark did...his was an ulcer and being on the blood thinners is what then caused his main issues....jennifer where did your mom go to have the surgery? and is she glad she did it? ed had a gal from work who was using dr clark and she went my husband and said to him..talk to me...tell me what i need to know....and i am ever ever so proud of ed cos i felt he would have told her no how no way to do it....but he told her to go for it....and this is after ed had spent almost 3 months in the hosp and already he knew the surgery was the best thing he could have done for himself...he had a rough time of it there for some time and i just knew he would forever wish he had not done it....but at the same time i reflected back to a lady i spoke with over the internet before my surgery and she had about everything go wrong and she was even in a wheel chair and she said she would do it again in a heart beat....now ed did great his first 4 weeks he had surgery dec 27th and from feb 12th till the end of april, he was more in the hosp than out..he spent 2 weeks, then 4 days, then 3 weeks then 2 weeks....he is rather loving life today...

My mom had her surgery at Community south. If you would of asked her after surgery if she would do it again...she would of probably said no, but now she is sooooooo glad she had and she looks and feels awesome. I think the support groups are what truely got her through. I think my mom might know your husband....She told me about a man that had an ulcer that was in the hospital for awhile.

I picked dr Cacucci because she did a friend of mine a year before. When I went to her seminar I knew I had picked the right one. you can change your mind if you feel the need after the seminars.. Are you going to St V??? I am partial because it has a floor just for us1! No skinnys on that floor!! Just gonnabes!! Linda

I am also using Dr Clark. I Have had my consult with him and feel very confident with him. Just remeber that every surgeon has had patients with complications and if they tell you they haven't they have either never preformed this surgery or they are lying. Amanda

I chose Dr Clark - because 1) St Francis seemed to always remember my name when I called about questions and I wasn't even a patient (and yes I called and asked the same questions at other places too). 2) Dr Clark talked to me like I was a human being and not a patient, or a number, or money to go into his pocket. And he also kept remembering my name and stuff from our previous conversations. 3) Not at one point did I ever feel scared (as in "what if something goes wrong" scared), even on the day of surgery. Dr Clark comes across as a honest to goodness real being. He'll be honest about mistakes, errors, complications, precautions, just about everything - in the most easiest simplest terms so that you clearly understand what he's explaining to you. I wish I could have him as my everyday doctor.

Rachel, I chose Dr. Jones' group because of comments I found here on OH. It was also why I chose St. Vincent's. There are some very honest reviews on here...not just everyone saying 'they did mine so they are the best'. It's also why I chose Turkle to do my plastic surgery when I get ready for it. For the surgeons: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgeons+in+indiana.html If you click on their name, it will give their stats. If you click on 'testamonial', it will give you patient comments. For the hospitals: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgery+hospitals+in+indiana.html Good luck! Sherri

I had several friends I knew that had used Dr. Inman. I had planned to use her but the day I could go to St. Vincent for and initial consultation her partner Dr. Evanson was doing the consults. I liked him immediatly. Very honest, open and warm. Great bedside manner. I had LAP surgery. He also does the lap band if you are interested in that. I also highly reccomend St. Vincent program. My only complaint on the whole deal is the billing department at St. V made a mess of my bill and we are still trying to get it straightend out. But as far as the surgeon goes Evanson and Inman are tops in my book.

Thank you for all of your insights!