Quanity equals quality??

I have an issue that is coming up as I find myself heading for gastric bypass surgery.  I live in Fort Wayne, IN and there is a good hospital here and from the reviews I have read, a good doctor.  Neither are under the "excellence" category for the bariatric surgery, or surgeons.  I have to keep in mind that he hasn't been doing the surgery but a couple of years and I think the facility here is a bit new.

I have the option with my insurance to go to Carmel, which is about an hour and a half drive from me.  I know I will have to make several trips before and after the surgery, no matter where I have it done.

I have read the reviews of my dr on here, and while there aren't many..the ones that exist are really good.  The surgeon I would pick in Carmel has a lot of reviews and from what I have read are good also.

I know that any driving that is done before and after surgery I will have to do.  I don't have anyone that can drive me either direction.  This is a huge concern of mine, though I am sure I might be able to handle it.  If there were an emergency though, it is pretty far for me to have to go.  That and if you look at the reality of the gas prices, this is not something I can do lightly by any means.

I guess I am looking for a little friendly advice, such as if you think after surgery I would be able to handle the drive home and all of the drives for follow ups.  Should I base my decision on where to go solely on how many the dr has done, or the facility? 

I try to think that someone, someplace had to give these doctors a chance or they wouldn't have the affiliations they do.  I suppose that some of this comes from me being a bit scared in general.

Any advice will be appreciated, thanks!

 

 

As you said, all surgeons have to get their start somewhere. There are surgeons out there that have done lots of surgeries...that I wouldn't let touch me. So the number of surgeries alone would not be a big factor to me. Quality is much more important than quantity.

I absolutely love St. Vincent Carmel and all the physicians/surgeons associated with St. Vincent. That said, complications DO happen and if they happen to you, you need to be affiliated with a hospital that you can get to. I have had total 16 endo's, 2 perforations, 10 surgeries, and 2 colonoscopies since Sept. 2004. My daughter had to take me to each. Ask yourself what you would do if that happened to you. If you remain local, you could ask a co-worker to take you...or get a taxi if nothing else. So..if I were in your shoes, I would opt for the local center & surgeon provided that the feedback that is available on each IS possitive feedback. Again, Quality beats Quantity every time.

Sherri

I was faced with making that decision and chose to stay close to home.  I was lucky that my second choice is a center of excellence however, based on my surgeons record and reviews I would still choose him and stay close to home.

Jeannie

Thank you for answering my post.  I know you are both probably right in this, I guess because it's missing that little "excellence" thingy, I got a bit nervous.

After reading all of the complications, I got a bit more nervous than before..lol.

I have thought of having to drive that far, and it's probably not only hard, but a bit dangerous.  I have understood that aftercare is one of the most critical parts of the whole process.

I just wish I could get the hubby on board for the whole thing, I am sure my mind would be eased in many more ways.

I think that a hospital has certain criteria they must meet to get the label "center of excellence," and it's not entirely based on the quality of the surgeons.  It includes things like a dedicated bariatric post-op nursing unit, nutritionists, psychologists, support groups and other support services.  See if your local surgeon has local patients you can talk to or a support group you can attend, get their take on it.

Wow, I can see pro's and con's to both options. I think if I had the choice though, I would have stayed local. That wasn't an option for me. No one in Terre Haute does gastric bypass. But it would be nice not to have to take a whole day off work everytime I need to go up to Carmel. I would just make sure they have the supports you will need at the local place: dieticians, support groups, etc.,...

Here's my opinion backed up with my experience.  I have several places closer to home that do the surgery.  My insurance required that I have it performed at a center of excellence.  I am so glad I had my surgery at St. Vs.  Dr. Diaz is wonderful!  The center is wonderful.  I live 4 hours away from Carmel but the drive is absolutely worth it to me.  It costs me over $100 in gas for each of my post op visits but it's money well spent.  The only concern I have for you is your first post op visit.  My dad had to drive me.  You will not be cleared to drive until your drain tube is out (if you have one) and you are off of any pain meds.  After that, you'll be fine to take yourself.

Good luck with whatever you decide!
Jacqui

I live in Columbia City and checked out Dr. Sloan also to have it done at Lutheran.  I decided not to go that route.  I went to Goshen and had it done with Denise Murphy.  Team Bariatrics is the place.  It took about 45 minutes from Columbia City to get there.  It was the best experience ever.  I am so glad I checked around and decided to go there.  The price is a lot better also.

Although I have never heard anything bad about Dr. Sloan either.  I have a friend who had her's done in Michigan and is now going to Dr. Sloan for follow up and she loves him.

Just some thoughts....

Good luck in your journey

I am also from the Fort and had that decision to make.  It may seem like such and inconvience but I will tell you from experience the drive is not really a big deal.  I have make 5-6 trips to indy since my surgery on 6/06.  The experience that St. V's has well outweighs the drive.  My thought was that if I am going to havea major lifechanging surgery I want the most experienced surgeon I can find working on me.   I love Lutheran Hospital but the speciality unit at St. V. is incredible.  I have known several people that have the surgery from both places and all have nothing but good to say about both.  I would suggest you attend the Fort Wayne support group meeting and take in the info there.  We meet the 2nd Tuesday of the month at Concordia Seminary.  If you would like more info just let me know.

Wow, a lot of great advice and things to think about. 

Dr. Jones is who I am looking at in Carmel, and I have heard and read such great things about her.  Distance wouldn't normally be a problem, but I didn't know I would have to wait for the drains to be out first.  My husband has Parkinsons and can't drive more than a hour at a time, so that is something I have to think about now.

I have an appt for the seminar here in Fort Wayne with Dr.Sloan at the end of next week.  I also will call Dr. Jones in the morning and see about getting a first appt with her.  I think the best way for me to handle things is to check out both places and make a sound decision.  I like a lot of what Carmel has to offer and I will admit the experience appeals to me also.

I will check into going to the support group meeting that is here next month, I suspect that would be required.

I did find out one bit of good news today.  I called to check on my requirments from insurance to have the surgery.  She said my BMI had to be over the standard by the Board of Health.  I am at the mordid obese BMI stage, so I think I am ok with that.

Thanks again..I appreciate all the replies.