Picking the right Surgeon?

Hi everyone. I just wanted to know if anyone has had the following surgeons,Donald Clough, MD, FACS, Peter Huang, MD, FACS or Michelle Toder, MD, FACS I did a search on some of them but, I'd like to hear first hand experience. I would really like to go with Toder, but I heard that she's backed up 3 months-is she worth the wait?  My second choice is Huang.  When choosing a Surgeon does it really matter how long they've been in practice if they are  board certified by the American Board of Surgery?  Thanks,  Everyone Kimmie J

im sorry,I dont know any of them.

Thats alright, thanks anyways for your response most of them are out of EMMC.

Actually 3 months is awesome!  Dr Cobean has a 8-9 month wait, and a few years ago it was about a 2 year wait.   I think it is very important that the surgeon is board certified and has experience.  Best of luck on your search!!

Hi Kimberly84, I'm in the process for wls with EMMC and am also wondering about which surgeon to choose.  I coworker just recently had Toder perform her surgery in August and was totally please with her as a practiioner. For me it is between her and the new surgeon Dr. Lalor - even if he isn't certified yet - needs a few more surgeries under his belf. I did have the opportunity to listen to him a support group meeting and like him personally and felt he had really solid training in Florida. He also is very much up on new technology. I'm assuming since you posted here that you are also going through the process - what point are you at now? Best to yoiu!

Hello,  I had Dr. Peter Huang for my lap RNY in July. The surgery was also robotically assisted.  He is a great surgeon.  I felt very comfortable with him.  I would think any surgeon operating out of the "Center of Excellence" is going to be a good choice.   My personal experience with Dr. Huang has been a very positive one. Good Luck with your decision!!

hello I had Dr.Clough for my (open) RNY in July. He is a great doctor and did a very nice job. He is one of the first doctors to do the gastric bypass..his assitant is great aslo. I also want Toder but could not wait because of my job driving school bus. Dr. Clough is the best doctor I have seen in a long time. I would recommend him to anyone. Just having the open is healing longer and one long incision 6 inches down middle of stomach, Clough will not do Lap Rny only open. Good luck with  your choice barb

Right now, I'm in the middle of  the pre op appointments, If all goes well I should be finished pre op by the end of November.    3-4 months wait, I know doesn't seem that long, but  like they say, most people who have been overweight most of their lives wanted surgery yesterday, I admit I'm one of them.  I did get to meet Dr. Lolar he seems really smart, but I've heard most surgeon's have a learning curve and from what I know I think he only started last year. But, he's great and seems to have great bed side skills. Dr. Clough, would be my first choice, then again he only does open, which I really don't want to do. I think I'm going to go with Dr. Huang. I just wish there was more information on him.  So..does anyone know the deal with th Bariatric Beds? Thanks, again  Kimmie J

If you can possibly have the lap procedure, do it!!  I was back to work full time as a CNA in 2 weeks.  The recovery time is much faster, and less invasive, with the same results as the "big cut".  The thought of perhaps needing that scared the **** out of me!! Once again, good luck with your decision, Maryellen

I had Dr. Toder and I would recommend her 150%! I decided to go with her because my mother is a nurse on the floor you will go to after surgery and so she has seen a lot of surgeries and performance by the surgeons and overall her feeling was Toder is the best. I am completely happy with her, she is competent and caring although her bedside manner can be wanting. She will tell you like it is all the time, even if it's not what you want to hear, and that is something I wanted in a surgeon. My surgery went great and I had no complications. There is a reason she is so backed up. :-) That said, all of the surgeons that do WLS at EMMC know what they are doing. If you can I would stick with a board approved surgeon. They have met strict standards and I personally felt a lot safer that way. I also chose Toder because I wanted Lap and she is the only certified one who does that, the other being Clough who only does open. Atleast last time I checked they were the only two, I know they are the only ones listed on the certificate in the binders. Someone mentioned Dr. Lolar (sp?) and I personally would suggest to you that you not go with him. I have heard his specialty is the gastric sleeve not the RNY and so I would suggest you don't go with him till he's been here a little longer and gets his certification. Sooo I guess in conclusion, wait for Toder if you can, you wont regret it. Have you actually met with her and seen what her schedule is like? She may have openings. If you can't wait for Toder do Huang since I am assuming you want laprascopic. No matter who you chose make sure you ask them questions about what to expect when you wake up from surgery, their complication rate etc. because each of them will be different because they all have different approaches to the procedure.