It's so confusing

I'm having the hardest time deciding which program to go with. I've looked at about 5 different programs and attended info sessions. Each doctor appears competent and personable. I've scoured reviews and honestly, every person that used a particular doctor gives them glowing reviews...each practice has little issues with the office staff. Every program has pretesting and some type of aftercare. Several have the COE distinction but I've been told that it's not the be all end all and should only be a factor in the decision. Some say go with a high volume practice or a center that only does bariatric sugery, others say it doesn't matter. I never knew it would be so hard. I have 4 children and I can honestly say I picked my OB/GYN by going to the one that was the closest and could get me in the quickest. I only mention that since I also had 4 c-sections so I knew they'd be operating on me. But for some reason, I'm feeling overwhelmed by the choices. I'm very tempted to employ the same tactic...going with the closest one who can get me in, either that or flipping a coin

I created a table listing the things I thought were important ... Number of procedures performed, complication rates, mortality rates, hospital association, anesteiservices available ... nutrionist, physchologist, insurance coverage, exercise physiologist, personalty, large practice vs. small practice, etc...

That gave me a way to look at the myriad of possibilities, so that I could narrow it down.

I hope that helps some.

Barb

Barb, That's a great tip. I mean to some extent you are comparing apples to apples and they all do start to seem alike.

I think when you narrow down the possibilities, then you have to go with your gut feeling.

You can make a list of what your qualifications for picking a surgeon are: low complication rate, hospital, personality, whatever.  Then assign a numerical value giving the highest value to that which is most important and the lowest value to the least.  Then take each practice and list assets they have.  Add the numerical values, you might find that one or two stand out.  You can also do this with the negatives if there are any.  Give the highest number to the most concerning negative and see who has the lowest score.  I find this type of thing helpful when comparing a large number of things with a lot of details. I hope that wasn't too confusing.  It's sort of hard to explain like this.  Good luck with your decision. Take care. Ellen

eh, flip a coin. get on with it!

LOL! That seems so simple huh...