How many of you had your RNY by General Surgeon not Board Certified one?

How many of you had your RNY by General Surgeon not Board Certified one? The one I have chosen is General Surgeon who lists RNY as something he does. There are glowing reports about him, even from some on this board. What really is the difference between the two?

Education, training and exams to certify his knowledge and ability.

what type of Board certification are you referring to?

IF YOU WATCH OPRAH,,SHE HAD A GUEST ON HER SHOW  'CARNEY WILSON''THAT HAD GASTRIC BYPASS AND THE LAST THING SHE SAID ABOUT HER RECOMMENDATIONS WAS ; NOT GO TO A GENERAL SURGEON FOR THIS WLS ..THERE IS A WOMAN ON OH THAT HAD GASTRIC BYPASS FROM A GENERAL SURGEON AND ALMOST LOST HER LIFE,,SHE HAD SO MANY COMPLICATIONS AFTERWARDS...I FORGET HER NAME  SOMETHING LIKE ''I_RIDE_MY_HARLEY'' I ALMOST WENT WITH ONE TOO,,THANK GOD I DIDNT,,I'VE HAD OPEN HEART SURGERY PRIOR TO WLS...MY PERSONAL OPINION IS DONT DO IT..READ A BOOK CALLED ''WLS FOR DUMMIES''     GOOD LUCK...............WENDY

I believe that most baricatic surgeons are general surgeons first. I think that makes them even better because they see diffrent things. What you should be looking for is that they are a member of the American Baricatic Sociecty. Also if they are a Center of Excellence, that's the gold standard.

It's like going to the dentist for a back ache.........you just don't do it.

Board certification is important but what’s more important is the number of bariatric procedures the surgeon has performed. As mentioned in the WLS for Dummies book there is a definite learning curve when it comes to surgical complications. Ask the doctor how many of the specific procedure you are having he/she has performed. If it’s anything less than 150 – find someone else. If you have an ABS Center of Excellence in your area, go there. Their process is more extensive and prepares you better for the surgery. Good luck!

My surgeon is not board certified.  I choose him though because of the number he has done and the results.  I wouldn't have gone to anyone else.
jan

General surgery refers only to the training they have received.  They have finished medical school, and internship and a residency in surgery.  The next logical step in any specialty is getting board certified.  This is a test given by others in their field that measures their level of expertise.  I can go to a mechanic and get my car fixed and it might be great.  If I go to one with certifications from GM or Ford, I know he has been found knowlegable in what he does and is more likely to do the job right.  This is your body and your life.  You deserve the most qualified.  The day after a mistake has been made is no time to say "I should have gone to someone else".  Best of luck.

To clarify a little, I hope.  There is not currently a Board Certification in Bariatric Surgery specifically.  General surgeons can be certified in general surgery by the American Board of Surgery and become members in different specialty groups such as the Association of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons, Fellowship of American College of Surgeons and Society of Americal Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (just a few).  They can (and should) have additional training in laparoscopic surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, solid organ surgery, etc.  So my answer to your question, is NO I would NEVER have surgery performed by someone who is NOT board certified, but I WOULD have surgery by a Board Certified Surgeon who has additional training in bariatric surgery. Clear as mud now, right???
Cindy