How does one select the best bariatric surgeon?

Right now I'm in the 'research phase' and honestly, the most stressful part for me is "which one should I choose?"  I live in the north metro Atlanta area and I literally have dozens I can choose from.  However, the biggest thing I have going against me is I'm self-pay.  So while I don't want to be 'cheap', if the "best" doctor is $5000 more, that unfortunately may be a gamebreaker.  

Also, what are some questions you wished you had asked when meeting with a bariatric surgeon in your "initial meetings"

Thanks.

As an RN, I did "tons" of research before I let a Dr. touch me.  I'm having surgery in Atlanta in 10 more days.  I hand picked Dr. Macik after I extensively searched all aspects of his background.  He's at Northside Bariatrics.

I've heard nothing but great things about him!

A couple of thoughts... What is their complication rates? Below or above national average? Rates of ER visits for patients within one month of surgery, Leakage rates? What does their team look like, is it easy to see a nutritionist etc., are their support groups? I was able to find a local support group that was not hospital based, it was in the community and had people attending from all different surgeons. It was great to be able to talk to people who had used my surgeon and see how they still felt about him years later.

When I went to my original seminar and someone asked about self-pay, the surgeon said the only surgery he would do on a self pay patient was the sleeve. His concern is that once the surgery is done, people don't want to pay for the follow-ups... so in the long run the sleeve requires the least follow up. I went to a seminar before meeting the surgeon, so I had a lot of information already. Good Luck!

I was self pay and I can tell you do not base your decision thinking about money first.  Choose credentials , safety and results and then see where you are. 

I had mine done in the ATL area as well.  If you want to private message me about my Dr. (listed above), please do so.

Knowing I wanted the DS, it narrowed the search down for me significantly.  In GA, for instance, that would give me a choice of 2 docs, and IMO, I would trust any doc that had the skills to do the DS, for they usually do all wls procedures.

I also had surgery in Atlanta - with William Johnson at Emory Johns Creek. I would highly recommend Atlanta Bariatrics and having surgery at Emory. I got great care and I am very happy with the process so far. I chose them because they are a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence and I have a lot of confidence in the Emory affiliation.  I would ask about complication rates (Dr. Johnson has never had a patient have a leak - they do a leak test while they are in the OR, although I realize that they can happen later).  You're welcome to message me for more info.

I am waiting my ins approval for Dr. Johnson at Emory. I am glad to finally see a list from some that used them.  Can I ask, did Emory have private rooms?  

I selected the surgery I wanted first, then started looking for the nearest surgeon that performed it (I wanted the DS, and there are fewer surgeon who do it than RNY). 

I was also self pay looking for a decent deal, with a good surgeon, which actually opened up my choices as to where I could go.