What is your surgeon's personality like? Does it matter?

Hello everyone,

With all of the delays and setbacks due to Covid, I have finally been able to attend a few information sessions virtually, and took care of my RD meetings. During the information session, we were able to meet three surgeons, and their personalities are all very different. Can you tell me if any of you took personality into account when you chose your surgeon? Does it help for them to have humor? This seems like a lame question in a way, but this is a huge decision I'm about to make!

I was more concerned about having a female surgeon, because I'm female and wanted that sense of comfort with my body. My doctor showed a little humor when I asked for a picture of my stomach, but was surprised to know I was serious and I have pictures of my tonsils and appendix.

I have not met with mine yet, but I have watched videos but everything is pretty cut and dry since he was discussing surgery types etc. I would like to imagine that my surgeon is a kind person but I realize that "being kind" has nothing to do with "skilled hands and experience". I guess I want to be seen as a human being rather than just a body on a surgical table. So, maybe a little compassion isn't too much to ask?

My surgeon had zero charisma or bedside manner but he was a great cutter.

I'd take good skills and outcomes over personality any day, but we all have to choose what makes us comfortable.

There used to be a surgeon who had a cult like following on here - it gave me the heebie jeebies.

Citizen Kim, thank you for your reply. Cult followings cause me to pause as well, so not looking or that! You're right, it's the skills that are the most important, and the program seems to have good follow up with the patients, so your input helps, appreciate it!

Honestly, at least in my program, I spent more time with the bariatric nurse, the bariatric physician (not surgeon), the RD, and the psychologist and psychiatrist. I had great confidence in my surgeon's skills but found a fit with the other roles more important because I spent more time with them. I did change RDs once and psychologist once over the 3 years I've been associated with the program. I'd take a surgeon with top skills over one with a sense of humor for sure.

I spend a lot more time with the other staff members in my clinic than I ever did with the surgeon. My surgeon actually DOES have a great bedside manner, but I specifically wanted someone who was great at surgery.

back when I was pre-op, they used to have these in-person info sessions run by a surgeon. The four surgeons in the practice would rotate. So I went to four of the sessions - even though they were exactly the same - because I wanted to see all four of the surgeons "in the flesh". I thought they all seemed pretty nice - but the one I ultimately decided on had been at it for more years than the others and was also the clinic director. Plus I happened to overhear another staff member at one of these info sessions say to another staff member that if she was going to have surgery, she'd go with Dr. X. So that confirmed it for me.

catwoman7,

Aha, you gave me the idea to attend the session each surgeon has so I can choose that way. We did get to meet them at the last meeting but it was so brief, it still left me in limbo. They all do the same procedures, so I'm getting closer, and do thank you for responding! Good to know about spending more time with the clinic staff, and that makes sense for sure. I feel confident with the RD and the coordinator is great, so I'm off to a good start.

I had to get used to my surgeons dry personality. He was nothing like he is now. When I first met him, he was VERY PROFESSIONAL but I think since I have been around for the last 12 years, he's used to me... haha. I still help out when I can and am still going to support group meetings (when they were in-person), but it's nice to see a different side. When I had my daughter, I brought her to a Christmas support group and all the staff was there. He immediately came over and snatched her from me and wouldn't let her go (He even took photos with other patients with her on his hip). He didn't have children yet so it was nice to see a softer side of him. I guess in a professional setting, I expect him to be just that.

My surgeon was great! Very attentive and he took the time to answer all of my questions. Always smiling and personable. That mattered to me.