Really need an UNBIASED answer
I didn't have to ask my surgeon, it was part of their seminar and in writing.
As to knowing someone who died...we've had a few here but I didn't know them, knew of them tho.
As to a vetted surgeon...
It's great if you can manage to get to one but not all of us are fortunate enough to go to someone on that list. I'm one of them. I had no option if I wanted my surgery this DECADE. My insurance company approved the surgery but would NOT let me go out of state and mine was the ONLY one willing to handle a lightweight who ALSO took my insurance.
So if you can, go to one on the list, but don't apologize if you can't. Just do your research and look at what you are looking at...the mortality rates.
Oh and as someone who is bound to bring up, a COE is not the only method for finding a surgeon but for some of us, it is the only way to get the surgery and have it paid by insurance. We can't all be self pay.
Liz
As to knowing someone who died...we've had a few here but I didn't know them, knew of them tho.
As to a vetted surgeon...
It's great if you can manage to get to one but not all of us are fortunate enough to go to someone on that list. I'm one of them. I had no option if I wanted my surgery this DECADE. My insurance company approved the surgery but would NOT let me go out of state and mine was the ONLY one willing to handle a lightweight who ALSO took my insurance.
So if you can, go to one on the list, but don't apologize if you can't. Just do your research and look at what you are looking at...the mortality rates.
Oh and as someone who is bound to bring up, a COE is not the only method for finding a surgeon but for some of us, it is the only way to get the surgery and have it paid by insurance. We can't all be self pay.
Liz
Duodenal Switch (Lap) 01-24-11 | Surgeon: Stephen Boyce | High weight: 250 in 2002 | Surgery weight: 203 | Lowest weight: 121 | Current weight: 135 | Goal weight: 135
Liz,
I to have wondered how a surgeon gets on that list. I know Dr. Boyce isn't on that list and am curious as to why. There are only 2 surgeon listed, both in Nashville, I looked at the OH numbers and according to them Boyce has done more DS surgeries then Dr. Houston has for example but Houston is on the list, not that I trust those numbers since I have no idea where
they come from or when they are updated. Boyce has had the same numbers listed since I started lurking and I know he has done at least 1 since then (yours, lol). Every person who has contacted me privately has only had great things to say about Boyce and he seems to have a great rep on the state board.
So I agree the vetted list is a great place to start and if you can do it great but no matter who you choose you need to do the research yourself and be comfortable with the choice. Remember the person you pick is going to be operating on YOU so gather all the facts and make the best choice for you.
I think you have every right to know both the complication rates and the mortality rates of any surgeon you choose. Do not think this is an off-putting question to ask. They should be more than open about this fact.
I'll just throw out that I had my surgery by a non-vetted surgeon (at the time). He had done "around 30" DS's at the time I consulted with him. It was a big concern, I will admit, but after meeting him, I was much more comfortable with him. I learned of his experience as a vascular and bariatric surgeon, etc. I am sure part of my decision was that he was a 5 minute drive from my house, and I loved the idea that he would be nearby if I had issues, and for follow up, etc. Now, having said that, I would have, absolutely, travelled for my DS. Many do, it's totally doable. Some travel outside the country.
Because Dr. Selwyn is unvetted, etc., one important question, before the others mentioned is how many DSs has he been the primary surgeon on, who did he train under (or where did he train), etc. It would be good for you to know (and for us, frankly!)
There are others on the boards here who have had unvetted surgeons. They have to get experience somewhere, on someone. That sounds very cavalier I know, it's not meant to be. We all have to do what we need to do for the reasons we need to do them. I certainly don't condemn anyone for making choices they make, if they have done their research, understood the consequences, etc. It's a big decision, and of course one only you can make.
Good luck.
I'll just throw out that I had my surgery by a non-vetted surgeon (at the time). He had done "around 30" DS's at the time I consulted with him. It was a big concern, I will admit, but after meeting him, I was much more comfortable with him. I learned of his experience as a vascular and bariatric surgeon, etc. I am sure part of my decision was that he was a 5 minute drive from my house, and I loved the idea that he would be nearby if I had issues, and for follow up, etc. Now, having said that, I would have, absolutely, travelled for my DS. Many do, it's totally doable. Some travel outside the country.
Because Dr. Selwyn is unvetted, etc., one important question, before the others mentioned is how many DSs has he been the primary surgeon on, who did he train under (or where did he train), etc. It would be good for you to know (and for us, frankly!)
There are others on the boards here who have had unvetted surgeons. They have to get experience somewhere, on someone. That sounds very cavalier I know, it's not meant to be. We all have to do what we need to do for the reasons we need to do them. I certainly don't condemn anyone for making choices they make, if they have done their research, understood the consequences, etc. It's a big decision, and of course one only you can make.
Good luck.
Duodenal Switch 4/29/09
Loving my DS!!
Loving my DS!!
The thing about my being happy that Dr. S. is right across the street from is because with all of the labs and appointments and meetings and all that has to be completed prior to any of the surgeries in combination with the fact that I do not own a car to get back and forth to all of said appointments I NEED someone very close. It was suggested that I take the train from Portage... Portage is 50 miles down the road from me. It's been suggested i should take the bus or taxis. Taxi's cost $7 a mile here so I am looking at $350 a trip one way everytime I have an appointment. Not mention the train ticket cost, a hotel room if everything is not all scheduled for 1 day. And never mind the fact that the bus station is an hour and 45 minutes away with no other public transpotation to it. And as far I know, my insurance doesn't cover travel, food and lodging for this. And what if heaven forbid something should happen and I have some sort of complication? What if it's a life threatening complication and my surgeon is in Chicago? i'm supposed to hope and pray that the ER doc here can sort it out BEFORE i die? So, for me, from a practicality standpoint I HAVE to have someone close. I dont have the option of going out of state or even out of town. So "vetted" or not if I am going to get the surgery I need I will have to stay here with the doc that IS available to me.
oh by the way, that term "vetted".... what does that mean to the posters here? i know what the dictionary meaning is but apparently my definition is different that other peoples. I am not understanding so will try make myself clear here. To my understanding when a professional (in this case a surgeon) is "vetted" they are examined and evaluated for competency for the job they are doing. So that means to me for example, that a surgeon who wants to do bariatric procedures has to be examined and evaluated by (I am assuming) a panel of experts who know what they are looking for as far as competency, fitness, and whatever else they look for before they just turn the surgeon loose and tell him "go for it! open those people up and screw around with their insides!" So in my mind the surgeon has been "vetted". But again my brain doesnt seem to work the same way as everyone else so someone please explain to me what you all mean by vetted. It would greatly appreciated thanks!
oh by the way, that term "vetted".... what does that mean to the posters here? i know what the dictionary meaning is but apparently my definition is different that other peoples. I am not understanding so will try make myself clear here. To my understanding when a professional (in this case a surgeon) is "vetted" they are examined and evaluated for competency for the job they are doing. So that means to me for example, that a surgeon who wants to do bariatric procedures has to be examined and evaluated by (I am assuming) a panel of experts who know what they are looking for as far as competency, fitness, and whatever else they look for before they just turn the surgeon loose and tell him "go for it! open those people up and screw around with their insides!" So in my mind the surgeon has been "vetted". But again my brain doesnt seem to work the same way as everyone else so someone please explain to me what you all mean by vetted. It would greatly appreciated thanks!
My understanding is that DSFacts.com considers a surgeon vetted when they have completed at least 100 DS surgeries and have not earned a reputation for baiting and not-switching or having an abnormally high complication rate, etc.
For those that have travelled for thier DS, they have had thier PCP handle thier pre-surgery testing, and thier follow up post-op, you wouldn't necessarily have to travel back and forth to your surgeon. Yes, you would likely have to have a hotel room a night or two beforesurgery and up to a week after, so that is funds you'd have to come up with along with any airfare, train, bus, donkey, etc
If you find that Dr. S. doesn't meet your standards, please don't give up. Where there is a will there is a way.
For those that have travelled for thier DS, they have had thier PCP handle thier pre-surgery testing, and thier follow up post-op, you wouldn't necessarily have to travel back and forth to your surgeon. Yes, you would likely have to have a hotel room a night or two beforesurgery and up to a week after, so that is funds you'd have to come up with along with any airfare, train, bus, donkey, etc
If you find that Dr. S. doesn't meet your standards, please don't give up. Where there is a will there is a way. Duodenal Switch 4/29/09
Loving my DS!!
Loving my DS!!
oooh donkey! I hadnt thought of that option... I dont have a donkey but I have several friends with large dogs... wonder how they would do pulling a dog sled on wheels? 
Since I dont even have a date yet I seriously have not tried to even think about traveling and all that entails just yet. I saw one of the vets post that we should first pick our surgery then pick our surgeon. I'm leaning toward the DS and since apparently its the most complex of the bunch I will be researching the others as well still. In the meantime I will be attending informational meetings here in town since they are only a couple blocks from my house. and I see my pcp on Friday (4/29) so will also be asking her a zillion and 1 questions about having labs and such done through her for now and just in general working on the requirements my insurance has for bariatric patients. maybe i will get lucky and a vetted DS surgeon will move into town and set up shop in the hospital across the street lol.
Since I dont even have a date yet I seriously have not tried to even think about traveling and all that entails just yet. I saw one of the vets post that we should first pick our surgery then pick our surgeon. I'm leaning toward the DS and since apparently its the most complex of the bunch I will be researching the others as well still. In the meantime I will be attending informational meetings here in town since they are only a couple blocks from my house. and I see my pcp on Friday (4/29) so will also be asking her a zillion and 1 questions about having labs and such done through her for now and just in general working on the requirements my insurance has for bariatric patients. maybe i will get lucky and a vetted DS surgeon will move into town and set up shop in the hospital across the street lol.
Ok, here is my take on the whole thing:
Every "vetted" DS surgeon had to start out somewhere. At some point, they didn't have hundreds of DS surgeries under their belts. Yes, experience is important when choosing a surgeon. But someone, at some point, had to be their "first." I guess my point is that I, personally, didn't let number of DS surgeries alone decide who I was going to use as my surgeon.
If I were you, I would try to find as many of this surgeon's patients as you can to talk to about their personal experiences with him. I would go meet with the surgeon and talk to him. Ask him about his stats. Ask for references. Ask about his training. In the end, it is your decision - how you feel about this guy, and if you trust him. I had people warn me not to use my surgeon and to switch to another surgeon in his practice that had more DS experience. In the end, I went with my gut feelings, and stuck with my surgeon. I have had nothing but great results - no complications, over 100% EWL before a year out...amazing. BUT...had I, through my research, found that he had a very high complication or mortality rate - I would have chosen someone else. Those things are important to know before making a decision.
Best of luck to you - keep researching!
Every "vetted" DS surgeon had to start out somewhere. At some point, they didn't have hundreds of DS surgeries under their belts. Yes, experience is important when choosing a surgeon. But someone, at some point, had to be their "first." I guess my point is that I, personally, didn't let number of DS surgeries alone decide who I was going to use as my surgeon.
If I were you, I would try to find as many of this surgeon's patients as you can to talk to about their personal experiences with him. I would go meet with the surgeon and talk to him. Ask him about his stats. Ask for references. Ask about his training. In the end, it is your decision - how you feel about this guy, and if you trust him. I had people warn me not to use my surgeon and to switch to another surgeon in his practice that had more DS experience. In the end, I went with my gut feelings, and stuck with my surgeon. I have had nothing but great results - no complications, over 100% EWL before a year out...amazing. BUT...had I, through my research, found that he had a very high complication or mortality rate - I would have chosen someone else. Those things are important to know before making a decision.
Best of luck to you - keep researching!
~Heather~
HW: 249/ CW: 130/ GW: 140
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