Am I being too picky?

Ok, here's the deal... When we arrived in GA early January, I started researching WLS very heavily. I read tons and tons of information online. I visited this website at well as Obesity Help and the ASBS websites for information. I've read three books on WLS and have ordered three more. I learned what it means when a practice is designated as a Center of Excellence. So I started looking in my area for surgeons who practice at a CoE. None of them take my insurance, so I found a practice in SC that was up to par with my expectations. I went to see my PCM for a referral. Easy peasy, she had no problems taking care of that for me. My husband is stationed at an Army base. So when I got a call from the Tricare referral person at the base hospital, she said that there are some great bariatric surgeons who do WLS at the base hospital. I thought "great!" She informed me that the surgery clinic has applied for designation as a Center of Excellence, but the numbers aren't quite there yet. I thought to myself "well, that's good" and decided to go ahead and schedule myself for the program at the base hospital. During the information session I attended on Feb 12, I was able to meet with the chief of bariatric surgery. He's a really great person, has a great bedside manner and is very compassionate towards people suffering from this terrible disease of obesity. I was hoping against hope that I would be put on his list for a consult. But it didn't work out that way. I'm scheduled with a different surgeon. While researching on the OH website, I was able to look up surgeons by name and find out information about their bariatric surgery experience. None of the doctors at the base hospital have their stats listed. So I'm going to be asking the surgeon I was placed with what his stats are. I would have done that with any surgeon I went to. Now here is my dilemma: One of the things I've read from several resources has said to choose a surgeon who has performed at least 125 of the surgery you are wanting and whose practice is primarily bariatrics. Some other important factors to me are how long the surgeon has been in practice and what type of bariatric training the surgeon underwent. What if the surgeon I'm scheduled with isn't "up to par" with what I'm expecting or prefer? Do I then request to switch to the surgeon I met previously? Or do I go ahead and request a referral to a practice where I already have statistics for? Am I over thinking this? Am I being too picky? ARRGH!! My consult isn't until March 7 and this is driving me NUTS!!

well it seems like you have done your research. however with being military you dont have as much choice to be picky if you want the surgery to be covered. with that said though i think you should be comfortable with your dr, if you dont necessarly like your surgeon you can always request a different one, however you might be postponed for a date, and might take longer to get things on the road. also many of the hospitals on base are teaching hospitals, so even if your suregon doesnt have "the expiernce" there will be someone over seeing his every move, to make sure it is right.

I agree with Jennifer, but with that being said I want to share my experence. I was referred here in Hawaii to our Military Hospitals Weightloss surgery program. I attended the meeting and was told I was a good candidate, I had real issues with the cordinator and felt he was an ass and the wait list for the surgery through the military hospital was 18-36 months long. So with that I contacted an excellent civilian weightloss clinic and got reffered there. The military hosp only did OPEN RNY and I didnt want that, the Surgery clinic I got referred to off base not only had an excellent surgeon but excellent staff, so with that said if you arent comfortable with the military hospital contact civilian ones and see if they accept tricare if they do ask what you need to do to be seen by their staff

Amanda, Did you ever have your surgery....I think you're talking about the hospital I'm going to???

Im a military wife also and and had my informational session today...the chief surgeon was very nice and has done about 101 RNY's and 70 lapbands. So im pretty confident although he;s going tdy in a few weeks....