Your Surgeon
I picked my surgeon because the first one I saw only did open RNY and at a 40 BMI and with no co-morbidites and no long term history of morbid obesity (< two years), I thought he was a bit of a charlatan!
My surgeon is a great cutter ... just what I wanted for a surgeon!
Proud Feminist, Atheist, LGBT friend, and Democratic Socialist
the clinic has 3 docs that do WLSs... I picked my surgeon based on his record and fit with my personality and what I wanted from the Dr... I chose wisely and he hasn't disappointed me in any way
I went to info sessions for the two primary programs in my area. Even though it meant an open surgery instead of (probably) lap surgery with the other surgeon, I really liked the second surgeon better, felt she would give more encouragement, and since it was going to be a somewhat long term relationship, I went with her.
From a purely technical/medical standpoint, I probably should have gone with the first surgeon, but I got a lot of encouragement and extra information from the surgeon I chose that I probably would not have gotten from the first one.
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
Picked mine. He had great reviews on the 'net, and had done a year long residency in laparoscopic bariatric surgery as well as being active in the ASMBS, including having been published. When I met him, he took a great deal of time with me answering all my questions and didn't steer me to a specific operation. He was very personable and easy to talk to with a great sense of humor. Overall I think I made a great choice; I feel completely comfortable with him doing my surgery and follow-up.
Surgery: RNY on 12/18/2013 with Jay M. Snow, MD "Don't mistake my kindness for weakness." - Robert Herjavec, quoting Al Capone
Did you hand pick your surgeon, or did you just take the next available appointment?
My PCP recommended my surgeon - the facility was designated a "Center of Excellence". After asking around, I only heard wonderful things about him. My experience with his staff and the process lived up to expectations. I can't say enough great things about him!