Surgeon Picking?

Surgeon Picking?   So seems like everyone has a surgeon in mind when joining OH. What made you choose the Surgeon you had or will have? How did the WLS journey lead you to him/her?

Iread the reviews here on OH, talked to people.  I wanted the best skilled surgeon but also need one with a good bedside manner.
Val

I knew a couple of people who had, had him as a surgeon.  They were very happy with him so I started my research.  I went to two of his seminars where he speaks about the different surgeries.  Then I went to support group meetings to meet others that had had surgery by him.
I also had researched another surgeon and when I was comparing them, there really wasn't any comparison.  Dr. Srikanth had performed more surgeries and had a higher success rate and had a lower death rate.

When I finally met with Dr. S.  I came in with a list of questions I had for him on a piece of paper.  He answered every one of my questions and was pleasant in doing so.  He commented to me that "I had done my research" and he was right I had.  I am going to school to be a nurse so I suppose some of my questions were more than what an average person would ask.

Dr. S is wonderful!  I have lost 60 lbs in 3 months and feel great!  However I think the key to my success has been I follow Dr. S guidelines to a T. 

Good for you for posting this question.  Surgery is a big decision and researching ahead of time is the best thing you can do for yourself.  Every surgeon has different guidelines so make sure whatever surgeon you choose, you choose them because of thier skills of being a surgeon (low complication rate etc.) but also make sure you can follow their guidelines.  Every surgeon has different guidelines that will need to be followed for life.

Good luck to you!

My insurance company told me where to go and I picked the surgeon that had just joined the group (after reading about him online).

I am fortunate to work in the same facility as my surgeon, Dr. Hunter. I have worked wtih him and after attending as many support groups as I could, the positive reports from his patients helped to confirm my choice. I knew he was the one. I felt that not only his expertise was important but the whole bariatric program at Virginia Mason is superb.
Good luck,
Connie

Dr. Srikanth was referred to me by my GI specialist, because I had to have some kind of complicated GI stuff done at the same time/in combination with the RNY.  Basicallly, he removed my stomach, my gall bladder and did a liver biopsy all at the same time.  I am SO glad I was referred to Dr. S.  My weight loss is a little slower than some, and I had complications (not due to the doctor) during surgery that I can guarantee you won't have, but Dr. Srikanth has been absolutely awesome. 

And he has so  much compassion for his patients.  He really went the extra mile for me, even calling me at home several times both pre and post op when there were issues.  I wouldn't trade him for the world.

Good luck in your research,
amy