I am a bit torn about which doctor to select. Any advice would be appreciated.

After reviewing the surgeries, I am really liking the concept of the Gastric reduction (removing the stomach) with the duodenal switch. I like the idea of a normally functioning stomach, without the "hardware" being left inside. However,in my area, one doc (Bruce MacPherson MD) is so busy he gives the first consultation free, but does it in groups. Well, I don't want to talk about my stuff in front of others. I offered to pay for an appointment, and was chastized by his office staff as trying to do something "out of protocol", and therefore making the doctor "nervous". He sounds like a control freak and I question his availability after surgery. Personally, I don't do well with that much rigidity. (don't confuse that with non-compliance, I am a very conpliant patient when I understand the whys and wherefores). The other who does it is brand spanking new, (Mustafa Hares, MD). My other choice is BTC which is an hour away, and the actual hospital is some "community hospital", about 3 hours away from my family and friends, without an ICU, and physicians who seem to do only RNY's, but whose patient care reps seem to have the best success rate for getting approvals without making it seem like a terrible struggle. (I can't stand professionals who complain about the complexities of their job to the people they are supposed to be serving). I also worry that the distance with be a barrier to following up with a support group, which is pretty important. There are a couple of other docs, but the program is done in a hospital I wouldn't take my mother-in-law to. (I should mention I have been a Medical Case Manager for the past 18 years, so I am familiar with the various hospitals.) Maybe I am just too "customer-oriented", and I am pretty sure I am not making this stuff up as a way to avoid having to make a decision... Here is my plan: I am going to interview all of the docs, then make a cost/payoff chart, pray, then choose. Does that sound like the right approach? Is there anything else I should be asking or concerned about?

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