Question:
Has anyone else noticed a sudden increase in the number of surgeons doing WLS???

Previously there have been NO sugeons in the Austin, TX area that did WLS...we have to go to Dallas, HOuston or San Antonio. My mother called me the other day and read me an article (or an ad) for a GROUP of 10 surgeons in Austin. Their Website states the following: "What you should know about our surgeons All of our surgeons are highly skilled and trained general surgeons with years of surgical experience. We spend a great deal of time perfecting new techniques and continually evolving our skills to offer our patients the most advanced and beneficially proven surgical techniques available. Capital Surgeons Group has the only surgeons in the Austin area performing restrictive surgery for the treatment of obesity. Our surgeons are trained in both Gastric Bypass and Adjustable Gastric Banding using the Lap-Band System. The Lap-Band is an FDA approved adjustable band that is implanted using laparoscopic surgical techniques and is the least invasive obesity surgery technique." I cannot find any of them listed in the Database here. I can't help but wonder how all of a sudden this entire group is now WLS experts....Is it my imagination or is the "bandwagon" getting crowded since AL Roker "came out"??? I am excited that there is hope I won't have to go out of town...and of the fact that they are all included in my PPO list for my insurance. Any suggestions in how to research Dr's. not on this site? Thanx!!!    — DELINDA T. (posted on January 8, 2003)

January 8, 2003
Surgeons are responding to the demand. Thats good it minimizes LONG waits for surgery. I hope they are experienced as they state.
   — bob-haller

January 8, 2003
Just an added note...I finally got ahold of someone to talk to and believe I will keep looking. They ONLY do the Lap-Band (the Web site indicates to me that they do gastric bypass as well). Asked about experience, she said they "have alot of laproscopic experience, but the Lap-band is a brand new procedure and they have done about 10...have scheduled alot though!!" They do not have an aftercare program nor do they have a nutritionist. They are trying to get a support group/informational meeting set up for February. If anyone is interested the website is www.capitalsurgeons.com. I suggested that they get some info on the Dr's on this site and she did not seem very interested.
   — DELINDA T.

January 8, 2003
I would have to agree with the previous poster. All of a sudden WLS is a covered benefit under most ins. plans. There is potential huge money in this for surgeons. I know if I were a surgeon, I would certainly think of specializing in bariatrics. I will be the first lap RNY for the surgeon I have chosen. He has many years of laporscopic and GI experience. I have heard many wonderful things from previous patients having had all types of surgeries. He will of course be proctored by a very experienced surgeon from OSU who I have heard nothing but wonderful things about from this very website. He sat down with me for over an hour on my consult. He has ordered many pre-op tests including TONS of bloodwork, pulmonary function tests, upper GI series, sleep apnea study, dietician consult. The only thing he didn't say I needed was a psychologist. I came to his office prepared and very knowledgeable on the subject of WLS. Somebody had to be the first and if I am going to be one of the first 50 I may as well make sure it is a proctored surgery.
   — lindadougherty