Question:
How do you decide who to go to? And what Hospital?

I am really anxious to get on with my surgery and I picked a Hospital and the Surgeon there -- my Consult is Nov. 26th. I get the impression it may take 6 months or more to get a date. I called another hospital and they told me 4-6 weeks for them. I'm confused. I have my Pysch consult on the 18th. Can you go to more than one surgeon at the same time - would your stuff that I gather go to both places or should I learn patience and stick to one?    — Sally P. (posted on November 16, 2002)

November 16, 2002
Unfortunately, there is really no "quick" process for this. From everything I have read, there are a lot of surgeons who have long wait to get a date. Some I have seen have a long wait just for the consult. Currently, I am waiting for a date. My initial consult was on Oct 11 at Bariatric Treatment Center in Ypsilanti. Everything so far has gone pretty smoothly for me. There is no reason you can't consult with another physician. It terms of pre op testing results, I got a copy of everything so I would know it got to the right place. I think the most important thing is you are comfortable with your choice of physician and hospital. Best of Luck with your decision.
   — Pat B.

November 16, 2002
The surgeons are attached to the hospitals. Many will chose the surgeon by which procedures are offered + insurance limitations.
   — vitalady

November 16, 2002
I picked my surgeon because he is a trauma surgeon at the busiest hospital in WI. I had to wait 6 months from the time of first call to seeing him the first time. I don't see any reason why you can't see more than one surgeon--it might be another matter if you insurance will pay for more than one consult.
   — barbara A.

November 16, 2002
First I wouldnt select a surgeon who doesnt have a active regular support group. So start atrtending the meetings of surgeons in your area, ask lots of questions and use this to decide. Go ahead and make appointments with all possible surgeons for future dates and cancel those you dont like after attending the meetings.This will make deciding easier. To get you started here is my surgeons on line meetings with video.<P> http://www.upmc.edu/obesitysurgery/monthlySupportGroup.htm
   — bob-haller

November 16, 2002
I used the Surgeon Finder on this website. I then visited or called each to determine their philosophy and type of recommended surgery. I verified that they were a member of the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons, not just some 'get-rich-quick' doc who figured "hey, I'am a surgeon, I can do that". I wanted someone who had competent knowledge in the disease process of morbid obesity, who had performed the surgery for several years, who understood the biochemical changes that result and who worked as part of a team follow-up that included nutrition, psychology and exercise therapy. I also wanted someone who I could tolerate from a personality perspective for at least two years. I interviewed a doc at BTC, but am in disagreement with the notion of transecting the stomach and disrupting normal functioning, when the procedure of the duodenal switch preserves normal, as-nature-intended, functioning. So I went to the www.duodenalswitch.com site and found surgeons who specifically performed this surgery. I interviewed three and selected one. I am very happy I did as I had a completely uneventful surgery at 494 pounds and have had great results (down over 255 pounds and still losing) with absolutely NO complications from the surgery. Good Luck to you!
   — merri B.