Question:
Have any of you decided against a surgeon because he was too far away?

Please share your story if when selecting a surgeon (assuming you had a choice), distance to that surgeon played an important role in your decision. If you selected a surgeon who was not near you, did you do so because he/she seemed to have some type of aftercare resources available near you? Alternatively, did you select against using a non-local surgeon who seemed lacking in just this? What role did distance play, if at all? your surgeon was not very near you, did you feel more comfortable    — ericklein (posted on November 3, 2000)

November 3, 2000
I live in rural Wisconsin. The closest surgeon would have been at least an hour away. So, I made sure that I had a PCP that I felt very confident with and who was supoortive and committed to working with a surgeon in providing any necessary aftercare. Then I went looking for a place where I could get the type of surgery that I had chosen for myself. I also wanted a place where the surgeon and staff were truely experienced in working with the morbidly obese because this seemed a reasonable way to ensure against surprise complications. I also wanted to find a place where they did more than carve......I wanted follow-up and support nutrionally. I passed on a surgeon who was an hour away because he was just a cutter. I chose the go the BTC in Belvidere, three hours away, because they met the criteria that I had set for myself. They didn't disappoint me. I had an excellent experience surgically.
   — Nanette T.

November 4, 2000
I have chosen a doctor, and treatment center that is two states, and 5 hours away from where I live. I chose the Bariatric Treatment Centers because of all the great things that I have heard from their patients. My surgeon, Dr. Boe, seems to really care, and I have no regrets about having to drive so far for the surgery. I do wish I wasn't so far away, but it's a small price to pay for a second chance at life. There are surgeons closer to where I live, but only about an hour closer than the Belvidere hospital. I decided to go where I felt I would receive the best care, and so far, even though I have not had the surgery as of yet, I have no regrets.
   — jewlsyng30

November 4, 2000
I traveled 1300 miles from Florida to New York City. I wanted to have the Duodenal Switch and there are only a limited number of surgeons in the United States who offer this operation. I chose to go to NYC rather than another DS surgeon simply because my three sisters live near New York City. If they had lived near a California DS surgeon I would have gone to California. It didn't make a difference to me. Also another reason I was able to chose to have the DS and therefore have to travel was because I have Medicare insurance and that is accepted throughout the country and there is no preauthorization. Why I chose the NYC surgeon I did as opposed to the other NYC doctor had to do with the fact that he is Chief of Laparoscopic Surgery at a large prestigious medical center in Manhatten and that he is a professor of surgery at the medical school associated with the hospital. I could have cared less about an aftercare program which is nothing to me. I can get all my blood work done locally and I am not an alarmist. Travel for medical care is done every day and sometimes you just have to go a distance for what you need or want. Happens all the time-and I find that people are most willing to travel to the big cities and medical centers and universities rather than going hundreds or thousands of miles to a small, home town type faciity. The way I see it is go where you want, forget the local yokel mentality and get on with life post op. What would a person do if they went to a local surgeon, then moved away or were transfered. Then they would not be close in relation to the doctor. It is a small factor and yet too blown out of proportion. Get real and get going. And don't make a mountain out of a mole hill. The bottom line is to loose the weight and so go where ever you can get this done and are comfortable for you. But don't discount traveling to get what you want-you will live with the decision everyday and so do research and be sure. Too many people say they have researched this surgery very thoroughly yet when questioned about something don't have a clue. So check out all the options and the doctors, and hospitals. Travel is just one factor in making a decision. Just make a decision based on what is available to you. If the insurance won't cover out of state or out of network doctors that may be the deciding factor. If you can't afford the airplane ticket that will influence the decision. If you want family or friends around and don't want to go it alone then travel may not be for you or that will dictate where you look. There are so many things to consider besides the skill of the physician. I know that a close by doctor or hospital is available to many people but the fact is that sometimes you do have to go a bit, whether that is a couple of hours or a couple of states. This is another factor to influence your decision. Good luck to all !!! The surgery itself was the best thing I have ever done for myself so keep the bottom line in focus!!!!
   — Fran B.

November 5, 2000
I will be having my surgery in Georgia Jan 30th and I live in Washington...I decided on Dr Champion there because I have heard nothing but good things about him and having a LAP ryn was important to me...here in Washington didn't find anyone who specializes in the LAP and I was told he is one of the best in the country....so even though I'm a self pay I'm going to Georgia
   — Debora H.