Question:
What type of surgeon performs WLS surgery?

There oare no Gastric Surgeons listed in my medical group. There are general surgeons. On write in his bio that his professional interests include "gastro-intestinal/colon rectal". Does the doctor have to be a gastric surgeon?    — Deborah J. (posted on February 19, 2000)

February 19, 2000
There is no board that certifies bariatric surgeons. Most of them are board certified in general surgery, and many are members of the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons. Your best bet will probably be to look at the surgeon list on this site, or on the asbs.org site, find some bariatric surgeons in your general region, then see if you can find their names on your insurance company list. If there are no surgeons in your insurance group who specialize in bariatric surgery, you may be able to get permission to use a surgeon outside your group. Good Luck!
   — Lynn K.

February 19, 2000
My surgeon is listed as a general surgeon. I will have surgery Friday (2/25/00)I wish you well in your pursuit of WLS
   — Phillip W.

February 19, 2000
Deborah, My surgeon is a general vascular surgeon who specializes in bariatric surgery. He would be listed in an insurance book as a geneneral vascular surgeon. You need to ask the questions about whether they deal with bariatric surgery or not.
   — Linda W.