Question:
Which would you choose in a surgeon - experience or youth?

I was just told that the surgeon I had originally chosen now has a malpractice case pending (that info came directly from the person filing the law-suit) so I made another initial consult with a doctor on the OTHER end of our state, however he is FRESH out of his residency and has only done 50 or so surgeries. Do I keep the Dr. who has 20 years of experience (and 1 big mess up) or do I take the guy who has recently gotten out of school and has not had the opportunity to mess up yet!!! This is my quandry & I know it is MY decision, what I am asking is what would YOU do??? Pick experience or newly educated??    — Arlene J. (posted on July 16, 2002)

July 16, 2002
Well...For me it would depend on what the lawsuit is all about. Did the surgeon really mess up on his patient? Or is the patient suing because he/she is upset with the results of the surgery? If it was something really bad that the surgeon did, obviously I wouldn't go with him. On the other hand I am not sure that I would go with a surgeon that doesn't have a lot of experience either. Are they the only two surgeons you can choose from? If they aren't, I would DEFINITLEY look at ANY other options you have. It might delay your surgery a little bit, but it would be worth it don't you think?
   — fropunka

July 16, 2002
I agree with Rosie. I work for a law firm and know that just because someone files a lawsuit, does not automatically mean it is legitimate or the other party is "guilty" of the claims. (I can't make assumptions since you got your information first-hand.) Please remember that there are 2 sides to every story. I, personally, would choose the doctor with experience - as long as he was not negligent in that person's particular case.
   — Jennifer A.

July 17, 2002
I would agree with the general consensus, 20 years with one lawsuit is pretty good, again depending on what the suit was put in for, a lot of people are just lawsuit happy and will sue someone at the drop of a hat...me, myself I wouldn't feel comfortable with going with someone who just got out of school for such a major surgery, he has not yet even experienced most of the things that happen during a surgery of this magnitude, you don't want to be his practice pet...hope I helped some
   — Ms. Slimmie

July 17, 2002
I have been doing a lot of research and basically what it says is that a large portion of the complications that occur in WLS are due to the learning curve, especially in laparoscopic surgeries. I don't know what surgery you are looking into or whether you will be going open or lap, but I would definitely take that into account. I myself went lap with a dr that had performed MANY open procedures but only 20 laps. Had I done the research BEFORE, I would have had the open procedure. Results to a large extent depend on the experience the dr has with that type of surgery. I would be very leery of a dr who is not that experienced in ANY of them! Plus, if the dr with more experience is being sued, won't he be extra careful now? Hope so! I mean, somebody's got to go to the inexperienced ones or they won't ever get to be experienced BUT . . .
   — ctyst

July 17, 2002
Pick someone who is competent. If neither of these two make you feel comfortable, try someone else. Remember though, because someone is sued for malpractice doesn't make it so.. BEST WISHES...
   — Ann B.

July 17, 2002
Were the 50 surgeries by the new doctor all WLS? If so, check with some of his other patients to see how they are and what their experiences were with this new surgeon. My surgeon was an experienced lap surgeon but had only been doing the lap RNY for about 6 months. He went to an excellent medical school, was very experienced with those lap instruments and i had the opportunity to talk to several of his lap RNY patients. I felt comfortable enough to go thru with the surgery with this surgeon. The 20 year guy, how long and how many WLS's has he done? Any other complications with other patients-talk to some of them. What is his track record, other than the 1 lawsuit that you know about.
   — Cindy R.