"I really appreciated Dr. Houston's candor during our first (and so far only) meeting. He was very straight forward about his experience to date and that the Duodenal Switch is still a learning process for him. He is learning to adapt the surgery using different techniques as he learns more about what effects the outcome results and health of his patients. Dr. Houston told me that after I have the surgery, he wants me to consider him my "belly doctor." I like that a lot. One of the reasons I chose him is because I've read what others have said about his after care, that he has an attitude of continuing commitment to his patients. That's important to me. If I'm going to have this surgery for the rest of my life, I want a doctor in my life that understands what that means. With that in mind, I also liked that Dr. Houston is relatively young. I don't think he's going to retire a year from now or even 10 years from now. He can continue to be my "belly doctor" for years to come. Who better to know the specifics of my insides than the surgeon who made them that way? And, I think that Dr. Houston has a stable practice (meaning I believe he will stay where he is working at the surgical center he's at for a long time - there is another doctor out there that this is in direct contrast to). Him staying put and remaining stable means I can continue to have access to him and be an active patient of his for years to come. These things were all a part of my consideration.
I just wanted to add, for anyone looking to have surgery, the Centennial Center for the Treatment of Obesity seems to be an excellent place to go. The staff were VERY communicative with me while working with me to get all the documentation I needed to get approved by insurance. They were GREAT! And, the center's success rates are better than the national average. This place stresses aftercare. They stress eating real food (not shakes). Also, the center's mortality and complication rates are also better than the national averages. They are serious about making sure that they are one of the best places to go and they actively work to maintain that status. "
