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.
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