Question:
Cross-eyed and confused: Can you help me PLEASE!!!!
Yesterday I was given a choice of having surgery next month with a new doctor that my surgeon trained, who has only done 20 cases, or wait until September to have my doctor do it. Besides having to decide if I should have someone with such limited experience perform the surgery, I'm alone and surgery will be in Ft Lauderdale, which is about 5 hours from where I live. I have no family here and the only person who supports my decision is away in Europe and won't make it back in time. There are other factors involved in my decision which are too numerous to mention, but I can say as much that it would probably be better to have WLS next month. I was just hoping it would be with my doctor. I know the ultimate decision is mine, but my mind is so confused and I'm cross-eyed from thinking so much. I really would like some feedback, especially from anyone who's gone it alone and had to commute and/or had surgery with a doctor who was not very experienced with WLS. I've read posts related to "going it alone" but I believe my situation is kind of different and so I need more advice. Please help me, I have to give the surgical coordinator my decision very soon. Thank you so very much. — dandjon (posted on June 26, 2001)
June 25, 2001
Deciding to have this surgery is stressful enough without having to be by
yourself and having a surgeon with very limited experience. Personally, I
chose my doctor based upon his extensive experience and if you did the
same, I'd hold out for him to perform the surgery.
— Lisa B.
June 25, 2001
I agree with Lisa. Besides what is a few months when the surgery will
change you "for life". Make it a "safe" change by going
with a surgeon who "knows" his stuff. You'll live with this a
"lifetime". Don't jeopardize it to only save a "few"
months.
— Danmark
June 25, 2001
I can understand your frustration in waiting. I have had to deal with two
postponments and I'm out to August now. However, my doctor is the most
experienced and that was most important. I also believe you will need your
friends support while recuperating. I understand it can be a very
emotional time. Good luck with your decision.
— Angela B.
June 26, 2001
Hi Donna, I myself had this experience. I chose not to wait and went with
the new surgeon. The more experienced surgeon I guess was still helping
him, but all the cases he had done so far had no complications and I am the
same. But do what is right for you.
Mandy
14 days post op
— Mandy M.
June 26, 2001
I would wait untill you have help, and besides a experienced doctor i
probably better. Now unless one of your co morbidities is out of control I
would wait till september.
— bob-haller
June 26, 2001
I agree with some of the others here that you should wait. I also have had
two previous dates. I do think that if your surgeon is confident with the
new doc, I would be tempted. But, you need support. This is a big
decision and a major surgery. You will want to have somebody there for
you. Wait until you can have that, you have the rest of your life ahead of
you and putting off surgery for a couple of months is tolerable. (I've
found out) ;)
— Cynthia E.
June 26, 2001
I waited nearly a year to have my surgery because I wanted a surgeon with
lots of skill and experience. My surgeon was part of the medical research
team that had the RNY endorsed by NIH, and I will never regret the wait.
— [Deactivated Member]
June 26, 2001
I completely understand your situation. The doctor that I went to was the
"newer" doctor, in the same office with a very experienced and
well-respected doctor. While I was a little scared about this, I realized
that the other doctor had to start somewhere as well, and I loved my
doctor. :) I am so glad that I choose him, he is wonderful, and is more
available to me because he doesn't have so many patients to follow-up with.
The choice is ultimately yours. Meet the other doctor, and go with your
instincts. You have to be comfortable with your doctor. My doctor and
hospital are about 2.5 hours from my house. It is hard, but well worth it.
I cannot speak about not having support, I had my wonderful husband.
Maybe you should sit down and make a list of the pros and cons of each of
your choices and then make a decision. Hope this helps.
-Michelle
— Michelle K.
June 26, 2001
Donna, I understand the frustation of waiting, and it looks like you've
been researching and jumping through all kinds of hoops to finally have
your surgery. I know the new surgeon has to start somewhere, but
personally, I would wait the extra time, and go with the more experienced
sugeon. What's an extra couple of months? I think it will be worth it in
the long run. Being alone after surgery would be very difficult. If you
have a choice, I would definitely wait until you have someone around to
help out while you are recuperating. For me it was hard enough even with my
DH around for a couple of weeks. I wish you the best of luck!
— Kim B.
June 26, 2001
I would have the surgery with the doctor who could help me the soonest. I
would think that the more experienced doctor would not be associated with
someone who was not competent as this is a reflection on him and his
practice. It is true that everyone has to start somewhere and I know that
for some people it is a valid concern to have the most experienced
physician. But for my money, I would have gone with anyone who could help
me as soon as yesterday!!!! (And of course the one my insurance would
cover) It's not like this guy has no experience-he has surgical credentials
that check out, right? Every day that passes is time lost and time spent
fat and unhealthy. Don't discount the importance of this time frame
(sooner) being better for you. That is a factor that is important in the
big picture. I agree with the person who wrote that a doctor in less
demand (for now!!) may have more time for you and be more in tune to their
patients, but that is a personality trait, too. So you asked for opinions
and mine is to get this surgery done as soon as possible, don't wait
another minute longer, and get on the path to recovery. I traveled 1200
miles for my surgery and was scheduled within a few months of beginning the
whole process. I don't regret the decision I made for one second. If the
doctor could have operated any sooner, even if it was inconvenient for me,
I wanted the operation so desperately that I would have hijacked a plane to
get there. Now please don't think I am advocating surgery at any cost-but
you have said that the point you are hashing out is experience. As long as
the man is qualified, certified, and has operations under his belt, and you
say he has been trained by the other doc in the practice, well go for it.
Remember Dr. Ex has confidence in him, maybe you should, too! Even the most
experienced surgeons have problems, complications, deaths, and lawsuits.
Noone is immune. But I just feel that the longer you wait when you are
ready to have this done now, well, the more time is lost. I hope to give
you some encouragment to choose now over later, and definitely not to worry
about the travel-that is the absolute least of the situation!!!!! People
travel for medical care at specialized clinics, hospitals, and
treatments-then go home!!! Go for it, girlfriend!!!!
— Fran B.
June 27, 2001
Donna, If I were in you situation, no one with you and experienced or
limited experience, I would wait. I have no doubts the "newer"
doctor would be just fine, but why go into this with two concerns. If I
were doing it alone, that would make me nervous enough without also being
concerned about the ability of the doctor. If the comfort level is not
there and you can safely wait, then wait. Just my thoughts.
— David R. R.
June 27, 2001
Donna, If it were me, I would wait. I read somewhere that there is a
slight difference in the mortality rate for surgeons that have performed
less than 10 surgeries compared to a surgeon than has performed over 200,
so that's something to consider. If you're having a lap RNY it may also be
better to wait because my surgeon mentioned that as his experience
increased he was less likely to convert to the open procedure, and hadn't
had to for over a year.
— mom2jtx3
June 27, 2001
Sorry I didn't check your profile before I wrote in my encouraging comments
to have the surery with the newer doctor as soon as possible. Now that I
have read yur entire story, I am really singing at the top of my lungs to
go for it now and not wait a second sooner!!!! I am personally familiar
with Dr. Marema and many of his patients. He is a fine doctor but so is his
associate. And do not think for one second that Dr. Marema has not had
patients with complications and problems-he has. But I would not judge a
doctor only on that basis as he has had many more people do just fine.
There is a large support group that meets at Holy Cross Hospital and that
the doctor's office can put you in touch with. Many of these members will
come to the hospital with you, stay with you, visit, check in, and
generally be your angels while you are there. These doctors have patients
from all over the place so it is not unusual at all for someone to be alone
for the entire process but have supportive post op angels rise to the need.
There were so many other things I realized after I read your profile so
feel confident to cheer you on. A few months does make a difference,
especially if you may loose your insurance and are paying an arm and a leg
for it now. There are visiting nurses who can come and check on you but
most people will do just fine post op. Sorry to burst anyone's bubble out
there but even though this is major surgery, it is fast becoming quite
routine (thank goodness for availability!!!) so you will be cared for by
the hospital staff like they are supposed to do for their patients, and I
truly believe that a strong, determined positve mental attitude is more
important than anything. Dr. Marema would not be asociated with a sub
standard doctor, trust him to refer you to someone who is competent and
will take good care of you. The sooner you get on with this the better. I
think that your dilemma is a prime example of the other peripheral issues
that have to be considered and factored in to a decision about this
surgery. These other factors, like insurance, who the insurance will send
you to and pay their bill, scheduling, money paid out to doctors and
insurance for self insured (which you basically are right now), time,
travel, distance, heck, you're a straight shot down the interstate! :-) are
all just as valid determining factors as having the surgery at all. You
will be on your way before you start a new job or move or change anything
else. You will not be alone I am sure. And many, many people go this alone.
I frankly think it is too overated, but it is a factor. Be realistic about
everything. Be honest and truthful to yourself and then do what will be
best for you and good luck in whatever you decide. Because ultimately, you
will be responsible for you!!!
— Fran B.
June 27, 2001
You dont choose a top surgeon for how he performs when things go
smoothly... you choose him based on his experience if faced with the
unexpected. I had a BMI of 'only' 41 and NO co-morbidities and anticipated
a smooth and uneventful lap surgery. There were complications during my
surgery and boy was I glad the surgeon had done enough of these procedures
that he had seen my problem before. I am sure that my complications would
have been much more serious without a very experienced surgeon. Just my 2
cents. I am only a few weeks post op. Good luck in your decision.
— [Anonymous]
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