Question:
Which surgeon should I go with???
Need help deciding between two surgeons. I want to have a "LAP" RNY. Surgeon #1- Experienced, well known board certified bariatric surgeon. Has done close to 1,500 RNY's OPEN. Just started doing lap procedures about 18 months ago. Has done 80 lap. Says procedure takes about 3 hours. Has full program including weekly support groups, nutritionist, nurses. Surgeon #2- Is an advanced lap surgeon, but not board certified with hundreds of abdominal lap surgery (hernias, etc) but has just started doing WLS surgery about a year ago and has done 100 lap RNY procedures. Surgery time is about 1 1/2 hours. Does not have a full bariatric program and only offers support groups once a month. Patient comments for both surgeons have been very positive. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. — Natalie F. (posted on May 11, 2002)
May 11, 2002
Natalie, what do you mean by "board certified"? Are you talking
about the ASBS? If so, the ASBS isn't really a "board", it's a
society. Membership is voluntary, and many board-certified surgeons who
perform WLS are not members of the ASBS. If you mean that the second
surgeon is not board certified at all (i.e., not a diplomate of the
American Board of Surgery or a fellow of the American College of Surgeons),
then I would be very wary of choosing him or her as my surgeon. Have you
already asked all of the questions about mortality rates, leak rates, etc?
Ask the surgeon who used to do the open RNYs what his leak rates are on the
*lap* RNY, specifically. Then ask the same question of the lap surgeon.
Also, what are their conversion rates (lap converted to open mid-procedure
due to unexpected problems)? Do they both sew the intenstinal connections
(anastomoses), or do they only staple? If they only staple, the risk of
leaks is probably higher. It's just my opinion (and I'm still pre-op too),
but all things being equal, I would go with the person who has more
experience with the lap procedure and a shorter operation time. Just be
aware that you'll have to be more proactive about seeking out your own
support post-op. Good luck to you!
— Tally
May 11, 2002
Additional information. Surgeon #1 is a diplomat of the American Board of
Surgery as well as a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Surgeon #2
does not have these credentials.
— Natalie F.
May 11, 2002
There is one real advantage with going with surgeon #1. Say he starts in
LAP, and then has some problem and has to go with open... you said he is
VERY experienced in that. So he sounds the best to me. As far as the other
surgeon not being board certified, personally that would'nt bother me. The
reason is that back in 1993 I had a board certified surgeon (not WLS) and
got butchered badly. So having a board certified surgeon "still
doesn't protect you fully" from a surgeon's unskilled knife. It may
help, but it certainly is no guarantee as I found out. Sounds like both
your surgeons are going to be great! We all should be so lucky! In any
case, I like the fact that the first guy is very skilled in the open,
should the LAP have to be converted. But only you can make that decision.
Best wishes to you.
— Danmark
May 11, 2002
As far as one guy's LAP taking 3 hours and the other one 1.5 hours.
Personally I would prefer the 3 hours! Yes I know a shorter time under
anesthesia is better. However, have you ever been around people who are
fast workers? I have. And most of the time their work is poor. I know when
it comes to being under the knife, I'd want my surgeon to take his time and
do it right. I would be very concerned about a LAP too. (I like the OPEN
where they can see better and not have to trust a camera). So with a LAP, I
would'nt want him/her going so fast that he may nick something. FASTER IS
NOT ALWAY BETTER. ;)
— Danmark
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