Question:
Surgeon performed only 25 surgeries, enough experience?
I have afirst consultation with a surgeon in a week. he works with 4 other surgeons at a fantastic Obesity Clinic at a hospital. He has only performed 25 surgeries. There is however always an assistant surgeon with the main surgeon when the LAP RNY is performed. His two assistants are both more experienced, so that is hopeful. My surgeon is board certified and member of SLS (society of laparoscopic surgeons) What do you think? I am determined to have this surgery and know the risks and possible outcomes. . . any suggestions would be helpful! — Lezlie Y. (posted on March 28, 2002)
March 28, 2002
Hello. I will share my experience because it is very similar. I too,
chose a surgeon that was fairly new to the PROCEDURE, ie: he had been
performing WLS for a little less than one year but yet had MANY (like 12)
years experience doing LAP surgeries. So, given the choice of having a Dr
do WLS that has done many OPEN procedures and is now "learning"
LAP, or having a surgeon new to WLS but skilled in LAP, I would have to say
that I would choose the experienced LAP surgeon. From everything I have
read, LAP procedures are a whole new ball of wax for a Dr. He could be
great at WLS open procedures, but he's a newbie when it comes to lap
procedures!!! My surgeon did a GREAT job, I did not have ONE complication
and I am down 130 lbs(just 30 lbs to goal!) in 10 months after my LAP
DS!!!! Blessings,
— ChristiMNB
March 28, 2002
Hey there.....just my experience, but I was thinking the same thing about
my doctor because he had only performed like 14 surgeries of this
kind....but I went through with it 2 months ago, and have had no problems
what-so-ever! Again, that is just my experience, but I did check with his
other patients to see what kind of results they had, and just about every
one of them were doing great! So I went for it!
— Jennifer M.
March 28, 2002
Hi there, Very good question. When I went for my consult. I had a list of
questions. My first one was what training had he had? How many laps? How
many open? Talk to previous patients.If he does have assistance from
another surgeon what kind of training did he have. Just remember that this
surgery has realy taken off in the past year. Make you list. If you need
someone to talk just email me. You are the only one to make that choice.
[email protected]. Good luck sarah crawford
— sarah C.
March 28, 2002
Just my opinion... If I could find a surgeon with more LAP experince I
would. However I would I would also take into account how many RNY
proccedures he had done. I want a guy who knows his stuff when he works on
me. You are paying a great deal of money for this surgery and should get
the best surgeon (I assune that they all charge the same price)
Good Luck
— Robert L.
March 28, 2002
Hi! I just wanted to briefly share my experience. I choose to be #6 for
the LAP procedure with my surgeon's office. I had two surgeons in
attendance, who I had met with previously and knew my case well (not that
my case was unusual or anything, just want to stress that both knew me.).
One surgeon was a WLS expert - having done hundreds of open, and now
assisting with the LAP procedure. The other Dr. was a LAP expert, having
done hundreds of LAP procedures in his career. It made for a nice mix. My
operation was long - 6 hours - but everything was fine. One small problem
(not really) when they started to cut me open they discovered my anatomy
was slightly longer than anticipated so I have 2 extra cat-scratch scars.
No biggie. Iwent home from the hospital in 2 days, now over 5 weeks out,
and both Drs., being in the same practice, are following me post-op. If
you're comfortable iwth it, go for it! If not, keep looking and find a
surgeon who matches exactly what you need and want.
— Sarah C.
March 29, 2002
If you're concerned about his work, I would let him know and ask him what
his success rate is. Ask him for a name of one of his patients.
— dolphins94
March 29, 2002
My surgeon had performed less than 20 lap RNY's when he did mine. However,
he was a known lap expert (other types of surgeries) and he and his partner
went to the very best medical schools. I decided I prefered a lap expert.
Also he made available a few of his other patients, and I met the first
person he had performed the surgery on. 7 months and 100 pounds
lighter-that convinced me.
— Cindy R.
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