Adequate VSG surgeon??

Stacey-71
on 4/19/11 10:43 pm - OH
I just found out that my surgeon does the sleeve, although she has only performed a handfull, as with most of the surgeons in my area. I love her though and she did my lapband back in 2008. She wanted me to revise to RNY, but I will be discussing VSG with her the 28th of this month. I called her office and found out that they only recently started offering VSG and my ins. covers it!! But, is performing only a handful good enough?? I know she has done thousands of RNYs and revisions from band to RNY, but is VSG that much more complicated a procedure that I should seek another surgeon?? Any thoughts on this would be great! Thanks in advance.
Stacey,
Stacey-71
on 4/19/11 10:50 pm - OH
forgot to mention, but she has 19 yrs experience and 100% of her cases are bariatric patients!
MsBatt
on 4/20/11 11:47 am
How much REVISION experience does she have? Since you've already had a Band, you *may* have scar tissue, adhesions, etc. that would make this more complicated than a 'virgin' procedure.
Gracieteddy
on 4/19/11 10:52 pm - IA
That is a hard one . I would think that if they she is a good surgeo and has done so many of the other surgeries that should count for something. . Mine was also fairly new to the sleeve because the insuance wasn't covering til recently.  it but she teaches others how to do it and she did a fellowship at Stanford.and has done so manyof the other surgeries.  So I was OK with it. The sleve is part of an old surgery they did years ago.
Our group loves the sleeve I think they prefer it to the other surgeries now.
Good luck!
        
kimberly_gr
on 4/19/11 11:34 pm
Even though your surgeon has only performed a handful, she's probably a very competent surgeon to do yours.  The sleeve is a much less complicated procedure than RNY and the revisions.  You need to know if your surgeon is good with the laproscopic tools that she uses, and you can always ask her questions on the size bougie and details of the procedure.  If she gives you answers that are acceptable, I would go with her.

At the time I consulted with my surgeon, he had only done 40 some.  I'm sure he got even more under his belt by the time I had mine.  But I considered his overall surgery skill and agreed with his approach to my surgery and recovery.
Kim
5'0"
"In two decades I've lost a total of 789 pounds. I should be hanging from a charm bracelet."  Erma Bombeck
  
George B.
on 4/19/11 11:56 pm - Miami, FL
I agree with Kim's comments.
The RYN is a more complicated surgery than the VSG. If you feel confident is the surgeons abilities, and she doesn't have a log of pending suits against her, I would not hesitate to have her perform my sleeve.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
MrsHelm1012
on 4/20/11 1:16 am - Washingtonville, PA
I met with my surgeon for the 1st time last week, and I liked him immediately! I know several people that he has operated on, band and bypass, and he got nothing but phenomonal compliments. He has only done a few Sleeves, but I agreed to let him do mine.. Even before I found out specialists from the Cleveland Clinic were coming for the day of my surgery to be in the OR. A lot of insurance companies arent covering VSG or just stared covering it, so many surgeons havent had the chance to do a lot of them... Atleast thats how it is around here.
    
MediumSoon
on 4/20/11 11:01 am - TX
From a friend who is a VERY experienced bariatric surgeon: The surgical maneuvers are very similar between the RNY and VSG - so if this surgeon has SUCCESSFULLY performed many RNY's I'd feel very comfortable.
                                                
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