Questions to ask surgeon on sleeve?

desertdancer
on 1/25/12 1:40 am
  ( I did post this on the VSG board, just trying to make sure I reach out to everyone)

 Ok, I am on the path at the moment of trying to decide on which WLS or to do it at all as some of you know. I am down to the RNY and the sleeve. I am going to be seeing my surgeon next month and for over a year now I have seen him a couple times and we have always been set on the RNY. I JUST found out recently that his office has been doing the sleeve and it has only been a couple of years. My advocate over there said if i was interested in the sleeve I must speak to him. Fine, I can do that. 

What kind of questions should i be asking him, ESPECIALLY since his team are fairly new to this surgery. They are great doctors and have been doing the band and RNY for quite a few years and this is their proud statement:

Based in Reno, Nevada; Western Bariatric Institute is
 one of the most comprehensive bariatric centers in the country.

Our physicians are all experienced Board Certified surgeons, are Fellows with the American College of Surgeons, and have been accredited as "Center of Excellence" physicians through the American Society for Bariatric Surgery.

SO do I need to be seriously concerned about how much experience they have in this particular type of surgery? What should I ask? 

I also from time to time see certain posts about "does your surgeon cut this percentageor that percentage" ( i think it was like 20% or 30%) if someone understands what I am asking, can you explain that to me a little bit?


Thanks 

 signatureshort.jpg picture by desertdancer2008  

Valerie G.
on 1/25/12 1:59 am - Northwest Mountains, GA
 You want to ask what size bougie he uses, and why (and know ahead of time what that means so you're well-informed on your own).  Also, be sure your insurance covers the VSG if you'll be counting on them to pay the bill.  The VSG is making great headway with insurance, but there are several that still consider it experimental.

Valerie
DS 2005

There is room on this earth for all of God's creatures..
next to the mashed potatoes

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