A doctor who's done 17 sleeve surgeries

Ok, so one doctor I'm thinking about has only done 17 sleeve surgeries.... Is that bad?

It's not good.  Would you trust someone with your life that had only done a procedure during which you could die (it is a risk of ANY surgery) 17 times?

I wouldn't.  As a comparison, my surgeon has sleeved people over 6,000 times.

I'm mixed on this one... I mean, everyone has to start somewhere. What about other weight loss surgeries he has done? Other laproscopic surgeries? Will someone else be in the room with him? I think it's a bigger picture than just how many sleeves they've done.

I'm sure others will jump in with other thoughts, but all surgeons start somewhere and the sleeve is a relatively new procedure. As long as they had experience with surgeries and were a good experienced surgeon, I don't know that the 17 would be a big deal. How are the other 17 paitients doing?

a good question is to ask if you think you'll stay with this surgeon...will he have a more experienced surgeon there with him in case he runs into a problem?  I can't imagine a hospital letting a surgeon operate w/o supervision with that little experience..a HUGE risk there.  In my opinion anyway.  

I think it depends on what kind of surgeon they are. My doctor had not done a lot of sleeves, however, he is an excellent surgeon with extensive experience as a general surgeon. Doing a sleeve was an easy surgery for him and I am very happy I chose him to do my surgery. I think that because he does not have an assembly line going, I was very special to him and my care could not have been any better.

Don't do it with him.

That is bad.  Very bad.

The safety of the procedure is directly correlated with the experience of the surgeon.  You should not choose a surgeon who has done fewer than 300 (at which time many studies suggest acceptable safety is reached).

Yep I agree with last poster!  Practice makes perfect.  I wouldn't trust anyone that had done that few either, it would scare me to have someone that inexperianced cutting my stomach!

I agree with the last person that posted.  That seems like a very small amount of surgeries and practice makes perfect.  This is a still a major surgery and I personally would not want someone that inexperianced doing this kind of surgery on me.  I would interview several surgeons before making a decision if I were you.