A doctor who's done 17 sleeve surgeries

All I can tell you is that I would not let a doctor near me without proof of at least 300 surgeries over a few years.  That would be the very least that I would want to know, my list of questions for the doctor would be/ was quite long.

I would rather a new surgeon then old... It becomes routine after awhile. Believe me that surgeon will make sure every I is dotted and every T is crossed. I work in healthcare and see it often. The chose is yours you are at risk not matter who u choose. Good luck !

I totally agree with you, Genita. I also worked in surgery in a major hospital and saw the exact same thing.

Good advice on finding out who else is in the room during surgery, and something to consider about him being more vigilant than someone who can do this with their eyes closed because it is number 5,679.....I wonder how does a doctor get to #300, without having done #18?  We can't all be #301......your comfort level with him and his team is key, as well as his other surgical experience...I wonder if you could talk to #1,2, & 3 to find out how they are doing and their experience.....good luck to you.

Hi,

Does this surgeon have experience with RNY or other bariatric procedures?   If so, it might be ok.  My understanding is that the sleeve is simpler than the RNY, although it has its own special challenges.

Carol

Does this surgeon work in a major Bariatric center?  Is it a teaching hospital?  Is he well trained in other types of surgery?  How's the follow-up care?  I guess I would balance everything when making my decision.  Every surgeon has the first sleeve.  Heck, how would I know if my surgeon had a resident in the room doing my surgery?  I think it's pretty common practice!

 

If it were me I would find a new doctor and one that has performed at least 75 sleeves with a small to nonexistent complication rate.  

They all gotta start somewhere. One thought is that the guy who has only done a few is going to be more cautious and by the book and make sure everything is right. The guy who has done 7000 is going to plow right through. 

I don't necessarily think its a bad thing unless the guy just got out of med school. If he is a surgeon with lot of other surgeries under his belt I think you would be fine.

I was going to say the same thing about the new guy being cautious, but will he have a more experienced surgeon assisting him?

 I would go with someone that has done a lot more surgeries than 17

 I think my surgeon has done more than that last month(he is on vacation this month

the last international consensus..amongst ALL bariatric surgeons present.....like happyteacher posted is ......75 sleeve gastrectomies done.

Now..when I was searchin for a bari surgeon..in Denver, CO one particular young surgeon did 17 sleeve gastrectomies..16 which were supervised!  I didn't go with him...not because his inexperience but because he lied to me about how leaks happen..blaming the pt. If he lied to me about this vital to me piece of information...what else would he lie to me, blame me about...ykwim

sides within months of my surg in SoCal (no bari surgeons in NM)  saw peeps here goin to ^^surgeon for VSG ..and guess what...they're doin/did fanf-ntastic...or close!   go figure! lol

The search continues....DON'T SETTLE until your SURE!!