Choosing Your Weight Loss Surgeon

Written by Jane Long

You have been struggling with weight your entire life. Despite trying every diet and weight loss gimmick known to man, you end up gaining back all of the weight lost, and then some. Now, you are having health problems that can be directly attributed to your obesity. If you want to live, something has to change-and fast! Your family doctor has suggested bariatric surgery. Now, you need to find someone willing to take your case. You need help in choosing your weight loss surgeon.

A diploma hanging on the wall may attest to a doctor’s education. But, is he/she really qualified to be entrusted with your life? It may sound dramatic, but it is true. Weight loss surgery is risky business. If you are obese enough to be considered a likely candidate for the procedure, you already have health challenges that make any operation more risky.

In addition, any weight loss procedure you choose will basically change how you eat and process food. Although the various operations may differ in type, the goal is the same: you will eat less, absorb less calories and nutrients, and lose weight. To accomplish these ideals, your digestive track will have to be surgically rerouted to help you with portion control and retention. You will want to be sure your chosen surgeon has the experience and knowledge needed for a successful outcome.

Experience

Remember, you are hiring this health care professional to take care of your medical needs. In essence, you are the employer. So, do not feel bad for asking a lot of important questions. You want to make sure you have found the best doctor for your specific circumstances.

For example, how much experience has he/she had with weight loss surgery? How many cases are similar to yours? What kind of team is in place to make sure you have the best care possible? How many patients, in the last 6 months, have suffered complications related to the surgery?

If the bariatric surgeon does not answer your questions satisfactorily, do not hesitate to look for someone else more qualified. Since you are the one undergoing major surgery, you need to have complete confidence in the person(s) responsible for the weight loss procedure.

Method

Since there is more than one method of weight loss surgery, you need to discover which procedure is performed most often by this particular surgeon. Is that the surgery for you, or is another recommended for your particular health issues? If so, is he/she comfortable with that type of operation as well? How many of those surgeries have the doctor done in the past?

Hospital Stay

Unfortunately, not every community has a bariatric surgeon on hand. You do not want someone who has been called upon to fix a perforated bowel or some other digestive disorder. You want someone who specializes in weight loss procedures.

Since it may mean traveling across county, you will need specific information about the hospital stay. How many days are you likely to be admitted? Once you are released, will you need to stay in the vicinity until you are well enough to travel, or your recovery has progressed to a certain point? Are there affordable accommodations, near the hospital, specifically reserved for patients?

Complications

Of course, no one plans to have complications. But, it is something to prepare for, nonetheless. If something goes wrong after the weight loss procedure, and you have already returned home, can your surgeon work with the local doctor or hospital to take care of the unexpected? Is there a number where he/she can be reached quickly, in the event of an emergency?

Although it seems like a reasonable expectation, some doctors are like high officials. They may perform the surgery, but you may never see them after the first initial visit, except right before the surgery. Then, after a couple of hospital room visits, a physician’s assistant is basically put in charge of your care.

But, if something goes really wrong, you do not want to have to waste precious time playing phone tag, being put on hold, or leaving messages the doctor may never see for hours or days. You need a doctor that is willing to be accessible to you before, during, and after the bariatric procedure.

In short, I am sure you can probably think of a lot more questions for your potential bariatric surgeon. Ask away! You are going to be intrusting this person with your life. You need to feel confident your doctor has the knowledge and expertise to give you the best care possible. No, he/she does not have to be your friend, or even have the best beside manner. But, having a reputation as the best weight loss surgeon around, who has tackled cases like yours, says a lot for his/her skill. So, do not feel bad if you need to “shop around” for the best surgeon for you.