DrPleatman

Yes, it's true that I have had a couple of leaks after VSG. I am honest about admitting them. Whether or not that makes my leak rate higher than that of other surgeons who deny ever having had a leak is questionable. Certain people on this site push their own surgeon. I suppose that is up to them. Certain people on this site badmouth me based on rumors and misinformation. Certain people on this site give out a lot of medical information in spite of the fact that they are not physicians. This is unfortunate. All I can do is give the facts.
My patients can stay in the hospital as long as they need to. The hospital has agreed to a certain price, and this price is not changed if patients stay longer. My scrub tech inflates the stomach with air and I check it to make sure the staples fired correctly. If there is any question, I will inflate the "real" stomach in the patient or even do an endoscopy. If there is a question of a leak after the surgery, I will get an upper GI series (using gastrograffin, a Water soluble contrast). Though gastrograffin is more expensive, we use it because it will be absorbed if it leaks out. The bad thing about gastrograffin is that it is very harmful to the lungs if aspirated; in addition, it gives lousy pictures. Barium is safer in the lungs and gives much better pictures; we avoid it if there is suspicion of a leak. So you see it's not just about the money.
The only reason my price is low is that there are 3 hospitals bidding for my business. My complication rate is low and my patients do well. They like having me there.
Finally, if you have a question about me or anything else, give me a call or shoot me an email.
Mark Pleatman MD
Member ASMBS
Member SAGES, serving on Bariatric Liaison Committee, Ethics Committee, Go-Global Committee, Technology Committee
Mark Pleatman MD Weight Loss Surgery Website
248-334-5444
Email info@drpleatman.com