It's tough evaluating these guys for us non-medical laymen (and it's not even easy for the surgeons themselves to evaluate each other if they don't see them in action in the OR, or can evaluate their handiwork after the fact). The usually suggested tools of state medical boards, yelp, online forums, etc. can give some indications but are ultimately of limited value - much of our legal system of settlements, arbitration and mediation comes with gag orders that keep many negative reports out of the public eye.
In this imperfect world, what I have found to be one of the more effective filters for VSG surgeons is whether they have extensive DS experience. As the DS is one of the more technically challenging procedures around, it tends to attract the more skilled surgeons, and as the DS uses the sleeve as its basis, these guys are the most experienced with the sleeve with most having done them for 10-20 years or more (as opposed to most others who have been doing them for maybe 3-5 years, adding them to their RNY based practices, which involves a somewhat distinct skillset.
Observing these forums over the years, and chatting with lots of patients around the country, one notices a pattern that these DS surgeons generally don't do require these extensive pre-op "liver shrinking" diets that many surgeons require. One can conclude that these guys have developed skills or tools that negate the need for these diets, and that the OP has likely fallen in with one of these more experienced surgeons (or one who has been training with them.)
We also see similar disparity with post-op dietary progressions, with some limiting their patients to liquids for a month or more while others have progressed to steak by then - guess which programs tend to come from these more experienced DS/sleeve guys?
Given that the DS only has a 1-2% market share in the bariatric world, this filter leaves out a lot of surgeons who can be considered "great" or top drawer (say, top quintile, or 20%) but I don't know how to properly evaluate them against those who are merely "good" or "so-so" (though if one is considering a surgeon who has been changing jobs/practices every year or two, I would keep looking....)
My surgery is today finally! Nervous and excited all at once! Please pray that God is with my surgeon and all goes well and successful! Here's to my new and healthy journey!????????????
I'm scheduled for 11/30 but I don't have a pre-op 1 month or 2 week diet. I just have to stop all carbs 2 days before, then all liquids the day before... Anyone else have this?
I'm scheduled for 11/30 but I don't have a pre-op 1 month or 2 week diet. I just have to stop all carbs 2 days before, then all liquids the day before... Anyone else have this?
mcp_vsg got a reaction from mum2dkl in 11/30 Sleevers?
mcp_vsg got a reaction from ladee2279 in Anyone else NOT on a pre-op diet?