dr only has done 12 VSG, would you?

determined1 · February 17, 2010

ok, i finally made my decision to move forward, found a dr. (well one the accepts my insurance) which is at a center of excellence. She has done hundreds of DS's but only about 12 VSG , the reason why is insurance not paying for the vsg. WOULD YOU TRUST A DR THAT ONLY HAS PERFORMED 12 VSG'S BUT HAS COMPLETED HUNDREDS OF DS'S?? ITS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE VSG IS IS PERFORMED IN THE FIRST PART OF THE DS. SO IN THEORY SHE HAS DONE HUNDREDS OF VSG'S RIGHT?

Tiffykins · February 18, 2010

Yes, in theory she has performed 100's of VSG's as well. But, find out the size of boughie she uses, ask about the stand-alone VSG patients results. Experience is half the equation in finding a good surgeon, the other half is technique. Meaning, the surgeon can do 100's of VSGs but if they make huge sleeves, don't remove all the fundus, or haven't perfected that technique, some patients may not have optimal results.

If she gives her DS patients a 60fr boughie, and she does the same for her VSG stand-alone patients, then NO I would not have her perform my VSG. If she adjusts boughie size based on patient's needs, and surgery choice, and feels confident in her technique making a tight little sleeve for a restrictive only procedure then yes, I would consider it.

Just my 2cents.

JeepChick · February 18, 2010

My doctor had only done 16 VSG's. He is a stomach cancer surgeon so has done thousands of similiar surgeries. I would go with whatever you feel comfortable with. I know I did and I don't regret it. The DS is almost the same.

FitatFifty · February 18, 2010

I agree with JeepChick and Tiffykins. I am contemplating VSG for myself and when I asked my surgeon how many sleeves he'd done--the answer was 15. But he's also done over 700 bypasses, which demonstrates to me he has the expertise with the stapler.