I had my second visit with my surgeon today. I verified that he DOES in fact perform sleeves. However, he stated that he's only done 6 of them to date. Now, mind you he's had extensive experience with bypass and the lap band. So, my question is would you feel comfortable having him do your procedure? I mean someone's got to be the "firsts", right? Do you think that he'd be even more wary/alert because it's a new procedure to him? Just curious to get others opinions.

Wow... that's a tough call... You're right that someone has to be the "firsts" but I don't know if I would want to be one of the "firsts" you know???

I don't know how to help you other than telling you what I would do.. and I would find another more experienced surgeon.. If you're pretty set on him as a surgeon, ask him what he does to verify there isn't a leak prior to closing you up during surgery... how long will you be in the hospital for observation since he is a little inexperienced... ask how many issues he has had with the 6 sleeves he has done... what materials does he use to suture off the stomach? (staples/sutures together/tissue mesh).. how big is the bougie that he uses... and then ask him what he does for blood clot prevention...

Let me clarify that he's not an inexperienced surgeon...not at all...just this procedure is new to him. He's done more bypasses/bands than he could count. It's only vsg that's new to him. He said that of the six he's not had any leaks yet. He explained that there can be leaks with bypass or sleeve, but that the sleeve leaks tend to be more serious. I personally know patients of his who have been extremely pleased with his bypasses. Would competent bypasses equate to competent vsg? I mean, with insurances just starting to pay for this procedure...aren't many surgeons going to be kind of in the same boat?

Wow... that's a tough call... You're right that someone has to be the "firsts" but I don't know if I would want to be one of the "firsts" you know???

I don't know how to help you other than telling you what I would do.. and I would find another more experienced surgeon.. If you're pretty set on him as a surgeon, ask him what he does to verify there isn't a leak prior to closing you up during surgery... how long will you be in the hospital for observation since he is a little inexperienced... ask how many issues he has had with the 6 sleeves he has done... what materials does he use to suture off the stomach? (staples/sutures together/tissue mesh).. how big is the bougie that he uses... and then ask him what he does for blood clot prevention...

When I said inexperienced, I meant inexperienced with sleeves.. Sorry!

It's just a hard choice... I don't know what to tell you!!! I am in Dallas so we have several surgeons that are very experienced in the sleeve (I guess from a buncha self pays??) so this wasn't ever an issue with me.. so it's hard for me to give you any advice other than to tell you what I would do.... So, to answer your question, I would not be comfortable with him as a surgeon to do my sleeve... This doesn't mean he isn't a great surgeon, I just don't want to risk anything...

Now, if I was stuck with a surgeon that wasn't very experienced with sleeves but was with bypass... I would begin to research a LOT about the bypass to find out everything I could (as far as surgeon technique, what the surgeon has to do, etc) and then compare it to the sleeve procedure.. I haven't done extensive research on the bypass so.. I'm not comfortable comparing bypasses to VSG... But so far he sounds like he is very open, honest, and upfront about the procedure, risks, his experience, so that's a good sign!!!

Well I would assume the basic skill set is the same as to performing laproscopic bariatric surgery. Being that the sleeve is simpler and is even part of a duodenal switch (DS) bypass operation WIKIPEDIA: https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Duodenal_switch (although not as closely cropped) he should have no problem. That is IF he has done the DS type operation. And remember you aren't the first but the SEVENTH that he might do.

If you are comfortable with the doc then let your conscience be your guide.

I'd find a surgeon with more experience if at all possible. Even an extremely competent surgeon has a learning curve, and by preference I do not want to be on the early upslope.

The surgery is technically very simpler, much simpler thaN ANY TYPE OF GASTRIC BYPASS OR OTHER GASTROintestinal surgeries, so I suposse if he's an experienced surgeon you should be fine, good luck in you choice

very simple i meant!

I'd talk to the doctor about your concerns. If he has been performing gastric bypasses with the laproscopic procedure, then I am sure that the sleeve would be OK performed by him. Ask what training he has had. Tell him your concerns. I know that my doctor appreciates when I tell him my concerns. If after your talk with the dr you still have concerns, then change doctors.