How would you or did you go about deciding on the surgeon for your surgery? I'm starting the process for the Gastric Sleeve. I have checked into two programs and I'm trying to decide which to go with. I started this process in June. I'm looking at Franciscan Center for Weight Management in Federal Way, WA and Virginia Mason's Bariatric Program. With Franciscan I was able to get in for an appointment within 3 weeks of inquiring for a consultation. I meet and liked the surgeon that would being doing my surgery - Dr. Troy Houseworth, MD FACS during this consultation. He said he uses the da Vinci Robot to perform surgery which studies show reduce the potential for leaks and reduces hospital stays. It took me 3 months to get an appointment with Virginia Mason and in my consultation I meet with a PA and was told I would not meet face to face with Dr Jeffery Hunter, MD until I have completed all the steps required by my insurance company to have my surgery. I have found information on the internet that Dr Hunter is identified as one of the best Bariatric Surgeons in the Seattle area, but I'm concerned that I don't get to meet him until it's time to schedule the surgery.

I'm looking for feedback on what other's experience was selecting a surgeon and does it seem reasonable that I should not expect to meet with Dr Hunter before hand when I'm trying to make this decision? Does anyone have any experience with either of these programs you can share? If so and you've used them can you tell me why you went with that particular program? Thanks for any feedback.

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I went with Dr Troy Houseworth at Franciscan. My surgery date is March 1, 2016. I'm glad to finally be moving on to this stage of the journey.

Did you have a good experience with Dr Houseworth? I'm calling to schedule my initial consultation today!

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My PCP referred me. Very happy

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I work in a hospital system, and I knew I wanted to use the weight loss center associated with that hospital, so I can read my own labs and tests and such.

I went to a consult - there are 3 surgeons there - and the one at the consult I liked. they all 3 had a good reputations. so, I just went with it. I could have met with the other 2 first if I had been not already happy.

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I went with Dr Troy Houseworth at Franciscan. My surgery date is March 1, 2016. I'm glad to finally be moving on to this stage of the journey.

Dr. Houseworth was my surgeon also! I was sleeved on May 23, 2016. How has your post been?

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I did some basic internet research -- found the two Centers of Excellence bariatric practices in my area.

Then I went to an intro lecture by the head surgeon at one of the practices. He was phenomenal -- a great educator, answered EVERY question asked by audience members (no matter how dumb), was the right age (in his mid-40s, which is something I pay attention to, i.e., old enough to have a lot of experience, young enough to know the latest stuff). He'd done thousands of WLS surgeries.

So then I talked to the folks who ran his practice -- office manager, insurance coordinator, head nurse, nurse practitioner, receptionist, scheduler -- and they were all lovely and competent.

So that's who I went with.

BTW, NO WAY would I schedule WLS with a surgeon I couldn't even meet with before deciding to go with. NO WAY.

Honestly.... I went with the least expensive all inclusive surgeon I could find who practiced at a Bariatric Center of Excellence.

Don't get me wrong, once I found him, I did my research, and would have changed my mind if any red flags appeared, but they didn't.

I'm self pay, and was willing to go out of state, but not out of country.

I had a good experience

I was in a similar situation as yours, my insurance only would pay $4000 toward bariatric surgery. After attending three or four seminars from various providers in the local area and researching on-line I visited a doctor based out of Dallas Texas that offers a hiatal hernia special- If you have a hiatal hernia he will fix it (and bill that to your insurance) and do the sleeve at the same time for about $3000 out of pocket

Dr. Clayton Frenzel was an excellent choice in my opinion. But the bottom line what made me decide on him was the bottom line. I could not afford a $20,000 sleeve and did not want to go out of the country. Naturally I did a thorough investigation on line of Dr. Frenzel and found almost universally favorable reviews.

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Edited July 2, 201610 yr by ironpoorer

Asking them uncomfortable questions & how/what they answer, that's the issue. They will brag on all the good things. Its the bad ones you need to ask how they handle to find their experience, wisdom, and personality to get you thru in case problems occur.