Switching surgeons after today's visit... Very discouraged

[Indieflickers 298]

I agree with what everyone else has said - you have to go with your gut. At first I tried to see a specific surgeon that is one of the top rated in my area but my medical group referred me to a guy who worked out of a dental office over an hour from where I live. He told me I needed to lose 30 pounds before the surgery (which is completely normal) but that that shouldn't take more than a month or so because "they do it all the time on Biggest Loser." If I could lose 30 pounds in a month then I wouldn't need surgery in the first place! In the end I had to appeal to my health insurance who finally agreed to let me see the doctor I'd wanted to go to in the first place. I'm so glad they did because he was excellent and well worth the several months of bureaucratic nonsense I had to struggle through.

[curvybritt 53]

I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable proceeding after being spoken to like that.

I didn't get the treatment you did for my first consultation, but I felt like they didn't care what I got as long as I signed on the dotted line. I dismissed the surgery completely. I then had a new surgeon recommended to me, and am completely comfortable.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Adding to the chorus. Go with your gut and switch. This is why I looked at 2 different programs before even starting the process. I wanted a program where I felt 100% comfortable. Sleeve or RNY, if you qualify and decide, it's your decision. The surgeon should not berate you or make you feel like a third grader delivering their first oral report. There are other ways to make sure you understand the process. My surgeon did my best friend's RNY. I told him this on our very first meeting. Despite this and my very high starting weight, he didn't try to talk me out of having the sleeve. He just made sure I knew it would take longer to lose. My concern is if the doctor is treating you this way now, what happens post-op when you need support? Get your medical records from this program. Chance are you may not have to repeat your testing since most insurance companies won't want to pay for the same test so soon. Either way it's worth it to be comfortable with the people who are performing major surgery on your body.