How Much Do You Trust Your Surgeon?

[Alex Brecher 10,495]

It’s always best to get your surgery done with a surgeon you trust completely. The journey is easier when you can go with whatever your surgeon tells you without worrying about checking the information online or asking around for a second opinion.

Still, there are many reasons why you might not be able to trust your surgeon 100%. You may be the type of patient who believes that taking charge of your health care means double checking everything you are told, so you believe your surgeon mostly but still need to check the instructions yourself.

Or, you might find that your surgeon doesn’t explain enough or answer your questions, so you feel the need to investigate more thoroughly. Or, maybe you’ve caught your surgeon saying something you don’t agree with, so now you feel the need to check into everything.

So, how much do you trust your surgeon? Do you follow his or her instructions blindly, or are you careful to double check?

[Dub 9,922]

I had the luxury of working with two surgeons during my pre-op experiences.

Both were highly capable and I felt good with either.

The one I ultimately went with was a straightforward, no punches pulled sort of guy. I asked for his opinion on many issues and he delivered. It helped me tremendously. He's always kept the plan for me very simple and easy to follow. There have been on mysteries or weirdness to the path forward after my VSG.

I have highly recommended him to the people that I've discussed my experiences with.

I'm planning on using him in the future to repair another hernia that he's been monitoring.

I wish he did knee replacements and shoulder repairs as I'm needing those, too, lol.

[kmorri 1,689]

I had total and complete trust in my surgeon for the surgery itself......I never doubted his skill as a surgeon and still feel that way today...........But on the other hand......his suggestions regarding eating afterwards I tend to trust my NUT more for that....My surgeon says for the first year not to worry about hitting any Protein goals and to only eat when I'm hungry....he says if I'm only hungry once a day then only eat once a day......I think a little more balanced plan is better. So I look to him as an expert when it comes to performing surgery, but for nutrition I count on my NUT.

So, no I don't blindly follow instructions given by anyone.....I do a lot of research on my own and ideally want to have the support of a professional who will not just give me instructions but discuss things with me and let me ask questions and explain why their way is the best.......

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,443]

I trusted my surgeon, who has since stopped doing bariatrics, to the end of night. She did my band (twice) and, two months later, I returned to have her pluck out my gall bladder rather than going to a surgeon at a fine hospital closer to home. (The band surgeon is only about seven miles away, but, if you know life here, it feels almost like going to Philadelphia.)

That said, I did not follow silently and sheep-like. As an adult, I wanted to understand what was being done and why. I asked, she answered. Deep trust and expecting to know are not mutually exclusive. If I were a surgeon, I'd turn away anyone who didn't want to know: "Hello, hello. Are you in there?" Makes me shudder.

As to food choices and habits, I worked with the RD. She gave me info in advance for the first month post-op and, when it was time, info on eating immediately following adjustments, after the occasional 'stuck' episode and the rest. I took a few detours which I'd carefully considered and had no problems.

Edited August 7, 2016 by WLSResources/ClothingExch

[ShelterDog64 2,364]

I trust my surgeon completely, and I still did my own research, questioned things that didn't make sense to me and asked about anything I didn't think he did a good job of covering. His personality suits mine, he's not a super-strict, super regimented guy and I appreciate that. He trusts me, as well, to make intelligent, informed choices and to be the one in charge of my own health. I wouldn't have had the surgery if I didn't have this kind of relationship with my surgeon.

[smg 471]

With all of the nerves and second-guessing that sort of "comes with the territory" with this or any elective surgery, the one thing that I did feel extremely confident in and never second-guessed was my surgeon AND his team. They made me feel comfortable throughout the entire process, they are always there to answer questions, no matter how many I send them even now through email...lol...and the atmosphere at the office and surgical center is super relaxed and everyone there goes out of their way to make sure you have everything you need.

It has been a great adventure so far and a big part of that is because of the people that were involved.

[Valentina 2,642]

There is a reason why most surgeons do their best work while their patients are "asleep". Surgeons (if only in their own minds) seem to be in an upper class all onto themselves. Maybe that mindset keeps their emotions "aloof" so they don't get emotionally attached. Maybe it is "I have your life in my hands----you know---like God " attitude.

That been said, I have to turn your question around onto you, Alex.

"Why would you ever allow anyone to cut into you and alter the body that God gave you if you did not trust him 100%???"

Surely something to ponder.

[Aggiemae 739]

I liked her right away but I still called the hospital for her surgery stats. Then I trusted her