I went to see a lap-band surgeon (Dr. Davtyan) who was pushing for me to have my surgery in his "state of the art" surgical center where he has the latest and greatest tools and a "$70,000 surgical table." My primary care physician believes that having surgery outside of a hospital setting is asking for trouble in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. Any advice?

I'm having mine in a surgery center. I'm sure they are prepared for the possibility of complications, they are doctors and probably have the necessary tools to treat you should something go wrong until the paramedics can get there to transport you to the hospital. Surgeries are done in surgery centers all the time. I wouldn't worry about it.

Mine was done in a surgery center that was in a wing of the hospital. My aunt is a head nurse at one of these surgery centers and she prefers it to all the years that she was in hospital surgeries since they typically do shorter procedures. No long organ transplants or anything!!

I found the staff to be much better, more attentive than the hospital unit. I think because they were not constantly preparing themselves for an emergency to come through the door. It was nice to know that my surgery would most likely be on time and I wouldn't be bumped because of another trauma.

I would do it again in a heartbeat. It felt so much less "hospital-like"! I felt like a patient, not like a burden. I never once thought they didn't know what they were doing. In fact, I would think they are more experienced at what they do. It's all the newbie docs that are working in the big hospital for long shifts and don't have the nice hours like the center workers!

Thanks for your responses. Those were the points that the surgeon was making, but my primary care physician (who also happens to be my best friend) is someone who I really trust and who I think is looking out for my best interests. So I'm kind of torn, but leaning toward the hospital setting.

I've had many experiences in both and I much prefer the surgical centers. They are smaller, they have the same staff every day, they know your name, they are specialists in their field, and the equipment is there for the types of surgeries they specialize in. JMO>

I had mine in a hospital; but, (who also happens to be my best friend and has my best interest at heart)!!!!! This seems like a given to me.......

Has anyone ever had a complication in a surgery center that required a 911 call or a trip to a hospital?

I had my surgery done is the surgery center. It was in the parking lot of the hospital. They made me sign a form stating if anything went wrong requiring transport to the hospital next door, then I would be responsible for the fee of the ambulance service. Luckily nothing went wrong and I had a great experience the staff was so attentive. I would do it again, too.

I don't think there is any problem with having surgery in the US in a surgical center. I don't like the idea in Mexico but in the US... not a biggie.