Choosing a Surgeon - How many did you interview?

[Ylime 453]

A bit of background before I get to my real question:

When I started considering surgery I did a TON of research on the procedure and on the programs in my area. I researched six different surgeons and found all the info I could on them - experience, reviews, hospital affiliations, and peer affiliations. I narrowed my top choices down those with great credentials and had a lot of information online including videos of them doing their orientation/info sessions. This really helped to get all the info in a short period of time and get a sense of them as a person. I set up initial consultations with my top three.

One surgeon saw me within two days of my call. The other two I had to schedule a few weeks out and have yet to see them. My husband accompanied me to the consult with the first surgeon. We both agreed we really liked everything about him - his personality, his perspective on why his program is set up the way it is, and the way he was empathetic to all my concerns and questions. Also when I told him I was self-pay and already had financing set up through one specific company, he told me he didn't have a relationship with them but went out of his way to get set up with that company to ensure I could use them with his practice. Something he didn't have to do.

So here's my question - Because I feel so confident in the first surgeon I'm leaning towards not even meeting with the other two. Is that crazy? The reason I narrowed it down to these three is that they all have the same excellent credentials and perform the surgeries in some of the top hospitals in the area. Because I already know how their program is set up I feel like the only purpose in meeting them is to evaluate their bedside manner and if we click or not. But because the first surgeon checked all the boxes for me, is it a waste of time to even bother meeting the other surgeons? Or is it just reckless to not talk to anyone else and go with the first one?

[Sosewsue61 3,185]

I only consulted with one surgeon for the sleeve.

[Apple203 1,314]

VSG is not rocket science. I just picked a local doctor with 2,000 of these surgeries under his belt and went with him.

[jess9395 5,448]

Not crazy at all.

I only met one Bariatric surgeon.

I set up five plastics consults when I met with them and knew right away with the “right” one (3rd). could easily have skipped the final two wouldn’t have changed my decision a bit.

[aNYCdb 310]

1 hour ago, Apple203 said:

VSG is not rocket science. I just picked a local doctor with 2,000 of these surgeries under his belt and went with him.

Ditto, VSG is like having your oil changed. I wanted to verify that they would put the plug back in, but honestly I was more concerned with insurance than anything else.

If I need plastic surgery at some point that will be a very different process.

[Ylime 453]

Thanks - you guys have made me feel a bit better about my decision. I guess I’m just anxious because it’s such a big lifestyle change.


~Emily

[newmebithebypass 713]

well for me i went with the same surgeon who took out my appendix last year so i already trust him and have amazing rapport with him. i trust the other two surgeons in the practice both are amazing but i mean once you have seen the work of one and know they are not only amazing at what they do but will leave no marks cosmetically that just right there made me finalize my decision completely. i love my surgeon he is smart whitey and completely makes me feel at ease also amazing bed side manor.

[redhead_che 824]

I went to interview two programs basically, each with like 5 surgeons to choose from. I didn’t like the first programs layout or resources, so I went to the second. Loved it, picked the surgeon who had been there the longest.

[Ylime 453]

8 hours ago, redhead_che said:

I went to interview two programs basically, each with like 5 surgeons to choose from. I didn’t like the first programs layout or resources, so I went to the second. Loved it, picked the surgeon who had been there the longest.

I'm curious, what was it about the first program you didn't like?

[redhead_che 824]

15 minutes ago, Ylime said:

I'm curious, what was it about the first program you didn't like?

They didn’t have as in depth follow up care. They didn’t have a laid out step by step diet plan (ex weeks1/2 then 3/4) no follow up nutrition visits and no support groups. I needed something that told me every week how I should be progressing

[Ylime 453]

20 minutes ago, redhead_che said:

They didn’t have as in depth follow up care. They didn’t have a laid out step by step diet plan (ex weeks1/2 then 3/4) no follow up nutrition visits and no support groups. I needed something that told me every week how I should be progressing

That's good then, follow up is key!

[newmebithebypass 713]

They didn’t have as in depth follow up care. They didn’t have a laid out step by step diet plan (ex weeks1/2 then 3/4) no follow up nutrition visits and no support groups. I needed something that told me every week how I should be progressing

That's exactly what i love about my program so much. We have our own closed Facebook group and unlimited access to the doctors and nutritionist at our disposal we have also a fitness trainer who does group activities with us there is a professional chef who went thru the program that does live cooking demonstrations we get a binder right at the beginning of the program and guides you step by step it's our bible. Also we have support groups. And in the pre op area on Tuesdays and Thursdays the day of surgery right before you can have someone do music therapy. I love love love my program

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[GassyGurl 428]

Since you're self pay, I would at least check prices of the other surgeons. But if you're happy with his cost too, that's great! I talked with 6 practices. 3 actual surgeons, but two cost so much I would never use them.

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[Frustr8 7,886]

The only specialist I ever interviewed,was my children's pediatrician. I had been a small town girl, a general practice physician had sufficed for my needs. Now I had moved to the Big City where there was more diversity of specialties, I was,all pregnant with child#2. I asked my friends, called Nationwide Children's Hospital and asked for a listing of doctors practicing in that area of Franklin County Ohio. One name constantly came up so I called his office And arranged to,meet with him. A very nice person, a more than competent physician who took wonderful care of my children as long as we lived in that locale.
I have never interviewed a Bariatric Surgeon. I called,his recommended hospital and they assigned him to me. Would I have chosen my ex-surgeon? Probably for he was like a coral snake, not unattractive, even pretty in coloration, but highly,poisonous and treacherous and no antivenom readily available. Am I. bitter? Well yes but I even more resent the waste of my time and my insurance company's money on someone with no substance, he was all smoke and mirrors and I was too dumb or naive to see through him.
My new program I go into with eyes wider open, I have new glasses and I hope they will enable me to see better. This time it will be their responsibility to win my trust and If there is any termination of our relationship it will be from me before,my self esteem even sustains any bruising, before,my reputation has any trace of besmirchment.
An old Proverb
Fool me once, shame on you!
Fool me twice, shame on me!