Hi,
I'm in early stages of considering gastric sleeve surgery. I'm in Austin, TX. I don't even know how to look for a surgeon, and I'm terrified (never had surgery before. And probably not helpful that I've seen way too many episodes of Botched). How do you vet? Or, did you have the surgery and love your surgeon and results --recommend!

I'm also curious... have you had insurance pay for it?

Grateful for any guidance!

I used https://texasbariatricspecialists.com/ Dr. Reddy performed my surgery in San Antonio. I was self pay, so I utilized there surgical center center in San Antonio. Most of their patients are utilizing insurance and they have a team of people that help get the insurance companies to pay. They do perform surgeries in Austin, Killeen, and San Antonio. They have two clinics in Austin, one south and one north. I picked them because they are a center of excellence. I will say that their pre-op diet and post-op diet appear to be one of the most strict from reading these boards. I didn't really vet that part because my main concern was making it out of surgery without complications. I had the sleeve done 6/11/18. You do have to buy their vitamins and shake stuff once prior to surgery, but they don't really push it. I also liked that they gave very realistic expectations during the initial seminar. I have a friend who had RNY done through BCBS and really liked her surgeon who is also in Austin, he recently took out her gallbladder as well. Dr. Abando, I believe he is in Cedar Park.

I am in Round Rock and went with Cedar Park Surgeons. They have a bariatric center that is run by a husband and wife. I highly recommend them, even though it might be a bit of a drive.

This is the same people my friend and her wife used. Cedar Park Dr. Alan Abando and his wife Dr. Nicole Basa. My friends wife had the sleeve done with them as well.