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How did you pick your doctor?



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I didn't shop around a lot for a doctor and suddenly, now that my surgery is scheduled for 2 weeks from today, I'm nervous about that fact. I found a doctor in network with good reviews (4.8+) from several different sites and platforms, and went with him. I've been happy with my choice during this approval process. But my husband asked me yesterday how many surgeries this doctor has performed and... I didn't ask him that. He might have told me, but I don't remember if he did. And now I'm second guessing myself.

I know this is probably just nerves. Like I said Ive been happy. But just looking for reassurance.

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Research and talking to the surgeon; and the fact he teaches other surgeons all over the world..

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I went to 3 different local hospitals information programs. My surgeon does nothing but bariatric surgeries. The thing that really clinched it for me was his overall attitude. He's so sweet, understanding and takes into account my eating disorder (binge eating disorder) when talking to me. He made me less terrified of the surgery and his staff has the same friendly and supportive demeanor. The whole team communicates brilliantly. I wish they could be my primary care lol.

Here's to successful surgeries and improved quality of life!!

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I picked my sleeve surgeon because he was the president of the Mexican Bariatric Association and had done more than 3000 sleeves. I loved my sleeve and didn't want to revise to RNY, which is what the first surgeon I consulted said was the only choice to treat my GERD. My gastroenterologist referred me to my eventual surgeon, who had a lot of ideas about how he could address the GERD and still preserve my sleeve. As I was going through testing, though, we found some other conditions. I ultimately had RNY but at least I knew we had explored lots of other options. As for you, what surgery are you having? A sleeve is less technically demanding than RNY, but still you want somebody experienced operating on you. I'd go ahead and ask how many bariatric surgeries and what kinds they have done. Surgeons are used to people asking that question.

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Mine worked with my dad for over a year to try and save his leg before they ultimately amputated. I’m thoroughly convinced he saved my dad’s life. I actually met him at one of my dad’s post op appointments 2 years before I needed him. Fast forward to April 2019 and I need an appendectomy and he’s the surgeon I chose for that. At my post op he invited me to a bariatric seminar and he did my sleeve in December 2019. He’s also my surgeon for my RNY revision this coming Tuesday. I don’t think I could trust another surgeon with what he does.

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Insurance chose. Gp referred me to one that was in network and turns out she has good reviews

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He did a friend’s surgery & she was very happy. My GP knew one of the doctors on his team & was confident about him as well. He also trains other doctors specialising in this field.

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I had my gallbladder out in January and the surgeon said my liver looked really bad and recommended wls. He referred me to a surgeon, who I saw in March. Then COVID happened. I had my EGD with that surgeon in May, and right after that the hospital cut a lot of staff, including my bariatric surgeon. My cousin had RNY 10 years ago and I ended going to the place she went. I saw my surgeon June 15th and just had Loop DS surgery July 24th. I'm very happy with the surgeon I ended up going with!

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Call me too Crazy but ever since I knew I wanted my surgery and great weight loss and guidance , I literally researched every bariatric surgeon in New York City. I rounded my favorites to 4 and picked the best one and I am glad to say Dr. Mitchell Roslin of NYC Lenox Hill has truly been my lifesaver. But do your research!! Even if it takes a year !! Or months !! Research!!

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There are two major hospitals in my area and I went to both programs orientations and I chose the one I went with because they legit explained and scheduled EVERYTHING except the surgery your first appointment. And I chose my doctor randomly. We finally bonded on the day of my surgery (i made her laugh pretty hard w/my awkwardness and anxiety) and I felt so much more at ease than I did when I saw her at my appointments.

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I wanted a surgeon who was experienced with working around failed ESG, so joined a Facebook group for those with failed ESG and asked for recommendations from those who had an gastric sleeve conversion. From those recommendations I researched and spoke to staff. In the end I went with the surgeon who had excellent reviews but who also did liver transplants, I figured (rightly or wrongly) any surgeon who had the patience to do liver transplants would have the patience and ability to unpick what was left of the ESG sutures and anchors and do a good sleeve.

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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