Starting the Journey & Lost
trix827
Posts: 2
Hi. I am currently starting my journey for Weight loss surgery and have decided on the sleeve. My primary care physician has required that I attend 3 seminars in 3 different hospitals (I live in upper NY). I went to my first seminar last week and I felt blown away when I left. My pcp wants me to attend the 3 to determine which doctor and hospital is right for me. But after my first seminar I have no idea which one is right for me. I have another seminar this week and one next week. Any advice on how to determine which is the best surgeon? I've only had surgery one time before when my ovarian tube burst from an ectopic pregnancy, but I was in so much pain the thought of surgery and my doctor did not phase me. But now I am worried because I have to consciously make this decision and I do not know where to start on picking a doctor and a hospital! I just know that I need to make this journey but I am really scared. Any advice is greatly appreciated!
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I am also just starting this. I attended two seminars last week and decided on my doctor after those. There were plus and minuses to both but the decision was also pretty clear. At the first seminar, the nutritionist did the seminar and it felt a bit like a sales pitch. The second seminar was done by the doctor and I really liked him - he had a gentle tone. Also, in the first seminar, I didn't really learn anything that I hadn't already read on the internet. In the second seminar, I took pages of notes. I also checked yelp for reviews and put the doctor's name into a few different forums to get feed back (bariatricpal, obesityhelp). I ended up going with the doctor that is farther away (the other one was 5 minutes from my house!) but that I felt more confident in.
Hopefully you will have a sense of which direction to go after your seminars.0 -
I envy that you "get to" make that decision. I was in a unique, (many would say enviable) position as I work for a major academic medical center. In order to use the my medical benefits to the fullest, (they basically pay for the portion insurance doesn't cover), I had to have the procedure here. I realize I had other choices, but that was a deal I couldn't pass up! They only have 2 bariatric surgeons and only one who does laproscopic work. I'm very lucky that Dr Selim is amazing and I was immediately comfortable with him. 6 months out and not one complication or regret! Educate yourself in the seminars. I'm sure your decision will be clear once you've been to at least 3.0
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go to post surgery support groups then you can quiz all the members about their surgeons. I go to support group every month, which I recommend to everyone. people who attend support group regularly post surgery have a markedly increased success rate for the long term. we all talk about our surgeons to the potential patients. At Vanderbilt it is required for all pre-op pts to attend support group meetings so they can meet post surgical pts and get the reality of what they are considering.0
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I was just thinking if I could do that. Thanks!0
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