Choosing a surgeon has never been harder than it is today. Many years ago, before the Internet was so prolific, choosing a surgeon usually involved asking friends and neighbors, getting references and making the decision with limited information. Today, with the ability to go online and find a plethora of information on practices in your area and the country, the decision, while more informed is also much harder.
While we certainly hope that every patient considering surgery will use traditional evaluation methods to choose a surgeon, we also strongly encourage attending a seminar. In the bariatric world, most practices like ours offer regularly scheduled free seminars to those who are interested in learning more about bariatric surgery. The seminars are a key component of making your decision, because they offer insight into practice and give patients the opportunity to meet the doctors and in many cases former patients. This gives an insight into the practice that cannot be rivaled. We also suggest that you ask the practice to put you in touch with former patients who have undergone the procedure that you are considering. This will give you some first-hand insight into the process and how the practice works.
You should also attend some of the practice’s support groups, to see what life will be like after surgery. Remember, your relationship with the practice does not end at surgery, rather it continues for months and years afterwards. Understanding the support process at your practice can help you make sure that they are the right fit for you.
While there are many factors that will influence your decision, the bottom line is that you should choose the practice that is right for you. We encourage you to take the time to research the practices in your area, but nothing can substitute for face-to-face time where you can truly understand if you have a connection with the practice you are considering.