Questions to ask
In general, I think it'd be a good idea to figure out your surgeon's personality, the kind of surgery they recommend, and what the surgery would be like. Some ideas...
- Why did you decide to go into bariatric surgery rather than another kind of medicine?
- How many surgeries have you performed? Which kind do you do most often?
- What kind of post-surgery support do you offer as far as follow-up visits, checkups, referrals for nutritionists, etc.?
- Have you ever, or how often do you, turn people down for surgery? Why?
- After someone has had their surgery, how do you figure out their goal weight and/or if they've been successful in their weight loss?
- Do you offer help if patients are initially declined by their insurance companies?
- How long does it usually take to respond to messages left with the office staff? Is there someone available to take after-hours emergency calls?
That's all I can think of for now, hope it helps! :)
on 10/22/13 1:41 pm
In my experience, surgeons are not a warm and fuzzy lot. They are technicians by nature. I don't really care what the surgeon's personality is like, as long as he/she is willing to answer all my questions, address my concerns, and be readily available for any complications or necessary follow up. Compassion is a big plus, but I usually don't see it until after the surgery is complete.
Julia posted some good questions.
I asked about success rate and complication rate and stuff like that. He covered pretty much every other question I had.
BTW - I just had the VSG with Dr. Garcia last Wednesday! He is really great! I felt really confident going into surgery with him as my doc!
Are you going into meet him soon?
Batwingsman · 5 replies · 1813 views