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Choosing a Bariatric Surgeon

Avoid choosing a doctor that nobody has heard of before. There is little need to do that. Why take the risk? Doctors throughout the world have discovered that bariatric surgery has the potential to be extremely profitable. Many physicians are getting in the business, so there are a lot of inexperienced surgeons around. You ONLY want someone who is very experienced. After a bariatric surgeon has done around 250 sleeves they are typically very confident in the procedure and aftercare. By that time they have seen every strange and bizarre anatomical problem, every odd issue that happens under fluoroscope, etc. So you want to find someone that has done at least 250 sleeve surgeries.

Now, does that mean that someone who has done 500 sleeves is better than someone that has done 250 sleeves? Not exactly. One way to think about it: were you any better at washing dishes the 250th time you did the task vs. the 500th time? That's probably not so. Either you get it or you don't. The same concept applies here.

FACS (Fellow of the American College of Surgeons)

If you do not know how to verify licensing, credentials, education, history, etc., your best bet is to choose a doctor that is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. It takes about 8 months for the American College of Surgeons to do their background investigation of a doctor. If they have "FACS" behind their name then they must exceed the requirements for a US physician. Don't bank on what you are told by the coordinators, if they say the doctor is FACS then verify it for yourself. Go to Welcome to the American College of Surgeons and obtain the (800) number from their website and call. Ask them if it is true the doctor you are researching is indeed a Fellow. You can search on their website but their website is often times hard to navigate. It's easier to call them and obtain the information over the phone.

Please note: There are doctors that claim to be FACS and they are not. They are banking that you will not verify this information. Do not take the office staff or MD's word for it that they are FaCS, go to their website and verify for yourself. That website is:

www.FACS.org

If you are unsure call the (800) and ask the FACS staff, they will assist you.

Text from Wassabublebutt blog.

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