That's the Who, Gastric Bypass Surgeons. The what and where go hand and hand with the decision making process.
The What is the surgery itself. Choosing a surgeon who is experienced and proficient in different types of bariatric surgeries will be better able to assist you in making the correct decision on the kind of surgery best suited for you! Whether it be gastric bypass, lap band or gastric sleeve, ect.
The Where is also another big consideration. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery urges you to choose a facility certified as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence. Research shows outcomes are better in such facilities. In order to become such a center certain criteria must be met.
It is a fact that the more surgeries gastric bypass surgeons perform the more likely you are to have better results from your surgery and fewer complications !
But how
do you choose the best Gastric Bypass Surgeon for you?
The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric surgery has a web page designed to help you find a qualified member to perform the bariatric surgery best suited for you. Including ASMBS certified Gastric bypass Surgeons.
Bariatric surgeons should be board-certified by
American Board of Surgery or the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery. Such
certification tells you that this surgeon has completed a rigorous training
program and has met very-specific standards. Surgeons must be recertified every
10 years.
“It is also best they have completed a fellowship in
bariatric surgery. Christine Ren Fielding, MD., founder
and director of the New York University Langone Program for Surgical Weight Loss
in New York City, suggests making sure the surgeon is a member of
American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). This tells you
that they are up-to-speed on the latest bariatric surgery developments. Dr.
Blackstone is now president of ASMBS: www.asmbs.org
Whether gastric
banding, gastric sleeve or gastric bypass, where you have your procedure is also
important. Most experts recommend choosing an American Society for Metabolic and
Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence or a program in the American College of
Surgeons Bariatric Network.These certifications stress safety, proficiency and
volume. Research has shown that bariatric surgery outcomes are better in
hospitals that perform higher numbers of these surgeries.
Questions to
Ask
What different types
of weight loss procedures do you offer?
Surgeons that do a variety of procedures usually give well-rounded information and help the patient pick the best procedure for them.“The main types of weight loss surgery include gastric banding with the Lap Band or Realize Band, gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and the duodenal switch.
How many cases do you perform annually
of each type?
Some research suggests that surgeons get better with each procedure they
perform. Data from the Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative found that the
risk of dying and/or experiencing major complications was lowest when the
surgeon did more than 300 cases per year.
What kind of follow-up care do
you recommend?
Your journey is just beginning after your bariatric
surgery, so you need a follow-up plan. Most surgeons will offer
patients an opportunity to follow up frequently in the first year and annually
after that. Gastric bypass surgeons should be watching for nutritional
deficiencies as well weight regain issues. Follow-up care varies for each individual procedure.
I am very pleased with my surgeon. He is Dr. Mathew Kroh from the Cleveland Clinic Bariatric and Metabolic Institute.
It has been a little over 3 years now since my laparoscopic roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery. I have had no complications, have lost all the weight I needed to loose and am living a much healthier, happier life!