Cross post ... surgeons and practices

[Guest guest]

Hi all, This has come up yet again in one of the groups and I feel strongly about the issue. I was advised by a prominent member (two actually) of the bariatric community in Australia in the following way. I am not pro any one surgeon nor against any one surgeon but I do have the following advice. Choose a surgeon who operates in your city. There are enough surgeons in each area now not to have to go to or rely on surgeons who fly in from another state or city to operate. There are definate advantages to this choice. - if you need urgent attention, they at least are in the city you live in. - for regular appointments, they are in your city most of the time and you don't have to wait for a fortnight for your appointments because they are "not in town" when you might need an appointment. Choose a surgeon who provides you with the package you want. - you are paying big dollars for this surgery and have a right to complete care. The majority of surgeons bulk bill for your follow up care and you shouldn't have to keep paying for services you have already been promised as part of a package. Choose a surgeon who is experienced in laparoscopic surgery primarily. Most surgeons can fit a band with minimal training and the band itself is not the most difficult part of this surgery. If possible, choose a surgeon who specialises in upper gastric surgery, rather than general surgery. Choose a surgeon who is compassionate and is prepared to listen to your needs. - while it doesn't matter to some people if their surgeon has no bedside manner, it may come up at a later date that you need a person who will do their best for

you, and to do that, you need someone who is at least a good listener. Choose a surgeon who is thorough. - surgeons who simply say "you have tried it all - when do you want to book in" have not listened, nor investigated to ensure what other issues you may be dealing with. For example: a number of patients have undiagnosed problems such as hernias, reflux, endocrine problems, thyroid problems and for a surgeon not to ensure that every "system" is functioning could be seen as failing in their duty of care. The problems associated with obesity can impact on the effectiveness of the band. Sadly, while the band is a fantastic tool, it is NOT suitable for everyone. There are a group of people who it will not suit or work for and perhaps for these people, a different type of bariatric surgery may be the answer. So, a surgeon who bands everyone who walks through their doors may

not be the right man/woman for the job. Choose a surgeon that other surgeons put their trust in. - this isn't always easy to find out. GP's sometimes know, but we still battle society prejudices even amongst GP's. Don't be "influenced" by what seems to be a glossy package. - at the end of the day, the wrapping paper gets discarded and you find out what the package holds. Money can buy the pretty paper, but what's important is the content and the thought that goes into the delivery. Promises are made and broken - it's what the surgeon really provides when it really counts that makes the difference - not just what he/she promises to provide. The glossy packages are often provided ... actually, nearly always provided ... by the prosthesis provider in an attempt to buy the surgeon for their company. Don't be naive and think

that the surgeon has footed the bill for the colour pictures and brochures. Even their training and trips O/S are either paid for or subsidised by these companies. This is your body, the surgeon is your employee. NO surgeon is God (despite the fact that we do joke about it sometimes). Don't be afraid to speak up if you aren't getting what you want and have paid for and if they don't provide value, service and understanding, you have a right to relieve yourself of their services and seek a second opinion. Any surgeon who gets angry with you because you challenge them, question them or seek second opinions; or who doesn't attempt to correct the problem in a reasonable manner and in a reasonable way is NOT worthy of remaining as a member of your care team. Why they feel threatened is not your problem. You have a right to discharge them of their responsibilities. Choose a surgeon who respects you and who doesn't make you feel afraid or intimidated. As I said, this isn't about any one surgeon. The surgeon I like may grate on your nerves, and the surgeon you like will not be the one I would necessarily choose. Research is vital. Sometimes it may mean seeing two or three surgeons before you find the one for you. Even when you think you have found them, if at any time down the track, they become blase, you have a right to change. This isn't about loyalty now ... it's about provision of care, and thus ... it's all about you - not them. If anyone needs help finding an alternate surgeon, I am happy to chat or inform you of those who perhaps use the same band you already have. I am not - I repeat - not having a go or blackening the name of any one surgeon. The things I suggest are guidelines and are your right as a patient

(employer) of these care providers. Beverlee

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[Guest guest]

Thanky you Bev, very timely and good food for thought.

Nx