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Our "I need a" series is a helpful guide to finding the care you need when you don't know where to start. Today, we're learning how to find a bariatric surgeon.
If you're considering having bariatric (weight-loss) surgery to address a health concern like obesity or diabetes, choosing your surgeon is a big decision. So, before you start your search, let's answer some helpful questions.
What Does a Bariatric Surgeon Do?
Most surgeons focus on certain areas of the body or treating specific diseases. Bariatric surgeons focus on treating obesity and related conditions by making surgical adjustments to the digestive tract. These adjustments to your anatomy change how your body digests food by reducing the absorption of nutrients.
All general surgeons are trained to treat gastrointestinal conditions as part of their training and certification and must be familiar with weight loss surgeries. Bariatric surgeons are general surgeons who focus exclusively on weight loss surgeries.
What Credentials Should I Look For?
It can be hard to find a surgeon by looking at credentials alone, but it's a helpful place to start. Knowing that a surgeon has completed additional training or has been certified by a professional board is a good sign that they have the expertise you are looking for.
- Residency – All bariatric surgeons will have completed a surgical residency, meaning that after medical school, they trained for years under the supervision of seasoned physicians.
- Fellowship - Fellowship is additional, focused training after residency. A fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon has completed a specialized training program under the supervision of an experienced surgeon.
- Board Certified – This voluntary process demonstrates that a surgeon has met rigorous standards set by their peers through a governing organization, or board. These boards are recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties and the American Medical Association.
🚩 Not every area has a board certification. For example, general surgeons are required to study surgical interventions for weight loss to become board certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties and the American Medical Association, but there is no specific board certification for bariatric surgery.
- Professional Societies and Organizations - Membership in groups like the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) indicates that a bariatric surgeon is active in their specialty's clinical and research communities.
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) offers a helpful Find a Surgeon tool that lets you search by the bariatric surgery subspecialty. The ACS is the world's largest organization of surgeons, and their comprehensive member database of board-certified surgeons is a great place to start looking.
The ASMBS also has a helpful database that lets you search for surgeons with specific expertise performing bariatric surgery.
🚩 Fellowships are a great way to know that a surgeon has taken the time to learn to perform a specific type of surgery by experienced experts.
What Else is Important to Look For?
Weight loss surgery isn't just about the procedure; in order to lose the desired weight and keep that weight off, you will need follow-up support. Guidance for nutrition, exercise, and careful monitoring of your health and progress are important parts of the weight loss process. To make access to that care easier, you might want to focus on comprehensive programs and multi-specialty medical centers.
A comprehensive support team can include gastroenterologists, nutritionists, endocrinologists, and exercise experts. No matter what surgeon you choose, make sure to ask about what support you will have after your surgery.
Clinical Trials
The field of Bariatric surgery is constantly evolving, with new approaches and devices being developed and tested to improve outcomes and quality of life. Clinical trials offer the latest experimental treatments driven by cutting-edge research, such as new surgical strategies and devices. If you’re interested in participating in clinical trials, make sure to include academic medical centers in your search, as clinical research is an important part of what they do.
A Word About Top Doctor Awards
When searching for a doctor of any kind, you'll probably come across advertisements for sites boasting Top Doctor lists, or you may find these awards mentioned in a surgeon's profile. While many of these awards are legitimate and are based on peer-nominated candidates and vetted feedback, not all lists are created equal. Some are essentially lists intended to promote only the doctors who have paid for the privilege.
🚩 If you use a Top Doctor list in your search, make sure that's only part of your criteria.
Am I a Candidate for Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgeons have a responsibility to make sure that you have all the information you need to decide if surgery is right for you. Even with surgery, some people aren't ready or willing to make the lifestyle choices necessary to reach their weight loss goals. An ethical surgeon will discuss these challenges with you and explore all available alternatives to help you make the right choice.
🚩 Be wary of any surgeon who immediately pushes you to schedule a procedure.
So I Found Some Surgeons I Feel Comfortable With… Now What?
It's time to start making appointments. Reach out to your top choices for what's called a surgical consultation, or consult. Skilled surgeons are in high demand, so keep in mind that sometimes it can take some time to get scheduled. When making the appointment, their care team will ask about what you're looking for, so be ready to explain what your needs are. But don't worry: you don't need to know exactly what surgery to ask for; the surgeon will be able to explain your options when you meet them.
What About Weight-Loss Medication?
New weight-loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are exploding in popularity, so it makes sense to ask your surgeon about these options. Factors such as ongoing cost vs a one-time expense are important considerations. Some patients use these prescription injectable medications to lose weight and then decide to have weight loss surgery for a more permanent option. Some bariatric surgeons offer these medications to help manage weight post-surgery and prevent patients from regaining weight.
🚩 Because treating obesity is different for everyone, it makes sense to explore all options. Be wary if a surgeon won't discuss medication therapy with you.
During My Consultation, What Should I Ask?
In a word: everything. This meeting is your chance to learn about your surgical options, but it's also your opportunity to learn about the surgeon: their approach, their demeanor, their experience, and their understanding of your condition. Bring notes if you're concerned about remembering complex medical terms. Here are some helpful questions to consider:
- About the Surgeon
- How many weight loss surgeries have you performed? How many do you perform each year?
- Based on the procedure you would recommend for me, how many times have you performed that specific surgery?
- Do you only perform metabolic/bariatric surgery? Are you fellowship-trained? Do you have any board certifications or additional qualifications?
- Who is part of your care team? What specialists do you work with?
- What professional societies do you belong to?
- Are you involved in clinical trials that I might be able to participate in?
- About Your Procedure
- Am I a candidate for weight loss surgery?
- How much weight can I realistically hope to lose?
- What will my procedure involve?
- What are my risks? What complications have you seen?
- Will I need to stay in the hospital? If so, for how long?
- What will I feel after my surgery?
- How long after the surgery will I start to feel better?
- How much scarring will there be?
- Is a minimally invasive or robotic approach an option for me?
- Are nonsurgical treatments like medications a good option for me?
- What support will I need during recovery and beyond?
- How much will this procedure help me?
- For Diabetes Care
- Do you work with an endocrinologist or metabolic specialist?
- How effective is this procedure for managing diabetes?
- How will the procedure affect my metabolism?
🚩 No question is silly or useless if it helps you feel more confident about the procedure. Be wary of any surgeon that won’t take the time to answer your questions.
Do They Take My Insurance?
Money might not seem important when your health is at stake, but surgery can be expensive. Avoiding another stressful element can help you focus on your health. Nothing is more frustrating than finding a surgeon who's a great fit, only to learn that your insurance won't cover the procedure.
Most bariatric surgeries are covered by insurance, but not all insurance companies have the same eligibility requirements. So verify that the surgeon you're considering accepts your insurance, even if their website states they do. And contact your insurance company to confirm your eligibility. Some insurance plans also require a referral, so talk to your primary doctor about what you'll need.
Should I Get a Second Opinion?
Absolutely. Even if you think a surgeon is perfect for you, a second opinion can make you feel more confident about your decision. It can also help you become better educated about the procedure and your options. Second opinions can often be done with telehealth appointments, so they may not be as challenging to schedule.
🚩 Be wary of any surgeon that discourages you from getting a second opinion. An ethical surgeon will encourage you to get all the information you can and to consider every option.
Word of Mouth
Do you know anyone who has had the surgery performed by the surgeon you're considering? It can be helpful to get feedback from someone who has been through the procedure and recovery process. Keep in mind that everyone's health circumstances are unique, so their experience won't be the same as yours. But speaking with others can help you feel better informed about the real-world results and can give you some insight into how the surgeon and their team treat their patients.
🚩 Word of mouth can also be a great way to find a surgeon you might not have considered, especially if someone you know had a positive experience working with them. But make sure to then research the surgeon for yourself.
The decision to have surgery is about you and your health, so you should consider what's important to you. If you've reduced your options to a few surgeons who have convinced you they will provide the best care possible, practical considerations may help you make the final decision. These include:
- Do you want a doctor that can perform a surgery at a hospital closer to home? Or is it worth it to travel for your procedure?
- Do you want to work with a surgeon that has a relationship with your specialists, to make it easier to coordinate your care?
- Is finding an in-network surgeon a priority because of your health insurance?
- How urgent is your health issue? If you had to wait to schedule your surgery for an opening on a surgeon's calendar, is it worth the wait?
- Am I able to pay for a procedure out of pocket if my insurance doesn't cover it?
Once you have settled on a surgeon who can perform the procedure you need, where you want it, and when you want it, it's time to focus on getting ready for your procedure. That means following all instructions your surgical team gives you.
Weight-loss surgery can be a life-changing operation, and it can dramatically improve your quality of life and improve your overall health and self-esteem. Choosing the right surgeon can help you look and feel like your best self.