Gastrointestinal surgical experience matters

Gastric bypass surgeons should be physicians who have been trained at an accredited facility to perform gastrointestinal surgery. He or she should be willing to provide a consultation to each patient, before and after the surgery, in which the short-term and long-term complications and implications of the procedure are discussed to the extent that the patient understands and is willing to comply with all necessary precautions. Don't be afraid to ask for references. All good gastric bypass surgeons have a plan in place to follow up with each patient on a regular basis for years after the procedure. If the surgeon is good at what he or she does, the surgery went well and the consultations have been methodical, helpful and effective, the former patients should feel that they are a "success story" and should have no reservations about talking with you.

You should be looking for a surgical specialist who has demonstrated three things: experience with the procedure he or she is willing to practice on you, exposure in the medical community, and support from fellow medical professionals and prior patients. When you are consulting gastric bypass surgeons in order to find the one that is best for you, make sure that at each office you ask to see credentials proving accredited privileges to perform the procedure in their facility. You'll also want to make sure that your practitioner is continuing education and involvement in the larger medical community, including surgical and medical educational societies. For example, at Coast Bariatrics Group, Dr. Hernandez is a Fellow of the American College of Surgery, and Dr. Barrera is the Medical Director of the Bloodless Medicine and Surgery Program at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Program, which focuses on techniques that minimize blood loss. We can answer your questions. Give us a call today.