4 Steps to Finding the Right Surgeon for You
Courtesy of Surgical Group of North Texas
hoosing a surgeon is a very personal decision . Understanding the different kinds of surgeons and surgery options that are available to you is important . Get recommendations from others and choose the surgeon who will provide the skill , comfort level and recuperative approach you need . Bariatric surgery and even breast cancer surgery are common scenarios where patients are able to select their own surgeon .
1 . FIND THE RIGHT SPECIALTY
General surgeons have extensive training in a wide spectrum of general surgical procedures and some specialize in different areas , such as surgical oncology and bariatric surgery . There are many different treatment options and approaches , particularly with weight loss surgery and breast cancer surgery . You want a surgeon who spends a significant amount of time focused on your area of need .
Additionally , surgeons can specialize in different minimallyinvasive surgical techniques , such as laparoscopic , robotic , and endoscopic . These techniques may cause less pain , less scarring , and reduce recovery times . Selecting a surgeon that offers these techniques allows you and your surgeon to discuss together to decide what is best for you .
2 . ASK FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
Your regular physician is by far the best resource for choosing a surgeon . Not only does your physician know which surgeons are good at certain procedures , but also which ones have a good bedside manner .
Other patients can also be very helpful in selecting the right surgeon . Ask people about their experiences with surgeons to determine if they could be a good fit for you . You can find people that have had the same procedure in online support communities . Some examples include :
• breastcancer . org / community
• cancer . org / treatment / supportprogramsservices
• txtabs . org / support . html
• facebook . com / BariatricSurgerySupportGroup
• Questions to Other Patients - Did the surgeon listen to them ? - Did the surgeon make them feel comfortable ? - Did they feel like the surgeon fully explained the risks and benefits of the different treatment options ? - Did the surgeon offer non-surgical treatment options ?
3 . CHECK THEIR CREDENTIALS
You deserve a surgeon that is board certified by the American Board of Surgery . You can look this information up online at CertificationMatters . org .
You can also check their Fellow status by looking for “ FACS ” after the surgeon ’ s name . This indicates they are a Fellow of American College of Surgeons , meaning the surgeon ’ s education and training , professional qualifications , surgical competence , and ethical conduct have passed a rigorous evaluation and meet highest standards . To check their status , go online to FACS . org .
Professional organizations can be a great resource for finding a qualified surgeon and checking the surgeon ’ s credentials .
• American Society of Breast Surgeons
• American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
• Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeon Society of Surgical Oncology
• Clinical Robotics Surgery Association
4 . ASK QUESTIONS
If the surgeon doesn ’ t want to answer them , he or she isn ' t the right surgeon for you . You have the right to be informed , which requires good communication between you and your surgeon . Good questions to ask :
• What are my treatment options ? And , which do you recommend ?
• How many times have you performed this procedure ?
• Do you use minimally invasive techniques ?
• What are the potential complications ?
• What is the recovery time for this procedure ?
No matter how common the procedure , surgery is a big decision . Use these four steps to find a surgeon that is right for you . You deserve it .
Surgical Group of North Texas offers compassionate , patient-centered surgical care . For more information , you can visit their website at www . surgicalgroupnt . com .
( 817 ) 251-0070