Denton County Living Well Magazine May/June 2017 | Page 53

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 minimally-
invasive 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:
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breastcancer.org/community
cancer.org/treatment/supportprogramsservices
txtabs.org/support.html
facebook.com/BariatricSurgerySupportGroup
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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 Sur geon 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.
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