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How to get the Best Bariatric Surgery Care
The keys to successful, safe surgery in any field of medicine are an informed patient with realistic expectations, and a skilled, experienced surgeon. Take the time to research your potential surgeon and the obesity care center that you are considering. Ask questions!

The following are areas to consider asking about:

-Board Certification
-Certifications--on the equipment the surgeon uses
-Training and education
-Fellowship Training
-Professional memberships and important offices held
-Training and teaching activities
-Research and writing activities
-Awards and recognitions
-Reputation
-Malpractice Suits
-Experience with the Procedure
-Benchmarking
-Success and Complication Rates
-Awareness of New Developments
-Personal Compatibility
-Competent, Compassionate Staff
-Care Provider and Style of Care
-Eligibility requirements for bariatric surgery
-Medical financing

ASMBS Member Surgeons
All of the bariatric surgeons listed in the Obesity Care Directory are members of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). This means they are general surgeons who specialize in bariatric surgery and may be diplomats of the American Board of Surgery or Fellows of the American College of Surgeons or Royal College of Surgeons.

Surgical Procedures
The surgeons listed on this site specialize in different surgical procedures designed to help the morbidly obese lose weight. These procedures are known as Bariatric Surgery. Gastric bypass and Gastric Banding are the two most popular types of bariatric surgery. Long considered the “Gold Standard” for Bariatric surgery is a procedure scientifically known as Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass, more commonly referred to as Gastric Bypass Surgery.

Gastric Banding, (also known as The LAP-BAND™ System from Alergan, or the REALIZE™ Band from Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc.) is also a well established treatment for morbid obesity. Approved by the FDA back in 2001 and used in more than 300,000 procedures worldwide. Many surgeons within this directory offer both Gastric Bypass and Gastric Banding treatments done laproscopically (keyhole surgery).

Another procedure gaining popularity is the Gastric Sleeve or Sleeve Gastrectomy. Sometimes it is offered to patients as part of a two stage Bypass operation particularly if they are super obese (BMI>60) because it allows good weight loss until the patient gets down to a safe weight and then the more involved bypass can then be offered laparoscopically when they are at a safer weight.

All three procedures mentioned above are primarily designed to make the patient feel "full" sooner and therefore they are less likely to overeat. Speak with your physician or bariatric surgeon about which procedure is right for you.

What is Laparoscopic Surgery?
The same surgeries that are referred to throughout this site could be performed Laparoscopically. This is the case where a surgeon uses advanced micro surgery instruments that are inserted into the abdominal cavity through small holes and incisions. The surgeon then performs the operation by watching the instruments through a tiny camera that is inserted into the patient’s stomach through a tiny incision.

Choosing a surgeon is a very important step. Patients must find out if their surgeon is laparoscopically trained, and how many laparoscopic operations has the doctor performed. If Laparoscopy is important to you, find a surgeon who is trained and experienced in Laparoscopic surgery.

How to get listed in the directory
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The purpose of the Society is to advance the art and science of bariatric surgery by encouraging its members to:
  • Pursue investigations in both the clinic and laboratory
  • Interchange ideas, information and experience pertaining to bariatric surgery
  • Promote guidelines for ethical patient selection and care
  • Develop educational programs for physicians, paramedical persons and lay people
  • Promote outcome studies and quality assurance

Features of the Obesity Care Provider Directory

  1. Find an obesity care provider near you. Providers are organized by state.
  2. We forward your interest in surgery to as many obesity care providers as you want.
  3. We provide a link to the state licensure website so you can verify the surgeon's license.
New surgeons are added regularly, please check back. Click your state to find a surgeon.

 

  
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