Question:
Fear of Rejection by Surgeon

Is it normal to be afraid that your surgeon won't accept you for surgery?    — Kathi B. (posted on December 6, 2002)

December 5, 2002
I'm still pre-op but have spoken to dr.'s office where they will not perform the surgery with patients that have bmi over 50 and/or had previous stomach surgery. The best thing to do is just asked off bat if they have any general exclusions regarding past and present health complications. But there is no point in worrying yourself to death about it before you talk to the surgeon.
   — vesta D.

December 7, 2002
I'd have a real problem using a surgeon that has weight or BMI restrictions, because that tells me he wants only the easy cases and may not be nearly as experience as surgeons who focus on bariatric surgery. The only issue between me and my surgeon was open versus LAP. He won't do a LAP because I am almost a 64 BMI. His reasoning is he wants to get me in and out of surgery as quick as possible lessening the risk to me. I weight 432 and I asked him if he has done people as large as me. His answer was 'unfortunately the super obese are becoming more and more prevalent'. He'd done someone who was 650 lbs and just a few months ago 2 people that were well over 500 etc. He listed quite a few. You want to be absolutely sure you are getting a surgeon who specializes in bariatric surgeon and not just a general surgoen who does one once in a while. My doctor and his partner always operate together. He said they do 5-6 per week. They are also general surgeon but very very experienced in bariatric surgery.<p>At 46 BMI you should have nothing to worry about unless you have some very extreme co-morbidity like a severe heart condition that would make anesthesia very risky. If the surgeon does an open then the previous abdominal surgeries should not be an issue either. The bottom line is you must be comfortable with the person you trust your life with. I can not even imagine a bariatric surgeon balking at someone with a 46 BMI. I could have had it done LAP at that BMI. Good Luck!
   — zoedogcbr