You’ve decided to have weight loss surgery — or at the very least, look into it further. Finding a surgeon is one of the most important steps in this process. Here are some ways to find a reputable weight loss surgeon:
Go to the website of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (www.asmbs.org) or the American College of Surgeons (www.facs.org). Both of these websites have a “Find a Surgeon” tool that you can use to find surgeons in your area who are board certified and have experience in weight loss surgery.
Ask your primary-care doctor or gynecologist for a referral to a weight loss surgeon. They’ll likely have patients who have undergone weight loss surgery, seen their success, and can help guide your choice of surgeon.
Go to ObesityHelp (www.obesityhelp.com) and the websites of the weight loss surgeons you’re considering. Read patient testimonials about surgeons to find the one that’s best for you.
Ask family, friends, and acquaintances for referrals. If you know people in your area who’ve had weight loss surgery, ask about their experiences with their surgeons, the hospitals where they had their surgeries, and their surgeons’ staffs.