How to Choose a Bariatric Surgeon: 7 Steps from PCP Referral to Board Certification Verification
- PCP Referral: Knows your history, insurance, local quality.
- Online Directories: ASMBS (asmbs.org), ACS (facs.org), Healthgrades, Zocdoc, Vitals.
- Insurance Network: Confirm in-network status; understand pre-auth requirements.
- Attend Seminars/Webinars: Meet surgeons, learn procedures (sleeve, bypass, SADI, revision), ask questions.
- Patient Referrals: Friends/family/support groups — candid feedback.
- Review Analysis: Google, Healthgrades, RealSelf — look for patterns, not outliers.
- Verify Board Certification: ABOM (Obesity Medicine) or ABS (General Surgery) + ASMBS active membership. Check ABMS.
Choose a surgeon affiliated with an MBSAQIP-accredited center — ensures multidisciplinary team (dietitian, psychologist, exercise specialist) and quality benchmarking.
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