6 Tips for Choosing the Right General Surgeon

General surgeons are essentially family doctors. They’re trained to care for the patient as a whole for a wide range of conditions, but they can also perform surgery. They often act as care team leaders when many specialists are involved in patient care.

The American College of Surgeons recognizes general surgery as one of 14 surgical specialties. Some surgeons specialize in a single organ or system, such as a cardiovascular surgeon who treats the circulatory system. A general surgeon, though, treats a range of organs, the musculoskeletal system, and injuries that affect multiple systems.

At Advanced Surgical Associates of Northern Minnesota, board-certified general surgeon Dr. John Bollins performs numerous procedures, including gallbladder removal, weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery), and colon (digestive system) surgery, among others.

You must choose the best general surgeon for the job, so here the team describes six important tips to help you make your choice.

6 tips for choosing the right general surgeon

Here are six important tips to help you choose the right general surgeon:

1. Get referrals

Your primary care doctor or specialist will probably give you a referral to a general surgeon they know or have heard of, but that doesn’t mean you have to see them. Ask family, friends, and other doctors you see whom they’d recommend to get a broader view.

As you work through the list, call each general surgeon’s office and ask for a consultation so you can meet and interview the doctor.

2. Research the surgeon’s credentials

One of the most important factors to note when choosing a general surgeon is whether they’re board-certified or not. Board certification indicates that the doctor has the necessary training, skills, and experience to provide the services you need.

Fellowship training in whatever type of surgery you need is also extremely valuable. And make sure the doctor doesn’t have a history of malpractice claims or disciplinary actions.

3. Consider the surgeon’s experience

The more experience the surgeon has with your particular condition or procedure, the better your results are likely to be. Don’t be afraid to ask how many patients with your specific condition the surgeon has treated, and how many of those resulted in complications.

4. Research hospital quality

Your hospital is whichever the general surgeon uses to provide care, so make sure you’re comfortable with the quality. Patients who undergo procedures at top-rated hospitals experience fewer complications and better survival rates.

Additionally, consider the hospital’s location. Frequent trips to the general surgeon’s office or hospital mean you want it to be as convenient as possible.

At Advanced Surgical Associates of Northern Minnesota, our team is part of a group private practice, which means we’re not beholden to any one hospital; we’ll book your procedure at the one we feel is the best match for you. If you have any concerns about the choice, please consult with Dr. Bollins.

5. Evaluate communication style

How a surgeon communicates is just as – or even more – important as what they communicate. Choose a general surgeon with whom you’re comfortable, who provides all the information about the procedure and your recovery, and who’s happy to answer any of your questions in a way that makes sense to you.

The general surgeon should show an interest in getting to know who you are, consider your treatment preferences, and respect your decisions.

6. Know what your insurance covers

Unless you want to pay for everything out of pocket, you need to know what – and who – your insurance carrier covers. That means, from a practical standpoint, you may need to find a general surgeon who participates in your plan. All the other factors, though, still apply.

At Advanced Surgical Associates of Northern Minnesota, Dr. Bollins and our staff welcome your questions and comments about your condition and our practice. We are dedicated to providing you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.

To schedule a consultation, call our office in Hibbing, Duluth, or Ely, Minnesota, or book your appointment online.

We proudly accept Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna, HealthPartners, Humana, UCare, Medica, and SecurityHealthPlan.