General surgery sounds like a universal treatment type; however, it’s a specialty that involves surgery specifically for the endocrine system, the gastrointestinal tract, the organs in the abdomen, and the soft tissues.
Bergen Bariatric and Surgical Solutions offers general and bariatric surgeries for myriad ailments. Our provider — Dr. Mikhail A. Botvinov — has years of experience performing surgery and working with patients, and we’re always overjoyed to share his expertise with new and returning faces.
But if you know you need a general surgeon, how do you choose one, and what goes into this process? We’d be happy to show you.
Choosing a general surgeon may take some time and consideration, but it’s important to be thorough and make sure you take the process seriously. With the right surgeon, you’ll get all the clarity, comfort, and help you’ll need before, during, and after your surgery.
As mentioned above, general surgeon doesn’t mean generalized work. These individuals have specialized in surgery as their main area of study and received different credentials to perform some of the most common surgical practices. If you need surgery at some point in your life, it’ll likely be performed by a general surgeon.
Between getting their bachelor’s, their medical degree, and then completing their residency, it takes more than 10 years for a general surgeon to finish their training. Understanding and respecting all of these aspects of a general surgeon’s history and work is part of recognizing what they do. Afterward, you can begin to decide which candidate will be best for your needs.
Yes, general surgeons can indeed perform many necessary and cosmetic surgeries, which can make them available for many patient’s needs. Within general surgery, though, most surgeons specialize in an even narrower field. For example, Dr. Botvinov specializes in abdominal and bariatric surgeries.
If you’re looking for one of these types of surgeries, it’s probably best to seek it from a doctor who specializes in it. However, other aspects of a surgeon’s provided care might also affect your choice.
Is your surgeon close by, or do you need to drive long distances to get to them? Do they offer office hours that fit into your schedule? Can you schedule the procedure with your surgeon on a date that works for you? All of these factors should be taken into account when you’re choosing a general surgeon.
Most information is online nowadays. That means you can do a lot of research about a surgeon before you meet them. Try seeking out what former patients and colleagues have said about them to determine if they have a good reputation. Also, look to see what kinds of papers they might’ve published or even if they have made blog posts or videos to discuss what they do.
Discuss with your surgeon before deciding to partner with them. This will allow you to ask all your questions and ensure the process feels comfortable. You can also treat it like an interview. If you’re not comfortable or satisfied after the discussion, consider moving on.
Just like with your primary care physician, you’ll want to ensure you and your surgeon’s personalities mesh. The treatment process will most certainly be longer than just the surgery itself, and you’ll want to feel good about meeting with them. In fact, having a good relationship with your doctor — any doctor — is linked to better health.
Taking personalities, credentials, specialties, and more into account will help you find the right general surgeon for your needs. It’s absolutely a beneficial extra step to take so that you can ensure a safe, healthy process before, during, and after surgery.
Would you like to meet Dr. Botvinov? Just call 201-778-5344 or make an appointment online at our Westwood, NJ, office.
