“How do I know this is the right surgeon?”
That question kept Jim awake before his ankle surgery in 2019. Like most patients, he was relying on a health system referral—until something didn’t feel right.
What happened next changed his entire approach to healthcare decisions across four successful surgeries.
When data revealed the wrong surgery
Jim’s first surgeon, referred by his health system, suggested a procedure that made him uneasy. “As we went down a particular path, I became uneasy with what the surgeon wanted me to do,” Jim recalls.
That’s when Jim discovered SurgeonCheck and decided to get a second opinion based on data rather than referrals. SurgeonCheck recommended a different surgeon with proven results.
The new surgeon’s review revealed something crucial: Jim didn’t need the original procedure at all.
“This new surgeon found that I didn’t need the procedure the other surgeon had suggested, but I did need a major, different procedure,” Jim explains. “He did the surgery and it solved all my problems.”
Jim later learned the originally recommended surgery would have been more extensive with a longer recovery and would have left him with less mobility than the procedure his SurgeonCheck surgeon performed.
The right surgeon doesn’t just do procedures well—they ensure you’re getting the right procedure in the first place.
Building trust through results
Jim’s ankle success convinced him to trust SurgeonCheck for future surgeries. When he needed two shoulder replacements and a cardiac ablation (a minimally invasive procedure used to correct heart rhythm problems), he didn’t hesitate to use their data again.
“These were scary surgeries to me—especially the first shoulder,” Jim shares. “But this time, I wasn’t lying awake wondering if I picked the right surgeon. I knew SurgeonCheck had already proven they could find excellent doctors.”
Each positive experience reinforced his confidence in the process. By his second shoulder surgery in 2023, what once felt terrifying had become manageable.
From anxiety to confidence
Before SurgeonCheck, Jim felt too much uncertainty. “I had a lot of fears and anxiety before surgery. You’re lying in bed at night wondering: Am I making the right choice? What if something goes wrong?”
Now his mindset has totally shifted. “My shoulders and ankle are great now. I’m as happy and as healthy as I’ve been in a long time.”
This confidence extends to future healthcare decisions, knowing he has a reliable resource for surgeon selection when needed.
“Now when I need surgery, I actually feel confident about my choice,” Jim says. “I know I’m not just hoping for the best—I’m making an informed choice.”
What Jim’s story teaches us
“I find it powerful to find the right surgeon who pays attention, listens, and can do the procedure right and well,” Jim concludes.
His story shows that fact-based surgeon selection turns anxiety into confidence. This leads to better outcomes and peace of mind.
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