David Hargroder Bariatric Center

I met Dr. Hargroder before I went down to Joplin for my surgery. I had always been impressed with the relationship he had with previous patients. All my interactions with him have been positive. The office staff was always friendly and helpful. I like the fact they are always easy to get a hold of. The importance of the aftercare of the MGB is stressed to you throughout your journey. The manual you receive is very structured and easy to follow step by step. I think he has been well prepared for his position because before this he was a transplant surgeon. I didn't see him a lot during my short hospital stay but when I did I had nothing but good things to say.

Exellent impression - a pleasant, kind, empathetic individual who treats you well, seems to care about you, and is GOOD, GOOD, GOOD at his work. His office staff is caring and competent. Elizabeth is wonderful as well as beautiful. If you did not know she was a former patient, you would never believe it. (My husband is still in shock.)There was nothing I did not like, either personally or professionally. He strongly emphasizes aftercare. With CLOS, of which Dr Hargroder is part, all patients who come can tell him the risks of surgery, although he went over it and asked me what I understood and knew. I would give him 98 on a scale of 1-100, with 100 being the highest. I would give him 100, but nobody is perfect. Both are great, a rare and wonderful combination. It is still hard to believe that he rearranged my entire GI tract. Now, this was written by a woman who has worked her entire life with doctors, and generally regards them as a subspecies of human (ask anyone who knows me). If you had told me in May that I would feel this way about a doctor, I would have laughed in your face. I feel a little silly, but that's the way it is. I have been euphoric since surgery.

Just met my surgeon today 2-17-03.
He is starting a branch of the Center for laparoscopic Obesity Surgery in Joplin MO.

He is training under Dr Rutledge from NC and has about 33 surgeris under his belt. Rutledge flys in the first week of the month to physically supervise the surgery with Hargroder until his skills are up to his own level.

I haven't had much contact to form much of an opinion yet.

He and Elizabeth Robbins his main office person have been extremely prompt in responding to my emails and questions.

They seem knowledgeable. She has had the surgery herself.

They are very concerned with patient education and have a very in depth procedure you must follow to qualify for the surgery.

They do not take insurance but will provide you with receipts to file it yourself.

No rating as of yet am still "checking him out".