From my first Visit in March of 2010 This Doctor has been the Best !
I had RnY Gastric bypass performed at St Francis Hospital in Evanston May 5th 2010 staff was amazing, I was 388 lbs the day of my surgery.

Update I just had my surgeon explain what is next for me it is May 17th 2012 I was 266 lbs when I checked in with the Doc am needing to have my gall bladder removed and a Hernia repaired and I cannot wait .

When I first came in Dr F's office I was unhappy and unhealthy my Blood sugar issues were beyond being under control I was having sugar readings in the 250 300 range which is not good I was taking Insulin every 2 hours and generally felt Pretty crappy all the time I could not walk 10 feet without losing my breath and sweating up a storm.. again update time I now actually walk almost 5 miles everyday the feeling is amazing this Doc has given me my life back I can move without pain breathe and now eat properly I am so looking forward to having these last surgeries done.
Doctor F is for sure the way to go !

I went to see Dr. Frantzides after learning that he is world-renowned as a bariatric laparoscopic surgeon. If I was going to consider having this life-changing procedure, I was going to make sure I had the best surgeon; even if it meant I needed to travel out of state for that surgeon. At my 1st appt, I found Dr. Frantzides to be unlike any surgeon I have met in the past (being in the healthcare profession myself, I have known many). He was genuine, personable, and spent an unbelievable amount of time listening to my "story" and explaining my options. He also presented me with published literature which demonstrated the science behind his recommendations. I truly don’t believe you could find a surgeon with more knowledge and expertise in the subject of laparoscopic bariatric surgery (actually, any type of laparoscopic surgery). Dr. Frantzides wants to know what your questions and worries are, and he will not move forward until he knows you understand and are comfortable with the answers. Long story short, I traveled from Wisconsin in order to have him perform my surgery (hiatal-hernia repair, gallbladder removal, and RNY on 09-May-2012). I am early in the recovery process but continue to be pleased with all the care and guidance I am receiving. Everyone at Dr. Frantzides' office is wonderful and supportive. Dr. Ruff, also a surgeon, is there to answer any questions (even when they have been asked and answered before!). Theresa, the office manager, takes what could be a very complicated and daunting process for the patient, and just… handles it; from beginning to end. What is probably the single most important thing I could say about Dr. Frantzides is that you can tell he loves what he does and he is dedicated to his patients’ well-being 100%. It is very apparent that his mission in life is to help people lose weight but without making them sick in the process. He has developed innovative techniques for the purpose of decreasing or removing complications or side-effects often reported from bariatric surgery. This is a surgeon whom you can trust with your life.

Where should I start... Dr. Frantzides and his team are truly incredible. I felt very comfortable the first time I visited his office... very welcome, and received plenty of talk time to go over all of my questions. I immediately had a good rapport with him and feel he is worth every penny!!!

He is funny and charismatic... but, also a leader in his field and is by no means shy about telling you! But, he has bragging rights as far as I am concerned because he has the experience, expertise, publications, teaching, and innovation to back him up. I was very impressed by him, and immediately decided he was the only one to perform my surgery (which was very complex and complicated for various reasons).

His fellow, Dr. Ruff, is great, too... He is also a board certified surgeon, which made me feel even better about being in the operating room with them. His office assistant, Teresa, is also delightful... They are a great team, and have taken very good care of me thus far.

I ask a lot of questions... so, I emailed and called a lot. They were very patient with me, and even seemed glad to help every time I called. I have never been rushed or dismissed. They go over everything with me, and the Dr. himself takes the time to address certain things over the phone, again without any pressure.

They are very diligent in making sure you follow the rules. I have every confidence that the care I have received so far will continue throughout my journey... I feel like they are friends... people with whom I can be candid and honest without prejudice. And, I respect Dr. Frantzides not only for his accomplishments, but for empathizing with me and strictly enforcing the requirements I need to follow to be a success.

So far I cannot say enough good things about him and his team. They are there for me. And, that means a lot.

Davina Simaitis

05/03/12
Update after first follow-up visit:

Well, another wonderful visit with the doc and his crew. There were several patients there today, but he gave all of us plenty of talk time to go over anything and everything! He is so personable, you can't help but trust him like a friend. I am so glad I chose him as my surgeon! I feel so confident with the work that he did on me that I have no worries and physically feel absolutely great!!!

I would HIGHLY recommend Dr. Frantzides and his team to anyone seeking surgery... He's not the type of doctor that will just rush into the first surgery type mentioned. He goes over all options and HELPS the PATIENT choose the BEST procedure for them. He does not herd you through his office like cattle (which I have experienced elsewhere). He really knows his profession; and, his opinion is literally like gold to me.

Davina Simaitis =)

I have not posted on this site in quite a while. It has been 5 years since I had my surgery. Recently I had the opportunity to go with a friend of mine who had a consultation with Dr. Frantzides, in the hopes of having surgery. I have just returned to this site to write a new review of Dr. F. Seeing him again has validated all the wonderful things I have felt about him.
Listening to this exceptionally accomplished surgeon has restored my excitement about this tool he has given me. It brought back all of my original strength of conviction to accomplish my weight loss goals.
It is now 5 years and I have lost 150 pounds. I play with a 10 pound weight gain. I am diligently trying to lose that, and more. I feel like I have taken a refresher course on weight loss surgery. Once again, I have Dr. Frantzides to thank for this.
Every day I am thankiful for Dr. Frantzides. If I ever need surgery again, there is no doubt who will be the surgeon that I choose. I will put my life into his hands.....and his hands ONLY!!!!!

Today April 26, 2012 marks the One year anniversary of my surgery. My start weight was 319 lbs, now one year later I'm down to 231 lbs. I feel great and have a lot more energy. With the weight loss I have found a renewed joy in my social life. Being a scuba diver, my bottom time has increased because I am carrying less weight and use a lot less energy while swimming. I have no shortness of breath when I walk long distances. While working out at the gym, people literally tell me everytime that I look great. I will admit that I had resevations on doing the laparoscopic gastric bypass but have to say after one year it was a great decision and should have made it sooner.

Dr. Frantizes is a highly skilled doctor who took very good care of me both pre and post op. I have lost 160 lbs since my surgery two years ago. He is compassionate and takes the time to really answer any questions or concerns you might have. I couldn't have been happier with both him as well as his staff.

Doctor Frantzides is amazing amazing amazing !!!!!!!!!!!! He's helped me so much with my reveison gatric bypass, when I was 15 I had open mini loop gastric bypass in Beruit,Lebanon. Lost some weight not a whole lot & then gained it all back & have been depressed about it for a while now until i found Doctor Frantizides & Doctor Ruff they perfomed laparoscopic surgery on me a week ago & I've already lost 10 pounds!! Despite the fact that my surgery was a demanding revision surgery I left the hospital the next day. I'm feeling happier each & every day. I wish I had known about Dr. Frantzides when I was 15 I'm 21 now & I can honestly say having revesion gastric bypass by these 2 amazing doctor's was the best choice I've made. If your considering gastric bypass you need to go see Doctor Frantzides & Doctor Ruff they'll take great care of you!!

My regular physician (Dr. Kogan) recommended Dr. Frantzides as the gold standard in treatment for obesity as severe as mine.

Dr. Frantzides loves his work and loves people. He automatically knows how to talk to each of his patients, given the patient's personality. This put me at great ease having gone through two necessary but really unpleasant (non-gastric) earlier surgeries.

Only six quater-inch punctures are required and they heal in days. By the evening of the third day painkillers aren't needed. The hardest part is the liquid-only first week and soft-food next three weeks. But losing over 40 pounds in the first month was a great reward.

It's now one month after surgery and I can walk much easier than I could a month ago, get in and out of my car without straining, easily climb stairs, etc. More importantly, since my liver had much fat and couldn't have lasted more than two or three years, Dr. Frantzides probably saved my life.

His associate Dr. Ruff has also been a great resource at every step and Teresa, his office manager, is enormously helpful besides being a very charming individual as well.

Weight lose has always been a large issue for me. I have always been active but i have found that the recent years have not been very kind to me. I have been active and played sports for a better of 10 years. In July 2011 my son turned one years old and i really hit rock bottom at 382 pounds. I was having trouble playing with my son, breathing, and struggle with knee and ankle issues. I have also had blood pressue issues for almost two years. It was a very diffcult choice for me to choose the surgery road. I felt like most people, that i was giving up and taking the easy way out. I was wrong. Dr. Frantzides has performed surgeries on my mother, father, and wife. I was number 4 in my immediate family. I have to say that Dr. Frantzides saved my life. Without him and his excellent fellow Dr. Ruff, i would i have not lived to see my son turn 18 years old. For those who feel surgery is an easy way, you are wrong. The surgery changes your complete outlook on not only food, but life and the things around. Being person whos family has always used food for happy times, sad times, and just gather surgery proved to be a tough choice. With this life change, Dr Frantzides gave me the tools for success. He has been very understanding and has taken the time to field whatever question large or small i had. If i had to make the choice all over again, i would. I choose Dr. Frantzides not because the history my family has with him, but that he is the go to person for this surgery. No matter cost or the travel, he is worth it. Thank you Dr. Frantzides for giving me my life back. I am only two months out of surgery and already feel great. I have lost almost 77 pounds, my blood pressure is normal, i have energy and can breath to play with my son.

Dr. Frantzides is an AMAZING surgeon! I had my surgery 6 months ago and have never felt better! I am down 77 pounds and loving life. I have followed his instructions, especially when it comes to protein and vitamins, in order to feel this great. If you are looking for a surgeon, I highly recommend him. He has a charasmatic personality and his staff is amazing. If I have any questions at all, I do not hesitate to call and Teresa and Dr. Ruff are always there to get me answers. I truly don't have anything negative to say, as he is a great doctor. You have to remember that it is 50% your surgeon, but the other 50% is YOU and your dedication and willingness to be active in conjunction with the food intake are just as important.