Peter Billing Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

I met Dr. Billing today and really loved him. Super nice guy, smart, not condescending at all - my mom came along who didn't know a lot and she asked a bunch of somewhat obvious questions to anyone who has done their 'homework' and he answered kindly and helpfully. He seems genuinely interested in helping people, and is NOT all about making money, which many surgeons who do this seem to be about...in fact, his practice is focused more on laproscopic surgeries of all kinds - not just bariatric. I liked this in that he knows what he's doing across the board. He definitely had a lot of nice things to say to me regarding my questions (I've been planning this for 9 months and knew about most of the nuances of the surgery, the band, etc.). Overall, I'm feeling good and confident about dropping my $17K in his court, and I think for anyone who is self-pay, feeling good about whom you spend that money with is important. Two thumbs up at this point!

UPDATE: I had surgery 9/12 and it was as perfect an experience as I could have hoped for. Dr. Billings came to say hello while I was in the pre-op room, as did the pre-op nurse from his office - Melanie couldn't make it over, but called and I got a message of her well wishes. Surgery was quick - he said 40 minutes open to close! He even gave a photo of my stomach before, during and after - I could see my lapband first hand!!! Both Melanie and the pre-op nurse came to see me in my room later that day. The hospital said I could stay as long as I wanted on the second day, though I opted to go home around noon. I felt well cared for, not rushed and as if everything went as I was told it would. I am a happy (banded) camper!!

Was anything bad or not ideal? I've had a good bit of gas pain over the few days post-op, and I did call to see if I could start pureed foods early, which Melanie allowed me to do. Recovery is no picnic, but it's basically playing out as I expected it would.

He was very nice and personable.
My impression has not changed, he cares how you are doing and does his best to help you to become confident with yourself!


His office staff is very helpful!

Nothing that I didn't like.

Very professional. Sometimes too professsional.

The staff(Melanie) is there explaining the importance of the aftercare!

It could be better however; they are working on it now!

They were very well explained

Top of the scale.

I believe both were great!

Dr. Billings was in Minnesota when he was my surgeon. He was fabulous. I found him easy to talk to. I had my surgery in Crosby, Minnesota. The staff there were very good. Very pleased with everything!

After making the diffiuclt decision to have bariatric surgery I started looking for a comprehensive program with supportive knowledgeable staff and the best experienced surgeon I could find. I found Dr Peter Billing. Dr Billing is new to Edmonds and Washington but he is not new to bariatric surgery. He comes from MN where he had a bariatric practice for several years. (Dr Billing did his surgery residency at the Mayo Clinic. This is very impresive to me.) I was able to meet Dr Billing's office manager from MN who told me that Dr Billing was one of the most respected surgeons in all of the midwest. Dr Billing is a compassionate person who seems really interested in me and my being successful. Dr Billing's program is comprehensive and includes monthly visits with a nutrition thearpist, Melanie Machado. The aftercare aspect of this program is very important as I want to, need to, change my eatting habbits and I need all the help and support I can get to change 49 years of bad habbits. Melanie calls me on the phone regularly and we have our first monthly meeting next Tuesday. These meeting with Melanie will continue for 1 year. Sandi McKay is the office insurance guru and has been so very helpful to me in getting insurance information etc. Overall I can't imagine a better experience. I had my surgery 7 weeks ago and have lost 15 lbs! I highly recommend Dr Billing and his staff.

He was younger than I was thinking he'd be,but very pleasant.
Office staff very friendly and helpful.This is a new program to this particular hospital,and they are trying very hard to make sure they are doing everything right.They do have a structured aftercare program.
At this time I would give an overall rating as great.