Van Wagner Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

Dr. Wagner is very knowledgable. He presents his own seminar (this is not always the case with other surgeons. I have attended 2 other seminars - one the surgeon presented his seminar and the other seminar was presented by the program director) and answered everyone's questions. He was very careful to explain what to expect with each type of surgery and both the benefits and risks of each surgery. I was very impressed from the beginning with Dr. Wagner and knew after attending his seminar that I was making the right decision in picking him for my bariatric surgeon.
His office staff is great. He has a patient advocate, Brittani, who is very knowledgable in handling insurance claims and works diligently to get you approved (my insurance was very stinky and required a lot of time and effort from both Brittani and myself to gain approval) Dr. Wagner also has his own dietatian, Staci, who meets with you each time you go for an appointment. Staci is very knowledgable also and makes sure all your questions are answered regarding diet and vitamin requirements for your particular procedure.
Dr. Wagner requires post-op visits at regular intervals for all bariatric patients (schedule varies depending upon which procedure you choose) and of course anytime there may be an issue. At each of these visits, you see Dr. Wagner and Staci to make sure everything is going according to plan and that you are on track with your weight loss.
I would recommend Dr. Wagner to anyone thinking about having WLS.

I wanted to write this review while it was all fresh in my mind. I am now 7 days post -op and can not praise Dr. Wagner enough. I did my research - lots of it - all the procedures and had 4 friends who underwent Vertical Sleeve. They told me much of what to expect. The staff is WONDERFUL - especially Brittnei. She answered all my questions with patience and knowledge and Dr. Wagner is lucky to have her. Since I was self pay (goodbye part of my 401 K) I just did not want to mess with insurance companies highs and lows - I met with Dr. Wagner for the consult and then with Brittani. I was able to get a surgery date one week later. He put me on a clear liquid diet the week prior to surgury to shink the liver and make it easier to operate. The process went really smoothly. I had the procedure done at St Alexius and they were also top notch. Everyone was really knowledgeable at St Alexium about the procedure and recovery went well. My procedure started at 7:30 am and I was in my room by about 10:30. Single room - large and no roomate which was even better and typical.
After waking up I was pain free (both Dr wagner and St ALexius) are really conscience about pain and the nurses were there within a minute or so after I hit the buzzer.
I had a set of cathiters inside (connected to a ball like device that hung around my neck in a pouch) that was used to deliver an epidural. Between all the meds it was pain free. The next day I left the hospital but was able to walk up and down the halls of the floor about 6 hours after surgery with my machine and I.V.
Went home and also spent a week on clear fluids. Dropped 25 lbs and actually walked 1/2 mile yesterday.
I have however, gotten to feel what heartburn feels like but well controlled with Maalox and Pepcid. It will go awy.
This week I started on Full fluids - milk and protein shakes and yogurt and creme soups.

Next week pureed foods and then incorporate regular foods into the diet.

NOTE: This was not an easy decision. When you are in Dr. Wagners office you have to read and initial a number of paragraphs that discuss all the cons of surgery and what can happen. When you have to read and put your initials down it gets personal.

I ran thru self doubt all week - did I choose the right procedure, can I live with having to do someting for life - all the emotions. I never went in with an excited train of thought however, after looking at my life I knew there was NO other option. I could try another diet and succeed for a month or two and fail again because I was so hungry or I could gain more weight and shorten my life and my hide from anyone taking a picture.

After the surgery that did not matter. Now I have spent a week "Not hungry" and that will continue. That is the big benefit of the gastric Sleever. It performs as a mini stomach and has all the advantages plus you lose the chemical that produces cravings.

My surgeon has been very supportive. He and his staff are very professional and answer all my questions thoroughly showing concern for my feelings.

This is a long overdue review. Dr. Wagner did my surgery 6-18-08. I could not have asked for a better doctor or better care. I chose Dr. Wagner because although he is a part of New Start he practices alone. I was self pay and I did not want to go through a large practice that employed multiple doctors. If I had a problem or complication, I wanted one doctor who knew my history. Dr. Wagner is on top of his game. Some say he is not personable, but I disagree. He is truly caring and compassionate and most of all he knows what he's talking about. His surgical expertise was spot on as well as his aftercare. He also removed my gallbladder in 8-3-09. He and his staff are wonderful. Sarah, Brittany and Karen are fantastic. I would recommend Dr. Wagner to anyone and I have. I feel surgery is a very personal decision and would NEVER recommend it to anyone but if someone has made an informed decision I would recommend Dr. Wagner and his staff in a heartbeat. Dr. Wagner was very honest about the risks and the outcomes I could expect from surgery. He did not sugar coat anything and in fact tried to talk me out of having RNY and into having lapband. But once my decision was made he supported it 110% and has guided me the entire way. I have nothing but respect for Dr. Wagner.

Dr. Wagner has been so helpful. I had RNY 6/22/09. I have had some problems lately, but he has been there to make sure I am okay. Even though I have had some complications (not Dr. Wagner's fault), I am very happy I chose him because he really wants his patients to be healthy; you can tell he really cares about his patients.

Attended free seminar that reall enlightened me on all my options. Dr Wagner's staff were very helpful. I liked that he specialized in bariatric surgery and works at a center of excellence. rnrnHe was able to do my sleeve procedure with a single incision through my belly button. The post surgery pain was minimal (the hospital makes sure you have plenty of pain meds to keep you pain free).rnrnI was able to leave the hospital after 1 night. In less then 2 weeks, my incision is pretty much healed. rnrnOverall, I highly recommend Dr Wagner and his staff. The nursing students at St. Alexius could have used more assistance from the qualified nurses. But the entire experience was overall very good. rnrnI would highly recommend Dr Wagner.

My first impression of Dr. Wagner was that he was very knowledgeable about bariatric surgery. He was straight to the point about the risks and benefits of the surgery and was very thorough. He is not very personable, but I will take knowledge and skills over personality any day.

My first impression of Dr. Wagner was that he was very professional and knew what I needed. My impression of Dr. Wagner has never changed. As far as the office staff is concerned I think they are my ANGELS I would not be where I am now with out them. I have no complaints at all with my doctor or his staff. There are many things to know about Dr. Wagner but the best way to find it all out is to call them and go to their FREE seminar. When it comes to after care he tells everyone that there are 365 days in a year and he wants to see you at least 15 of them, one day after surgery, one week, and every month after that for the first year, then every year for the next 5 years and never to hesitate to call for any reason. Dr Wagner almost tries to talk people out of surgery by telling all the risks and possiable outcomes but there are some people who know the benefit outweighs the risks. Oh if I had to give him a number i'd say he and his staff are the perfect 10. In my opinnion both are great but I would rather have a competent surgon that a nice one.

Dr. Wagners seminar was great, very informative, no sugar coating. I went in for my initial evaluation wanting to do the Lap-Band, but after talking it over with Dr. Wagner and my wife, we decided RNY bypass was the best solution for me. I am currently going through six monthly visits to my personal doc to get all the documentation needed for approval by BC/BS of IL. The office staff has been WONDERFUL!! I am looking forward to getting approved this summer, and hopefully scheduling my surgery sometime before this fall.

I liked Dr. Wagner the first time I met him and he seemed verynice and caring. His office staff is excellent and has always helped me when I call in w/ a question as well as being considerate while I'm at the office. I think he's a great surgeon and I'm glad I chose him. I prefer surgical competence AND bedside manner in my surgeon and Dr. Wagner has them both. He does seem very shy, but he warms up to you after a bit. I am kinda scary some times...