Dr Frantzides- who is the best bariatric dr and program in Northwest Area

Does anybody know anything about Dr Frantzides ? I want to know all experiences good and bad. What is the best place to go? Who is the best in getting insurance approvals? Who makes you do the least ammount of testing? Who has a short process? I am looking into getting the surgery. I'm serious about it but I don't want to wait 6-12 months for it either. So any opinions on who the best Dr. in northern il it would be nice. A list of Dr's to avoid would definately be helpful. I hear really good things about Dr. Frantzides and A Dr. Joyce. Any extra info on anything related to the surgery the programs at the hospitals and personal experiences with the Dr's and programs they chose as well as any info on the process and time lenth they went through would be great. Thanks guys

Hi Elizabeth, Approvals and wait times all depend upon your insurance. It is the insurance that requires specific times and recorded diet and weight requirements. I have BCBS of IL PPO. When I started my journey, they required a 12 month supervised diet. I saw my PC every month for 18 months and was still denied for various reasons. I started my journey with a medical practice that only performed surgery as an open procedure. I did not relish going that route and the insurance game was draining me mentally and I was up and down in weight. I did some research on OH looking for anyone that had BCBS of IL PPO and had been approved. I found someone in Chicago and she had Dr. F. as her surgeon and was full of praise. I made an appointment to see him one year after I started the process. At that stage, I had probably a foot of docmentation regarding my weight and efforts to lose. Every medical test that is required is to ensure that you will be able to have the surgery. I had the apnea test and have it, I had always suspected it, but the test confirmed it. I could go on and on, but the bottom line is I had surgery last October with Dr. F. I was able to have the procedure done as Lap and not open. Due to prior abdominal surgeries years ago, I was full of adhesions. Had any other surgeon performed my surgery, I would have been converted to open. Dr. Frantzides is a highly skilled surgeon and deeply cares about his patients. The choice is yours, you need to trust whomever performs your surgery as your life is in their hands. My suggestion would be to schedule appointments with several doctors until you get the comfort level you need to proceed. I wish you well on the most amazing ride this surgery is. Regards, Mary

I had surgery with Dr. F in 2003 and he changed my life. Do your research, because being an informed patient is YOUR responsibility. Post op life is not all peaches and cream...you'l have bumps in your road just like the rest of us. Hopefully, though, they won't be surprises, and you will get past them. There is not a more competent, caring surgeon than Dr. Frantzides. I think you will be very pleased with his work, but the hard part, the success, is totally up to you.

You got a really good response from Mary so I will not expound anymore on what she said. But some of the things you need to keep in mind are the pre op and PO programs that a doctor has. This includes exercise experts, nutrition, medical and doctor follow ups and a support group. You need a wholeistic approach to your surgery. You also need a doctor that is well versed in the proceudures that s/he is doing and someone that has been doing the operations for a while not someone that just learned a short while back. I would suggest that you contact several surgeon's groups to learn about their programs and also go to a few different seminars also. You will get a really good handle on who they are and what their program is all about. Also, note how you are treated on the phone by their office staff. Are they interested in your questions and give you the time of day or are they in a hurry to get rid of you on the phone and move onto the next task. You might have a fantastic doctor but that doctor's staff if witchy to the patient that is when you might want to find a different bariatric group. Chris

Hi Chris, That is good information as well. Your points about aftercare and support are very important. The process requires you to educate yourself and sift through the smoke and mirrors of some medical practices. This is elective surgery and we need to think like consumers and shop till we get everything we want. Mary

I had my first appointment with Dr. frantzides 2 weeks ago. I was very impressed with him. He spent about an hour speaking with me, answer all my questions. And I had tons of them! I have had 2 previous surgeries (gallbladder and gastroplasty). Therefore, I am also a revision patient. He told me he was 99% sure that he would be able to perform the surgery laproscopically, in spite of all the adhesions that he felt, and 2 little hernias. That is a big plus to me. That is the reason I went to him.....because I heard he was the best for lap surgeries. He gave me a date for my surgery (4/3/07) and I have begun all the testing. His office staff is seeking insurance approval for me and my fingers are crossed. His confidence is what I love. I feel good putting my life in his hands. Good luck with whatever you decide. Shar

Hello, I had a consultation appointment with Dr. Frantzides. I was pleased with him as a doctor. However I was very very displeased otherwise. I was told that I had to come up with $10,000 up front. His office was not very willing to try and get insurance approval. I have BCBS of IL. I kinda felt like I was being forced into having the surgery. When I was there I went just as a consultation basis. He was already to schedule the surgery in 2 weeks. I felt that as a patient I have to right to meet and explore different doctors. I have been talking to the people at the Center for Weight Loss and Surgery in Joliet. They work out of St. Joes Hosital in Joliet. I have talked to there office numerous times and they never force me into anything. And they also gaves me tips on getting my ins. company to approve it. I have an info session scheduled at Silver Cross Hospital which is Dr. C. Joyce. So between the two I guess I will see which one I like the best. But I guess it is just a matter of who you like. Sorry if I was kinda bashing, but I was very disappointed.

When I met with Dr F he was pleased that I did not have BC/BS. I take it he has had a lot of trouble with them. Money never came up in our meeting. Now I am a bit scared. I know he is out of network, as his office informed me that he was out of network with ALL insurance companie. I just assumed that I would be able to pay off the balance, I'd check to make sure that is the case. Anyone else know about that? Anyway, as far as you feeling pressured into getting a date,,,,,,,,he asked me if I was comfortable with him and if I wanted to schedule a date. No pressure involved. I was able to schedule on April 4, 2007, one day after my birthday. I figured this is the best gift I can give myself. I am pleased with my decision, as you must be with yours. Let us know what happens. Shar

Hi Kelly I'm Jerri Kelley I'm Dr. Frantzides patient. He operated on me March 7, 2004 he did a laparoscopic gastric bypass on me. At the time of surgery I weighed 270lbs. I have maintained my current weight of 140lbs for 2 years now. I have never felt better. About 4 months out of surgery I decided that I wanted to work for Dr. Frantzides I was working for the department of Rheumatology and transfered to the department of surgery. I have known Dr. Frantzides for a little over 3 years now both as a patient as well as an employee. He is not only a great surgeon, but also a great person, he has a passion and a true natural calling for how he transforms patients lives. His carring does not stop at the compleation of surgery it goes on for years. Being the manager of the clinic I take it very personal when a patient is upset due to a miss understanding. Based on the statements you made in your posting I can only assume you miss understood what was told to you in clinic with regard to insurance, payments, and scheduling of surgery. First with Blue Cross/Blue Shield there would be no way we could have scheduled a patient for surgery that quickly, the approval process takes at least 60 days, even when the patient has met all of the criteria. The only way we could have scheduled a patient that quickly is if the patient had chosen to be self pay. If the patient had chosen to be self pay they would then owe the hospital a $10,000 deposit prior to surgery. On another note we always pre authorize patients for any surgery for any insurance, it is unfortunate that this information was misunderstood. It is no secret that BC/BS is one of the worst if not the worst insurance to have when it comes to baratric surgery.I hope this helps to clarify this for you, I understand that you have chosen to see another physician and I wish you luck in your journey. Jerri Kelley 847-676-2200

I have heard he is the best he even invented like 2 of the tool they use for laparoscopic. I wish I had the money to go to him!! heard lots of good stuff.