Question:
Doctor to perform Laparoscopic WLS.
I understand that laparoscopic surgery is not as painful as an open incision. I am interested in the stomach stapling and the bypass. Can anyone recommend a doctor? — Susan M. (posted on April 5, 1999)
April 5, 1999
Here''s a partial list of laparoscopic surgeons. I ended up going to
Valley Surgical Specialists in Fresno, California. They are a much less
well known clinic (more by word of mouth than anything else) and much less
'commercial' than some of these highly advertised clinics. I just felt so
much more comfortable with the doctor and had a much better rapport with
him. I traveled 4 hours to the clinic, was in the hospital only two days
and went home. Of course, it's still close enough for me to drive back and
forth for followup visits. Valley Surgical accomodates patients who travel
longer distances. The hospital they use is a very large and modern medical
center and I would say the care is very good.
I'm a real advocate for the lap procedure and would say it is worth the
extra effort to find a clinic that performs it. I was in the hospital only
2 days and back to work in about 3 weeks. I was able to take care of
myself when i got home from the hospital without any problems (since I live
alone it was a very good thing). The recovery time is so much less it is a
real advantage. I just have 5 small incisions each less than 1"
Dr. Clark and Dr. Wittgrove at Alvarado Center for Surgical Weight Loss
San Diego, CA; 800-342-3944
www.gastricbyass.com
J.K. Champion M.D.
http://www.drchampion.com/
Has two offices
3280 Howell Mill Road,
Suite 227
Atlanta, Georgia 30327
Phone:(404)367-9997 Fax:(404)367-9911
Oakside Professional Building
125 Oakside Court, Suite 201
Canton, Georgia 30114
Phone:(770)479-5941 Fax:(770)479-4594
Dr. Keith Boone or Dr. Higa
Valley Surgical Specialists, Fresno, CA; 209-449-3901
Ask for Laurie Curry the Bariatric Coordinator
by Dr. Phillip Schauer at
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; PH: 412-647-4710
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.upmc.edu/minsurg
Robert Rutledge,
M.D., 4301 Ben Franklin Blvd., P. O. Box 15698, Durham, NC 27704
Phone #: 919 479-4400 Fax #: 919 479-4415
http://unc-clos.tierranet.com/
L. Albert Wetter, M.D.
Pennisula Vascular Surgery Associates P.C.
1828 El Camino Real, #601
Burlingame, Ca 94010
(650) 652-0600
Dr. Ninh Nguyen
Dr. Bruce Wolfe
UCD Meidcal Center
2825 J Street Suite 400
Sacramento, CA
(916) 734-0779
New York NY
Michel Gagner M.D.
212-241-5339
He does it at the Mt. Sinai hospital in New York City
Mark Vierra, MD
Stanford, California
Telephone; 650-723-5956 or 650-723-5672
650-723-0162
650-725-8441
Fax: 650-725-8441
[email protected]
not sure which phone number is right (some were on Stanford's web page
and the last two were from the list)
Dr. Melvin
Ohio State University Comprehensive Weight Management Program
614-292-2888
New York NY
Marc Bessler M.D.
212-305-9506
1-800-227-CPMC
http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/surgery/Sub/Surg.Sub.html#Lap
This is only a partial list I've heard there are other lap doctors around.
Good Luck!!
— Jennifer L.
April 5, 1999
The best lap doctor on the East coast is Dr. Rutledge in Durham NC. visit
his website, search under CLOS - Center for Laproscopic Obesity Surgery.
He also has a wonderful suport group that you can join . you'll see more
about on the website. Feel free to email personally if you ve trouble.
— Kathy S.
April 5, 1999
Just so you know, with the lap, you get the least radical bypass. To get a
good (as in LONG) bypass, they need to get their elbows in there.
— [Anonymous]
April 6, 1999
I had rny lap surgery on 08-24-99 and i was fit as a fiddle in 2 weeks. Of
course, Istayed home for 5 weeks cause I could. The worse part for me was
the awakening of my bowel and the first week. The people who have it lopen
have more pain and soreness. Dr. Scott in wentzville, mo did mine. I would
recommend him to everyone. His web site is www.obesesurgery.com go find out
everything you need and then call them. Ask for janet she is his office
manager and she works miracle sometime.
— corinna C.
May 12, 1999
I thought Dr. Champion in Atlanta was wonderful for the laparoscopic RNY.
The radical bypass mentioned by one of the other members is rarely done now
due to nutritional complications. I had a very positive experience with
the surgery and am currently learning how to eat again.
— Diane N.
Click Here to Return