Atrium Health Bariatric Center

I am nearly 4yrs out and have lost a great deal of weight so the surgery itself went well. (BUT I give credit to that from my dedication to the gym, following the diet that I looked up, and the support of my family and friends.) In the beginning the office staff seems less then friendly which is frustrating with the amount of money it costs to go in and be seen. I know that when I had mine done there was no aftercare group at his office for me to join and when was formed I was told "if you dont know how to do it right by now you wont ever figure it out" So I was left to trial and error. For the most part Kuwada was a nice person (when I actually got to see him, most visits were conducted by PA) The last visit I was having issues with my band and as much as I didn't want it, i was very aware I needed a total unfill so the band could rest (I have a slight slip). I went in and a strange Dr came into the room and started talking to me, asking me questions that MY Dr should know (why did u get the band? how long have it? kind of band?) When I became leery about this person and asked him isn't all this in my chart? His answer to me, "sigh, we see alot of patients and if I read every chart we would never get done." I informed him he could leave now, he could go find Dr Kuwada and send him in. I wasn't letting anyone touch me that didnt even have the decency to look at my chart. Dr Kuwada came in, I told him about the issues I was having and the need for an unfill.....HE REFUSED.... saying needed to see it next week under fluro....(oh I'm throwing up everything I eat btw, everything).... So I go in for the fluro after a week suffering and guess what? its a slip...small slip he says. He refuses to take out 2cc because there is so little in my band atm (4.5cc) when I ask him why...he says..well we don't want you getting fat do we? we might as well let it do what we can until we have to take it out. When I asked him what he was talking about, there were things we could do to try to fix it. He said there is no fix, only removal. I have been suffering ever since, hoping it would actually fix it but it hasn't so now after months of gathering the courage to find a new Dr I am in the process of getting my medical information from them (harder than sounds) and setting up an appt. I can eat some things but many cause me to be sick or hurt and I have little restriction sometimes. I am successful with my band, my surgery was good, my aftercare......AWEFUL! Oh, and to make things worse, remember the visit they sent in some random person and then refused to take fluid out? I actually got charged for that visit too...bye bye $200 and hten the $800 for fluro :( $1000 gone and still not right....June 2012

ADDED JULY 13, 2013
As my time increases having my band I have figured out how to best take care of me, and it....mostly on my own, with very little consistent information from my Dr office. When I talked about my aftercare not being good...I was being honest, my band got tighter and tighter as time went on, and I was eating less and less. It got to the point that all I could eat were sliders and then ones full of sugar honestly seemed to go down better...The acid got worse in my throat and tasted aweful but I remembered what he said about "not wanting me to get fat..." what if I did? I mean what if I work up one morning and every pound was back? (Dont act like you never thought or worried about it, because you either have or you will....in time). Stopped sleeping at night, proped body straight up in bed to help prevent acid reflux (it was HORRIBLE at this point....I suffered through the first of hte year, but found myself having to plan my lessons so that I could dash out to the hall bathroom to throw up in between groups (even if all was having was water)...I finally got brave (guess I worried that they would tell me the same and want to simply take it out) but I got brave and went in....they had fluro in the office and there is no extra charge for appts that need it....what? AND I dont get a bill after I pay the $70 copay? wha? After seeing my poor stomach and band under floro I thought the PA was gonna cry....she just kept looking at it and looking at me....she pointed to the screen, see that pouch? Ya that's not suppose to be there...THATS why you have so much acid reflux at night. We ended up draining the band and giving it a break.....I cried all the way home... I just KNEW I would wake up fat in the morning...to my surprise it took several weeks before I noticed any difference, once the acid was no longer an issue I actually began to enjoy food again...but I waited to get a fill...I wanted to be sure the band had time to go back like it was suppose to be..... so it wasn't until 3 weeks ago I had any fluid put back in my band and while restriction is not at 100% at least I am not throwing up everything I eat. REALITY CHECK: Did I gain weight? I have an eating disorder like so many. But I can get myself back on track and start making the right choices for me and my band. Oh...if you are reading this and you are looking for a Dr ....NOT Kuwada.... I use Southeast Bariatrics....very nice group. :)

This man is the best!!!! I had gastric bypass with a Fobi pouch. I was out of the hospital, and off of pain meds in 2 days. After one week, I was back at work. He is incredible!!!! He knows what he is doing and he does it very well!!!!
First impression: Nothing to really complain about. He was very thorough. I have read where some people thought he was kind of dry, but I like that.
His office staff: They can be pleasant. They always answer the phone, and the nurses always return calls.
Know this: He is very good at what he does. There is not a staff member in that part of the hospital who doesn't respect him, and all of them know that they better be on it when it comes to his patients!!
Aftercare: He is very thorough about aftercare. He even has a nutritionist in his office that I will see for the next year as part of his plan.
The risks of surgery are discussed at length in a video seen prior to meeting with Dr. Bauman. He will also discuss these in the room with you.
Surgical competence means 100x more to me than bedside manner any day!!!!! I would much rather have a competent doctor with no complications than one who is buttering me up after ruining the rest of my life!!!!!!!!
I would recommend Dr Bauman to any one considering this surgery. For me, I had to drive three hours to get to him when I could have driven 30 minutes to a surgeon here, but it was worth it!!

Dr. Bauman was recommended to me by a co-worker. I went to a seminar and at first was taken a back. His presentation was not a sales job for a surgery, instead the simple facts and the results he had seen. Dr. B made me understand that this was tool that he could give me but it was both of our jobs to make it work. I attended multiple seminars from different surgeons and most of them were a sales job. I was and am still impressed that Dr B simply gave the facts and dispelled other mythes.
As others have said Dr B is very no nonsense and isn't all warm and fuzzy but , in my experience it has been what I need. The day of surgery I was on a scale to make sure I kept my end of the bargin up to loose weight pre-op. What I love about Dr B is that he has put together a very well rounded practice... the nutritionist is right there in his office, he has product available for you to purchase should you choose and the staff has bent over backwards to help and kept me in the loop every step of the way during my pre-op, insurance approval and any question I have had since then. The most amazing thing I can tell you about Dr Bauman is he truely has my best interest at heart. I went in with my mind set on one surgery and even had it scheduled and Dr Bauman sat down with me and explained the sleeve to me and why he felt it would be better for me based on my past weight loss attempts. Looking back Dr B saved my life and has given me my health back!

My surgeon will be Dr. Tim Kuwada at Carolinas Weight mangement in charlotte, NC. I've only met with him once, and it was very informative and he was very positive and encouraging. The staff at the facility were all very professional and patient. Dr. Kuwada and his staff took the time to go over the benefits and risk of each surgery and let me decide what I thought was best for me with their professional input. There is a structured after care program with group meetings as well.

I have been very pleased with the process thus far. Surprisingly, it has been very fast! I was set to endure a 3-6 month process from my initial consultation to the approval process. Instead it took only 20 days! Unbelievable!

I was blessed with being able to schedule each test and evaluation in just a couple of days. My primary faxed in my weight documentation immediately and the information was sent to the insurance company. Two days later, I received that joyous phone call that I was approved for the gastric bypass!

I'll update this post from time to time during the process to see if my opinions of the group and experience with them changes. I'll reserve my rating of them until later as well.

J. Hill

06.21.10
I'm about 10 months post-op from RNY and 120 lbs less of me! I couldn't be more thrilled with my progress. I chose an excellent surgeon and facility with Dr. Kuwada and Carolinas Weight Management. This facility has been very responsive to my needs and concerns. I have visited the facility for my regular check-ups and have been pleased. The last appointment I had for my 6 month checkup however, I had to wait several hours before I was seen. It seems as if everyone in the reception area had the same appointment time. It was frustrating learning that we all had been overbooked for the same time, and patience was growing slim, including mine. Besides that, I have no major complaints.

J. Hill

Dr. Gersin is an excellent surgeon and very competent. I was originally approved for Lap Band surgery, but developed diverticulitis twice in 2 months. Dr. Gersin explained why the Lap Band would be a poor option moving forward. So I decided to have the gastric sleeve. I really did not want something so invasive because I am a nurse and know all the potential risks. I went ahead with the surgery and could not be happier. Everything went perfectly and I have had very few problems since surgery. My only complaint is I have yet to see Dr. Gersin since I left the hospital. I always see his PA or NP at follow up appointments, but as I mentioned I've had no problems following surgery.

His office staff is wonderful and all of the pre-approval tests and consultations can be done in the office so you are not running all over town. They are also there for support if you are having problems. The nutritionists and exercise therapists are readily available if you have any questions.

My husband is getting approved for weight loss surgery and I will definately have him use Carolinas Weight Loss and Wellness Center.

My Surgeon Dr.Bauman. He is excellent at what he does! He has a very organized system in place for pre and post op care. I have been very pleased with him and his office staff. He has a great nurse, Tammy, who used to be a nurse on the post surgical unit at the hospital. My experience so far has been really great. I would recommend Carolina Weight Loss Surgery to people seeking bariatric surgery.

Excellent Dr. Can't imagine being a patient anywhere else. No nonsense, straight forward, kick a$$ Doc.

Dr. Roc Bauman is the best. He is genuine and he has excellent bedside manners. He discuss options and allow you to make the choices. He is very through and upfront with you considering his concerns and medical advice. He has an structured program where you visit onsite nutrionist that is always available to answer questions or give you options. His program is setup where you continue receiving services after surgery. Their isn't a specific time frame. I'm 3 years out and still lean on Dr. Bauman and his nutritionist. His surgery competence and bedside manner are graded on a scale of ten plus. I would definitely recommend everyone to see Dr. Bauman for their Bariatric needs. I have nothing bad I could say regarding Dr. Bauman and his staff. He has really changed my life. I am delighted that I chose Dr. Bauman to be apart of my life changing experience. He will always have a friend and patient in me.

DR. BAUMAN IS THE BEST SURGEON EVER HE REALLY TOOK CARE OF ME I WENT IN TO SURGERY ON SEPT 24 AND I WAS RELEASED SEPT 27 AND I HAVE NOT HAD ANY COMPLICATIONS AND I WAS NOT ADMITTED ANYMORE I LOVE DR. BAUMAN AND I THANK HIM SO MUCH FOR CHANGING MY LIFE AND GIVING ME A FRESH START AT LIFE!!

I had RNY on March 22, 2011. Dr. Keith Gersin did my surgery. What impressed me the most was his attention to details. He was not in a rush to go to surgery until I had full medical clearance. I had the most complete physical exam I had ever had before he'd take me to surgery because I and he wanted me to have the best outcome possible. And he doesn't fool around. If he's willing to put himself out there and do surgery with all the risks involved then he expects you to do your part in the preparation and post operatively. But he doesn't work alone. It's a whole team effort that got me through the pre op, operative and now the post op phase of my journey. The office works like clockwork. Very organized. From the physician's assistant, surgical nurse, psychologist, dietician, fitness trainer, laboratory staff, front desk staff, insurance coordinators, by the time I walked into CMC-Mercy on March 22 I felt totally prepared as to what was waiting ahead of me. As for the hospital...excellent care. I am now 5 months post op. Having great weight loss results. I am following the aftercare program as I was instructed. I continue to attend the monthly support group meetings at the hospital which I consider is an essential part of my program. I follow up with the dietician, fitness trainer in the office. Next month I am scheduled to have my first post op bloodwork testing. I am feeling great. Dr. Gersin is also a general surgeon. He did the endoscopy and a colonoscopy that I needed pre op which was very convenient. If I ever need a surgical procedure in the future I will call him first to see if it's something he can do. I recommend the group to everyone I talk to. If I had to do it all over again the only thing I would change is that I would have done it sooner.