DePaul Health Center Bariatric Center

I first met Dr. De La Torre on 10/17/02 during a group informational meeting. He will not meet with patients until insurance approval has been obtained. My first impression of him was, "Wow! He sure is a handsome man!" Dr. De La Torre spent a lot of time addressing the risks of RNY (mainly) and also of the lap band (not as much said about this surgery, but not as many risks, either). After the group meeting, we each met with Dr. De La Torre individually to discuss our surgeries, and were given our surgery dates. During my personal meeting with Dr. De La Torre, he strongly recommended that I should have the lap RNY instead of the lap band (AGB), because of my weight (322 at the time). He felt I would lose weight more quickly with RNY and that I would lose a greater percentage of my excess weight also. My husband and I know someone who died from complications of RNY, so this was not an option for me. I had researched the lap band extensively prior to meeting with Dr. De La Torre, and when I explained my reasons for wanting this particular surgery, he agreed to perform it. Dr. De La Torre performed my lap band surgery on 11/20/02. It was the easiest and least painful surgery I have ever had (two C-sections and a hysterectomy preceded this surgery). Except for some nauseau and vomiting 1-2 days post-op, my recovery was uneventful. Dr. De La Torre was concerned enough about my vomiting that he kept me in the hospital for an additional day (I was supposed to go home the day after surgery). I rate his bedside manner a 10. His office staff is terrific as well. The hospital has a support group for all WLS patients that meets on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 p.m.

I have not met the Dr. yet but have nothing but good things to say about Nancy, his nurse in charge of paperwork. She is not easy to get in touch with as she only works Wednesdays and Thursdays at office. I got my paperwork in the mail, filled them out, sent them back and she had my paperwork submitted them to the insurance company within two weeks. I think that is great!!!!
I tried a couple of other Drs. prior and found them to not suit my needs. Dr. Chris Eagon has a year wait. Dr. Fibato only does open and I did not find his staff as cooperative or informative. See my profile to see more on Dr. Fibato

I met Dr. de le Torre on 3/6/03 and found him to be a very pleasant person. He does emphasis and record all the risks and complications that can go along with this surgery. It appears to me that he wants you to be absoluty sure of everything that can go wrong before you make your decision. His program is emphasizes aftercare and they have a structured aftercare program. They answered all my questions before I asked them. I am very pleased with the program as a whole. The only thing I don't like is that they are located at a small hospital. I would have preferred a larger hospital with alot of specialists on staff. But I feel that Dr. de le Torre is very competent and skilled at this type of surgery.

7/22/03-My opinion of Dr. de le Torre's after care is going downhill all the time. I have talked to him about a couple of problems and he never leaves the spot he is in to come over and examine you. The latest problem has caused me to miss a day of work so I expected for him to be a little concerned but he did the same thing. He seems to be real quick to say that it has nothing to do with the surgery. Of course I didn't have this problem before hand. So I ended up going to my PCP and she is checking it out.

All of the above are only my personal impressions of my own experience and not statements about what other people may experience.

Dr Scott is very sharp,he did the who seminar when the equipment failed with just pen and pad. He even drew pictures better than a slide. He was funny, informative and thorough with his presentation. I just had to request him a my surgeon.

My first impression was very good...he really had it together, very informative, the good and the bad. He was very knowledgeable and confident. He was very careful about talking about the risks, actually really driving them home so that we were totally aware of any and all complications that might arise. And that impression has never changed. I came through surgery with flying colors, really bouncing back quickly. He did a spectacular job, I'm very impressed. His staff is great too, very helpful. I called a few times with what I thought were goofy questions and they never made me feel bad. They always gladly talked to me. He emphasizes aftercare quite a bit. I saw him a week post-op, then I'll see him again in a month, then follow up with my primary. He really urges his patients to attend support group offered at his building. Overall, I'd say he was very well rounded as far as bed side manner and surgical competence. I'd encourage anyone to see him.

I met with Dr. de la Torre yesterday and was very impressed. He and his staff were very professional and friendly.
He makes sure that you have detailed information on diet and exercise before he talks to you and takes questions about the surgery. He spoke to a group of us about all aspects of the surgery - good and bad, then he spoke to each of us privately to make sure everything was understood.

Very straight forward, no nonsense person.
He was a little intimidating, but I was told by a previous patient of his that if I was looking for someone to hold my hand and make jokes, I should look for another surgeon.

His office staff was excellent, always ready to help and very friendly.

Aftercare is very important - he emphasizes that this is not the "latest diet fad" and if you aren't serious about changing your life style, you shouldn't be wasting considering this surgery.

They have an excellent support group that meets.

He was very straighforward about the risks involved and what was expected of the patient should you decide to proceed with the surgery. There was an all day educational class prior to setting the date for surgery. A dietition, physical therapist, RN, and the surgeon met and talked with the group as a whole and then the surgeon met with each person individually and privately to answer any and all questions. The materials handed out became my "Bible" to live by in the weeks following the surgery.
Dr. DeLaTorre has an excellent reputation (I checked him and his partner Dr. Scott on the internet after they were recommended by my orthopedist).

Dr. DeLaTorre's surgical competence is the best.

I sent in the application on May 5th, 2003. I am waiting to hear if the insurance approves this surgery for me. I called the clinic today, May 27th, and Nancy has not been able to work on sending out the info to BlueChoice. I will check back in two weeks.

June 11, 2003 I spoke to Nancy and I have an appointment to see the Dr. On July 11th. This is great news. The Lord is guiding this process every step of the way.

I liked this surgeon right after I met him. Last year he did my hubby's hernia repair and I was impressed that he didn't talk down to us. He is knowledgeable and professional. The office staff is very helpful. They have a suport group that meets weekly and encourage attendance before and after surgery. He is a very busy man but took time to talk to all of us as a group before the individual consultation. Some people apparently were put off by his recording the talk about the risks of surgery but I don't have a problem with it. He has a wonderful success rate with this particular surgery and a very low infection and morbidity rate. That is one of the reasons I chose this surgeon.

My first impression of Dr. De La Torre was that he was ver professional and informative. The only thing that I really didnt like was that after the first post op visit you are seen by his assistant (which would have been okay if I had know this before hand). The office staff all have been very helpful. I would recommend midwest bariatric to everyone. I would rate this program a 9.5...excellent.

Dr. De la Torre is a wonderful surgeon. He is well known in his field, professional, and very concerned that his patients understand the risks of this surgery. Dr. De la Torre works within a fantastic bariatric center, and has trained his staff to value his patients and their health. I would strongly recommend this surgeon to anyone undertaking this procedure.