James Clay Wellborn, M.D. Bariatrics Bariatric Center

Dr. Wellborn was very kind when he came into the room. His staff really rocks! Especially Cindi. Dr. Wellborn has a VERY GOOD track record with doing bariatric sugery and is the only dr. in the state of AR. that is proctored to do Lap band sugery. He was very thorough with his explanations, told me what I will need to do after surgery, went through details as to what he'll do, he was just great!

Nice doctor. His office staff was friendly but a little disorganized. Looking back, I wish Dr. W. had quizzed me more on why I thought I needed the gastric bypass and really drilled me on the necessisty of my getting it. On the day of my discharge Dr. W came and spoke with me about what my diet should include. I was extremely anxious to leave the hospital and I guess that's why a dietician didn't come in. I called him the day after I got home because of my inability to pass gas. He called me and gave me several different options. Then called me each day thereafter to find out if the situation had improved. Unless I have a faulty memory (probably do after all I'm 50) I don't remember surgery risks being stressed a lot prior to surgery. Since this is my first major surgery, I don't feel I can rate Dr. W. as a surgeon - not enough experience to rate him as a surgeon. I think it is important to have a good surgeon with a good beside manner, but of course the surgery is the MOST IMPORTANT part.

THE ABOVE ARE MY PERSONAL OPINIONS ON MY EXPERIENCE.

Dr. Wellborn was very upfront with the information and was not afraid to stay and answer more questions. He was talking to us like people and not like his income.

His staff was courtious and very informative. Not offended if you asked too many questions.

He addressed all concerns and was very through in his presentation of the information and I was impressed with him as a doctor and as a human.

I met Dr. Wellborn about 14 months after having a vbg done by another Dr. I was having a lot of medical problems and was unable to eat.
He was so nice and really cared about me. He was concerned and literally saved my life. His staff was the best i have seen.They took care of everything for me.Dr. Wellborn even called me after I got home from the hospital and checked up on me. I cannot say anything about him that I disliked. He is a gentleman-He cares -He is a good Dr. Period. His patients need to know he expects them to do what he asks and to comply.He does carry out his care untill you are well.
My surgery involved removing the band that had slipped and cleaning up the mess.I am now having problems with a hernia and other weight related problems. He is going to do the rny when he goes back in .I hope my insurance will approve it.
I rate him a 10 on surgical competence and a 20 on not just bedside manner as in how he act ---but how he really cares about his patients Thanks---Karen Church

When I first met Dr. Wellborn, I felt completely comfortable with him. He sat and talked to the ladies that were there for our consultation and completely covered all of the surgery procedure and while he was talking he covered most of the questions that I had on my list. His nurse spoke to us first and went over the paperwork that we had been sent and then went over the diet that you have to follow after surgery. If we had any questions, she answered them and some things, she said to make a note and ask Dr. Wellborn. The staff is small so you know right away who you have to talk to for information. This is a good thing and it also has it's drawbacks, because you can't always talk to the office personnel right away because of the work load she has. I thought I would have gotten scheduled for surgery quiker than I did, but I was told that the cash paying customers get you bumped down the list. I can understand that this is also a business and they have to make money to keep going. So, if you have medicare, it takes longer to get to the top of the list. I just thank God that Medicare does cover this surgery. I guess they see that this saves them money in the long run to help us get healthier and require less medical attention. Aftercare was stressed very much so, and if you have any type of discomfort or problems they care you #'s to call. They also stressed that after surgery forever, you should wear some sort of id, stateing that you are a gastric bypass patient, in case of emergencys, so some other emergency medical worker doesn't put a tube down your throat. The follow up program has you going back to see the doctor in 2 weeks and then monthly with no complications and then on a yearly basis. They said that we should stay in contact with their office forever.All the risks of this type of surgery was gone over in detail, blood clots, leakages, infections, you name it. That is all the scary things we pray we never encounter, including his numbers of deaths related to the surgery.I would rank Dr. Wellborn right up at the top of his profession. This is a surgery that he has performed for years, and he has enough experience at this to make me feel at ease. I think surgical competance should be a priority and then a great bedside manner is an added plus. I appreciate a Dr. that seems to talk to you on your level, he talks with you and not at you.

IWOULD RECOMEND DR WELLBORN TO ANYONE IN HIS AREA. I HAD ONLY THE BEST EXPERIENCE WITH HIM. I OWE HIM MY LIFE. I HAD COMPLICATIONS AND ONLY AFTER I WAS AIRFLIGHTED BACK TO HIM WAS I ABLE TO GET THE HELP I NEEDED. HE WAS THERE WITH ME EVERYDAY AND I WAS THERE FOR QUITE A WHILE.
HIS OFFICE STAFF IS THE GREATEST ALSO. I BECAME CLOSE TO THEM AFTER MANY PHONE CALLS. THEY MADE ME FEEL LIKE I WAS PART OF THE "FAMILY".
IT HAS BEEN 2 YEARS SINCE I HAD MY SURGERY AND IF I AM EVER IN THAT PART OF THE COUNTRY AGAIN I WILL LOOK HIM UP TO SAY HELLO.
I LIKED DR WELBORN AFTER I FLEW OUT THERE FOR A CONSULT VISIT AND I FOUND HIM TO BE VERY EFFICENT AND HE WAS UP FRONT WITH ME ABOUT ALL COMPLICATIONS ABOUT THE SURGERY. HE EVEN TOLD ME HIS MORTALITY STATISICS- (WHICH ARE EXTREMELY FEW) BUT IT MADE ME FEEL CONFIDENT WHEN HE TOLD ME THIS.
THE THING I LEAST LIKED ABOUT HIM WAS THAT EVERY TIME HE CAME TO SEE ME HE HAD A SODA IN HAND AND I WAS UNABLE TO HAVE ANY.
HE CAM TO SEE ME EVERY DAY EVEN ON WEEKENDS . IT MAY OF BEEN AT 11:00 AT NIGHT BUT HE STILL CAME.
DR WELLBORN HAS A GREAT BEDSIDE MANOR AS WELL AS EXTREME SURGICAL COMPETENCE AND I RECOMMEND HIM HIGHLY.
IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO E MAIL ME ANY CONCERNS ABOUT HIM I WILL RESPOND.
THANKS JEANNE MIDDLETON
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My surgeon is Dr. Clay Wellborn, Little Rock, Arkansas. I was nervous about the whole thing when going in for my consultation. But after his presentation, I was more comfortable knowing his success rate and experience. His staff is so friendly and helpful--couldn't be better.
Aftercare is very important to Dr. Wellborn, and he stressed that many times. He explained the risks involved very thoroughly. It's hard to compare him to other surgeons since he is the only one I had a consultation with. I would definitely rate him very highly. I think a great surgeon has both surgical competence and bedside manners. You need that balance.

I guess I will know more after my surgery and follow-ups.