Kishwaukee Community Hospital, Bariatrics Bariatric Center

HE was great, the whole staff made sure my questions was answered to the fulliest. My husband was worried and they help eased his mind. I reffered him to a few people and they was just as happy with him.

My path into WLS surgery

September 05

After talking with my doc helping me with weight loss. I decided it was time to go the next step. I called the hospital about the seminar and was able to get right in that night. I was given a packet of information that was covering the information in the seminar. Everyone that spoke seemed very nice and open. They discussed the beneifits and the risks. Answered questions. Very non threatening atmosphere.

The Kishwaukee Hospital Coordinator
She has helped out a lot. She is very nice and has directed me in the right steps to get what I need to get done. She has helped decifer my medical insurance. When I call and leave her a message about some concern or question of mine, depending on when I call, she either gets back to me that day or the next.

October 05
Had my first visit with the doc. He seemed very patient especially since my daughter was full of energy and my finace had a headahce. We discussed which surgery I was looking at to have. I was leaning towards the lap band but I had not fully decided. He suggested that I have the bypass due to having several members in my family having it. He seemed worried that if I had the band and tried to measure the results to my family I might get depressed. Plus I have some other medical issues that would have to be taken care of first, which would prolong the wait time for surgery, and he seemed to feel that due to those, I would have better success with the bypass and not the band. With all that I did not feel pressured into either one or the other. It was my decision. With having discussing both paths of surgery, benefits and risks, I decided to have to bypass.

End of October 05
Was told by the coordinator to start setting up my testing. I was so excited. She said that I needed to have all them done even though I had a gallbladder function study and an EGD 2 years prior. I was kinda of frustrated that I would have to go through that all again. So I asked the coordinator as to why. Within a day she called my back after talking to the Dr. Maillefer's nurse and said that even though I had that done before that 2 years is a long time and a lot could have changed either better or worse. I understood and I am glad that he is going to do that. I would not want to have the surgery and find out either during the surgery or after the surgery that there is a problem. I am glad that he wants to have the most current in formation available.

November 05
Had my psyhc consult, dietian consult and my ultrasound.
While waiting for my ultrasound I spoke to the 3 people who work there, I know that they work in the same building with him, but they all stated how nice he is and how good of a doc he is.
While doing some errands in Dekalb I wanted to get my glasses fixed. Decided that well I might as well get my eyes checked. I spoke to the Doctor who did my eye test about what I was going to have done and who was doing to surgery and he had recommended him highly. That made me feel great.

Dec 05
Tommorrow is the last test prior to the insurance letter. The EGD.
Then the support group.

7/28/2005 UPDATE!

For a Dr. who spoke so much about post-op care, he sure fell short.

Not only is “Post op Support” nonexistent, they disguise a meeting with pre and post ops as post op support, when really, its nothing more than post ops answering questions for pre-ops…kinda sad.

To add insult to injury, every single one of my post op appointments has been canceled or rescheduled, sometimes within an hour of the appointment…I understand Dr.’s have other things going on…but so do I.

Post op support IS one of the most important things when having this surgery…Dr. Maillefer and Kishwaukee Hospital fall short of offering that service, even though they claim they do.

Thank God my surgery was successful and without complications…I don’t know WHAT I would do if I were facing complications alone…

Great Surgeon, Great Personality, Very Personable, but those things don’t make up for everything he doesn’t have.

When his office called me today to cancel my second appointment in two weeks, I finally told them I was done…I’m make it work on my own somehow. What a joke.

11/2004
My first impression of Dr. Maillefer was that he seemed very personable, rather than stuffy and snobbish like some MD’s. During my initial visit I became more relaxed and at ease with him and his staff, and actually started to feel a little excited. I think that was the best part about the entire visit…actually talking to a person, rather than a diploma.

His staff was very helpful and caring, they all answered my questions without hesitation.


Dr. Maillefer stresses the importance of pre-operative and post-operative support and care…which I really liked…he seemed really interested in providing support for this huge lifestyle change, which I thought was great.

In the end, the best part about this first visit was that he really talked candidly about the risks both physically and emotionally. He talked about the affect that such a lifestyle change has on the marriage and other friendships…which I thought was very helpful. He also really wanted to meet with my husband to talk to him, which to me is above and beyond…

I am looking forward to working with Dr. Maillefer over the next few months and years, as I pursue this journey of WLS.

My first impression of Dr. Maillefer as his patient was that he was very caring and concerned for my health. He takes his time with his patients and makes sure that all of your questions are answered. He makes you feel like he has all of the time in the world just for you. Tina (his nurse at the office) is wonderful. She returns phone calls in a very timely manner, she is very knowledgable and if she doesn't have the answers, she will investigate the concern until she gets the answers for you. Dr. Maillefer and his staff at the hospital and the clinic are all very honest about what you will be going through emotionally and physically. There are so many different aspects of this surgery that I did not consider until it had been brought to my attention. It was a lot harder mentally than I ever thought it would be but he and his staff were all there with a shoulder to cry on and encouraging words. After care is the biggest part of the entire process. Everyone is very honest....this surgery is only a tool....only you can make it a success. YOU have to change your lifestyle. With the surgery alone, yes you will lose weight to begin with, but long term success will not be achieved without a complete lifestyle change. I can not express enough how much my life has changed since this surgery....I couldn't have done it without Dr. Maillefer and his team. They were wonderful from the first meeting all the way through the process. I can't imagine having anyone else see me through everything.

My first impression of Dr. Maillefer was what am I getting myself into. I really liked Dr. Maillefer, he seemed to be very decent and truthful. He told you like it was, he didn't sugar coat it. Over time I've come to feel he is just a really great surgeon. The staff is terrific. I love the staff, everyone is always very helpful. Future patients should know how truthful he is and how great of a surgeon he is. He strongly emphasizes the importance of follow-up. He has a structured aftercare program. His handbook is very helpful. It answers most of the questions I have; otherwise I'm free to call Arlene the bariatric nurse coordinator or Natalie the dietitian. He answers the risks associated with surgery point blank, he tells you and they are outlined in the handbook. Overall I would rate him as 100%. Both his surgical competence and bedside manner are great.

I liked the way Dr. Maillefer sat down and answered my questions and took time with me. I never felt rushed. My impression just improved over time. He was always concerned for my welfare and my family's welfare. He always took the time to inquire how things were going for all of us. One thing that really impressed me was when he took the time to call his wife to get a recipe for me. I expected during my hospital stay to see Dr. Maillefer once a day; however, he came to see me at least 3 times a day. He also helped me out of bed one day and walked with me a few feet to make sure everything was OK. In my estimation he is super. After surgery I felt free to call his office at any time with any question -- which I did-- and his office nurse answered any question as small as it may be. I'm very impressed with the support group that is offered. We always have a speaker but then we are allowed at least 45 minutes to discuss what is on our minds and ask questions. Arlene the Bariatric Nurse Coordinator and Natalie the dietitian are always there. I would recommend Dr. Maillefer and has team to anyone who is considering Bariatric Surgery.

My first impression of Dr. Maillefer was pretty good. He seemed like a very easy person to talk to and explained things thoroughly and made sure you knew what you were getting into. His staff was very friendly and well informed, and explained everything that was going on through the process. Dr. Maillefer is very understanding, he cares deeply about his patients well being. Dr. Maillefer very highly recommends after care because it is very important for your recovery and over all health. He has a very structured aftercare program that must be followed completely with all appointments and phases. Before surgery Dr. Maillefer made sure you knew all the side effects and makes sure you understand all the risks that could happen and what the precentage was of each risk. I would rate Dr. Maillefer has being an excellent surgeon and a wonderful doctor. Both his surgical competence and bedside manner are great.

My first impression of Dr. Maillefer was how surprised I was at the amount of time he spent with my daughter and I explaining the surgery and process. My impression only got better over time, when I saw the amount of care I was given by Dr. Maillefer. Office staff is excellent. Future patients of Dr. Maillefer should know how thorough he is. Dr. Maillefer let's you know how important aftercare is and how you need to follow up as instructed. After care is very important to Dr. Maillefer. Dr. Maillefer was very blunt about risks of surgery and let you know exactly where you stood before hand. Because I had some problems after surgery, I really was able to see how much Dr. Maillefer cares and how he took care of all of my problems personally. Overall I would rate Dr. Maillefer excellent. My family and I were very impressed with him. Both
Dr. Maillefer's surgical competence and beside manner are great!

I had my consult on 10/04/04.
The staff at the clinic were wonderful, and friendly. They made me feel like a friend and someone they genuinely wanting to help.
They didn't pass judgements on my weight or anything like that.:)
They have a binder ( aka bariatric surgery binder) that they give to their patients which tells me that they truly have committed to this area of Dr. Maillefer's practice, and taking it seriously. The pre-op preparation is wonderful, and I am very pleased to find this doctor and his staff.

I first met Dr. Maillefer after his seminar on Bariatric surgery. He was very professional in his presentation, very thorough in his explanations but I came away with the feeling that each and every one of his patients received 100% of his care and attention. His patients were people to him, not another number. I liked that I left the session with a feeling that he could work with me on any medical matters that may complicate my surgery. Stressing that he was handing his patients a great tool, he made it very clear that success would depend on the individual and their ability to make life changes. Thorough explanations of the risks involved and the various types of surgeries available were reviewed. The aftercare program was covered and its importance was highly emphassized. Anyone considering WLS should know that Dr. Maillefer has been very highly recommended by all of the various doctors I've encountered through my pre-op tests, including other surgeons. I think I'm glad to be a "Maillefer Lady"!!