Sidney Vail, M.D. Bariatrics Bariatric Center

Dr. Sydney Vail in Roanoke Va. He is very comfortable and seems very professional. I was at ease the entire time. His staff is wonderful also. He was very good at explaining the risks and benefits from the surgery. He was also very confident in my success possibilities.

Dr. Vail left the Roanoke area recently. I feel somewhat lost without his follow up support.

My surgeon is Dr. Vail in Roanoke, Virginia.
My first impression of him -- I really liked
him -- he took time to explain and answer
any questions I have. He knows I was scared
and nervous about this!

There was nothing I disliked about my surgeon.
He took time with me, he was funny and I
feel like he is helping give me a second
chance at life. It is my turn now.

Dr. Vail works with trauma patients. So,
he sees the worst of the worst. However,
even at my weight, there was not a problem
and 2 weeks from the date of my surgery I
returned to work.

Dr. Vail did emphasize aftercare. No lifting
but I was to do what I felt like doing. Yes
he does have a structured aftercare program
that he goes over with his patients. It is
up to us to carry it out.

In going over the risks of surgery. He was
very upfront with me. He explained that he
had never had anyone to die, that he did
have a patient to lose their spleen. Then,
he went over a list of concerns that I had
to sign. But, he also reassured me that I
was healthy and I would be fine. I guess
that is what I liked about him the most, he
was always so positive and funny. I didn't
feel nervous around him as I knew he had
everything under control. Also, he as well
as Dr. Duckworth held my hands as I was
put to sleep. I told them I was the queen
of weenies!!

I would recommend Dr. Vail to anyone. He is
young, encouraging, trustworthy (I trusted
him with my life), intelligent, funny,
compassionate, always takes time with his
patients, etc. All his patients love him!!!
What can I say.

I recently had lost my mother and Dr. Vail
was so understanding about this too.

The only negative thing I can say about this
whole process was Dr. Vail's sidekick, an
intern by the name of Dr. Sandwith. We did
not click at all. He tried to be smooth like
Dr. Vail but it didn't work. It comes
naturally with Dr. Vail -- it is who he is --
nothing fake -- Dr. Sandwith -- wanted me to
know he was a surgeon -- my family physician
had placed me on a medication to help me
rest at night and Dr. Sandwith told me in
no uncertain terms that grief was a process
(which I know - but you can't function if
you don't rest)and I needed to get a grip
and that he was a surgeon not a psychiatrist -
he turned me off big time -- I didn't mention
this to Dr. Vail -- because I won't be seeing
Dr. Sandwith again -- ever-----