Freedom from Obesity - Surgical Specialists of Shreveport Bariatric Center


















I have been on this surgery path for nearly a year. Due to some local complications, I have not been able to meet Dr. Merriman until last week. Meanwhile, I have been getting preop evaluations done. I really was impressed with Dr. Merriman's understanding of the obesity issue and his approach to surgery. I feel confident in his abilities and look forward to having surgery. He has a good sense of humor and a whole person approach, including extensive follow-up care that I really appreciate. And his office staff is wonderful! Kim and Donna and Patti and Danielle really rock!
7/25/02
I really can't say enough about Dr. Merriman. He's really smart and cares about what he is doing. And ethical. He has taken a lot of time recently to travel around the country and see what other bariatric surgeons are doing and has modified his surgery a little to help improve recovery. He is also a nice person to talk to.

Dr. Merriman is very personable. He seemed willing to spend as much time as it took to talk to me and make sure I had asked all the questions I had about the surgery, what to expect, and what to do afterwards. He also took care to make sure that I was aware of the all risks involved without scaring me to death. His office staff was also friendly and helpful.

Oh wow, what can I say? I love Dr. Merriman! He is my hero, he gave me a new life and I can never thank him enough. I would recommend EVERYONE go to him! lol
His office staff is the best! They were so patient with me! AND all my questions! They handled the insurance company and had me approved within 3 days!
He has a wonderful program from the first day you walk in the door. He really stresses after care and works with a team of people including dieticians, and a psychologist that has HAD the surgery. He also offers several different support groups depending on your need.
Most of all he GETS it. He understands the things that your have gone through to get to the point that your at (surgery) I have NEVER felt rushed when I had an appointment with him. He clearly explained the risks and benefits of this and other baratric surgeries and why this may work for me when Gastroplasty didn't. He is so caring and understanding without being judgmental or condescending.
I would rate him very highly, if your in the area you owe it to yourself to check him out and his program. At the very least you should attend his informative meeting. Its free and FULL of good information!

My first impression of Dr. Merriman was that he was very caring and supportive.
My opinion of him has only improved over time. I remember thinking how comfortable he made me feel.
He strongly emphasizes aftercare and he has a capable and knowledgeable office staff to assist him. I haven't had my first post op visit yet, but his staff has been helpful onthe phone for any questions I have.

Today, I finally met with Dr. Merriman. I had chosen him based on what others had said about him in this forum....and I will say, I was truly impressed with him. He did emphasize the aftercare which is what most patients said about him...and I think that is one of the most important things about making this all work. I like him and glad he will be my surgeon!

I'VE ATTENDED DR. MERRIMAN'S INFORMATIONAL SEMINAR AND ALSO HAD A CONSULT WITH HIM, AND ALSO WITH THE DIETICIAN-LISA STANSBURY AND ALYCIA BELLAH THE PSYCOLOGIST, TO DISCUSS THE SURGERY AND WT LOSS PROGRAM PERSONALLY. AS AN RN, I WAS EXTREMELY IMPRESSED WITH THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE OF NOT ONLY THE SURGERY, BUT THEIR CONCERN AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL IN EXPLORING MY INDIVIDUAL COMORBIDITIES AND PERSONAL FACTORS. THEY DISCUSSED WITH ME SPECIFIC DETAILS REGARDING CONCERNS ABOUT HOW THESE WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THE SURGERY AND HOW THEY COULD AFFECT MY OUTCOMES POST-OP. IT WAS VERY OBVIOUS THAT EVERYONE AFFILIATED WITH DR. MERRIMAN'S OFFICE AND LIV-LITE WERE DEDICATED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE. I FEEL CONFIDENT I'LL BE IN GOOD HANDS FOR MY SURGERY AND HAVE ALL THE SUPPORT I NEED TO ATTAIN MY GOALS. EVERYONE EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF AFTERCARE AND INFORMED ME OF ALL THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE AND PEERS I COULD CONTACT FOR SUPPORT. THEY DIDN'T SUGARCOAT ANYTHING! I'LL DEFINITELY BE GOING INTO THIS WITH MY EYES WIDE OPEN.

The first time I met with Dr. Merriman, I was immediately impressed. He was so caring, he made me understand that I was not morbidly obese because I ate too much, or because I was lazy. He explained to me that people who have this disease are "wired differently" than ones who don't have this disease. My impression of him has only gotten better. He is genuinely concerned with his patients. I was his FIRST lapband patient. And I was never even nervous that he had not done any before me. I was totally confident in him and I still am. His office staff are wonderful. They answer any question, no matter how dumb you feel that it is. If they don't know, they find out! There is nothing that I dislike about Dr. Merriman. His aftercare program is great. They have a support group that meets once a month. I have not had any complications and have not had any problems, therefore I saw him for my two week post op, and unless I need an adjustment of my band, I don't have to see him for six months. He was very thorough in explaining the risks, complications, and even went over the failure rate with me - that way, if something happened - heaven forbid - I wouldn't be taken off guard. Over all I would give him a 10! He is surgically competent and has a great bedside manner!!! I love Dr. Merriman!

Total honesty, no matter how much it hurts ones feelings....exactly what everyone needs in a doctor
The office staff was wonderful, any questions, they answered!!
The after care program is strictly enforced and they remind you everytime you go in that this is not a game.......It's Serious!!!!!
Risk of surgery are discussed greatly...as Dr. Merriman says, "You put yourself in danger to live longer!"
He and his staff have been a true blessing for me and I look forward to him doing my surgery!!

What was your first impression of him/her?
PROFESSIONAL
How would you describe his/her office staff?
PROFESSIONAL
How much does he/she emphasize aftercare?
CONSIDERABLY
Does he/she have a structured aftercare program? YES
How did he/she address the risks of surgery?
UPFRONT
How would you rate him/her overall? SO FAR, GREAT
Which is better, surgical competence, bedside
manner, or both great? BOTH

First impression was of someone who knew what they were talking about and doing.
No my impression has just gotten better, he is a very caring Doctor.
His staff is the best
I have not found anything that I didn't like about Dr. Merriman
That he is very good at his job
He stress the after care very much and is very good at the questions that he ask in the office visits
Yes
Very much so
Excellent
Both was excellent