The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana Bariatric Center

DR. LAVIN AND HIS OFFICE STAFF ARE GREAT. THEY ARE VERY HELPFUL WHEN CALLING WITH QUESTIONS, AND SUPPORTIVE WHEN GOING TO THE OFFICE. THEY CONGRATULATE YOU AND OFFER MORAL SUPPORT. HE IS THE BEST SURGEON IN MY AREA FOR THE SURGERY. I WOULD RECOMMEND HIM TO ANYONE PLANNING ON HAVING SURGERY OR CONSIDERING IT. DR. LAVIN WILL EXPRESS DEEP INTEREST IN YOU AS A PATIENT BEFORE AND AFTER SURGERY. AFTERCARE IS REALLY WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT. YOU KNOW THE DO'S AND DONT'S, AND IT IS UP TO YOU TO FOLLOW THEM. OVERALL, I LOVE MY SURGEON AND WOULD LET HIM PERFORM THE SUGERY AGAIN, IF I HAD TO. EVERYONE SHOULD LOOK FOR A SURGEON WHO IS CONFIDENT IN HIM/HERSELF, HAS GREAT RESULTS, AND GOOD MANNERS.

When i first met Dr Lavin, I was impressed I thought that he was very knowledgeable in the surgery, and i was glad he was the one doing my surgery. Over time i found out more about dr lavin on the internet and on message boards, i was more impressed because of all of his accomplishments. I thought the staff at the Surgical Specialist were excellent and i couldn't have been more pleased. i haven't found anything that i didn't like about him or the office. Dr Lavin emphasized the importance of aftercare alot especially that with the lap band that is how we achieve the best results. They also have a structed aftercare program, including support groups. When talking about the risks of the surgery he said that the risks are different for everyone, while the some risk is there for everyone, there is a low complication rate with the lap-band procedure. I would rate Dr Lavin first rate everything I think he is awesome so nice and personal with everyone. Also i think that his surgical competence and his bedside manner exceeds the norm. I have had no problems out of the office and i think that everything is going great, i will keep up dated...

i am now post-op and i can't say enough great things about dr lavin...he has been the best..while at the hospital he made me feel totally at ease. he was compassionate and listened to all of my concerns...i really think he IS the best surgeon!

He was very pleasant and encouraging. He presented the seminar I went to and he was very enthusiastic and went to each person at seminar and introduced himself and spoke privately to you. His staff is very helpful. I am awaiting insurance okay and surgery date. He stressed the risks of surgery at my visit with him in the office. I did not have any questions prepared and now I have lots of them. I will write my questions down for him and the office staff for the next visit for pre-op stuff. I read Barbara Thompson's book, and it made me realize more how serious a decision this is for my life. I have spoken to 3 people who have had the surgery, one with Dr. Lavin and 2 with open surgery and Dr. Lavin was with laproscopic surgery. The one with laproscopic surgery went home after two days. I am asking for 4 weeks off from work and after reading Barbara's book my concern is more for the weeks after surgery and the things I need to do then than the surgery and such. My husband is very supportive and my brother is coming to be with me in the hospital and then my husband will take time off from work after I return home. Also have a better idea of what to take to the hospital. I had neck surgery not too many years ago and had a cd of Beatle's music that was instrumental and had nature sounds with it. It was very soothing for relaxing and not thinking about the pain. I believe in letting the pain meds help you heal...I am very upbeat and in my mind I am post surgery and 100 pounds lighter. Want to keep my positive attitude.

Dr. Lavin is very helpful and so is his nurse Maria. I had a page full of questions but by the time I got to see the doctor for the last time before surgery, my questions had all been answered. I am ready to go. And counting the days.....

I am six weeks post op and I feel very lucky to have found Dr. Lavin. He is very busy but he is very capable of dealing with the surgery. His bedside manner was very good and also his partners bedside manner was very good. My surgery only took 1 1/2 hours and Dr. Lavin came out and spoke to my family and said everything was terrific. I go back to see him next week and I can't wait to see him. There has been lots of publicity about weight loss surgery in my area and know it will be hard to get into see him at times, but I am so pleased with his manner and his knowledge and competence that I am willing to wait and continue with him. Don't be discouraged if you have to wait to see him. It was worth it for me. My scars are minimal. And the pain was minimal. I had the OnQ pain pump and it was great. I was more "uncomfortable" than in pain. I couldn't believe the difference in the pain tolerance with the OnQ. I was very skeptical. But it worked for me.

My first impression of Dr. Lavin was at a seminar my husband and I attend at Lakeview. He was very forthcoming and confident. After my inital office visit with him, I was more confident in his ability as a surgeon. He was willing to take the time to answer all my questions, and to address any of my concerns. It is important to have a good bedside manner but to me and my family it is even more important to have someone who is good at what they do and to be competent in it. The office staff was very helpful and a willing to listen and answer all question but to them.

My first impression of Dr. warden is a dr. that cares and that has not changed. His office staff is the BEST MOST AWESOME people I have ever met. Dr. Warden and staff are big on after care and follow up. I give them a 10.

More after surgery.
Hugs
Cathy

April 10th 2 weeks post op
Dr. Warden and staff are wonderful, they are willing to listen to you and make suggestion. Not once did he talk down to me, because of the questions I asked. I still rate them a 10.

I met Dr. Warden during my consultation. I don't know yet whether he will be performing my surgery or whether it will be Dr. Kim. My understanding is that they are both in the operating room. Everyone at SMS seemed great. They shared lots of information and answered my questions openly and honestly.

Update (6/18/2014) - Dr. Warden performed my surgery on 5/6/2003. I am now 11 years out and still doing great. My life has been forever changed.

Dr. Lavin is a great guy. He is easy to talk to and is very understanding of the problems faced by those of us that suffer from obesity. I was impressed with Dr. Lavin while listening to him talk to another patient. I knew at that point that I would be comfortable with him as my surgeon. Dr. Lavin has always been able to be reached and will answer all of your questions. Dr. Lavin's office is full of people that truly care about their patients. I get a true sense that they are as excited about our sucesses as we are. They are very knowledgable about the insurance process, surgery perparation, recovery and long term support. They are with you the whole way and you will feel like a part of the family.

My first impression of Dr Warden was that of someone who was open and willing to be of assistance in understanding the process. He exhibited an professional manner and my opinion of him has not changed throughout any of my contacts with him. He is very direct and concise and has answered any of my questions. His approach prior to surgery was thorough and direct regarding informed consent. I appreciated both Dr Warden and Dr Kim in their approach to this surgery and hold them both in high regards. I believe these Surgeons are excellent in practice and interactions with me

I was very impressed with the friendliness of this practice. The gals there are just great...friendly and efficient. Never feel "rushed" when I call with all kinds of questions.

The initial visit to the office was tremendously informative. Little need for any questions because of all the information that was supplied.

I would rate them superior as far as I have gone with this group.

Will comment on the aftercare in a few weeks.

My first surgeon was Dr. Clark Warden in Mississippi. He's an excellent technical surgeon, a very skilled laparoscopic surgeon. He's very shy, so it can be hard to get him to connect with him. My first impression was that he would do what he felt was best for me. Farther on down the line, I'm not so sure.. I don't think he trusts the DS enough to fully commit to its potential- he worries that its overkill, maybe? He uses a finite set of measurements, and doesn't want to consider that humans aren't all alike. Or maybe its just my freakin wierd body.. So far as I know, I'm my surgeon's only failure, I suppose it could definitely be my body/metabolism. Who know?