Weight Loss Surgical Center of Baton Rouge Bariatric Center

I haven't had my surgery yet so I can't comment first hand on Dr Hargroder's surgical competence although I did research thoroughly and he has never had any malpractice claims or lawsuits filed against him.rnWhen I met him in person I was very impressed. He has a friendly straightforward manner, will answer all your questions honestly and he doesn't downplay the risks involved with surgery. Clearly a very experienced surgeon with a great facility. His office staff are the best, fabulous, caring, informed. I will update this once I have my surgery.rnPost op if I have one gripe it would be that the follow up care is a little, how can I put this, vague. Clarify when you are due for visits and blood tests and be very pro-active about it. The follow up is there but you have to make it your business to access it. I find this a little strange although I am from the UK and have never dealt with the healthcare system in the US before so maybe that's normal for here just not what I'm used to.rnFor more info post op see my blog from May 2007.

I used Dr Drake Bellanger and I just loved him!! He is as cute as they come and always smiling which is a comfort to me as I like happy people! He seemed very confident in what he does and he was very clean cut. He was open to any questions and did not make me feel rushed. I highly recommend Dr B to anybody having this surgery and I thank the lord for leading me to him!!

All I can say is unbelievable - The reviews I read must have been made up. Except for the cowboy boots.rnOffice staff was greatrnWhat aftercare???rnrnrnrnrnthe risks of surgery explained wellrngoodrnboth surgical competence and bedside manner are great; but surgical competence is more important and I feel I did have a competent surgeon and I am truly greatful.

Dr.hargroder was a sweety first time I met him o and a cuttie.He is wounderful.Through everything.His staff is just as wounderful.thoughtful and all treated me so good.I would rate him on a scale 1-10 a 10.rnHis bedside manner and surgical competence are perfect. I forgot I would love to have a picture of him with his cowboy boots and scrubs.

I have not had surgery yet, but I was very impressed with Dr. Bellanger's gentle, caring manner. He was very thorough in the seminar/consult and answered all of my questions.

Dr. Hargroder is first of all very busy (was 2 hours late to the first group consult) because he is in high demand. He is very knowledgable, confident, honest and does not appear to be as conservative as other docs. For example, he does not mandate a pre-surgery diet as he thinks it is unreasonable. This is usually done to reduce the size of the liver and make surgery easier--again he is confident in his ability and maybe a bit of a risk taker? He also let me know that I cannot compare pre-op success to post-op because my taste will change most likely. He really believes the brain and stomach are rewired after surgery to change the impulse to eat. Since the Weight Loss Surgery Center of BR is a \"Bariatric Center of Excellence\" I knew they had met a certain standard of care and were required to have aftercare which for me, a mental health professional, knew was of the utmost importance. The office staff is busy, but attentive and very friendly and compassionate.

I remember when I first saw Dr.Bellanger he looked confident, and answered all my questions. Made me feel comfortable. His office staff and the staff at Vista Hospital were very nice, friendly and were there for me in a timely manner. His bedside manner was awesome. He had time to stand next to my bed and talk to me to find out how I was doing and if I need anything. I can not say anything bad about him, everything was positive.rnSusan C

I had my surgery on Valentine's day 2007. Dr. Bellanger and his staff are wonderful. I traveled from Atlanta, GA to have surgery and Sue, his office mgr was helpful each step of the way. Dr. Bellanger has a wonderful bedside manner, is extremely knowledgable in the area of bariatrics and answered any questions we had. I felt very confident in my choice of surgeon and must say my recovery went SO MUCH better than I could have expected. The Vista Surgery Center was incredible and my care could not have been better. If you have any questions about this surgeon or the hospital, feel free to PM me with questions.

Dr. Hargroder and all of his staff and P.A. Holly, have been amazing through this process. Always willing to answer any and all questions. Dr. Hargroder even comes in before surgery begins and asks if you or any of your family and friends that are there with you have any questions. Thank you so much, Dr. Hargroder, Holly, Christy, and Cindy. You guys have been so wonderful.rnrnAlso, The support groups are awesome. Most support groups are only held monthly, but there's are held weekly!!

My surgeon, Dr. Hargroder was definitely down to earth. Over time he just proved to me that what you see is what you get. His office staff was very professional and laid back. They treated you like they had known you for years. There was not a thing that I did not like about him and everything that I loved about him. Future patients should know that he if he does not think that you are ready to go home yet, believe me, he will not send you just to empty a bed that he may need. He stresses that while aftercare is strictly up to you he wants you to call him if you have any problems. He even gave us his cell phone number if we needed anything. Dr. Hargroder is very upfront about the risks of all of the surgeries that he has performed and really pushes for you to ask any questions, even if they seem petty to you. Overall, I would rate him a 12 on a scale of 1 to 10. His surgical competence and bedside manner are soothing and logical. Even if he did make me stay in the hospital an extra two days. Thanks Dr. Hargroder. You are the best.