Western Bariatric Institute (COE) Bariatric Center

Dr. Ganser and the staff at WSG are awesome! When I had my consult in December, 2002 there was a full room waiting to see the doctors, many for WLS. Karen (the WLS coordinator) took me back to her office and talked to me about the program...since she's had the surgery it was very easy to talk to her. When I saw Dr. Ganser I felt like he was interested in me as a person, and in helping me be able to have this tool to change my life.

The day of surgery, Dr. Ganser came by pre-op and asked if I had any questions (I didn't) and just seeing him made me feel like everything was going to be okay. When he came to see me post-op he told me that I had done well, asked how I was feeling and was very encouraging. He is just a wonderful doctor with a great bedise manner!

I'm just a few days post-op (I had surgery 4/11/03) but I am amazed at how good I feel, and I know it's all due to Dr. Ganser's skills! I feel very lucky to have been able to have Dr. Ganser as my surgeon!

I was really happy with my first visit with Karen and Dr. Ganser. First Karen took me to her office and went over the procedure and had me explain what I knew. She corrected some things. I was able to explain the risks and what is needed to be sucessful. She did explain aftercare follow up is very important. Then I went to meet Dr. Ganser. He was very impressive. I felt very comfortable with him. He talked to me and not down to me. He didn't make me feel like I was such a bad person for my weight. He also explained that this surgery is a tool and there are risks involved. I don't feel a least bit anxious to have him do my surgery. He also explained that if/when he does the surgery, he doesn't just do it and leave someone else to atttend to me afterwards. If I had to pick competence or bedside manner of course I would pick competence, but luckily I won't have to pick.

2-3-03 ~ Haven't met him yet...have appt. scheduled for March 11, 2003! It seems like forever away!

3-11-03 ~ Finally had my initial consult! (I'm still alive and kickin...guess that means I have more patience than I thought I did...hee hee). Met first with Karen who weighed me (was actually 25 pounds less than I thought I was at...yippee), she then went through the procedure with hubby and myself and we discussed all aspects of surgery (the good, the bad and the possibly ugly).

When we were done, she whisked us back to the waiting room (as much as one can whisk someone my size that is!)And just a few minutes later we were waiting in the Dr.'s office. I was really impressed with the "timeliness" of the whole visit..most Docs seem to make you wait 30+ minutes from your actual appt. time....Dr. Ganser was in and talking to us w/in 10 minutes of my actual appt. time.

First impression: Those eyes! He was very confident and knowledgeable, kind and caring, and didn't make you feel less then human because of the way you look. I've done a lot of research on the procedure and between Dr. Ganser and Karen, I found I didn't really have too many questions to ask, they pretty much covered everything I was still unclear about prior to the appt., and what I/we asked was answered clearly and concisely.

Next step is Sleep Apnea and Pulmonary testing and I have my Psych Eval scheduled already! Because my BMI is sooo high and I'm soooo out of shape, Dr. Ganser wants me to attend a pre-op rehab program. (They are supposed to be able to help "whip" me into better shape to hopefully avoid additional complications during surgery and to hopefully have a successful outcome!) I'm also supposed to try and lose some additional weight prior to the surgery (pref. about 50 lbs)...so I've got lot's of pre-op "homework" to do! But....I can't wait....it's all going to be worth it! My new motto..."I want food to be a life giver, not a life governor." I'm ready to do whatever I need to to prepare for my "2nd birthday" and my new life.

I would definitely recommend Dr. Ganser and his staff to anybody!

My first meeting with Dr. Ganser was good. I liked him right away. He talked to me, not at me. He made me feel comfertable with the surgery. I was more relaxed after that first visit. I haven't seen him since this first visit, but he is a very busy doctor. It took awhile for the insurance, but that is neither his fault or his staff. The test that has to be done before they submit to the insurance company is what takes the time. I will let you know more after my surgery. Good Luck to all.

I haven't gone yet...but I have heard wonderful things about Western Surgical Group!

My first impression of Dr Ganser was that he was young but he made my husband and I feel really at ease. He answered our questions and was ever so friendly with talking to us both about the surgery. I was very comfortable with the procedure and told him so.

Dr. Ganser seems very nice and is very reputable....He is also cute although that had nothing to do with my choosing him....The office staff are great...especially Karen,the nurse for gastric bypass patients....she had the surgery herself a couple of years ago...he spoke about the risks of the surgery but downplayed them...I have heard that his patients have less complications...we'll see....I really like him....I think competence is better...who cares if they're mean if they save your life!

I first made an appointment with Dr. Sasse at the Western Surgical group in Reno Nevada well he had to leave early on the date of my appointment so they rescheduled me with Dr. Ganser I never met Dr Sasse but its okay when I met Dr. Ganser I was not disappointed. I was really nervous on the day of my appointment, first I met Karen Baumann R.N. who also had the surgery and she looks great, she explained everything to me and made me feel very comfortable and that I wasn't alone in all this. Then I met Dr. Ganser and he was great and didn't make feel ugly and hopeless because I was obese he and Karen both made me feel like their was hope in getting my life back with this surgery and I'm very confident that I can handle every thing after surgery and all the pain will go away and I will feel better someday. Now I'm in the process of taking my sleep test I haven't heard from the psychologist that my doctor refered me to yet but I'm hoping soon and then the wait for the insurance to approve. I've heard this is the hardest part I'm hoping that all goes well that is if I don't have a nervous breakdown before that.

Ok first impression. He's handsome and young, both good things! ): He is sensitive and listens closely to your needs. I'm a big one for looking into peoples eyes...I believe that they can tell alot about a person. Dr. Ganser's eyes told me that he really does care and he understands our situation. It's as tho he can feel the pain we go thru and without any judgement, he is there to help. A rare find!

His office staff is wonderful too, again, I've felt no judgements! Karen, his bypass "super woman" nurse has been great too, helping me to gather everything I needed for a smooth and fast approval!

Both Dr. Ganser and Karen emphasized the after care program and support groups. This is really the whole part of the program that makes the surgery and weight loss work.....surgery is only the first part.

The risks of the surgery were clearly stated several times to me, and I accept those risks. I want a life again...a healthy life. I have so many comorbity's now, that at age 40, I will probably be dead with-in 5 years. This is my last chance at becoming a healthier person again, at having a life again!

So I'm willing to put my body into the hands of Dr. Ganser and his staff. He is a man with sincere, kind, and knowledgeable eyes.

very compassionate and caring,My impression did'nt change at all. The office staff is sometimes hard to deal with when they don't return calls(preop)after surgery there has been no problem. There is really nothing I didn't like about my dr. Future patients should be cofident that he will do a good job and truly does care about them. There is a structured aftercare program for those that feel it is needed. All the risks of surgery were explained. I would rate the Dr. as excellent both in surgical competence and
bedside manner.

The only negative thing I have to say is about the office staff and their lack of response to enquirys.