Daniel Cottam Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

He seems like a really nice man. Very happy to be helping people with there weight problem. He answered all the questions I had.

I had originally selected Dr. James Atkinson and after I had completed the psych eval and all of the bloodwork and showed up for my appointment with Dr. Atkinson, I was informed that he would not be available for another 18 months due to the fact that he only does 2 Medicare surgeries a month. Information that would have been helpful at the seminar don't you think?

I was offered to visit with Dr. Cottam and they could set up an appointment for the following week. Dr. Cottam then came out to the waiting area and visited with me for almost 30 minutes to answer any questions I had and gave me an opportunity to gather my thoughts prior to our "official" visit the following week.

Dr. Cottam is a friendly, easy going but introspective doctor who is quite involved in research. He is quite knowledgable and easy to speak to. In my opinion, he is relatively new both to bariatrics and surgery in general with less than 1000 procedures under his belt. He was uncomfortable with my aggressive questioning about his personal statistics compared to the national averages and referred frequently about the "practices" averages (3 surgeons) and stated that the hard data I was requesting simply was not compiled, nor did any other practitioner gather this information as of yet. I was offered his latest research paper by the office staff instead who clearly did not understand what I was requesting as they had promised me exactly what I was asking for at the seminar.

In my opinion the office staff is incompetent, rude and unprofessional. (Welcome to Las Vegas). The staff make promises they cannot keep, their documentation is substandard to say the least and give inaccurate information on a fairly regular basis. They also do not return phone calls or e-mails.

The only thing that bothered me about Dr. Cottam is his reluctance to address specific numbers. Otherwise, I liked him very much.

I think anyone who is considering WLS should be knowledgable and prepared when selecting their surgeon.

Aftercare was not discussed, I was informed that post-operatively, the PA would examine my incision sites. I was also informed that in a group format, aftercare and eating instruction and such would be discussed approximately one week prior to surgery.

I am not sure about their aftercare situation as group meetings are limited to post-op patients only (hmmm) and I am loathe to ask any of the office staff at this point. Dr. Cottam did explain that I will be eating pureed food for 6 weeks in order for the suture line in my gastric region to heal.

The risks of surgery were not really discussed as I did not focus on that as much as long term complications.

I am on the fence at this time with the limited information and contact I have had.

As with anything in life, a balance of each is necessary.....his bedside manner is exceptional...now I need to evaluate his surgical competence.

To be continued....

Met with him just over a week ago. What a very compasionate doctor and total opposite of the doctor who put the lapband in. Took over and hour with me, going over everything. Is going to leave the band in that was placed by another doctor and do the RNY over it. The band will be there in case it is needed in the future. My attraction to him and the center is the knowledge they have, plus his experience with people who have had previous abdominal surgeries previously and high risk patients.
I have a lapband for 2 years and it has failed me. It was not totally the band, but the doctor who put it in never wanted to do fills, when he did it would take 30+ pokes to find the port, I would end up with what appeared to be a slice on my stomach but was strickly from the numerous pokes. On my forth fill in 7 months he got an attitude because I said i had no satiety feeling, I was doing the weight loss strickly with diet, but felt starved all the time. He said I can fill you up tothe point nothing will et through. I thought he was just being funny, but he did exactly that, my own saliva would nto go through. So had to go back next day to have another surgeon remove fluid. From that point on I lost faith in that the band could even work. Had a few more fills and never acheived that sweet spot so to say. I ended up gain some of my lost weight back, not a lot but I just could not seem to do any better then I had pre surgery of the band. It was never any different for me. I have many health issues and am unable to do much, pretty sedentary. So I needed help.
I have searched high and low and not many surgeons want to take on another doctors mess. I feel honored that Dr. Cottam is willing to take me, and help me achieve the best that I can be. My husband recently had bladder surgery and I talked to the staff at the hospital in who they thought were the best surgeons, and had the best bedside manner. Dr. Cottam and Dr Atkinson were their choices everytime. Dr Cotam has more expericence in doing revisions and dealing with people who have had multiple abdominal surgeries and high risk.
His was a super nice doctor on my first visit, willing to explain and had patience with me who was full of 20 questions. I was not made out to be a failure like others have made me out to be. The tool of the band just did not work for me. Praying that the RNY will give me the weightloss to keep me motivated and willing to make the life time changes in my behaviour.