David Ritter Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

I had the vertical banded gastroplasty done by Dr. Ritter in 2003. There were no complications, but there was also no follow up. I was from out of state and instead of encouraging me to seek out a surgeon in my own state, and help and follow-up there, he did my surgery regardless of the fact I wouldn't be back for follow-up. Over all I think he was excellent, but hind sight knowing that follow-up is major key to success with any of these surgeries I should never have gone to him. I hope he also chooses not to take patients out of the area.

My first impression of Dr. Ritter was that he was young. But the more I spoke with him, I realized that he cared and wanted me to succeed. I have not had my surgery yet, however, was at my mother's side when she went through the surgery just a couple of months ago with him. rnrnHe was really great, and caring. His staff is very helpful as well. I will update as I have my surgery, but at this moment, I would definately recommend him to everyone!

I just met with David Ritter today. I am very impressed. His office staff was very helpful, especially Pat and Sharon.

I was told everything I need to know about aftercare. They will provide me additional information after the surgery.

I was going to have a Lap RNY, but have changed my mind after reading about Open vrs LAP. I want my doctor to be able to see what he is doing and I am very confident in the way that Ritter and Bryce perform the surgery.

Only 20 more days! I can't wait until I am on the other side.

I write more then.

I was at the office from 9 am to 1:30 pm. The wait was worth it, but was it necessary?

I haven't updated this in way to long! Dr. Ritter was awesome. The surgery went very smooth, a year and half ago. I am feeling wonderful and have lost over 130 pounds. Thank you Dr. Ritter and the Pathweighs staff. You gave me a new life.

My overall experience was great. Dr. David Ritter is an excellent surgeon. The staff at Pathweigh were a caring group. My hospital experience was good. I was not involved in the aftercare program, but I was provided with lots of resources to get involved. I live in Waxahachie so it was difficult. Dr. Ritter and his staff were extremely realistic about this surgery and I have not had many complications with this. I have had this surgery since Sept 1999. I rate Dr. Ritter as a 10 (highest score). The one thing I loved is that me scar was small and is almost completely faded. His competence and bedside manner are both excellent.

First impression was great! He was very honest with his apprehensions about my re-do. He felt that I was an excellent candidate, and agreed to do it.
See profile for update...no surgery yet!
It has been two months since first visit. I was pre approved with letters from PCP, and we are still jacking w/ ins. co.

My first appointment with Dr. Ritter was in April 2001. I was extremely impressed with him. He had taken the time in a seminar to explain the pro's and con's of the surgery as well as the different types of surgeries. He never made me feel as if his program was the only one in town or he was the only choice in surgeons and everyother surgeon was insignificant. He was very knowledgeable, compassionate, and caring. I have never heard him judge people that are overweight.

I weighed 438 lbs when I first saw him. One month later I weighed 479 lbs and was having severe comorbidity problems. It was with the help of him and his staff that got me into the hospital. I was in cardiac rehab until my surgery on July 16,2001 and for another two weeks afterwards. I was wheelchair bound at the time. I was so near death it was scary. I no longer use the wheelchair. I no longer use a walker. My cholestrol is down. I no longer have to take medication for diabetes. The sleep apnea has improved tremendously. It is even the smallest of details I am grateful for. I can walk across a room without being out of breath. I can tie my own shoes, take my own showers, get myself dressed, buy clothes off the rack at a department store. I am alive today because of what Dr Ritter and Dr Bryce did.

Their aftercare program is strongly recommended and is a good support system. I am always getting encouragement when I do stupid things like forget to take the meds I have too, gain a few pounds, get flustered that the weight is not coming off fast enough. If I had to do this surgery all over again, I would in a heartbeat - as long as I could have Dr. Ritter and Dr. Bryce.

The only negative thing I could possibly say is that Dr. Ritter occasionally comes off as being to intelligent. However, if that is his worst fault, I will accept it gratefully. I would and did have a very knowledgeable surgeon and that is exactly what I wanted - knowledgeable.

Dr. Ritter is a very nice and caring doctor. every time I saw him either before surgery or after was a great experiance.

I had chosen Dr. Horrilleno but he will no longer be participating in my insurance as of 2/02 so I changed to Dr. Ritter. I met him at a seminar and he seemed to lean more toward the vgb then the open rny. He kept saying the simpler the better, less complications but he would discuss it further at consult to decide what was best for the patient. I will have more to say after meeting him at my consult on 2/4/02.

I found Dr. Ritter to be informed, confident, and willing to do the necessary work to get the insurance company to approve my case. The staff is supportive and worked hard to get the approval--but I did pester them weekly to make sure they remembered who I was!! All of the required information for the insurance company was sent off in a timely manner. The staff was well informed as to the requirements of the insurance people.

I would like to have had more contact with my doctor previous to the surgery to find out exactly what it was that he was going to do because we are working on a reflux problem that I dearly hope is resolved with this procedure or his adaptation to it.

Future patients should know that this is not an office that strictly caters to the overweight as a hospital near-by does. There is not as much information shared as I would like to see. Much of my research was done on line.

So far, after care has not been emphasized. But I am a resourceful person and I WILL find one because I feel it is the most important part of the procedure to insure a "new life". Perhaps if he doesn't have one--which at least has not been mentioned--I can help him start one as I am an R.N. who LOVES to educate!

Dr. Ritter did completely explain the risks of the surgery with me. He drew pictures to show me how my surgery would be adapted since I had a banding and stapling fifteen years ago. He explained how it would change my eating habits and what would happen if I did eat sugar and too many fats.

Overall, I would rate him a 75 out of 100, mainly because of the lack of information and absence of an after care program. A more uninformed person may have rated this a 50!

I love bedside manner, but of course, competence is the most important because of the dangers involved in major surgery. I feel that Dr. Ritter has both. He is a caring person who just needs to improve the support and educational aspect of his practice.

My first impression of Dr. Ritter was, wow he is so young and nice looking, lol. He was very informative and happy to answer any questions. He seems like a very nice person with genuine concern for obese patients. At this time, I cannot think of anything that I least liked about him. His office staff is very friendly and helpful. Dr. Ritter really does emphasize aftercare. Pathweigh offers a very structured aftercare program and have monthly meetings for anyone interested in learning more about the surgery and talking to people who have had the VBG. Dr. Ritter went over all of the risks of surgery as well as the risks of being obese. Right now, I would rate him high. I have not yet had the surgery, my date is scheduled for September 11, 2000. He seems like he has a good bedside manner to me. He didn't make me feel rushed and acted interested in any questions that I had.