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

Dr.Ward saved my life. His staff is amazing and extremely helpful. THANK YOU!!!

Dr. Ward helped me through a period when I had exhausted all other means of losing weight. I had tried everything, ordering over the internet, weight watchers, nutrisystem, pills, etc.
I had started having medical problems, such as diabeties II, arthritis, high blood pressure, sleep apnea testing, restless leg syndrome. My friend had talked me into going with her on a consult, she backed out but I was so intrigued. I feel like I am still young enough to make a difference in my life and Dr. Ward was there for me. Through phone calls and emails. I had lapband done 4 years ago and struggled and he helped me through this. Although I was not 100 lbs overweight, I strugled with the lapband also. I went to nutritionists, etc. Now he is helping go forward with gastric bypass. I thoroughly trust him as a doctor and the support he gives you is exceptional. I encourage anyone looking towards this type of weight loss to contact him and discuss all your feelings on the subject. He will put you at ease and help you move forward with your life. I am so glad my friend introduced me to him. I will always be grateful for that and the fact that I found someone who genually cares.

Dr. Walton took very good care of me and made sure I was in good health to perform the surgery by running numerous test prior to the surgery. He was very knowledgeable about the procedures stating lap-bands are only a tool. The staff at the facility are very friendly and majority of the staff have experienced being overweight themselves and are in recovery, making life long changes. I did have to complete six months of appointments with a PA, Diet personnel, an exercise personnel prior to surgery, plus I had to lose about 15 pounds. I am not sure all these were nessasary but I did learn a few thing I did not know like you do not have to sweat to lose weight, 1 hour of walking a can be better for you than trying to walk as fast as you can. I was a little disappointed I had to start paying for the diet and exercise classes instead of these being filled to the insurance for me. You are required to file these yourself. I was impressed by the overlarge furniture in the waiting rooms, exam rooms, and bath rooms. I do wish I had been provide more guidance as to what would be the best surgery for me. Towards to the end of my six month, I realized most of the employees working at the facility had had the gastric bypass or sleeve and that the band was a longer process and more restrictive procedure. Overall, I have been pleased with the care I have recieved and everyone has been very professional treating heavy people with respect and courteousy. Dr. Walton was high recommended by my physican who I trust and respect her opinion. I would recommend him and this facility to others.

1st impression was that he was very friendlyrnimpression stayed the samernI liked the most about him that he really seems to care about his patients.rn

Dr. Ward was great. I highly recommend him to anyone in this area. When I had questions that seemed silly before surgery he answered them without making me feel like they were absurd. After surgery when I had a question about the way I was feeling he called me right back and put me at ease. I cannot thank him enough.

I had gone to another seminar before the one at Somerset Medical Center. When I called SMS, I spoke with Kate. She is amazing!!! She made me feel so welcome. I went to that seminar and spoke with Dr Ward and Kate after everyone else had left. They both spent an hour talking with just me and my husband - I felt so comfortable with them both that I made an appointment that night for my in office consult. Since then - it has been a wild wonderful ride. It took about four months to get my claim approved through insurance (Marilyn in his Morristown office was wonderful!!) but once approved, I was scheduled and am now a proud post-op lap band patient. Kate even came in to see me at 6am the morning of my surgery (don't know that I'd have done that for her...) and Dr Ward personally called my house after the surgery to make sure I was ok. I would recommend Dr Ward and Kate to anyone out there! They are both awesome!!! This probably sounds to good to be true but so far - I am happier than I have been in years!!! rnrnoh yeah...bariatric angels rock!

When I first met Dr. Ward I liked him. I knew another person who had used him and had good results. Over time I had to interact with with the woman who runs his support groups and is always in his office. If you have used Dr. Ward or plan you to you will meet Kate. I found her to be awful to work with. She made a comment during our pre-surgery group meeting that if she ever gained her wait back she would kill her self. She pushed one brand of protein foods and would not discus others with out making faces and comments. I had no real issues with food after surgery. I was limited of course but could eat more then I have read others could. She was very insulting when I told her I could eat 600 calories in a day a few weeks out. I wrote to Dr. Ward about this as well as the hospital and got no response from him. Kate made me feel so uncomfortable that I never returned for more then my first post op visit and will not go back. The one thing that Dr. Ward did himself was to set my goal weight at what I now consider very low. I am 5 foot and he said I should weigh 100lbs. Every doctor I have spoken to since has told me that is too low but not meeting his goal has bothered me since.

Dr. Ward was great. My surgery went terrific.rnAll my questions were answered. I had no problems with him and I would recommend him.

Terrific surgeon. No complications. I am very happy with results. I am not crazy abut his staff, but it requires little interaction with them.

Met Dr Ward in the summer of 2004 at Somerset Medical Center's bariatric surgery info seminar.rnrnHe and his partner (Dr. McLean) gave the seminar along with Somerset's coordinator (Kate Fennimore- ALSO a nurse AND a former patient).rnrnI had already reviewed them on obesity help (solid reviews) and several other physicians had spoken well of them.rnrnTheir presentation was clear and concise and they left enough time for questions (both addressed from the group and one-on-one).rnrnThey explained the procedure and most importantly what they did in particular to lower some of the risks (leg booting all patients, blowing air in the pouch to check for leaks, etc.). Their numbers seemed pretty solid (to that date like 800 done, low lap-to-open conversion rate, only one deeath)rnrnBoth seemed equally competent so I selected Dr Ward simply because he was closer to my age (hey, something had to break the tie).rnrnI later learned that both these guys are in on EVERY surgery. The guy you picked is primary and the other backs up. If one is on vacation then no surgeries are done. Now that struck me as really impressive. Two guys who you'd consider top notch for the price of one.rnrnI met with Dr Ward a month or two later. He is part of Allied Surgical in Morristown and they perform the procedure either in Morristown or Somerset (I had my procedure at Somerset Medical Center).rnrnHe was affable (like most doctor's he's no threat to Jay Leno but he's easily in the top 25% in terms of friendliness for doctors I've met in my life) and answered any questions I had.rnrnIn the run-up to surgery, his office staff (basically you speak to his coordinator Marilyn) was always helpful and curteous. They helped work with insurance and were cool with a late cancellation due to insurance issues.rnrnAs I write this I am almost one week post op. The surgery (4/11/05) seemed to go well. No complications at this point. Dr Ward visited each morning at the hospital (checked the wounds, charts, etc). rnrnI'll see Dr Ward again in 4 days so perhaps I'll have something more to write at that point.rnrnDr Ward will do the medical post-op but Kate is the more important person, in my opinion, in the post-op process.rn