Donald Scholten Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

I have been working with Dr. Scholten for several months. I found his staff to be very professional and supportive, especially Anne. Anne does the orientation and support group meetings. She is outgoing, warm, and friendly, as well as informative and always available.

I have met with Dr. Scholten twice. The first meeting happens after you have completed the following steps:
1. Attended an orientation
2. Completed an extensive medical history
3. Gotten a referral from your primary dr.
4. Attended at least 1 support group mtg.
5. Complete psychological evaluation

When these items are completed you may schedule an initial meeting with Scholten, and application is made to your insurance company.

Luckily, my insurance through my wife's employer is very good (MESSA- public school employees)and this was not an issue.

Dr. Scholten was very nice when we met him and he answered all questions.

Following that meeting, I had to lose 30-35 pounds before surgery. When I had proved to be on course, I was able to schedule my endescopy (looking at and taking a biopsy of the stomach) as well as meetings with a dietician and a final presurgery meeting with a nurse. This will also include the final weigh in.

Dr. Scholten is a compassionate person and he gave the me upmost consideration at my first consultation with him. I asked him questions and he answered them frankly and in terms to my understanding.

First opinions are the best. I will continue to give him the highest regards and respect.

His office staff is friendly and considerate. I see them as team members with Dr. Scholten and his associates.

After care is important. He can do the surgery but he also makes you aware that without your hard work the effects of the surgery will not be successful.

His office has an open door policy. If you have questions you only have to ask. He also requests a line of open communication with the primary care physician.

Surgical competence is important as is your faith to bring together a joint effort to become healthy!

I met with Dr. Scholten 11-19-03 for the first visit before surgery. He was very firm on what he expects of you and if this is the right choice for you. The office staff was just wonderful. I felt that I was put on the spot with his questions a couple of times and that made me uncomfortable and I gave the wrong answers. That he wants you to be on the losing side know and on a exercise program so that you will be ready for your new life after surgery. He informed me well of what was expected of me and what my new life was going to be like. He does have a structured aftercare program. We didn't go into the risks of the surgery yet, as I don't have a surgery date yet, but I know the risks. I think that he is a very good doctor, he certainly knows his stuff but I would like to have had him be a little bit more understanding of my health issues. These are only my opinions.

I had my surgery Jan 14 and had major problems from a large football size hernia that I had. I was in the hospital for almost 8 weeks fighting for my life, with one thing after another happening to me.
Dr. Scholten is the best. I am so thankful to have such a wonderful and caring doctor and would recommend him to anyone.

Dr Scholten was very impressive the first time I met him. At first I thought he seamed to be in a hurry.

At the hospital Dr Scholten was great, had a great bed-side manner and was very compentent.

his office staff are great.

he has a structured aftercare program.

He address the risk of surgery.

I rate Dr. Scholten number 1!!

My first impression of Dr. Scholten was very positive. He explained in detail what the surgery would entail and gave me the picture he drew. He sat beside me as an equal and waited for any questions I had. My next time of seeing the doctor was when I had the endoscopy which he did. He was pleasant and very professional. I've had my first office visit following surgery and I still had only positive feelings for this doctor who is so willing to help out people. The office staff were very nice. The nurse, Mary Kay, though is not a real people person. I felt she presented information with an uncaring attitude. Dr. Scholten's office requires persons to lose weight before surgery in order to reduce the body fat mass as well as to see if they are capable of following the doctor's directions after surgery. They have people meet with a nutritionist so they understand the eating plan for after the surgery and encourage people to follow the plan for their own good. Nurses at the hospital commented that Dr. Scholten was good. He was both a good surgeon and had good bedside manners as well.

Actually his firm just got a new partner named Dr. Wayne VanderKolk who is now my surgeon. He is very kind, curteous and supporive.
The staff is wonderful, they all specialize in it and are very knowledgeable and considerate.
They are very structured and particular about every last detail. They have a 4 step program that involves counseling, support groups, etc. that must be completed prior to even seeing the doctor.
They are very explicit and upfront about what is about to happen and what it will be like.
They have a specific aftercare program that is required to follow.
Surgical competence is an absolute must; however, bedside manner is an equal must I believe.
Thus far the doctor and staff have been great, the only exception or thing I don't like is their insistance that you lose weight before the surgery. And not even a little, quite a bit actually. You have to be losing about 2 months before the surgery up until the surgery and they weigh you in every few weeks, then just before and the day of the surgery. They tell you constantly that the doctor will cancel the surgery if you're not losing enough. Well, honestly, if I didn't have a problem losing weight I wouldn't need the surgery would I? And the closer the surgery's gotten, the more every morsel of food represents my last meal. The last cookie I'll ever eat, the last this, the last that. And not just junk food, every food. I believe we should be allowed to enjoy every last bite.....but then again, they've been performing this surgery for many years and seem to know what they're talking about I guess. I've really struggled with that. I think maybe restricting you the last week or two weeks before surgery is understandable, but 2 months has been hell for me.
1/18/2004
It's been a year now. Obviously I got thru those 2 months. I really struggled with losing the pre-op weight but the doctor's office was very helpful. They gave me a plan to go by and I could call them if I needed some encouragement. Overall, Dr. VanderKolk and his nurses, and Ann, were all tremendously kind and helpful. They understand what you're going thru and take everything very seriously. They consider your health first and foremost which is why I'm sure they push the pre-op diet. I would suggest getting a "buddy" or someone to diet with you pre-surgery. If your spouse or even a co-worker can go thru it with you that would be beneficial. I would recommend Dr. VanderKolk/Scholten and their staff to anyone, and have!

He was so laid back that I was very comfortable wwith him from the very first.Each time I saw him I felt that he really cared about my progress and I aalways looked forward to my appointments with him.His office staff were great gals to work with too. He did expect you to follow his guidelines and ddid emphasize aftercare. He answered any questions so that I understood completely,and his daily visits after surgery were most encouraging. I would rate him as a wonderful surgeon and doctor...I miss going to him for appointments and will forever be grateful in his part of giving me a new life.

My first impression of Dr. Scolten was great. I was relieved that he wasn't this stuffy guy who talked at you and not to you. I felt really relaxed, comfortable, and felt good that he treated me as though he had already knew me, he seemed to know what questions I was prepared to ask he explained in thorough the risks involved, emphasized the changes ahead and the importance of being a smart patient, aftercare followup and when his speach was finished and he asked were there any questions or concerns that I wanted answered I was left speechless and told him no because he has answered them all. So far the staff that I've met are great, Ann {Represents Dr.Scolten & Vanderkolk's Office/Staff} is the sweetist lady that you'll ever come in contact with. Im unsure as to what her actual title is but she's great with people. Cheryl is also a sweatheart she seems to know no strangers she makes you feel as though you are a part of the family. Amy {Insurance Rep.} I haven't had the pleasure yet. I hear shes very nice too. All I can say is that her voice mail is always full and her calls are screaned closely. I don't think thus far that there's anything I didn't like and from what Iv'e seen so far I don't think I will have anything but rave reviews.

Well Iv'e completed my Surgery and all I have to add is that Dr. Scolten is great on a scale of 1 to a 100 I give him 110 because that is how he cared for me thoughtout my process.I recommend him to anyone considering this type of surgery , he knows his job and is good at it.

Well to be honest it has been hard for me to get a personal feeling about Dr. Scholten. I have only seen him five short times, once for the first consultation and I gave my impression of that visit on my profile, then the next time was for about 60 seconds before he put me under for my endoscopy, and the next three 60 second visits were in the hospital. So it has been hard to judge someones personality from that. I am going by my own doctors referral on Dr. Scholten's surgical competence, my doctor highly recommended having Dr. Scholten do this procedure. I will be going for my first post-op visit on Thursday, I hope I start to get to know him a little better, I hear how wonderful he is from his other patients.

11-20-03 Well I spent some time with Dr. Scholten today during my first post-op appointment. He was very good to talk to. He explaned what was going on in my head and helped to get a better feeling about doing this surgery. I left there feeling much better, and started to see a little of what people describe as such a warm man.

I have not meet him yet. But heard lots of good things about him.