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

As a Critical Care Nurse of 25 years I am very cautious and particular picking the Drs. I choose for my self and family. I had a great review of Dr. Waldrep from a friend of mine, and was very impressed when I met him, reviewed his credident

als and met with his staff. His Partner, Dr. Patching, is a surgeon I admire, and have used many times for my previous surgerys.



His staff is wonderful, professional and helpful.



He is warm, caring, cautious and concerned.



I think his surgical competence will be great, and I am sure his bedside manner is great.

**Feb. 15, 2001**
Well, it looks like I'm going w/ Dr. Waldrep of Sacramneto Advanced Lap. He is the Dr. for me!!! I saw Dr. W on Jan. 9th. My surgery is March 19th!!! Dr. W is kind, understanding and will put any worries you may have at ease. He is very knowlegable and skillful. He only does Laproscopic surgery. I know some times Lap RN-Y's get a bad name, but as for me it is the only way to go. The recovery time and scarring are both minimal. So, that should make you rethink Lap RN-Y's instantly.

**P.S** For anyone looking for info. on surgeons I have already met Dr. Cooper of Chico. Dr. Cooper is no longer taking my insurance. I'll be glad to e-mail anyone about him.

Very Thorough. Very Sympathetic. MY impression has not changed. Dr. Waldrep's staff is wonderful.
Patients need to be prepared for office visits that take longer than normal.....DR. Waldrep never cuts anyone short.
DR. Waldrep is a dedicated to assiting all patients with living healthier, happier lives.
I would have preferred more "structure" with my post-op diet instructions, but have since learned to navigate cuisine well, after 3 months.

MY FIRST IMPRESSION OF DR WALDREP WAS HE WAS VERY HANDSOME AND LOOKED VERY YOUNG.:-)AS OTHERS HAVE SAID ABOUT HIM IS SO VERY TRUE. YOU WOULD THINK YOU WAS HIS ONLY PATIENT BY HOW MUCH TIME HE SPENDS WITH YOU AND THERE ARE JUST NOT THE WORDS TO DESCRIBE HIS BEDSIDE MANNER, HIS PATIENCE,AND HIS SUPPORT. HIS STAFF IS EQUALLY COMMITTED TO YOU, EVEN THOUGH SHE IS EXTREMELY BUSY, SHE WAS THERE FOR ALL THE PAPERWORK AND EVERYTHING NEEDED TO MAKE THE SURGERY A SUCCESS. BECAUSE SHE KAREN IS SO BUSY, AND SO IS DR WALDREP, YOU MAY NOT ALWAYS BEEN SEEN PROMPTLY, BUT AS ANY DOCTOR OFFICES GO, THIS IS NOT REALLY A BAD THING. BECAUSE I'M ON ALOT OF MEDS, AND SOME ARE DIURETICS, DR WALDREP MADE SURE I HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO FOLLOW-UP WITH MY CARDIOLOGIST, AND INTURN I FOLLOW-UP UP WITH MY NUTRITIONIST AND EXCERCISE THERAPIST. THE "SCARY SHEET" WAS HOW THE TEAM ADDRESSED THE RISK INVOLVED IN THE SURGERY AND I WAS GIVEN THE "SCARY SHEET" TO TAKE HOME AND FOLLOW-UP WITH DR. AFTER I HAD A CHANCE TO READ AND DISCUSS WITH FAMILY. ON A SCALE FROM 1-10, DR. WALDREP AND STAFF WOULD GET A 10 FROM ME. HIS SURGICAL EXPERTISE, HIS BEDSIDE MANNER WAS WONDERFUL. THE ONLY BAD THING I COULD REALLY SAY ABOUT THE SURGERY WAS...I RECEIVED A GIFT OF PURPLE AND LILAC COLORED M & M'S, WHICH PURPLE IS MY FAVORITE COLOR..I WAS SUPPOSE TO RECEIVE THEM PRE-OP, BUT THEY WERE BROUGHT TO ME IN THE HOSPITAL...I WAS HOPING DR WALDREP WOULD NOT EAT ALL OF THEM, BECAUSE I THOUGHT HE WOULD SAVE THEM UNTIL I COULD EAT THEM MYSELF. BUT HE ATE THEM.:-(

Dr. Waldrep is very professional, warm and witty. I was impressed with how spontaneously he recalled detailed information about me personally. His bedside manner is charming and it's clear to me that he is surgically competent. Dr. Waldrep is one of three surgeons in a group called Sacramento Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery Associates (www.s-a-l-s-a.com or (916) 797-7555). They haven't done thousands of these, and they don't do eight in a day, which I appreciate because I know that when they are operating on me it won't be part of a boring routine. His assistant Karen is an insurance / schedule / question fielder guru. I feel that I'm going into this with a complete understanding of every aspect of this life altering procedure. My only complaint would be the obligatory visit to the bariatric physician. Then again, that is the last time I ever have to hear somebody try to talk me into going on a restricted calorie diet, without this tool (RNY) that fits the job! I'm very fortunate to have found Dr. Waldrep. Tell him Lori sent you!

I was very impressed with Dr. Waldrep when I met with him for my inital consultation. He took as much time as I needed to answer all of my questions, he drew diagrams for me to take home to explain to my family. After surgery, he followed up at the hospital and called me at home on the weekend to check-up.

His office staff, Karen Kirk, did an awesome job of battling my insurance company and keeping everything on track.

The program is structured so that you also work with a general doctor and a nutrionist. Randee, my nutrionist is excellent also. Everyone has been so awesome! The program is relatively new for Sutter Hospital-I was the 5th RNY they have done. The hospital is beautiful-new and clean. The staff there was excellent also. My hospital stay was only 23 hours. It's only been 1 week and I am back doing everything I was doing prior to surgery.

I highly recommend Dr. Waldrep-he's an experienced laproscopic surgeon. He's got great people skills and his surgical skills are top notch.