J.K. Champion Bariatric Surgeon

Very down to earth, caring physician. Dr. Champion is wonderful and so is his nurse Michele, however his office staff is very slow and difficult to deal with. I used Walter Lindstrom to fight my insurance company and he eventually told me the majority of my problem was Dr. Champion's clerical/insurance staff. I continued to use Dr. Champion because of his reputation among his collegues otherwise I would have switched physicians.

The money issues were many and horrible. I am still fighting for my refund. The insurance paid almost 100% and I cant seem to get my refund back !!!(8 months later)

I give Dr. Champion a 95-100%--
his nurse Michele 100%--
office staff 40%--

Dr. Champion has done 900 + weight loss surgery procedures.
I was very pleased with his very caring, and informative conversations at both of my consultation and pre-op visits. He answered all my questions. He is an excellent surgeon, and I had absoulutely no problems whatsoever,Post-Op. I experienced very little pain, and was feeling no pain after about 3 days. I would do it all over again especially, with this great surgeon, Dr. J.K. Champion!!!!!!!

He is GREAT!

He is very professional and very educational.
I like that his practice focuses around post op
support and many other surgeons do not.
I feel his office staff were for the most part friendly
but at times due to volume a bit overwhelmed.
I like most his level of expertese in this surgery.
I like least the office phone system.
Seems to be down or always busy.
He takes a lot of time to address all the risks of surgery
to both the patient and their family.
I think his surgical skills outway his bedside manner. HE
is pleasant enough but not a really warm person.
I am a nurse and can understand why.
He is seeing a huge number of patients and
it is difficult to be warm and fuzzy with every one you
meet. HE is nice, pleasant and professional!
He also is very specific about what he contracts his patients
for post op and can be a bit too direct when things are
not done as he has directed. This is necessary to get
our attention at times but can also cause some more
introverted folks to shy away from asking him or his nurse questions
that they most likley should be calling them to ask.

He wasn't as warm and personable as I e xpected. His office staff was very friendly and helpful. He's very big on after care and because I'm out of the area I have to call his office at regular interludes so they can see how I'm progressing. He has a very structured after care program. He sends you home with a bag containing protein powder, vitamins, anti-acids, gas-x etc. He shows you a video at your physical that goes over exactly how the surgery is done, and all the risks. He has a support person in his office that has gone through the surgery. Her name is Michelle. She talks to you before the surgery to answer any questions and visits you again in the hospital after the surgery. People come from all over the U.S.A to have him do their surgery. He is suppose to be the best. He does it laposcopicaly {s p } so your recovery time is very short. I had it 5 days ago and I am now doing most all my daily activities. I think he is a great surgeon . His bedside manner could use just a little work. This is just my own personal experience and may be different then what you might experience.

I haven't met Dr. Champion yet. I tried to call his office and could not get through. I sent him an email and he responded that evening telling me the office had been hit by lightening and they were having the phone lines repaired. He told me to go to his web site and request an information package. Sherry from his office also called me that day explaining to me about the phone situation and asked me what kind of insurance I had. She told me Cigna PPO required a pyche eval. and 1 yr's previous diet history. She said if I can get these before I come in for consultation, it would help speed up the process. I was very impressed with the quick response. It's been one week since I have requested package and have not received it yet. I called today 12/4/01, and left message to make sure things have not fallen through the crack. I'm very excited about this now that I have decided to go through with this type of surgery.

Very respectful, excellent treatment pre-op and post op.
Great Staff, if a bit overloaded from time to time - (be patient. Its worth it.

M.O. people have enough trouble with physicians. My PCP was typical in that he blamed EVERYTHING (cold, flu, hangnail) on me being MO.

I was scared to death before I went to Dr. Champion. I was afraid that he would be the "typical surgeon" and be condescending and "superior." NOT AT ALL.

If I had to do this surgery once a year I would! (If I could afford it)

Highly recommend Dr Champion to all patients.

I had my pre-op appt with Dr Champion today and it went GREAT!!! I watched a 20 minute video and it went into great detail about how he does the surgery, advantages, disadvantages, etc.... I then went in and talked with him and he was so wonderful about making sure I totally understood everything and took the time to patiently answer all my questions. He has absolutely won me over!!! I would recommend him to anyone!! And the staff was great!!

Well, I'm post-op now and I can only sing more praises of Dr Champion!!! If there is a better surgeon out there I would be shocked!!
He and the hospitan & hospital staff he uses are the best of the best!!!

Today is June 18, 2001. And I have faxed to Dr. Champion's office all the required information. I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses so I was concerned whether he would respect my wishes on blood. He said that with the release that I have signed he would do the surgery. I am also a self pay patient. I have borrowed the money on my house(SCARY). And my husband says that he doesn't care about that, and that he just wants me to be happy and have a healthier happy life. I love him! Now I am just waiting to hear from the Dr. Champion's office on the appt. date.

November 3: I had surgery on August 23, 2001. I really liked Dr. Chanpion. He answered all of my question and he didn't make me feel rushed or like I was putting him out. When I went in for my 3 week check up I had a few questions and he sat there with me and answered them and took plenty of time with me.

(10.15.01) I've not met him face to face. His office staff seem to be nice.