J.K. Champion Bariatric Surgeon

Dr. Champion is WONDERFUL! I felt so comfortable with him...I really felt like he was treating me with the utmost respect and compassion. He didn't "talk down" to me like so many doctors tend to do. He explained everything very thoroughly to me, in plain English, but not in a condescending way. He spent a long time with me, answering my questions, explaining the procedure, etc. I did not feel like I was being rushed or hurried out or as if he were trying to get out of the appointment ASAP to get to another patient. I feel that this wonderful man truly has been blessed with a wonderful gift to help his patients get their lives back. I know he will take very, very good care of me, and I can't WAIT to be on his operating table! As if THAT weren't enough, his office staff was friendly, professional, and very compassionate.

Not only that, this man takes time out of his busy schedule to operate a newsgroup (which anyone, even other drs. patients, can join at www.DrChampion.com), run a support group, AND have his own chat room! In fact, he has even hired a personal trainer to teach an exercise class for his patients, free of charge.

As you can tell, I was completely and utterly impressed with Dr. Champion and feel that he is the very best surgeon I could possibly have. In fact, I feel so strongly about him, that I will use him even though he is an out-of-network surgeon for my insurance and I will probably have to pay a 30% co-insurance. That's OK...HE IS WORTH IT!!!

Very caring and right to the point...would send him to anyone....does LAP and does it well....no complaints about his tech etc. The office staff was also caring and helpfull. If out of state like I was...sends home info and phone #'s to keep in touch with him and his staff.

I first met Dr. Champion when I accompanied my husband for his first visit. I thought Dr. Champion was very knowledgable in what he does and interested in his patients' successes. I wasn't real thrilled with his office staff at first. They weren't very friendly but I think they were just very, very busy. He performed the Laprascopic Proximal RNY on my husband on 8/25/00. He is a stickler for following his instructions but that's a good thing. I have seen first hand how angry he gets if he thinks the patient hasn't followed his instructions. Keep in mind, however, this is because he truly wants his patients to do well. He has an online support group and encourages his patients to be involved and ask questions.
I had the first visit with him for me on 1/4/01. He went over all of the information with me again and took the time so that I could ask about issues that concerned me regarding the surgery. Though I knew most of it from helping my husband, I was surprised at the number of questions I still had. The staff seemed more personable this visit. I was much more comfortable.

Met with Dr. Champion. He is very up-front and lays it all out - all the complications that you can expect and the benefits as well. Feel very confident in using him - without that, I would not have the surgery.
His staff is also very informative and the office is very efficient - however, they do not hold your hand, too busy for it. I hestitate to call the office because I might be bothering them with stupid questions. Instead, I use their egroup that he provides and try to take advantage of his on-line questions and answers.

dr champion did my surgery and he was great.

I have nothing but good things to say about Dr Champion and his staff. They are so helpful. Dr Champion is straightforward but will answer any question that you have and explain it to you so there is not a doubt in your mind.

When I met Dr Champion I was very nervous and scared he would be cold and uncaring, like so many doctors I have dealt with in the past. That was a complete misconception. This man was kind and caring but most of all he was sympathetic. I could see he really does care about his patients. The staff at his office has always been so nice even though I bug them quite often. He put great emphasis on after care. He has a few support groups, one of which is online and I have been a member of for quite a while. The risks were very clearly spelled out to me! I would rate him on a scale of 1-10........around a 15! I think surgical competence comes first but a caring person with great bedside manner is such a bonus!

First Impression: Not the greatest bedside manner, but he seemed to know exactly what he was talking about, and that is all I cared about.
First Impression Changed: My impression of Dr. Champion changed at my last visit to his office. I feel that he really does care about how his patients succeed and not just about his work. When he told me how much weight I had lost, there was a smile on my face and a genuine smile on his.
Office Staff: Very, very knowledgeable about the surgery and willing to help when asked.
Least Likeable Thing About Dr. C: His bedside manner. He isn't all smiles and greetings, but as long as he knows what he's doing, and he does, then that is fine with me.
Future Patients Should Know: Don't expect the friendliest person in the world, but you will be getting an outstanding surgeon.
Emphasizes Aftercare: Dr. C stresses aftercare greatly. He is very adamant about following his diet plan for 6 weeks after the surgery and he stresses the need for vitamins and minerals after the surgery.
Structured Aftercare Program: For the first 2 weeks after the surgery, I was on a liquid diet. The following 4 weeks was a soft diet with mashed potatoes, soft pasta, etc. Now I am on a regular diet eating different things for 3 meals a day.
Risks Of Surgery: Dr. C told me the percentages of failures, of which he has only had 1 out of approximately 500 due to complications after the surgery. But he also gave me the risks of continuing on the way I was.
Rating Dr. Champion: I would highly recomment Dr. C to anyone seeking this surgery, especially if you are looking for Laproscopic Surgery. Out of 10 stars, he gets 9.
Which Is Better, Bedside Manner or Surgical Competence?: Surgical Competence!!!!!!!! Believe me, as long as my doctor can do his thing and I am better afterwards, then everything is O.K. with me. Sure both are nice, but I would rather be in a hospital bed recovering from a great surgery talking to an ass of a doctor than having my nicest doctor in the world attending my funeral after a botched job.

My first impression was that here is a doctor I can talk to, ask questions and he will answer them. He's southern, as I am, and I can understand what he's saying! I know that sounds silly, but it's true. My impression of him has only gotten better since my surgry. He took all the time I needed pre-op, and made sure I was kept comfortable post-op. His office staff has been wonderful about everything, especially since I'm in Alaska and they're in Georgia. I didn't dislike anything about him at all. I believe future patients should know they are in excellent hands if they choose Dr. Champion. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about him. Dr. Champion strongly emphasizes after care, gives advice and tells you what will happen if you don't pretty well follow that advice. He does have a structured aftercare program, which I am unfortunately unable to participate in from Alaska. He has two support groups, a nutritionist, a trainer, monthly on-line chats and an egroups list. He did advise me of the risks of surgery, and was very clear about the risks. Overall, I would rate him the best there is. He takes a major surgical procedure, does it laproscopically so you don't have a huge incision to recover from, and makes it seem so simple! I'd say his surgical competence is best and bedside manner is good. Below it says nobody can be perfect, but Dr. Champion comes awfully close.

Both Dr. Champion and his assistant Judy, were very professional and extremely informative. They had mailed me and I had completed and extensive packet prior to the appointment and Dr. Champion had obviously reviewed this as he seemed to know me already. They were both positive and demonstrated the utmost of confidence.

There was no wait and the total time was only about 45 minutes. His office was well equipped and comfortable with his own art work on the walls. After insurance approval, there will be a psych testing and nutritional eval and he emphasizes after care meetings and support groups that his practice holds. You are given a test of your knowledge of WLS when you arrive at the office. I am looking forward to my surgery with Dr Champion.