J.K. Champion Bariatric Surgeon

1. First impression: Dr. Champ is ALL BUSINESS!
2. My impression never changed -- he is extemely professional and that is exactly what I was looking for in a surgeon.
3. The office staff is very polite and helpful by answering any questions that I had pre/post-op
4. Least favorite characteristic: Dr. Champion's bedside manner is not the most friendly. However, if I wanted a friend, I would have them visit me in the hospital. Like I said before, he is very professional. He is there to make sure that you will be well taken care of and he and his staff do just that.
5. Listen to Dr. Champion and his office staff! They know what's best for a fast recovery and long-term success. And TURN OFF your cell phones during your appointments or you will be rescheduled!
6. Aftercare: THIS IS WHAT DR. CHAMP IS BEST KNOWN FOR! During pre-op you will be given a notebook with FAQs, 6-10 weeks worth of planned out diets and ideas for exercise. The diets were very helpful during the recovery stage of my surgery. As you progress and your body can digest more, new things are worked into the diet. Taking vitamins, exercising and getting in enough protein is highly stressed. Also, Dr. Champ keeps and moniters a website/chatroom/messageboard so you can go online for support from other pre/post-op patients.
7. An aftercare program consisting of support and exercise groups can be set up for local patients, but patients outside of the Atlanta area should look into local gyms. Also, many support groups around the state are available in Valdosta, Savannah, Macon, Albany, etc... for more information about a group in your area, just ask the office staff or post a question on the message board.
8. Risks for the surgery are addressed according to the patient's health at the time of surgery. I was considered to be a prime candidate, weighing just 100lbs over the national standard with no co-morbities (such as high blood pressure, diabetes, etc). As with any surgery, there are always serious risks concerning anesthesia, but the better health you are in at the time of surgery will lower your possible risks.
9. I would rate Dr. Champion as a 10+. He and his staff have been very helpful during each stage of my surgery process. I would highly recommend this surgeon to anyone who lives in Georgia. My experience with this surgeon has been wonderful.
10. Surgical competence vs. Bedside manner: I believe that bedside manner can be important, but I look at this attribute as icing on the cake. While both would be nice to have, I would much rather have a surgeon who is attentive to my health then a surgeon who is distracted from his job by his attempts at bedside manner. If you agree with me, then Dr. Champ is definitely the surgeon for you!

My first impression of Dr. Champion was good. I was pleased with his knowelege and understanding of my weight issues. I liked him even more over time. The office staff was friendly and very helpful through the whole process from start to finish. Dr. Champion stressed strongly about aftercare. He stated that success rates are higher in patients that participate in after care.
I'd give him a 10 on a scale from 1 to 10. I think he is a great surgeon, has great surgical competence and pleasant bedside manner.

Dr. Champion is great! His office staff was very helpful and efficient. Even the hospital staff thought very highly of him. I would highly recommended him to everyone!

I was orginally scheduled to have my consult with Dr. Rothwell, however, I ended up seeing Dr. Williams. Dr. Williams was very friendly and professional and made me feel comfortable about my decision. He was very positive and upbeat. Everyone in the office has been great. I did see Dr. Rothwell when I went to the monthly lecture, however, I have not met him personally. Their policy is that once you have surgery, you are their patient for life. I came out feeling that I had made the correct decision and that their staff are completely qualified to handle the surgery and the aftercare.

2/05 - I was notified last year while I was completed my six months of medically supervised weight loss that Dr. Rothwell would no longer be performing gastric bypass surgeries. I contacted Dr. Champion's office in Atlanta - they handled my second level appeal and I have now been approved and a surgery date scheduled. I have not been to the office yet but the office personnel on the phone are very friendly and helpful.

I haven't met Dr. Champion yet though I hear he dosen't have much of a bedside mannor, but I'm not looking for someone to hold my hand, though it would be nice, I'm looking for his qualification's which I've heard are second to none. The staff has been overall pretty friendly, especially Sherri! I will update after I actually meet them.

I have to say that what I had heard about Dr.Champion was false. He was very kind to me and made me feel so comfortable. He acted like he had plenty of time to answer any question's I moght have. I was all nervous for nothing. I would rate him a 10++

My first impression was that he was strictly

My first impression of Dr. Champion was very professional. He was friendly and informative. My husband and I were impressed with his well organized staff and information. So far I have nothing negative to say.

So far I've only worked with his staff and they are GREAT. I have seen Dr. Champion at one of our support groups and was able to ask him my questions, he was very informative and gave me answers to everything that I wanted to know.

I've talked to many of his former patients and not a single person had anything but compliments about him or his staff.

Have not yet met Dr. Champion. Has very informative web site. Office very helpful thus far.

I haven't meet Dr. Champion yet, and won't until my 12/13 preop. His staff has been fantastic. They are very, very nice and have answered every question.