J.K. Champion Bariatric Surgeon

I met Dr. Champion in April 2000. He and his staff were wonderful. I live in Alabama & at the time there was no one in the state doing it lap- so I found Dr. Champion on the computer and called his office to set up a consult. He was very nice. He answered all mine and my husbands questions.He and his staff took care of everything. They got my insurance to approve the surgery and I was sheduled for July 14 2000. I had to be in Georgia the afternoon before my surgery for pre-op and then the rest of the afternoon he told us to go have dinner enjoy ourselves and he would see me the next morning.The next morning he came in before I was to go in to see if I had any more questions.The surgery went great and with only five small band-aids it was even more wonderful.I was just a little weezy sick after but the took care of that with a little pain meds because it was from the inside insision to my stomach.My after care was a vrey strict liquid and protein diet for 3 weeks a[liquid includingmashed pot.,grits,pudding,cream or blenderized soups,ect.}.Then start incorperating in solid foods bread, cracker, cooked veggies, eggs, one thing at a time is my suggestion so you can tell what agrees with you everyone is different. He did warn me before of all the risk that would be involved before during and after this surgery.He let me know up front it was very much mentally straining as physical.He was very thourgh in my post-op also making sure everything was going fine,through my visits post-op with him and phone calls from his staff.I have recommended him to several people and I have some that have used him, but know ther are lots of Drs. in Al. now doing the surgery the want to stay closer to home. If you are looking for an excellent surgeon and distance doesn't matter I would recommend Dr. Champion.

I have been attending Dr. Champion's monthly support group since I applied for the program. My first impression - a straight shooter. Also, a personality. I grew up around medicine and have a medical family so I have always considered surgeons to be the driest and least warm and fuzzy of physicians. Imagine my surprise to find that he actually smiles, laughs and *gasp* has a rather dry sense of humor. He is strict and it seems no amount of hand-wringing will sway him on his rules. At the end of the day, I want a highly competent surgeon who can appreciate the human impact of this surgery on his patients. I think I have it: He has performed over 1300 bariatric surgeries in his career and still attends his patient groups every month. His office staff is very very busy and I have admittedly been frustrated at the tortise like pace this process has seemed to take. However, there is a reason for the methodical pace. This office has a set criteria that has worked for those 1300+ patients and they just dont deviate. Overall, so far as a pre-op I am pleased. ***Post-op addendum: While I am still pleased with Dr. Champion's technical expertise and his excellent reputation, I am sorely disappointed with the state of his aftercare program (a misnomer if ever there was one as it is virtually non-existent). Luckily, I now have alternatives in my post-op care but find it very troublesome that I have to go beyond Dr.Champion's office to find decency, support, real information and positive presence from people who have 'been there'. As another of this surgeon's patients shared with me recently, if Drs Champion and Williams knew the state of their aftercare program they would (or should) be horrified. Great surgeons, lousy office support. Of course, this is my personal opinion based on my observations and experience and am still quite happy with my interaction with these surgeons personally.

I was very pleased with Dr. Champion. He was patient, informative, and kind. He was also matter of fact and to the point, which did not bother me at all. I will take surgical competence over bedside manner anyday. The office staff was great. They were very warm and friendly and the office atmosphere was very light.

I was totally impressed with Dr. Champion and his staff.

I would HIGHLY recommend using Dr. Champion if you are considering bariatric surgery. You might have a little waiting list. But believe me it is worth the wait.

There was a structured aftercare program, which wasn't hard at all.

3/16/03 At this time I have not even met Dr. Champion or any of his staff. A co-worker is going through the pre-approval process, and told me everything that our insurance requires, so I am working on getting it all done. Dr. Champions packet, the psyche evaluation and nutrional consultation information were all sent out to Dr. Champion this past week. I just need to get the anesthesia testing done, and get Dr. Champion that information so he can contact my insurance company for approval.

My impression of Dr. Champion was that he is very professional and that I was in good hands, that he would take good care of me.

My impression has not changed over time

Office staff is equally professional Michele is amazing. No one can describe how it feels to talk with someone who has been there. Very knoledgeable. Firm yet comforting. Just exactly what he needs.
Future patients need to do what Dr. C says if they want to be successful.
Good structured aftercare that is emphasized.

All risks are addressed realistically but relative to the risk of remaining Morbidly obese

On a scale of 10 out of 10 a 15 ...he is the be best in the country!

I have no doubt the competence. Bedside manner is good, allows lots of time for questions, not rushed but he is no nonsense, Do what he says.....Nancy Helen LOVELL

Dr. Champion is wonderful, caring and tough. My impression has not changed. His staff is working hard to meet the WLS patient's needs and sometimes hard to reach but they always try to help.
He can be short with you if you do not comply but it is only because he cares and wants u to be successful.
He is the best. My surg. was 45 min. and I was able to ride home to FL in 2 days. It was not too far to go to go to GA.
He does want u to go to a support group and provides online support and throws us a celebration every Christmas to celebrate our new lives.
He clearly explained all the surg. to me and my husband and was concerned that I knew and had questions answered.
I would do it all again in a heartbeat!!!!!
He is just great and I do not know how he does all he does for us.

Dr. Champion is very thorough and professional physician. I was very excited and happy he was my surgeon. He is the best in the world! He answered all my questions pertaining to the surgery. Which I had 20 Detailed questions. I was very impressed with his answers and his length of years as a surgeon. He is truly the best! People fly from all over the world to use his services as a Bariatric Surgeon. His Associate is very pleasant. His name is Dr. Michael Williams. He has a great bedside manner and him Dr. Champion work well together! His office Staff is great. His nurse Michelle is wonderful very smart and vibrant! I would rate my experience so far a 10! I think I would want an experienced surgeon that has done 0ver 1,500 Lap-Gastric bypass Surgeries and is competent than someone who has the best bedside manner.

My first impression was that he
seemed to be exactly as I had been
told that he was. He was
professional, straight to the point
and really knows "his stuff". I was
also very impressed that he had
completed over 1200 surgeries and
had only two deaths. One was a
heart transplant patient and the
other had a blood clot that went to
the lungs. His staff seems very
competent, as well.

Dr.Champion is such a warm annd wonderful man. He is professional and to the point and tells it like it is. He makes you feel comfortable and at ease with him. I put my life in his hands and because of him hope to have a much longer and healthier life.
He stresses following his guidelines and contacting him with any questions. I was impressed when researching the rny that he contacted me himself with answers not some nurse in his office. He lets you know that the surgery is only a Tool. That we have to work twice as hard to eat healthy and maintain a healthy lifestyle. He is a great surgeon and makes every patient feel special.