John Ganser Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS

I love Dr.Ganser. He is wonderful, he is very patient and kind. I also wish we could review his support staff because they are fabulous too! I am actually more attached to his nurse than I am him!
He did my lap band surgery in 2007 and is doing my revision to RNY in December of 2011. I had very minimal complications from surgery and he visted me twice and was very supportive with my family. I recommend him x10!

When I went in to complain about how much I hated the lapband and the failure, instead of making me feel stupid and like it was my fault, he was actually very reassuring and listened at length to my frustrations and sadness over the whole thing. I really have nothing negative to say about him.

I do have a few things to say about the practice he works in which is Western Bariatric (Western Surgical Group)
My first surgery, I had a lot of issues with my "Patient Advocate" she got appointments wrong, she set me up for the wrong classes and just wasnt cutting it. I got into it with her, and her "boss" called to get into it with me and said, "I am telling your surgeon!!" I ended up with a different patient advocate whom I love, but she is gone quite a bit. I will say flash forward 2 years later and both "the boss" and the advocate I had issues with, are no longer there.

I also like that now they have a nutritionist there that you can make appointments with instead of having to find another nutritionist.

Just be aware you leave a lot of phone msgs and email works best dealing with them.

I am a firm believer that the practice makes the surgeon, I almost went somewhere else until I realized that all the people I had issues with were gone.

All in all I love Dr. Ganser and his medical staff.

Dr Ganser is very kind , caring and takes the time to listen. I was very pleased with his bed side manner and at his clinic the pre-op education is exceptional.
His office staff is a little difficult to get in contact with , my advocate didn't return phone calls and emails and that was very distessing. His surgery scheduler, Jennifer was awesome. She got my questions answered and eamiled ar called me quickly.
He trained with a leading vascular surgeon so I feel his surgical knowledge is top shelf.

Dr. John Ganser at Westeren Bariatric Institute in Reno is amazing! I liked him from the first time I layed eyes on him at the seminar I attended on WLS prior to making my decision. First of all he is pretty easy on the eyes...wink, wink. More importantly he is very skilled! He talked to me with compassion. He sat down with me preop and answered all my questions without the rush, rush attitude that is typical of many surgeons. He smiled and made eye contact and was sincere. From the first time I met him I was sure he wanted to help me loose weight not just operate on me. At my preop apt I was a bundle of nerves and he calmed me down and even gave me a hug. The day of surgery he managed to perform an EGD on me (camera down the throat to visualize the stomach) and the RNY gastric bypass all in and hour and a half WITH NO COMPLICATIONS. I am an RN and I thought that was pretty amazing for major surgery on a morbidly obese patient. He said "You have good anatomy" and just smiled when I complimented him. It was a very positive experience. I was up walking 4.5 hours after surgery and only spent one night in the hospital. The pain was very minimal.

I must admit his office staff at WBI don't impress me near as much as Dr. Ganser. A couple of time I felt they were short and dismissive with me. They did however get the job done in the end. I would advise you to be your own advocate. If the staff tells you something and it does not sit right with you then TELL YOUR SURGEON! I did and Dr Ganser fixed the problem. WBI has an entire aftercare network set up this follow up office visits for medical and dietary and support groups. I'm only 10 days out as I am writing this so I'm not sure yet how helpful they will be...stay tuned:)

I want to let the world know how much I appreciate Dr. Ganser. I met him first in Portland in 1998 or 99. I weighed over 400 lbs and had an abdominal hernia the size of a basketball. He not only repaired it, but gave me back my waistline. He virtually saved my life. Then in 2003 I had WLS by another Doctor in Portland. During the surgery I had a heart attack and surgery went wrong as they dripped fluid from my bowel into the open wound site, which no one knew about until much later. I was bedridden for a year. In 2004 or 2005 I sought out Dr. Ganser to remove the necrotic tissue and repair another hernia in my abdomen. He was no longer in Portland but had relocated to Reno. Never stopped me, I made arrangements and flew to Reno. Again,
Dr Ganser performed the operation and again saved my life. 6 years later Im still here and 67 years old. Thank You Dr. Ganser you are the best surgeon ever, and i will never forget your caring, smiling face and how you took care of me. Even my Internist wrote your name down in case HE ever needs surgery.

My first impression of Dr. Ganser is that he was really interested in listening to me and helping me. He made me excited for my surgery.

The office staff has been very helpful and has been available to answer any and all questions whenever I have them.

I have only been to the facility once so I am sure to write something more on them later.

Great first impression, acts like he has all day for me.rnAftercare is strongly emphasized, with a structured program.rnThe best, highly rate Dr. Ganser.rnSurgical competence and bedside manner outstanding.rnI did have a long time waiting in patient room twice, I think both times over 1/2 hour.

Dr. Ganser performed my mother's RNY in 2003, and she loved him so much that I decided to go to him for my surgery... I wasn't disappointed. Dr. Ganser has been nothing but helpful and supportive during the entire process (started in April 2009), and I feel incredibly blessed to have him as my doctor.

he was great

Dr. Ganser was the physician who gave the free seminar that I attended, and right away I thought him to be a kind and caring man. When I went to my first visit with the doctor, I had the same feelings.

Dr. Ganser was amazing from the beginning....I have at least two co-workers who he has operated on without any issues and My wife and I both trusted our life in his hands. I could not find any mal-pratice information with the state and would be amazed to now. rnrnPersonally he is incredibly understanding and though in shape does not look down on you at all. rnrnAlso he must have a big ego, but not during surgerey - I'm a big guy ( smaller now lol ) but he brought in another surgeon with him during my operation to make sure that it went smooth. Too cool - I had two of the best on the west coast becuase he asked his partner to join in...rnrnOne word - amazing