Georgetown Bariactrics????Dr. Bolar?

Hi all, I have started the process for my surgery at Georgetown because I heard they were the best. Well, When I went to my General DR. yesterday she told me that they had a Nurse die from a botched surgery there, and that G-Town wont admit she dies from the surgery because she was transfered out right before. She also said that the stats they use are from a Dr. Bolar who is no longer with them, she gave me his number, and when I called they said he was moving to Tennessee and refered me to St. Jo's. St. Joes told me I would have to repeat all the tests and Dr.s visits I have had to join there program. Now I dont know what to do, I was impresses with G-Town, but want the best Surgeon I can find (Im only 26 and dont want to die!) I dont really have the money or the availablity to take off work to go through another program. Has anyone had their surgery at Georgetown and would share their experience?

Dear Jenny, I had my surgery at Georgetown in July, 2004. I really like the surgeons, the office staff, the hospital, and the support provided after the surgery. I have nothing but good things to say about the Georgetown program. In my opinion, it is the best in the area. And if I had to go through this again (or if I need to have my gall bladder removed, etc.), I would return to the docs at Georgetown for this. I did research for two years before I made a decision to have the surgery. I really don't know what your Dr. is talking about. Yes, it is true there has been a death from surgery and another situation in which the patient died from a blood clot after he went home. The folks at Georgetown have always been very open about this. We were told about the patient who died from the blood clot when I was in pre-surgery "training" which is provided at the center. It is also not true that the stats they use are from Dr. Bolar. Dr. Weiss and Dr. Oldham will be very open about how many surgeries they have performed, etc. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees when a person goes into surgery. This is true whether you go in for bariatric surgery, plastic surgery, or to have your tonsils removed. My advice is to ask questions until you feel comfortable with making a decision as to where to go. If you have specific questions that I may be able to help with, just e-mail me at [email protected] and I will answer them the best I can. Good luck to you. Debbie

I had my surgery in August of 2004. I have had and continue to have an awesome experience with the surgeons and staff at g-town.

It seems your doctors office has been misinformed. I had my surgery in October at Georgetown and had no problems what so ever. Dr. Oldham is a great surgeon as well as all the staff.I have never heard of Dr. Bolar being associated with Georgetown Bariatrics. Call Georgetown and ask to speak to someone about these false statements. Gail

Violet ,Dr. Bolar was at Georgetown back in 2004 around that time, that is my doc, he moved to Lexington office and was there for 2 years now he is going to Tenn. so now i am going to start going to Dr.Nighbert and Steiner............

In case someone has not already said it, Dr. Bolar is the one that brought bariatric surgery to Georgetown a few years ago. The docs that are there now took over from him and might have changed the name. I am not sre about the name. I started with Dr. Bolar way back then but had problems getting past his office staff. they kept giving me problems over my insurance and would not even schedule an appointment until i came up with a book from my insurance proving it was covered. I sent my insurance card to them but that was not enough and at that time, UHC had not sent us a book. We couldn't even get one and now my husband is retired and we still have no booklet from UHC. They do send a few stapled papers noting changes in our poicy every year and that's all we get. Whew, i got way off topic. Sorry to ramble.

Jenny: I have been with the Georgetown program for almost 6 years and the information you are being given is not true. I was here when Dr. Bolar was here, and since the arrival of Dr.'s Weiss and Oldham. I also review every patients chart and collect data on complications and deaths. You are welcome to come in and look at our data as we are very proud of it. Unfortunately there is a lot of misinformation that gets floated around. We have not had a nurse die from a botched surgery. We have had two patients deaths since July 2003, and neither was a nurse. This is 2 patients out of 1300, whereas the national average for death following WLS is 1 in 200 will die. Both patients were bypass patients. One patient died 3 weeks after surgery, while at home from a pulmonary embolus (blood clot in the lung) a

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Jenny, I too want to say a few words as I have been reading this thread and can't sit here quiet any longer...over the last several months I have spent a great deal of time with the Georgetown Docs as well as the center. Dr. Weiss and Dr. Oldham are awesome surgeons with incredible skills. I pride myself in being a patient advocate and learning whatever I can about as many surgeons as possible so that I can address concerns such as this...I would never send anyone to a surgeon if I did not believe in them, what they stand for and the skills of those working around them. There is always talk going around about other surgeons as for some reason one wants to look better than the other, to me the proof is in the knowing. When I hear gossip I want to then find out the facts. The center at Georgetown is one of the best I have had the privilege of being around and the docs are not only good surgeons ( and I have had the privilege or watching their skills personally ) they are true gentlemen as I have never heard them bash other docs..that says alot about them in my book, but then again when you are one of the best you really don't have to say alot!!! ahhhh that felt good to let it out....I try keeping out of it but my big mouth just won't shut up at times..LOL Brenda

Thanks so much, I posted because I wanted to hear other opinions than just my Dr. Everyone has been great, Thanks again!