??Walter Sartor, MD??

Hi Ya'll,

I am researching a surgeon for my dad who lives in W. Monroe, and was wondering if anyone has any info on Walter Sartor. 

I already know that he operates out of a COE, and that he is a member of the ASMBS, but haven't been able to dig out how many RNYs that he has done or what his complication rate is...

Thanks from NC

Amy

MY FRIEND HAD HIM TO DO HER WEIGHT LOSS SUGERY TO SHE LOST ALOT WE ARE FROM RAYVILLE LA,

I am using Dr Sartor, been to his office and met his staff....they are wonderful :)

hi, my name is ida and i am from ferriday, la; i am using dr. sartor because he has passed all of medicare's requirement and has earned 'center of excellence' award from medicare; which means he has performed over 50 wls per month; gives some idea of his rate; i will be meeting with him on the 14th and surgery scheduled for the 19th; his staff is great and very helpful with all questions and concerns; his number is 318*998*7313

Thanks everyone for your replies!

I called Dr. Sartor's office. She said they are approved for Medicare reimbursement for WLS. They told me I needed 3 months of physician's documented diet. I guess when I have this I will call back. How strict is Dr. Sartor regarding approval for WLS. How long did it take after your first visit assuming met guidelines for Medicare to pay.They said my Medicare and Blue Cross would cover everything except 250.00 for psychiatrist.

What psychiatrist do they use and was there a written test or just face to face. What kind of questions do they ask. Did it seem easy to get psy. approval. Do you have to go on a liquid diet for does he require you to lose weight prior to surgery.

Overall how hard was it to get approval from the physician's standpoint.

since i have been seeing a physician for several years now, and was having my weight recorded on every visit, those MD notes were used to verify my 3 months of documented diet; i never met dr. sartor until 1 week before scheduled surgery, and it is more up to medicare to approve your surgery than the MD; i was approved within days of all my info being sent in to them; i had to have a nutritionist and psychiatrist visit before info could be sent in for approval and medicare did not cover psych visit; they use dr. terry thomas and he was great; just a face to face visit without testing or formal questioning; and he approved me for surgery right away; the cost was $250;  dr. sartor does not require any type of preop diet nor preop cleansing, just nothing to eat/drink after midnight of the surgery;

the same day that i saw dr. sartor, he sent me to st francis hospiral for my preop blood work, ekg, and xray; unfortunately my blood work came back the next day showing i had an infection somewhere and my surgery was postponed; took 2 weeks of antibiotics and having to have 2 teeth pulled before lab work came back normal; he is soooo busy that i was placed back on surgery schedule for 7 weeks later (will be 12/14 now)...

hope this helps and if u need any other information just let me know

Sorry your surgery was posponded. I am sure ;you are disappointed.

Thank you so much for your response. I am have bipolar but has been stable for years now.That is why I was worried about the psy evaluation. What kind of questions does he ask. I presently receive treatment from Dr. Alfredo Torres for my bipolar disorder. I take a lot of meds including  SSRI, Lamictal, Trileptal, Seroquel and a few blood pressure meds and a pill for diabetes. Will you be able to take these drugs the same day of surgery.

During your 3 months of physician supevised diet do you have to show you lose weight. I stay on a low carb diet most of the time and don't really lose much weight, just stay stable.

Did you just take copies of your physician's office notes to show you were under a supervised diet plan? Do you have to wait until the 3 months are up before you can make an appointment with Dr. Sartor. hen you called for an appointment how long did it take to get in to see him?

Is there any seminars regarding GBS that you have to attend.

I live in Delhi, LA. Where do you live. I am 58 years old with a BMI of 38 with comorbities.

Any information you can give me would be appreciated. I have read and hava done a lot of research. Seems most of the requirements come from insurance companies instead of the actual physician. I do know Medicare does not require preapproval and is based on medical necessity.

Martha

I hate to keep bothering you but another question. I quit smoking 2 years ago and I now use the electronic cigarettes. My health has improved 100%. Does Dr. Sartor have you checked for nicotine? I do use a small amount of nicotine in my electronic cigarette.

Did you primary physician have to clear you for surgery or does Dr. Sartor do this himself.

What information did you provide to them about your eating habits. Just eat too much, no****ching what you are eating, emotional eating, etc.

I am quite familiar with this procedure. When my daughter was 16 we went to Houston and she had a band (different from the one they use now) placed. She loss a bunch of weight but after a couple of years she gained it all back. Then in 2005 she had an open gastric bypass. She had loss 125 lbs and has kept it off since them. She just had a baby and only gained 15 lbs and immediately loss it after delivery.

Thanks so much
Martha