roger DeLa Torre

has anyone used Dr. DeLaTorre what is he like??

Yes he was my surgeron but I never meet him.  I have had great appts at his office and have had no problems and would recommed him.  I saw his sidekick Dr Bui he is very nice.  Good Luck, Raynetta

I have had my sleep studies done my blood tests etc, just waiting for my phyc eval to be done, not for sure how long it will be after that. I am already doing the protien, off sugars and sodas so I am already trying....just antsy to get this done so I can have a life agian.

Dr. de la Torre was my surgeon and he was very good. He does not have the best bed side manor (he did not even remember my name the day after he did my surgery) but he knows what he is doing and is one of the best there is around. What he lacks in his bedside manor his nursing and office staff more than make up for it. He will tell you that he makes a difference for 1 hour out of your entire life but his staff makes a difference whenever you need them. I would highly recommend him and the program he has is excellent.

I too had Dr De La Torre. The only time I ever saw him was when he talked in our class. He has very good credentials and is very knowledgeable in what he does. I have heard he is one of the best in his field. I trusted him enough to let him change my life. Like everyone else says his office staff are just great and I have never had any problems with them. I think you would be in very good hands with this Doctor...

While I agree that technical competence is more important than a warm fuzzy bedside manner in a surgeon what you all describe is not a situation I would accept, nor one I would feel comfortable with for my loved ones.

How do you know he was the one really being the lead surgeon doing the work and not just supervising others work?  Not because he told you personally that that would be the case.

Have you had a chance to explain to him any unique requests, ie maybe you want a slightly smaller than normal pouch because you are a failed lap band and that area stretches easily for you?

Has your research shown that you are happy with the standard cookie cutter procedure or did it show something that you think is important that you would like to discuss?

Are you happy being just a body on a table with a chart or is there a person there on the table who he's seen smile and laugh or cry?

Sorry if it seems like I'm coming down hard, in no way do I doubt Dr. De La Torre's ability but I would not accept that level of service from any other professional who provided me services.  I want to be more than a chart and a statistic. 

Well, I have Dr. Hornbostel and WOULD never go to De La torre but that is me. Especially, since i have heard more then once of his patients having MAJOR problems or getting ill with infections. I know that can happen with anyone... but ask sugar or Pooh she just had surgery with him a week ago and basically had to have the surgery again because of his staple misfire.. I know things happen, but how did he not know when it was misfiring? Oh and about bedside manner... umm, if I am paying your regardless if it is my insurance or not you better remember my name. Its called a chart.. I would not SETTLE for less then respect and being decent. I have heard many bad stories and I would weigh them especially if I was putting my life in his hands. I have NEVER had a bad experience with Dr. H, his nurses or his office staff. They are always more then nice and answer all your questions and there was a few times I had called and left messages on friday late afternoon and if I didnt get a response before 5 it was before bedtime friday evening. They also give you their cell phone number and home number in case you need to get a hold of them... I have never heard or had any other surgeon do that... I am biased and sooo glad that I dont have a drainage tube in me, Dr. H doesnt do them... they are meaningless. I am so glad that I have so much faith in him. BTW, when i checked out Dr. H he has the most surgery experience with least amount of death and complications. I chose to drive 3.5hrs one way for THE BEST ( in my opinion ) then 1 hr to "settle" for just anyone. I wouldnt let just anyone cut on me. I dont want someone that makes me be miserable with a dumb tube that serves no purpose, or has bad ppl skills, bedside manners and has a record of ppl having horrible experiences. Now, this is just my opinion. But, I would ask the ppl like pooh who is and was living in hell for the last week and ask her if she had it all over to do again would she chose him? I sure wouldnt. It was a big bonus for me hearing and seeing soooo many ppl that have Dr. H on here and never an ill word. I would be real careful. And research and research.. Dont go with him to save distance or gas $ your life is worth so much more then that.. What is it that made you want to go with him anyways? I had sooo many reasons to go with Dr. H. I went to 4 seminars before deciding on Dr. H. Do your homework. If I offended anyone I am sorry but this is my opinion and I couldnt have a Dr. that doesnt have good bedside manners...

DITTO DITTO DITTO  the above post!!! Don't be so grateful that you are getting the surgery and you found a surgeon who accepts your insurance, is close by, or whatever (they are not doing it for charity, someone is paying them and well)...those are the wrong reasons to put your life and your future in someones hands,  bedside manner makes all the difference in how comfortable-open you are with your doc. which can have lifelong effects. choose your doc CAREFULLY for the RIGHT reasons , NOT convenience.

Choosing a surgeon and their practice is a very personal decision that must be weighed indivdually for each person. 

I am not not pro nor con on either dr. mentioned but I will say that some of the comments made are a little skewed.  Some drs. have more a complication rate because they will accept some patients that no other dr. would take.  Whether their BMI is skyhigh or if they have other medical factors.  Also each person's surgical experience is going to be reflected in their health status at the time of their surgery.  Staple line misfires are just that.  Misfires.  I don't know if the patient that had the misfire had an open procedure or closed.  If it was open it would be pretty easy to see that it misfired and if so, it was corrected.  It is a piece of surgical machinery and sometimes things do not work right.  

  If it was closed it is pretty difficult to see until you start to wrap things up. 

Whether or not a surgeon chooses to use a drain is their preference and if I step on toes so be it.  To say that they are useless or the like is just not correct.  They do have their place in medicine whether we patients like em' or not. 

This surgery is HUGE.  It is a medical risk as is all surgeries.  One should go into it with their eyes wide open and know that complications can and often will occur.  For those that come through with not one complication (thankfully I was one)...that is awesome...  but there are those that are not so lucky. 

Also.......  you need to check medical records and the state board of healing arts website.  I am not going to go into detail but suffice to say that is ALL I am going to say about that.  I have been on this website for years and I have seen and heard much even though I am not a regular poster on a daily basis.

just my 2 cents...  

Ok we need the website for that....