Dr. Pender anyone??

I have my first consultation with Dr. Pender on the 11th on March.  I was just wondering if anyone has had him?  What do I expect?  How is he?  What happens after the 1st visit?  Just would like your opinions.   Thanks Amanda

Hi Amanda!! I have him. My surgery is scheduled for March 5th and i just had my final pre-op appt. yesterday as a matter of fact!!! I dont really know where to start with Dr. Pender...LOL
I guess my main thing to say about him is...He is VERY firm and set in the way he does things, he does not bend for anyone and he doesn't like excuses, he says you will NEVER win with him as far as excuses go...LOL and he is not very personable, but from what I hear is amongst some of the best!!! So just be prepared to tell him why you want the surgery, what it would mean to you and be prepared to hear the truth!! I will get on here tonite and tell you a little more in a personal message about what to expect after the consult! Did you do the orientation? Who is your insurance thru? I would love to keep in touch with you, because i have yet to be in touch with anyone that has had Dr. Pender CONGRATULATIONS on your decision and Good Luck with your journey!!! If you need anything, these boards are the place to come!! They are AWESOME!!!

Hi Amanda, Dr. Chapman is my surgeon and he is with the same group as Dr. Pender.  I did see Dr. Pender while I was in the hospital.  He was very nice and had good bedside manner.  I wor k at the ECU med school and have heard great things about him.  I chose Dr. Chapman because I already knew him because he operated on my husband 4 times in 2 years (cancer related) and I felt very comfortable with him.  Both Chapman and Pender follow pretty much the same protocol.  I have done great; down 66 pounds in 4 months.  The preop diet was tolerable and seeing the scale start to drop pounds makes it all easier to live with.  To me the Optisource was not very good because they only have it in Caramel and Strawberry but I mixed it with 2 oz of milk and it was much easier to drink.  It's just so sweet...   Feel free to send me a PM if you have any questions or need someone to talk to.   Good luck!  Alice

I have Dr. Pender and now I am really freaking out....   my BMI is 65 and he wanted me to drop 25 lbs. or he said he would not do the WLS.   I have gained about 11 lbs and I am stressing I started a new diet and I have been KILLLING MYSELF walking, working out..... God I don't know what to do and if he cancels my WLS I will be in trouble :( Do you know of any of Dr. Pender's patients that meet up anywhere? I really need a support group because no one in my family or friends understand all this. ;)-Meagan  

im sorry i do not know of any ...i went to that seminar today and i had my first consultation scheduled on the 11th but hes not going to be there so it got pushed back to the 25th...so how is he when you met him?  good luck on you losing wait just stay strong you will lose if you want this badly enough!