Anyone recommend Dr. Eric Bour?

My insurance sent me information on WLS requirements, and after getting my initial consult with the surgeon for Lapband, my BMI is too high for approval! So back to square one. I have to cancel my other appointments, as I am on a time crunch...only have a few months left before my husband loses insurance due to the factory closing...and my lapband surgeon ONLY does lapband. I am scheduled to go to Dr. Bour's seminar on Thursday, and was wondering what others have experienced? They seem really on the ball, but I am more concerned about Dr. Bour's relatively short time doing the RNY...only 3 years. Thanks!

Elizabeth, There are many on this board who have Dr. Bour as a surgeon...I'm one of them...I have nothing but GOOD things to say about him and his staff. He runs a very structured program, and has been known to fire people as patients who don't follow the program...luckily I don't know of anyone who's been fired. There is a $2500.00 registration fee that has to be paid in full before they will schedule a surgery date. They also have us attend preop meetings, meet with Psych Dr., meet with the Nutritionist, which we will have access to all 3 "FOR LIFE"...yes I said "FOR LIFE"!!! So any time you need to see anyone, you can. That is all covered by the registration fee. We then must go on a 4 week optifast diet prior to surgery. The diet helps to shrink our liver which is neccesary if you are going to have a Laprascopic Surgery and not open. The whole process from Seminar to surgery took me about 3 1/2 mos. So I'm sure Kim will try and work with you and your insurance co., since you are working in a tight time frame. As far as Dr. Bours qualifications...he is considered one of the best surgeons in his field in the Upstate. His surgery info needs to be updated, because he has been doing RNY longer than 3 years. I now attend the postop meetings...and girlfriend they are full of greatful patients ...and I'm one of them. Do I reccomend Dr. Bour...YES!!! I HIGHLY RECCOMEND HIM AND HIS STAFF...he truly cares and wants the best for his patients...and it shows by the type of program he runs. He helped save my life!!! Tonya, Just 1 of many

I emphatically and enthusiastically recommend him! He performed my RNY bypass last Monday. He is an outstanding surgeon and a very caring and wonderful doctor. He truly has the patient's best interest in mind and is very thorough in his practice. I like the structure of his program - the preop meetings, the postop meetings and everything in between! His staff is fabulous and very helpful. You would be hard pressed to find a surgeon of this caliber. Trust me - if you are wanting the surgery, he's the one to do it. Brooke

Hi Elizabeth! I am a patient of Dr. Bour's and I think he is great. My surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday. They have a great preop program. Some people think it is strict, but if you follow the program you will be sucessful. I personally need a strict program! The info seminar will answer a lot of your questions. I am a nurse and chose Dr. Bour, because I have only heard good things about him and his patients sucess. I think after you attend the meeting you will know if he is the surgeon for you. Let me know if I can answer any more questions for you. Melissa

I do! I do! I haven't gotten insurance approval for my surgery yet, but I'm already a member of the Dr. Bour fan club. His facility and staff are the very best for miles around, and he runs everything with a practiced and well-earned authority. He genuinely cares for his patients and wants us to be successes in our weight loss efforts. He and his staff make sure we know EVERYTHING we need to know to reach our goals. The support groups he offers us provide education AND peer support, both proven to be essential in WLS success. I can't say enough good things ... and I'm still a pre-op!!! Best of luck with your decision, Elizabeth! ~ Dawn