Surgery with Dr. Patel in SA?

Hello Surgical WeightLoss Texans!  
Has anyone worked with Dr. Patel from Texas Bariatrics?  Any advice/ words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.  I am going back and forth between Lap Band and Gastric (only two my insurance covers).

Thanks in Advance for your help, 
Catherine :-) 

Hi Catherine! 
I've only attended a seminar at his office, and I wasn't real pleased with the whole process.  I don't know if you've ever gone to a WLS seminar before, but I've been to several over the course of several years.  ALL of the seminars I've attended previously were given by the Dr/surgeon who performs the surgery.  Dr. Patel did not give the seminar, the office Dietician conducted the seminar.  That right there was a big turn off for me. 
Dr. Patel strolled into the office about 15-20 minutes AFTER the seminar began, was on his cell phone the entire time, and went directly into a back office.  He didn't even acknowledge the audience.  The only way you even get to MEET Dr. Patel is by ponying up the money for a consultation first. 
Needless to say, I've chosen a different bariatric group to take my business to.  They come highly recommended, are a Center for Excellence, and have lots of positive reviews.  THEY personally conduct their seminars, and are on hand to answer any and all questions.
Sorry so long, but I hope it helps.

Good luck on your journey,
Edie

A support group is starting up and will be meeting this Saturday at the Ikea in Round Rock at 9:30 - 10:30 you can come and meet some of the people in our area that have had Weight loss surgery and can offer some help or answer some questions you may have. There are several good surgeons in the Austin Area but it depends on your insurance. At the time I was looking for a surgeon either the surgeon or the facility that the surgery is performed did not take my insurance and so I searched out a surgeon associated with a facility that would work with me and my insurance. My surgeon was Dr. Fath in Seguin but he has moved his practice to Lubbuck area, but the facility was Innova hospital in San Antonio the are several surgeon associated with the facility that you may want to explore.   

I see you have TEACH in your name. I am a teacher as well. I would not go to Dr. Patel if you have any of the TRS active care insurances. He is not affiliated with a hospital that is considered a Blue Distinction Center and therefore BCBS will not approve your surgery. I was not told this by his office until I fulfilled all of my insurance requirments and was ready for surgery. This was despite having given them my insurance information the day I went to the free seminar. I am now having to depend on his office to refer me to a surgeon in Houston who can do the surgery.

I also met with him. He did come in late and was on his cell phone the entire time texting. Maybe he was tending to to patients.Anyway,Dr.Bell was with him and he was great.I have not decided on a dr yet so I don't know about any negative issues regarding insurance.