Gathering info stage...

Hello to all!  I am in the gathering stages of my lap band quest.  Although, my family doctor suggested it...it seems it going to be up to me to gather everything for the insurance company etc.  I have a psych evaluation next week.  I am still trying to pen down a dietian.  But that is a whole other story. 

What I am looking for is patients of Dr. Eliseo Bautista.  I just would like a patients point of view...good or bad...it doesn't matter.  I am located half way between Richmond and Raleigh...so I could go either way.  Just would like opinion, advice, etc. 

Thanks for you time.

Pamela

Hi Pamela! I am a patient of Dr. Bautista's, and quite honestly, I'd never let another surgeon touch me but him if I can help it. I had surgery with him for an unrelated issue about three years prior to my WLS, and was impressed with him at that time. I trust him with my life. He also operated on me for a complication I had at about a year postop. He is the type of doctor who is a straight-shooter. I always tell people, if you are looking for a doctor who is touchy-feely, doesn't give both positive and negative feedback and is sunshine and rainbows all the time, he's not the one; but he's very interested in making sure that patients are aware of what is expected of them after surgery and is very straight-forward with no sugar-coating. He is very much of the mindset that he is merely giving us a tool and it is up to us to make it work. He makes it clear that he is only fixing our digestive system and not our heads, so it is up to us to make the tool work for us. What I love most about him is that he celebrates every little milestone and truly wants to hear of the wow moments we all experience along the way while giving good feedback on how we are managing our new lifestyle. His office gives tons of support in that regard. They have a bariatric coordinator named Hilarie who does all of the insurance stuff for you...she makes it so easy to navigate what can be a difficult path through the insurance. They also have nutritionists/nurse practitioners to assist with those aspects as well, and they guide you through the preop requirements every step of the way. The hospital at which they perform most of their procedures (St. Mary's in Richmond) is a Center of Excellence, so they are required to provide top-notch care. And provide it they did...I was so impressed by the way I was cared for.

ETA: Dr. Bautista does perform lap band. He does RNYs laparoscopically, unless there is an indication to perform it open. I was very opposed to having an open surgery, so that was very attractive to me when choosing a surgeon. As Tam indicated, his partner Dr. Hutcher, who is one of the pioneering surgeons for RNY, only performs RNYs open and also adds the silastic band during most of his procedures.

If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me. You truly would not go wrong by choosing him as your surgeon, IMHO.

Hello and Welcome!  I am not a patient of Dr. Bautista, but of his Senior Partner, Dr. Neil Hutcher and I would not want another surgeon.  he does not do the lap band, but open RNY's only for weight loss.  I have had the pleasure of seeing Dr. B several times when he checked up on me post op and then when I went to the er with 2 strictures and kidney stones.  He is wonderful and I recommend him highly...unless you are going with RNY.  Then he is my second choice after Dr. Hutcher!

Tammy

WELCOME Pamela! I'm a patient within Commonwealth Surgeons and wouldn't go any place else. I hope that in what ever decision you make its the best one for you and you are successful. Please keep us posted on your journey.

All best!

Thank you for the warm welcome.  I am more familar with the Richmond area and my family is from around that area so I have a feeling that is where I will go but I just wanted to weigh my options before I made a final decsion.  I truly appriciate all of you insights...I will take them into consideration.

Pamela