Question:
Has anyone had Dr. Balfour in Hawaii?

Has anyone had their surgery performed by Dr. Balfour in Hawaii? Is it normal to have to be on a waiting list just for the initial consultation? Any info will be appreciated. Thanks,Karen    — Kalena B. (posted on October 10, 2003)

October 10, 2003
Hi, I live on Oahu and work at Queen's Medical Center...... I decided to choose Dr. Lapschies since I know his reputation as a surgeon from being employed at the hospital. Both doctors do have a waiting list.... I think I waited about a month at Dr. L for the initial consultation. I had my surgery in May and everything went smoothly. You might want to inquire at Queen's as they have a new Weight Loss Surgery program starting later this year with a physician that is coming here from Chicago (Northwestern). Good luck!
   — Ted D.

October 10, 2003
Dr. Balfour performed my surgery on 6/13/02 and I have now lost 70 pounds. I really liked Dr. Balfour and his office, in addition he supposedly has a support group put together now for all new patients. From what I understand he has a pretty long waiting list now. When I started the process back in 2002 I had to wait almost 3 months for the initial consultation, 6 months for the surgery date and then about 2 months between scheduling surgery and the surgery date. What was important to me is Dr. Balfour's reputation as a surgeon. My whole family is involved in healthcare on the island and did a lot of research on surgeons. He not only does normal surgeries but 2 WLS a week. One headsup though, Dr. Balfour usually only does the open RNY. He has done all the surgeries but feels that the open is the safest and has the smallest number of side effects. Hope this information helps.
   — Cindy M.

October 10, 2003
Thanks for your answers. I will look into your suggestions and just try to be patient. Thanks for the heads-up, Cindi! Karen
   — Kalena B.

October 12, 2003
hi! I was so excited to see Ted's post ... he was talking about Dr. Kenric Murayama who is from Northwestern Hospital here in Chicago and left to go back to Hawaii. Dr. Murayama was the best!! He was the head of laproscopic surgery at Northwestern ... if only I could do my follow-ups with him in Hawaii!!!! I highly recommend Dr. Murayama ... it was my confidence in him that kept me on track to have surgery (despite falling through the cracks in Northwestern's Wellness Institute ... the "program" you have to go through to have surgery there). I was one of his last patients here in Chicago. Good luck to you! LAP RNY 06/18/03 -68
   — Karyn B