Atlanta Bariatrics Bariatric Center

I worked with Dr. Hart at Emory before he left to open his own clinic. After deciding to have the surgery, I went to him instead of going to the surgeons at Emory because I felt he was better surgeon. He is a kind, compassionate man who is willing to answer any and all questions.

All of his office staff really go out of their way to make you feel comfortable throughout the process.

I do wish he had a better aftercare program, maybe with a nutrionist.

At age 29, 5'7", 294 lbs, BMI of 46 I am used to doctors' asking me questions like "You know you're fat, right?"... No lie. 2 years ago, a past PCP actually asked me that question the first time I ever saw her.

On the other end of the spectrum:
Dr. Hart is such a caring, comprehensive and thorough man. He wants to know everything! From the smallest detail to the largest. I had forgotten to mention my severely swelling/swollen ankles that were looking fairly good that day, but he stopped me at the end of the exam and made note of them.... Who knew a doctor would notice something like that especially since I was wearing a very long skirt that day!

The staff, especially Tonya & Lisa, are so very helpful and friendly. They have a job to do but are also know that they're "working" for you.

Liked Least: Dr. Hart is almost shy and with my upfront, go for it type of personality it took a few minutes to realize that it's not that he's not wanting to joke - which he did later on in the exam - but he's just shy.

Dr. Hart requires that all patients buy a copy of "A Complete Guide to Obesity Surgery" to use before and after. After finishing it this weekend, I would want to buy it whether or not he required it. SO much information and questions answered that I hadn't even thought of yet! Go to: www.obesitysurgerybook.com - With shipping $26.00 and it arrived in 3 days.

Dr. Hart's office has a schedule for before/after care appointments that each patient must follow to make sure that there are no complications that need to be addressed.

Dr. Hart reviewed with myself and my husband the possible complications and the worst of all complications (death) that can happen with any type of surgery. I have been so lucky to have joined a terrific once a month support group here in Atlanta - W.I.N.G.S. Around Atlanta. And my dear friend Beth M. is the Moderator and co-founder of the group. So she has been educating & directing me towards paperwork before my first appointment with Dr. Hart.

I arrived at my first appointment with Dr. Hart with the following completed:

DIET HISTORY w/BEFORE & AFTER WEIGHT
Psychologist Visit w/Dr. Santivicca (Referred to by Dr. Hart's Office - TERRIFIC PSYCHOLOGIST!) who then faxed in his okay for me to proceed as a WLS Patient
Letter of Referral from my PCP
Letter of Refferal from a past Psychologist
Letter from me to my Insurance Company explaining my co-morbidities and reasons for WLS and a Family History reflecting Obesity history.

Having a patient advocate who knows what to do and what not to do helped tremendously in compiling the above information. Dr. Hart did say that a lot of patients try this but they do not know exactly what to do or ask for so they make more work for themselves.

10/17 thru 10/20 Dr. Hart had me keep a food journal detailing each and every item that I consumed those three days, the time I ate and the amount (grams, ounces, lbs, etc). Whew! I feel so exposed.....I'm having eating guilt.

On 10/25/02 I am scheduled, thru Dr. Hart's office, to have the following tests:
ECG - Echo Cardio Gram
Dobutamine Echo - Stress Test
Arterial Blood Gases

When his office receives those results then they will send in all of my paperwork to Guardian and then I get to wait! Cross my fingers.... I wish you all everything!

He was very interested in me. He took a lot of time talking to me, my niece and my sister. He wanted to know what I knew about the surgery so make sure you go with a basic understanding of the surgery and the post-op. He seems to be very interested in helping me to understand everything that is involved in the process from insurance problems to a life change in eating and exercise habits. He has encouraged me to lose as much weight as possible and exercise as much as possible before the surgery so that I will be in better shape and recover quicker. I am so ready. He is a great person. His office staff is great. Lisa scheduled all the appointments I would need and set me up to come back for second visit.
Second visit was also good. Here we scheduled some more tests so that we were sure I was able to survive the surgery. We discussed the possibility of open because of my hysterectomy scars. Encouraged me to lose as much weight as possible and to exercise as much as possible to get into better shape for the surgery. Worked with Lisa again to schedule appointments and tests for surgery.
In just a little over a week after the last test, insurance approval was given. I have my third appointment with Dr. Hart on October 21st to sign consent forms.

Dr. Hart has a wonderful bedside manner. He is very supportive of our local support group WINGS. He has made visits to our meetings to explain the procedure to us and he is helping us with out holiday party. He is a great guy!!

Dr. Hart is incredibly professional and knowledgeable with an excellent reputation concerning this surgery. I have been nothing less than pleased with the care I received before and after surgery. The office staff has been fabulous. They handled everything with the insurance company, made all of my pre-surgery appointments, and alwasys responded to calls or e-mails in a timely manner. There is no structured after care program but he is readily availabl for any questions. Dr. Hart is an excellent surgeon with great bedside manner and a very caring attitude.

06/21/02 After talking with a friend at a support group meeting I decided to call Dr. Duncan's office and get some information. They mailed me a package on that same day and I received it the very next day. This is a very good thing. I've some paperwork to fill out while I finish my insurance and etc.

9/2/02 My appt went well. I met with Dr. Speights and Dr. Johnson for the information session and then Dr. Speights did the exam and talked like all would be a go from here (of course insurance still needs to be approved). I would have like to have met with the surgeon himself but I know that his staff is accustomed to sharing this part of the process and handles it very well.

9/9/02 I met with Dr. Hart today and I really liked being able to talk with him right away. Lisa will work on the precerts and Dr. Hart will look over my other tests that have been done and I may need to update my bloodwork. But I've decided on my surgeon and I'm on my way!!

Basically, I started out w/Dr. Titus Duncan and was approved with him on 7/15/02. His office was too busy to call me and set a surgery date so after a month of waiting, I changed doctors to Dr. Christopher Hart in Suwanee, Georgia. BCBS transferred the approval to him with no problem.

Very professional, informative and direct.His office staff Lisa and the nurse are wonderful, friendly professional and make you feel well taken care of. Have not gone through surgery yet so alot of these questions are pending.

Had my last office visit prior to surgery. Dr. Hart was very ethusiastic bout the 10 lb I had dropped since my last visit with him. He had asked me to drop 44lbs. This would have given him a comfortable edge to doing this surgery lapriscopic...I only dropped 14lbs so we are not sure if this will be an open surgery or lapriscopic. We won't know until we get in surgery. Still yet, it was
a very positve upbeat visit. Finalized all the paper work, picked up the hospital packet with instructions on admissons and did a call in registration for the surgery center. I am all set. It has been all very systematic ....7 days to go :)

He was very nice. Took a lot of time with me on each visit and explained everything thoroughly. He recommended this website to me. He, of course stressed the risks of surgery as well as my chances of open or laparoscopic surgery. He gave no guarantees I would have lap, but that is what in fact he did.

His Staff has always been prompt and helpful by phone or email or in person. I checked all his credentials before selecting him as a surgeon. He not only came highly recommended by my local surgeon, but his qualifications and certification was impeccable. He requires extensive testing prior to surgery.
His office took care of the insurance approval, which came through with no problems. That insurance company was Mail Handlers through the federal govt.
Since I live four and a half hours away from his office, he has been considerate and compressed multiple office visits into two prior to surgery.
I think he is a very competent surgeon and has a calming bedside manner. I think both are important. I would rate hime a 9 or 10.

Dr. Hart is the best. I had met with two other doctors and was immediately taken with him and his staff. His office manager Lisa is the best, and she knows what it takes to get you approved. Dr. Hart takes his time to explain the surgery in detail and will sit with you and answer any and every question that you may have. My first impression of him was "gee he looks so young". But his credentials speak for themself. I would recommend Dr. Hart to anyone thinking about having this surgery. He has the right last name, because he has a big "hart" and cares about his patients..