California Bariatric and General Surgery Associates Bariatric Center

MY FIRST IMPRESSION OF DR LAMAR WAS THAT HE APPEARED TO BE VERY COMPETENT AND ADDRESSED QUESTIONS WITH CANDIDNESS. HE SEEMED VERY THOROUGH. MY IMPRESSION REMAINED THE SAME WHEN I WENT TO SEE HIM FOR MY SURGERY CONSULTAION. HE IS A 'GET DOWN TO BUSINESS' KIND OF DOCTOR, AND NOT MUCH TIME WAS WASTED WITH CHIT CHAT. THAT IS GOOD FOR ME AS I AM A "CUT TO THE CHASE" KIND OF PERSON.
I WOULD DESCRIBE HIS OFFICE STAFF AS PLEASANT. MY FIRST INTERACTION WITH HEIDI WAS POSITIVE AND SHE WAS VERY HELPFUL. SHE IS VERY QUICK AND ABLE TO MOVE THINGS AND SET THEM UP QUICKLY. SHE IS ALSO THOROUGH.
FUTURE PATIENTS SHOULD KNOW THAT HE IS NOT SOMEONE THAT IS GOING TO SIT AND CHIT CHAT WITH YOU, HE IS PLEASANT AND COMPETANT AND DOES HIS JOB WELL. DR LAMAR WAS VERY CLEAR THAT FOLLOWING THE DIET PLAN AND EXERCISING AS WELL AS RECEIVING SUPPORT WAS IMPORTANT FOR SUCCESS IN WLS. HE STATED THAT THE DIET PLAN SHOULD BECOME A 'BIBLE' TO BE ADHERED TO STRICTLY. I HAD NO DOUBT AS TO WHAT MY EXPECTATIONS WERE RE: AFTERCARE. I FELT VERY WELL PREPARED. THE RISKS OF SURGERY WERE COVERED IN THE SYMPOSIUM WHICH ALSO SERVED AS AN INFORMED CONSENT AS TO THE POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS. I PAID CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE PRESENTATION AND WAS GIVEN READING MATERIAL TO REVIEW ON MY OWN.
I WOULD RATE HIM AN EXCELLENT SURGEON. I AM NOW 3 DAYS POST OP AND HOPE THAT EVERYTHING GOES SMOOOTHLY. I AM JUST IN THE BEGINNING STAGES OF RECOVERY AND GETTING USED TO MY NEW REGIMEN.

My first impression of Dr. LaMar was "he's so quite" which was at a CSS symposium in April 2004. I recall listening to Dr. Martin do all the talking which at first was why I wanted Dr. Martin as my surgeon. I'm glad Dr. LaMar was my surgeon. He has been nothing but professional and down to earth when it came to discussing any issues or concerns I had both pre-op and post-op. At this time, I can honestly say I have nothing negative to say about him. He has done a remarkable job in explaining the aftercare program which is ultimately up to me (and
future patients of the RNY procedure) to
make sure I follow instructions of the aftercare and have a lot of structure.

He couldn't stress enough the importance of being in constant contact with a nutritionist and taking my daily supply of vitamins and protein supplement. For me, surgical competence is more important than bedside manner. I look to the nurses, family and friends for the bedsie manner part. I want a surgeon who knows what he is doing and is good as what he does. Dr. LaMar's nurse, Pat, is awesome and very, very thorough as well. The office staff at first seemed a bit rude, but as time went on, I realized it wasen't rudeness at all but rather over-whelmed at times with all the peopel calling in and trying to make appointments. Overall, the office staff is great and I for one have realized it's not easy dealing with the public!

My first impression of Dr. La Mar was "Wow, he's tall!". I'm sure that I am not the first person to write this!!! He didn't seem to have much personality. At first I thought he was very arrogant. Then it dawned on me that he isn't arrogant, he is very intelligent. Anyway, Dr. La Mar is very thourough. He is very pushy about the way things are done (according to my PCP's office). He wants to be sure that every thing is okay before doing the surgery which was fine by me! The office staff (Heidi) is very sweet and always willing to help with anything she can. There really isn't anything negative I can say about the Doctor or staff. Right after I got home from the hospital, I had additional questions and it was after office hours. I called the exchange and they got Dr. La Mar on the phone and he was kind enough to answer all of my questions. It was really nice for him to come visit me after surgery to see if I was okay. I would have to say that this was an easy process because of Comprehensive Surgical Specialists. Dr. La Mar is a very intelligent man with a nice bed side manner.

I thought Dr Lamar was very personable. He is also no-nonsense and thoroughly explained all aspects of the journey I was about to embark on.He let me know of the risk factor, explained the aftercare. Emphasized the support group. His office staff I would rate as ok. They are very busy and business like, and therefore kind of lukewarm with the patients. Personally... I could use a tad more warmth, but that's just me. Overall I would rate them pretty high though. They seem to be very competent,and informed.

Dr. LaMar came highly recommended from two people I knew. When I met him I thought he was very soft-spoken, competent, and caring. I continue to hold that impression of him. His staff is exellent! Pat is the one I have had the most contact with. She is the nurse who weighs people in, takes vitals and all that.(ok, I know they aren't nurses in the office anymore, but I still call them that...not sure what her title is...) I had several post-op concerns and questions, and Pat was always willing to take the time to answer them, and to provide support and encouragement without making me feel like I was bothering her. Heidi was another office worker who impressed me. She is the one who coordinates pre-op tests and surgery dates, etc...She is friendly and efficient, and I don't know whether it was just her or their schedule or what, but my surgery was less than 3 weeks after my initial visit!!

Dr. LaMar was very thorough, before surgery, to address every aspect of the risks involved. I was very nervous and frightened about complications and the risks I faced. Dr. LaMar was honest about the risks involved, and I appreciated that. He also stressed the importance of going to the support groups and the nutrition group.
I would recommend Dr. LaMar and his staff to anyone considering this surgery! In fact, I believe any of the doctors in his office would be equally qualified. I was voicing a concern about something to Pat one day as I was on my way out, and one of the doctors, I think it was Dr. Phersson (sp?) heard me and stopped to talk to me about it. (I had gone in just to weigh; Dr LaMar wasn't in that day)I was amazed because most Dr.s hardly give you enough time when you are in the office, let alone stopping to chat in the hall! Speaking of that, I never once felt rushed by Dr. LaMar or like I was taking up his time—and I appreciate that very much!!!

As far as the surgical competence/bedside manner is concerned, I have to say that while surgical competence has to be topmost in importance with any kind of surgeon, when it comes to this particular surgery and the sensitive issues connected, bedside manner HAS to be up there as well! Truth be told, if I wasn't comfortable with a doctors attitude I wouldn't hesitate to find another!!

These are all my own personal opinions, of course. The only thing I can think of in a negative sense isn't negative at all, really, It has to do with bedside manner. If someone prefers a more lively personality then Dr. LaMar may not be your man. He is very soft-spoken. But I prefer that in a doctor to someone I think may be overly full of him or her self!!!

VERY NICE, VERY PERSONABLE, EXPLAINED EVERYTHING IN DETAIL USING DIAGRAM. ASKED ME QUESTIONS. ANSWERED ALL MY QUESTIONS.. ASLO CUTE..AND TALL.

STAFF VERY EFFICIENT, AND KIND.

THERE WAS NOTHING THAT I DID NOT LIKE ABOUT HIM.

EVERYTHING I SAID ABOVE. DON'T BE SHY ASK QUESTIONS. HE WILL ANSWER THEM.

THE AFTERCARE WAS A LITTLE TOUGH FOR ME FOR ABOUT A MONTH OR TWO. BUT I SURVIVED.

HE ASKS YOU TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS AND EVERYTHING SHOULD BE FINE. I AGREE.

WENT THROUGH THE WHOLE LIST. EVEN THE POSSIBILITY OF DEATH. VERY THROUGH.

THE HIGHEST RATING 10.

ALL OF THE ABOVE.

My first impression was Dr. LaMar was ver tall.
His office Staff was very nice and friendly.
He seemed very knowldgeable. He addressed all the risk, making me feel much safer.

I must say I am very pleased with Dr. LaMar! He has been the utmost professional, and the care I have received from his office has been excellent. At first, I was a bit intimidated, as he is very serious about this surgery, (with reason!) Our first meeting was 'all business;' I tend to joke a lot, but he made it very clear this was not a joking matter. I am so grateful for his thoroughness, and the aftercare I have received has really made all the difference. His office called several times during the first few days to make sure I was doing ok, and everytime I reached a new 'diet' change (i.e. liquid to pureed, pureed to soft foods, etc) they were right there with a letter to congratulate me, and remind me where I should be. I have heard from other GP patients whose doctors don't even do a quarter of what Dr. LaMar does, from the inital 'information symposium', to your consultation, to the surgery, and finally the aftercare. I highly recommend him!

I first met Dr. La Mar a few months ago at the CSS Symposium, as well as Dr Pehrsson and Dr. Martin. All of the doctors in this group are fantastic. They truley care about their patients and are very supportive. The office staff is great as well.

Their post-op program is very detailed and structured. They tell you what to expect, and give you a complete game plan for the first several months of your recovery. If do what the tell you to do, I don't know how a person could not be successful.

Before going to the symposium and considering Dr. La Mar and CSS, I did my homework. I looked at centers all over southern California. I am fortunate that the medical group I consider the best (I know, everyone says that about their own Doctor) is right where I live. I have met numerous people who have driven 50 to over 100 miles to have their operations with Doctors La Mar, Pehrsson, and Martin after their own exhaustive research, and am glad I chose the same medical group.

One of the things that impressed me most post-op, was when I moved into my third phase of recovery, the day before I received a letter from Heidi in Dr. La Mar's office reminding of the change, and what phase 3 entailed.

Overall, great doctors, great support, and they tell you what to expect with realistic expectations. They don't surgarcoat anything so you know exactly what to expect. If you do better than the goals they give you, that's icing on the cake!

Dr. LaMar was patient and answered all of our questions and addressed concerns we had. Office staff is pleasant but competent. He was clear on the risks and had a goal for me to shoot for as far as weight loss. He stressed the post op diet. People who follow it tend to reach their goals, people who don't follow it are not as successful. I'm not sure what his bedside manner is like. I want a competent, confident doc that will give it to me straight. I feel I made a good choice and he will do a good job.