Chicago Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery Bariatric Center

I went through revision bariatric surgery laparoscopically by Dr. Frantzides. I was a lap band patient initially and got a gastric bypass surgery done. My lap band surgery was performed by another surgeon and was a failur; I lost only few pounds from the surgery along with unnecessary health complications. I found Dr. Frantzides to be an expert in revision surgeries and he indeed turned out to be a wonderful doctor, professionally and personally. He performed my gastric bypass laproscopically along with a repair of hiatal hernia.

It's been a month since my surgery and I am satisfied with the results in terms of weight loss and my general health. Also, I observed that my incisions healed faster than during lap band.

I would definitely suggest this doctor to anyone who is planning to undergo a bariatric surgery.

I had given up traying to loose weigt and then I noticed that a lot of very overweight people at work were loosing large amounts of weight.I asked them what they had done and that's how I learned about gastric bypass. After doing some reaserch and noticing that some of those people looked better then others, I asked those with the most improvements who their doctor was. The answer was Dr. Frantzides. I then went on to reaserch Dr. Frantzides. I was pleased with what I read and proceeded to make an appointement for a consultation. On the first meeting with the doctor I felt very comfortable and confident that he was the best in his field. He educated me about the vegas nerve factor. For the patients whose vagus nerve was severed will never have the quality of life that I will have and enjoy the variety of food that I am able to enjoy. Now I knew why the other people were not as succesfull at loosing the weight as well as Dr. Frantzides's patients. I nam only 1 week out and already feel better, I can never thank him enough.

I am young man who was obese all my life, I had a few concerns before surgery and the doctor helped answer and relax all my concerns. I am now six months out and have lost almost 70 pounds, I dont have any regrets and would strongly recomend Dr. Frantzides to anyone considering this surgery.

If you are looking for a world class surgeon, you just found him. Dr. Frantzides has an ego, and a talent, the size of a large building. But, on the other hand, I'm assuming you don't want anyone messing around inside you who doesn't know whether to cut the green wire or the red one. He knows which end of the gun the bullets come out of, and he knows which wire to cut. I know because he's done it to me twice.rnrnThe first time I came to his office I was convinced I wanted the lapband procedure. Even though his recommendation was for the bypass, I prevailed and he did the lapband. The problem I encountered was that it presupposed that I was going to go home and do things I had never done before--watch my diet and my calories. Guess what, I didn't! I did eat less, but I continued to eat basically the same stuff that had created the problem to begin with, high calory, high fat foods--I'm a southerner. That explains that.rnrnThis summer, after I went back up to 303 pounds, my life had turned to dirt and I decided to have the other one done. The insurance agreed to pay for it only because I had developed a hernia and a world class case of Gurd, which was very nearly cancerous but, fortunately, was not. After the surgery I have now lost down to 250 pounds, my attitude toward food has changed dramatically, and I basically eat fish and chicken, no veggies yet because of gas issues. However, someday maybe.rnrnI can't recommend one over the other, but I can tell you that the lapband presupposed I would do something I had never done, watch my weight and my diet and my calories. Now, after having had both of them, I can only tell you that I wish I had done the bypass first. rnrnIf you decide to get it done, Dr. Frantzides is the guy to do it and St. Francis is the place to get it done (they are fabulous!). Good luck on your decision. This is my story.

Dr. Frantzides (at the risk of being blasmaphous) is my savior. What can you say about someone who has given you a new life? I had laproscopic RNY gastric bypass in December. It is 8 months later and the things that are no longer in my life are many: uncontrolled high blood pressure, constant back pain, shortness of breath, severe heel & foot pain, bad balance, shame, daily degradation -- I could go on & on. I have lost almost 100 lbs and with 4 months to go until my 1-year anniversary, I am knocking on the door of a size 10, down from plus 24. Every day, people I work with but haven't seen in a while, do a double-take when they see me. I'm 59 years old and I feel almost like a teenager again. Remember when you felt GOOD about your body and how you looked? I had forgotten what that felt like. rnrnDr. Frantzides is so, so, so wonderful. The surgery itself went great -- no complications at all. I was in the hospital for one night. I felt well enough to work from home within a week and by the end of the first month, I was back at work almost 25 lbs. lighter. I am so grateful to Dr. Frantzides and his staff. He and they have been wonderful to me. Open, honest, reassuring, supportive -- more than anyone could ask for. One of the many things I love about Dr. Frantzides is how genuinely happy he is in his patients' successes. He is all the things that you want in a surgeon -- careful, professional, incredibly skilled. I know two other people who had laproscopic RNY with other surgeons, and both of them had very difficult recoveries and continuing problems afterwards. Not me & I know it is due to the skill & caring of Dr. Frantzides. rnrnJeri in Dr. Franzides' office has also been wonderful to me. I am so grateful to Dr. Frantzides. He has given me back the life I can only barely remember. As those of you know who struggle with obesity, the prejudice is real and painful every day. I would urge anyone who is considering laproscopic RNY to go see Dr. Frantzides. My only regret is that I waited so long!

I have known other people who have had gastric bypass and did not have good results. I was very afraid but knew I had to do something because my life was so comprimised I no longer wanted to participate in any functions. I started my quest for the perfect surgeon. I traveled to illinois from another state in order to have the best. My family was also very afraid. I am now 3mo post op. I have no regrets I have no doubt that I made the best decision. I have lost 47lbs and I feel like a new person. My family is so very proud of me. I am filled with HOPE.I am so excited about what the future holds. If you are thinking about doing this surgery, do your homework don't be fearful about leaving your homestate.Today beacuse I now have a tool to help me control what I eat I know the surgery will not fail me. The staff has been very helpful whenever I call. I will be swimming with my granddaughter next summer. Thank you Dr. Frantzides for giving me my life back.

It has been three years since my gastric bypass surgery and I look and feel great! My decision to have this surgery is one I will never regret. Dr. Frantzides is an outstanding surgeon and I am grateful he is my doctor.

Dr. Frantzides seemed really sure of himself from the beginning--this is of the utmost importance in a surgeon because when they do the surgery you want them to have confidence! His sweet smile, sense of style, and demeanor also instilled confidence in me. From your first meeting with him, you know that this doctor takes great pride in himself and everything he does. I think the most important impression was that he seemed to care..I felt like he cared about me as a person. He had an investment in my future and saw beyond the fat, depressed person who first asked him to change a life.rnWhat can one say about a person who saves your life? There are no words that adequately express the gratitude I feel!rnJerry and Teresa are phenomenal. I have found a true friend in Jerry who had the surgery five years ago and gave me valuable advice. She has been my cheerleader and confidant.rnAs a result of the surgery--and I am only 10 days out--my blood sugar, pressure, and pulse rate are all normal. These vital signs were through the roof just ten days ago!!! However, more importantly, because of this surgery I discovered that I had a chronic liver condition where if left untreated would have resulted in my death in just a few years. I was not morbidly obese, but I was very, very ill and did not even know it. The surgery is known to reverse this condition and I am on the road to recovery!rnAftercare is critical; my primary physician would not let me go to anyone who did not have a rigorous aftercare program. Dr. Frantzides emphasizes the importance of aftercare from the first visit. rnDr. Frantzides spent a lot of time explaining the good and bad points to each surgery. Because of our frank discussion, I changed my mind about what course to follow and I am glad I made this decision.rnSurgical competence is more important than bedside manner, but if you go to Dr. Frantzides you get both and much, much, rnmore!

Dr. Frantzides performed a revision from Vertical banded gastroplasty on me in September, 2006. He removed all the adhesions I had in my abdomen from multiple previous surgeries. rnrnHe is very thorough explaining the various surgeries available, and his advice is very valuable. Dr. Franzides constantly emphasizes follow up and using the tools the surgery has given. Due to my age and previous surgery, my case is considered challenging. Yet, I flew through it without any problems. I was walking the day after surgery, and I believe I would have earned a very strong reprimand had I tried to stay in bed. But Dr. F is such a force of nature cajoling, imploring, recommending encouraging that I would have felt I had personally disappointed him had I not gotten out there and walked the halls.rnrnAs time went on, the force of Dr. F's personality is always with me. I am so proud of the progress I have made. rnrnI am now down 85# from my second surgery and 185# from my first. rnrnI have a whole new life. Besides my pre-surgical activities of art, reading and work -- I now have added scuba diving, horseback riding and volunteering at a horse-therapy program, volunteering at a kids camp for two weeks, kayaking and hiking; gardening and book clubs. Does anyone else you know do all this at age 60?rnrnThank you, Dr. Frantzides for 'body by Frantzides'!rnrnkat york

All of my life I had a weight problem. I was hopeful back when I underwent gastric bypass back in 2004 and lost over 100 lbs. Slowly the weight piled back on, I felt like a failure. I was again feeling tired all the time and helpless. I started to research revisions on Obestiy Help and found Dr. Frantzides name and read all of his reviews. I called a few other surgeons and heard the same story insurance would not pay and that many doctors would not want to deal with a complicated case such as mine. When I called Dr. Frantzides office they answered my questions I finally started to feel like maybe there is hope for me. I met Dr.Frantzides and staff in late May and felt so comfortable with him he spent the time explaining the procedure to me and what I could hope for. rnrnI'm here to tell you THERE IS HOPE FOR YOU! I underwent a revison on June 23, 2009 laparoscopically. I made it through surgery with flying colors and lost 10 lbs in my first week. My first follow up I was shown pictures of my previous pouch compared to my new pouch (I must say even though I'm not a Dr. I could tell he had alot of work to do to revise my pouch to golf ball size.)rnrnI'm confident that I'm back on track to a healthy life style and I'm looking forward to spending many years with my family and friends !rnrnI will post further updates if you would like to know more about my experience please feel free to contact me! rn