Chicago Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery Bariatric Center

Very positive.rnOnly got better.rnHelpful and professional.rnNothing, he has done an excellent job.rnI cannot imagine a better surgeon.rnVery much so.rnYes.rnYes.rnExcellent.rnBoth are great.rnHe is very busy, and not always on time, but I understand that. While I have no other point of reference, I had an overall positive experience which I attribute to this doctor and his staff. I would highly recommend him to anyone considering this type of surgery.

Dr. Frantzides' obvious expertise was very much appreciated and his excellent staff were helpful at every turn with any questions and responded promptly at all times with a smile on their face. I was referred to Dr. Frantzides by my bariatric specialist Dr. Shadrach Smith of Kansas City, Missouri and I flew to Chicago because of his recommendation that Dr. Frantzides was the best. Post op, I feel great! I would rate my experience with Dr. Frantzides at the to of the scale! I have children who are RNs and work in various other aspects of medicine. So my experience and my knowledge of how doctors and their staffs work is probably better than most people. Again, thank you Dr. Frantzides and staff!

Dr. Frantzides was great. I had an outstanding surgery. He was really friendly and very informative when I first came in. The staff was really helpful and supportive. He explained everything to me before the surgery and everything went that way. THere were no surprises. I'm one week post op and I feel good. I would definitely recommend friends to him. My experience was really great. I was only in the hospital for two days. In nine days I've lost 14 pounds.

I liked Dr. Frantzides right away. The office really helped with the insurance approval. I liked all of the precautions that were taken before surgery--all the tests you had to go through so that the surgery would go smoothly. I was completely terrified the day of surgery and my husband was just as bad, but Dr. Frantzides made me feel better. He spoke to both of us before surgery and calmed our nerves. Everything turned out fine. That night I was up and started walking. Post-op, all of my questions were answered right away. Now, I feel pretty good. Sometimes I'm tired, but I need to eat more protein. Overall, I feel really good about my experience. It was hard the first week when I got home, but it got better from that point on. I was 308 when I started and I'm now 276 after 5 weeks!

Dr. Frantzides is a fine surgeon. My first experience that let me know that he was dedicated to his patients was when his previous nurse sought to cancel my surgery because I live with depression and she thought that I was mentally incapable of having surgery, without knowing that Dr. F had lined up mental health care for me following the surgery. Because of the nurse's actions, Dr. F was forced to go to the head of psychiatry and plead my case. I'm fortunate that it worked and that I have a doctor that took the time to do that for me. He had confidence that I was capable of handling it throughout the whole process and never placed any doubt on me. Today I am doing better than ever. I went from 240 pounds to 164 pounds and I'm feeling great. I am greatful to Dr. Frantzides that he stuck by me. Both he and his fellows stuck by me and called me throughtout the whole process. His team was and still is very supportive.

11/2/06...Im 1 1/2yrs out of surgery and my experience with Dr. Frantzides has been awesome!...Ive never felt this great about me in yrs...I came into this not sure of my outcome but as I see it, Ive made the best desicion that has probabley extended my life..They're are no words to describe how the staff is here..Ive been treated with upmost respect and support...I would recommend Dr.Frantzides to anyone that wants to change their life forever!...I had laparoscopic gastric and thats the way to go!..I have many friends that have Dr.Frantzides as there gastric doc and they are all so pleased with their outcome aswell...aftercare is remarkable..its not like you get something done and never hear from the dr. office or have follow ups..they call and have you do your followup visits consistantly...I was informed of my risks however I knew I was doing a valuable cause to my health and wellbeing..Ive never felt this good about me...I rate this Dr and his office staff 100% +....again no words or rewards can factor the greatness this has on someone that 1 1/2 yrs ago was going into plus stores still unhappy because somethings that were 22/24 still were tight....im a size 12/14 and love life!....God Bless to those who do the surgery....Your life will never be the same!....Linda Papandrea 11/2/06

When I first came in to see Dr. Frantzides I was a little nervous because I didn't know much about the surgery. I researched it through Suburban Woman magazine and after reading that I thought it would be in my best interest to meet with him. After meeting with him, it was the best decision for me to make. I'm 18 years old and I weighed 456 pounds before the surgery and my surgery was October 16. I'm currently 420 pounds. I thought the surgery would be a lot more nervewracking than it was, but Dr. Frantzides told me everything I could expect beforehand and it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Three hours after surgery I was up and walking around! Now I feel better than I did going into the surgery and it's only been a week. Dr. F and his team are great. They communicate very well and every question that my mom and I had was answered right away. I would recommend Dr. F to anyone looking for the surgery.

Dr. Frantzides is very friendly and obviously loves his job, his staff and his patients [from first impression]. I haven't had a chance to observe him over time yet. He talks fast, thinks fast and it can be a challenge to keep up with him -- but it is worth the effort. Dr. f is one of the most conscientious physicians I have run into -- he leaves no stone unturned prior to surgery. Dr. F's staff are wonderful. Every one of them [including his resident MD surgeon--Dr. Jones, who is wonderfully compassionate, and takes the time to hear me out] have been cheerful, friendly and helpful. I had to take some papers to the hospital, and a staff member ran down to the front door to meet me so I wouldn't need to park the car and run out in the rain! They have been extremely helpful and patient with my repeated phone calls, many question. The person I need to speak to is always clear about questions whether its insurance, the pre-surgical prep or whatever. They are extremely knowledgable and helpful. rnWhat do I l like least? I suppose it is that Dr. F is so focused on the surgery that I suspect he disregards everything else. I would like him to slow down a little -- I take more time to react to things than I 've been given. I have been given more information about aftercare than I could believe as well as websites for further information... Risks haven't been addressed that much yet -- but I suspect that is the next step and I might need to update later on that aspect. From his statistics given, I expect he will do an excellent job and I feel the numbers support my good feelings about him. I think that both surgical competence and great bedside manner are needed necessary especially for this kind of surgery. Any person undergoing this surgery because they are fat has been emotionally abused by others and, worse by themselves, and needs a warm supportive environment to heal wounded ego which will improve healing and ability to follow a difficult protocol after surgery.rnrnJust an addendum today Dr. F addressed the risks in detail. Also he has a great sense of humor! rnrnrnrn10/5/06rn10 days after surgery and it was a doozy -- I had a revison from a VBG to RNY, so many adhesions and so much scar tissue, plus all my organs were pulled to one side that the surgery took 6 hours. Dr F was unbelieveably tired the next day!!!! Nonetheless, i was out of the hospital the third day after surgery and not feeling bad -- not nearly as bad as after any of the other major surgeries thanks to Dr Frantzides expertise and his exceptionally knowledgeable and careful approach to this surgery. He covered every base. And some bases I think no one else has ever seen. rnrnSo today I drove 1 1/2 hours without pain medication to Dr F office!!! And I'm tired but not feeling bad. I don't believe there is any other surgeon anywhere who would have the guts to do this job -- orany I would trust to be successful. I also have to repeat Dr Jones, Dr F Fellow and Lesley, his Physicians assistants are all wonderful. When aperwson chooses Dr Frantzides for a surgeon, you join a family. And it's a functional family!

My first impression of my surgeon was that he is very undderstanding. I had gone to sereral other doctors and none of them would do surgery on me because of my BMI 88 and my weight of 510. Dr. Frantzides was the only doctor that did not even question my size. He did my surgery laparoscopic. It has now been 3mo and I have lost 100 lbs. I feel great. My recovery has been un-eventful. Dr. Frantzides staff are only a phone call away and have been very helpful.I am so happy for every last one of them they have made my life a whole lot better. Dr. Frantzides is a lifesaver.

My first impressioon of my surgeon was he is very understandable for the fact I have wnet to alot of surgeons and they all said the same thing I was to big to have it done but not him he was like yes I can do it for you with no promblem and the people he work with show me love the whole time talking to me about what I need to do what I shoukd do it and I really can say that their all good people who put you first on their list it is not about them its about you and they show you that and I am so happy for each and ever last one of them they all made my life a whole lot better.And I want to say thank you too all who made it possible for me because without them I really don't know what I would be doing still trying to find a good doctor but I have found a great one.