Chicago Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery Bariatric Center

Before I start let me apologize for my spelling. Einstein was a terible speller and couldn't tie his shoe laces, so I've heard.

My first impression of Dr. Frantzides and his staff was wonderful. He was everything I expected and more. I felt welcomed and wanted at the office. The entire staff was very kind and nurturing.

My only child went with me and was very aggressive in his questioning of the doctor and his staff. They were not offended and aswered every question to our satisfaction.

I left the office with no fear or hesitation in this very long and thoughtout process. The staff emphasized the seriousness of this procedure and the after care. The sent out a big packet of material several weeks prior to my first visit. I had about 20 questions and they answered them all plus answered an addtional 10 - 12 before I had a chance to mention them.



8/12/05 Update: I'm almost 8 months post-op and feel wonderful. I get complimented every where I go and at work alot. The terrible back and knee pain I had pre-op is barely there most days and I can medicate with OTC pain reliever, BeN-Gay or just a heating pad. I can walk with the best of them and have vacationed several times (in the summer no less) since the surgery. My family often comments on my energry level. At work I'm more confident and self assured. In the past I thought I was but now I know I really am. I truly feel born again and thank God every day for bringing me to this procedure and my surgeon. He and his staff are the best. The after care and access to the office and staff is awesome. The group meetings play a large role in my maitenance and on-going sucess. I learn something new at every meeting. Karen Thomas is a walking body of knowledge and expertise.

Don't settle for a procedure or a surgeon if you have concerns. Do your research, be sure this is want you want, resolve to be compliant and then make an appoitment with Dr. Frantzides. Life is good !!!!

From the very first visit, I found Dr. Frantzides very personable and willing to spend the time to answer each of my 20+ questions. He was very supportive then and throughout surgery and at my first appointment, as well. There's definitely the feeling of having found a new and interesting acquaintance, colleague, and mentor. Everyone in the office has been friendly, helpful, and sooo supportive. I've been with Karen Thomas before and after surgery and she is an absolute wealth of information and compassion, At my consult appointment, at discharge from the hospital, and again at my first office appointment after surgery the Dr. went over evverything I had to do from now on. He is very exact about what he expects from his patients and wants them to work as hard as he does. All in all, I find the environment with which he surrounds himself very supportive and motivational and I'm glad my endocrinologist recommended him as the most brilliant laprascopic surgeon he's seen yet!

8/12/05 UPDATE: Dr. Frantzides did my gastric bypass 26 mo ago I lost 150 lbs. Dr. Frantzides did my Tummy Tuck one month ago I did not have any pain. I was back to my nornal self in a week!! It was great. My recovery has been exelent. I would recomend Dr. Frantzides to everyone. He is great.

I felt comfortable on my first visit. Dr. Frantzides, his fellow, and Karen were all kind and very supportive. They seemed to care about me! The rest of the staff was always courteous. Dr. Frantzides has a full time nurse that deals with his patients and their pre and post op questions and problems. She is on call 24/7. In the hospital, Dr. F. also was kind and gentle. My surgery took a bit longer due to the fact I had previous stomach surgery many years ago. Although there was scar tissue to deal with, Dr. Frantzides took the time to still preform this surgery laparoscoply (thank goodness)! He saw me in the office just a few days after I came home and then wanted to see me a week later just to make sure everything was ok. I have had some bad days (more good ones) and Karen has been there to help me through them. I did a lot of research about the surgery and the doctors available in my area. I got the BEST doctor in the area! As I start to attend the support groups, I know I made the right choice and will be successful!!


8/12/05 Update: Now 14 monthsd post op of the gastric by pass and 162 pounfd lighter, I took the next plunge. On Monday, August 8, I had 2 hernia repairs and a tummy tuck. I was scared as I had read it could be painful. Dr. Frantzides had told me there would be no pain--but why listen to the doctor? Studip me!!! It was a piece of cake ( excuse the word). I stayed over night in the hospital and came home the next day able to move and used only 2 pain pills all week! As usual, Dr. Frantzides was wonderful--kind, gentle, supportive, and concerned. His new fellow, Dr. Laguna is also wonderful with a great bed side manner. He has all the same great qualities as Dr. Frantzidersd. He reminded me of Dr. John a few years ago. Karen was also by my side along the way as she always is. I'll say it again, if you are considering by pass surgery or the tummy tuck, stop thinking. Do it and do it with the best doctors available!. It has changed my life and I owe my new life to Dr. Frantzides and his wonderful staff!

8/12/05 Update: I am three years post-op from my gastric by-pass surgery. I have recently had my gallbladder removed and at the same time I had a tummy tuck. I was pleasnatly surprised at the amount of pain I did not have. My recovery was about four days and then I was back to my original schedule. I was a little tired but other than that I had absolutely no pain which I was totally shocked with because going into the surgery I thought my recovery would be a four to six week, but to my surprise I was wrong. The only thing I didn't enjoy were my gernades draining all the fluid, but if I were to do it over again I would do it in a heart beat and tell anyone who was interested in having this surgery to contact Dr. Frantzides and set up an appointment.

I was so nervous the first time I met Dr. Frantzides. When I first saw him, he was running through his waiting area and telling everyone that he will be just a few more minutes. He was leaving for Paris the next morning. Even though he was rushed, he made the time to answer all my questions. I felt so comfortable when I walked out of his office. I knew I had made the right decision. This was August 28,2003. We scheduled my surgery for January 21st, 2004. I went back about a few weeks before my surgery to start my pre-op tests. I was nervous but so excited. The day of my surgery came and I was not nervouse at all. Dr. John Z. came to see me and told me I was going to be ok and I trusted the whole team. Dr. Frantzites and John met me in the pre-op room and I knew I was ready. The team that Dr. Frantzides surrounds himself with are wonderful. Choosing them was the best decision I have ever made. Karen is also top notch. She can answer ansy question you have and makes herself available at all times. I can not say enough good things about this group.

Paulette Mazzuca

Thanks Dr. Frantzides, John and Karen for giving me my life back!





8/12/05 Update:
Hello again, I just wanted to give an update on my progress. On May 2, 2005 I had a double hernia removed, followed by a Tummy Tuck. Dr. Frantzides did both procedures for me. He told me there would be no pain and I did not believe him at all. Well, let me tell you this, there was no pain. He said he has "Magic Fingers!" He really does. I still have no pain and it has been 3 months.

Dr. Frantzides asked me to write this as a personal favor (like you could tell him no). He wants people to realize that it is a procedure that is pain free. I am tell you this, he is right!

I have to commend the staff at the Evanston Northwestern also. They are fantastic. I drive from New Lenox to come to this hospital and that is, on a good day an hour and forty five minute trip. I trust Dr. Frantzides and his staff with my life. So if you have any doubts, just come and talk to him, he will put your mind at ease.

Paulette Mazzuca

My first impression was that he has very good taste in clothing and shoes. That reflects his professionalism and quatliy. He is very warm and aproachable. I was very comfortalbe that a few of his staff have had the surgery as well this made me feel very comfortable. Future patients should know that they should be their own best advocate and insist that their insurance company and do your research. You should also bring a book with you because you will need to wait. With that in mind the doctor and staff will take as much time as you want to answer all of your questions. Especially for a surgon he is very personalble and not at all condensending. My husband was also very imporessed with him and we are both fairly critical people. I would rate him excellent and of cousrce surgical competance is the utmost important thing and to some extent one must take a leap of faith, but I felt very confident and there has been nothing that has happened which has made me lose it.

Very professional, dresses impeccably, smells terrific. Over time, I've gotten to understand his "dry" humor. Office staff are tremendously professional and capable. They understand the procedure and are there to answer questions. Karen Thomas is one of the most capable caretakers in the business -- she really helped me after the surgery -- not sure if I could have gotten through it without her. Sometimes a little too busy and goes to doctoring and not as understanding of some of the after care issues I had. Excellent surgeon. I'm waiting for my first visit of aftercare -- so I'll learn his philosophy at today's appointment. He was very clear about the risks of surgery -- and of not having surgery -- I chose to have the surgery. Overall I would rate him an excellent surgeon. I believe that bedside manner is as important as surgical competence.

4/16/05 Met with Dr. F, his surgical fellow and staff on 3/25/05. Was very impressed with all of them. Dr. F really took his time with me even though he was very busy on his one clinical day a week. He made sure that he answered all of my questions about the surgery (and I had ALOT of them!). He didn't balk at all when I asked him about his statistics (they are very good), including deaths and complications - he fully addressed the risks. Still figuring out what the aftercare program is (other than that I know that he will want to see me at various times throughout the first year and annually for a while afterward). He seemed surprise that I wanted to know technical things about the surgery, but readily filled me in. Both Karen and Jerri were wonderful! And Karen, in particular is a great font of information. She's had the surgery herself, does a lot of the work with the ASBS and even authored a pretty extensive paper on the surgery and how to make the best use of it before, during and afterward. One more thing, Dr. F's office is applying to be a center of excellence (and in my opinion should get it).
7/19/05 Insurance problems and a medical issue have forced me to move my surgery date from 7/25 to sometime in October. Dr F's staff have been fabulous to work with - incredibly supportive and helpful throughout it all.

Dr. Frantzides was very open and frank about the surgery. The office staff has been very helpful and suportive. Future patients should know that the surgery went just as Dr. Frantzides said it would. I feel great!! Support groups are offered 4 times a month at different locations and patients are encourged to attend. I was well informed of all of the risks with the surgery. I give Dr. Frantzides a 10!! His bedside manner and surgical talents are complemented by eachother.