Chicago Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery Bariatric Center

I have been overweight my whole life.  My highest weight was 275 and my lowest was 203.  203, was my weight in 8th grade!  I am now 40 and was looking into going on another diet. I have done them all.  Then I read an article on Gastric Bypass.  I started researching it like crazy. I met with three surgeons, but Dr. Frantzides was the closest to my home and the most personal. I am a little skeptical since I work with a lot of doctors and I am not always so trusting.  His office was nice and his receptionist is lovely.  He took 3 appointments with me to make sure all my questions were answered. He sat as long as I had questions.  As I sat in his office and he asked me questions about my weight, I cried.  I remember him saying over and over "It's not your fault."  That was hard to believe. I was very scared and about a week before surgery wondering if I was doing the right thing.  Then, my 4 year old son, brought me a crumbled up piece of paper wrapped around a purple flower. "Its a present Mommy" I noticed it was from my old diary when I was about 12. I started reading the diary about how I was replused by myself and how "fat" I was.  For almost an hour I sat and read this diary and I was crying. I knew this surgery was the right thing and that I had found the right doctor. I just sat and thought about Dr. Frantzides saying that it was not my fault rang in my ears. I thought he was right. I was 12. Now, I am 40 and I was going to do this.  He explained all the risks very clearly and exactly how the procedure was going to be performed. He was very confident that I would be just fine. He has a procedure that allows a particular nerve not to be cut that often causes dumping syndrome, so I was extremely impressed with the knowledge I won't have to give up my fancy dark chocalate for life.  I chose a confident surgeon.   I had my surgery about 1 month ago. He was right. I am recovering quite well. I have had 2 follow ups since surgery and the plan that he provides is very easy. My first visit when I was switching from liquids to soft food, I was so terrified of eating. I mentioned it to the Doctor and he said him, "Theresa, what do we have in the refridgerator?" Both Dr. Frantzides and Theresa sat down with me and ate my first "meal". It was so wonderful. We all sat at the table and ate breakfast and I had my Dr. there just in case anything went wrong. What Dr. would have done that? None that I know or worked with in the past. I don't feel overwhelmed with his aftercare plan.  Today at my 1 month follow up I am 24 pounds lighter!  1 month! I am a very skeptical person, so finding the right surgeon was the key to my success. I need to know that a person is very sincere and I am not just a number. I did feel that way with the two other clinics I visited. I know Dr. Frantzides loves what he does.  I know that he sincerely wanted to help me live my life. I am living. I am losing and I am so very thankful. He is a great surgeon, but overall a good person. He's pretty funny as well!  

I am a 34 year old Registered Nurse who had Laparoscopic WLS with Dr. Frantzides 9 years ago, after an over 100 lb loss I was having some gastric reflux so I consulted the Dr.
After a routine upper GI, it was discovered that I had both an internal and hiatal hernia as well as gastric reflux.
Dr. Frantzides and his staff arranged everything for my preop period and I underwent laparascopic surgery within 10 days of the visit. I spent only one night in the hospital, my pain was controlled well and I was on no medication one week after my surgery. When Dr. Frantzides explained that he had to repair not only the hiatal hernia but the internal hernia too I was amazed how he could have done that laparoscopically. I had the same 6 small punctures as my original roux en y. I had faith that Dr. Frantzides would be the best person to to do my surgery but I am again impressed with his skills,professionalism and the support from the staff.

I had my laproscopic gastric by-pass surgery in 2009. I lost 120 pounds and have kept it off for about three years now. At the time of my surgery, I was taking four insulin injections and oral medication. After the surgery, I no longer take the insulin and only take one medication. My knees were so bad I could hardly walk and now I have a lot more energy and my knees are so much better. I know people who have had similar surgery with complication. I am so happy to say that I have had no difficulties due to Dr. Fantzides excellent surgical skills and aftercare. My friends and family cannot belive the difference this has made in my life.

Once again, I can't say enough about Dr. Frantzides!!! I had my gastric bypass surgery done laparoscopically by Dr. Frantzides in Sept. 2007. I had to have hernia repair & I finally got it done in June 2012. During the same surgery Dr. Frantzides removed all the redundant skin around my abdomen. Because of that I had to have two drains put in. They were the toughest to get used to but I only had them in for 2 weeks. Wearing the binders to help support my stomach (I had 2 repairs, one behind the belly button & at an incision spot) hasn't been too bad, just not fun to wear in 100+ heat, lol.The first few days were rough but nothing that some Tylenol & some rest couldn't take care of. I really didn't have a lot of pain & my recovery has been remarkable. But, honestly, I have no complaints whatsoever. I have continued to maintain my weight loss 5 years out, with minimal flucuation. I'm so thankful to have had the gastric bypass done. I am healthy, happy, able to keep up with my son, enjoy life more with my husband and family...and still it's always just the little things that still mean so much...like sitting in a movie theater chair & not feeling smashed. Sitting in a booth & not feeling like I'm suffocating. Squatting down to pet my cat & getting up without any struggles. I will never go back to the way I used to be.

I was overweight for many years, desperate. I tried all different diets for years only to gain the weight back. My sister had had gastric bypass with Dr. Frantzides and lost a lot of weight so I decided to go see him. He was very nice and he talked at lenght about the surgery and healing process so I decided to have it done December 13th 2010. It ws the best decision I ever made. A year and ahalf later I was almost at my goal weight when I decided to have a tummy tuck because I had excess skin after loosing the weight. Two years ago I was 216 and now I am 138. I had the tummy tuck in June and since then I got married and I could not be happier. Dr. Frantzides did a wonderful job and I am very happy with the way I look. He is truly an exeptional surgeon and I would refer him to anybody. He is also a great guy.

I got a Tummy Tuck done by Dr. Frantzides, 3 years after my Gastric Bypass surgery, both of which were successful. Dr. Frantzides is not only one of the best doctors in his profession but also a compassionate person. I approached Dr. Frantzides in 2009 after a Lap Band failure which not only caused health issues but also failed in decreasing my weight. After my first meeting with the doctor, I found him to be someone who not only performs surgeries for the sake of doing so but also is well connected to his patients and suggests things that are beneficial to a patient on a person to person basis. After a successful gastric bypass surgery which helped me lose 100 pounds, I was a completely new person with more self-confidence as well as more healthier than before.The doctor also followed up to know how I was doing as long as at least 2 years after my surgery. I used to get frequent calls from his office asking how I was doing which made me feel better to have a doctor who cares about me.3 years after my Gastric Bypass surgery, I was ready for a Tummy Tuck to get rid of the excess skin in my abdomen area and I instantly knew that Dr. Frantzides was the best surgeon to perform this procedure as well. Though I moved out of Chicago by this time, I was more than willing to go to Chicago for this surgery and spend 3 weeks there rather than finding a local surgeon to get this procedure done. Such was my faith in this doctor who has helped me turn my life around for good.I am 3 weeks out of Tummy Tuck surgery now and I dont feel a single ounce of pain. Infact I was surprised that I was able to move around as soon as 3 days after surgery with minmal pain. I am very happy with the results and would definitely recommend the doctor without any doubts to anyone who is looking to get a Gastric Bypass or Tummy Tuck surgery done. It is worth spending every penny on these two surgeries with this doctor.The doctor excels in minimally invasive surgery which is a technology revolution in the medical field. He has not only exceled in this kind of surgeries but has also written lot of literature which forms a reference for other such surgeons in his field.

My name is Alice. I am 20 years old from Ukraine. I tried lots of diets all of which worked only during the time I was on them and once I stopped the diet, all the weigh and more would return.
Before the surgery food used to play a big role in my life; I was always thinking of what I will eat for lunch, snack or dinner. During my friend’s birthday party I simply could not walk away from the sweet table.
I have been very lucky to meet such a fantastic doctor as Dr. Frantzides.
On the November 11th 2011 I had a Laporoscopic Gastric Bypass performed by Dr. Constantine Frantzides and his team. My beginning weight was 272.5 pounds, and now after 7 months have passed I am 105 pounds less.
This surgery has changed me completely. I no longer feel that food is the center of my life. I feel much happier and healthier than before.
I am really thankful to Dr. Frantzides and my mother who help me to made such a big step in my life and to change and overcome my addiction to food.
Thank you Dr. Frantzides, I love you

It has been one year since my surgery... I have lost 110lbs with the help of Dr. Frantzides. Dr. Frantzides and his staff are amazing. They are helpful, encouraging and supportive. If I ever have any questions at all, I know I can always call and ask them. I have had dramatic body changes over the past year that have aided me to feel healthier, alive and able to be more active than ever. I could not have done it without Dr. Frantzides! I would recommend him to anyone I know... but be prepared to listen and follow the instructions in order to achieve maximum success! :)

It has been one year since my gastric bypass surgery and I am 85 pounds lighter thanks to Dr. Frantzides. The journey was long and hard but I am just a mere 30 lbs away from my goal and am I the happiest I can ever remember. Dr. Frantzides and his team helped me along every step of the way between doctor's visit and phone calls to make sure I was comfortable and feeling great!
My first impression of Dr. Frantzides was undecided. Because I had tried every weight loss diet and trick under the sun I was skeptical. But I was wrong to be. During my first consultation he explained all the risks and benefits of the surgery equally. He explained all the aftercare visits and expectations that I would have to fulfill to make the surgery a success. The best part that he explained was that the surgery is not magically cure: it was a kick start to the cure to my obesity. No other doctor ever explained that to me before. I was thoroughly impressed and ready to have the surgery as soon as possible.
Not only is Dr. Frantzides the best at what he does, he has a tremendous staff to back him up, that include Teresa his reception and medical assistant, and Dr. Roff, his fellow. When you walk into the office, you don't feel like your visiting a doctor, you feel like your visiting family, because that's how they care about your well-being. Every time I see the doctor and his staff, it's hugs all around.
Without this caring doctor and his wonderful staff, I would not be feeling so healthy and in control. I owe most of my success to that office.

Dr. Frantzides was caring,understanding, and knowledgeable. My wife and I undertook this surgery in Decemeber 2011 after many months of converstions among ourselves and Dr Frantzides. This surgery has changed our lives. My wife and I are 6 months out and could not feel better. With a combined weight lose of a 189 pounds we are on the track to becoming healthy. Before Dr. Frantizdes, my wife and I were on the fast track to self destruction. Dr. Frantzides gave us the tools to change not only our lives, but our behaviors and life style. Thanks to Dr. Frantzides my wife and I can play with our son without getting out of breath. We have more engery as the days pass. We have been able to particpate in many activties that were just a dream due to our weight. There are many things that can be said about Dr. Frantizdes and his staff. They are knowledgable, understanding, and caring. My wife and I are two of the four people in our family that has used Dr. Frantizdes for this proccedure. All the surgeries have been a success. Thank you Dr. Frantizdes for changing not only our lives, but our son's life. Because of you and your staff my wife and I can be here for our son.