Chicago Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery Bariatric Center

I could not have asked for a better surgeon. It has been six months almost to the day since my gastic bypass surgery and I am 60 pounds lighter and feeling the best I've ever felt. The first visit I had I was 244 lbs, Dr. Frantzides sat me down and explained all my options without any pressure. We discussed the right course of action for my body and I couldn't be happier with the results. Dr. Frantzides and his staff have been with me from the beginning and continue to be with me not just as a patient but as a friend. Not only are they available at anytime, they ENCOURAGE you to contact them at ANYTIME, day or night, if there are any worries or probelms. There is not a rate that would be high enough to give them, and I sincerely owe them my new-found self confidence and pride. I feel like I have a second chance at life, and I owe all of that to their care and confidence. Now, I'm currently at 180 lbs and I am still losing. If you are even pondering the thought of a gastric bypass, Dr. Frantzides should be your first stop.

Dr. Frantzides has changed my life!! I will be four years out as of January 9th, and just weighed in at 136. What does this mean?? I've lost 150 lbs. I had the surgery when I was just 18 and it was the best decision I could have ever made. Since having the surgery I got my dream job and am truly happy with the person I've become. I'm now going onto the next step of my journey by learning to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Thank you Dr. Frantzides for giving me the courage to be who I am today!

It has now been a year since gastric bypass surgery with dr. Frantzides. When I began this journey over a year ago I was 381 pounds. I am now 237 pounds I have lost a total of 144 pounds I went from a size 30 down to a size 16/18. I have so much more energy and I feel like a completly new person. I have confidence in my self, self esteem and I am overall a haopy person. None of this would have been possible without such a caring and loving dr. like dr. Frantzides. He is the best every time I go he is proud of my accomplishments in my weight loss journey. He encourages me like no other dr. has before, also his staff are the kindest people you will ever meet. I love going to my check-ups at Dr.Frantzides office. I am so happy to have lost all this weight and I would of never been able to do this without the encouragement from Dr.Frantzides and his amazing staff. Thank you Dr.Frantzides for showing me that it is possible to loose all this weight and change my life around! :)
Stephanie Price

As a mother of 2 , nine years ago I wanted a better life for myself and my family and knew I needed to loose weight. I researched the pros and cons of the different procedures and I decided to have the lap band. I was afraid to have gastric bypass at the time because of my children and had investigated the Lap Band which I ultimately had done by another surgeon. Little did I know that over the years my band could cause so many problems. I was fortunate to find Dr. Frantzides who operated on me laparoscopically one year ago. He found lots of scar tissue around the area of the band and spent many hours in surgery trying to undo the damage that had been done. He then performed the gastric bypass and I am now on a new weight loss journey. The difference is. This Dr.Frantzides and his office staff have my 100% admiration and trust. I know I am in good hands. If only I knew then, what I know now. Dr. Frantzides is truly a blessing to so many.

Only one week out and already caring for myself. The decision to have the surgery was never used as the "easy way out", Dr. Frantzides provided me a tool to help me achieve my healthy weight loss goals. As a 29 year old first time mother, I wanted to be able to play on the floor and run with my 16 month old son. Making the decision to have the surgery was for my son and future children. Both of my in-law's had VERY successful surgeries by Dr. Frantzides. So as the thrid person in my immediate family, I walked into his office two months ago starting at 298 pounds. However, everyone told me that I didn't look nearly that big. Today I weighed 272lbs after only one week out and I have never once felt hungary. My back aches and pains already are starting to be less troublesome. Dr. Ruff his fellow surgen had me up and out of bed the same night of surgery. He was constantly checking on my pain and medical status while at the hospital. If I had to do it all over again I would do it in a heart beat. I already feel GREAT!

Dr. F,

You have been such an amazing surgeon to me over the years, and have helped me in countless ways which I will always be appreciative of.
You helped me in a time when I felt like my health was unmangeable, and helped provide me a path to emotional and physical wellness. The journey to become a healthier and happier person has been a challenge, but having you in my corner has made the ultimate difference. I truly feel you have helped to instill great and positive change in my life, and I will forever be appreciatve and humble to have been under such amazing care.

I must also tell you that your wonderful staff has also been amazing to me, and has provided me with great support and encouragment which has also contributed to my success.

I am a very happy and more confident person these days, and I truly thank you for your support, guidance, and understanding along the way.

With deep gratitude,

Hillary Schoninger

I ran my first 10k race in October. I am running about 10 miles a week. I used to be 375lbs and did not exercise. The surgery has changed my life. It has been an amazing experience.

Dr. Frantizides operated on me on October 5, 2011. I had every confidence going into the surgery that all the procedures he was going to perform were the right things to do. He repaired a hiatal hernia, cleaned up adhesions and scar tissue from a 50 y/o appendectomy, removed my very diseased gall bladder, dilated my esophagus and performed the gastric bypass. The hospital experience was absolutely the best I have ever had (and I've been through previous surgeries and hospitalizations throughout my lifetime). From the moment I stepped into the hospital my confidence just grew stronger and I knew I was going to be fine.

Dr. Frantizides and his staff prepared me very thoroughly for what to expect after surgery and explained the procedures very well. I knew exactly what was going to take place and what to expect afterwards. There were no unpleasant surprises.

He was worth coming to Chicago for surgery, all the way from Toledo Ohio.
I have had no complications or difficulties as a result of the surgery and the weight loss after one month is quite significant. I personally cannot focus on the actual numbers as they make me a little crazy, but the weight loss is quite visible already. My main concern for myself was managing the comorbidities caused by my obesity. I was a severe diabetic and I'm now using just 1/4 the amount of insulin compared to pre-surgery. I no longer take blood pressure medication. In fact, I take just 1/4 of the prescription drugs I used to take.

I am VERY pleased with Dr. Frantzides, his staff, the surgical experience itself and the fabulous results. I am nearly 62 years old and before the surgery my future was pretty grim. High blood pressure, extreme obesity, inability to walk well at all, shortness of breath, hip pain, knee pain, foot and ankle pain have already decreased significantly in just one month.

I believe that this surgery has saved my life and has given me promise of a much brighter and less painful future. I would recommend this surgery BY THIS SURGEON to ANYONE who has struggled with obesity as I have my entire life. I am filled with gratitude.

Thank you, Dr. Frantizides, all of your staff and the crew at the hospital.

Miss Jeanne

It is exactly 6 month today that I had my laparoscopic gastric bypass by Dr. Frantzides. Since then I have lost 77.4 pounds and 6 sizes down. I feel great and get complements everyday. I have renewed energy and do more things today than in the past. Being a scuba diver I've been able to decrease my lead weight to get me down and my breathing is better. I still use a CPAP machine at night for better air flow but with the weight loss, the air flow is much better, the readings are normal and I'm actually getting six to eight hours of sleep daily. I was a little thick headed and thought I can do the weight loss on my own. After years of the up and down roller coaster ride with the weight battle, I decided to have the surgery and it was the best decision I've made. I work out at least three times a week, two of those days with a personal trainer. I'm doing exercises that in the past I thought would be impossible to do. I even have an aerobics instructor asking me to start taking her class. It's a great feeling and even better when others notice and show their support. There is no better feeling than to have a total stranger walk up to you and recognize and compliment on your success. We can't change the past but we can better our future. I made a decision that will better my health down the road and for a long time.

Dr. F and his entire staff have been nothing but helpful and supportive throughout this entire process. I am at my 3 month mark and have lost 50 lbs. I couldn't be happier!! He is confident and knowledgable. His staff is friendly, courteous and always available for any questions that I may have. They have encouraged me throughout the first part and have given advice and coaching for the next journey ahead- which I know will be different than the first part. I highly recommend Dr. F for anyone that is looking to have weight loss surgery. He is the best out there.