Gastric Band Institute Bariatric Center

The Dr was very good. He took time to answer any qustions that I had. He is one of few Dr's anymore that know what bedside manners are. The staff was very good at the office he works out of, always offering to help and did help alot over the inter-net (thanks Beverly). The only thing I would say bad about them was I was misinformed about time I would have to spend in Hospital. Since I had Early surgery that day I thought if I did well and was up and walking I could go home that day. Well I was up and walking by lunchtime---ate full meals and didn't get sick........but I had to stay over night. Which after Beverly talked with me about it I understood and agreed......but guest had already checked out of motel thinking we were going home........and had to change plans...............BUT LET'S FACE IT FOLKS IF THAT IS ALL I HAVE BAD TO SAY ABOUT WHAT I WENT THRU..............MUST BE A PRETTY DAMN GOOD PLACE..........lol

My first impression of Dr. Paynter was great. I liked him very much. He's a real nice person, a wonderful doctor and seems to care about his patients. I really can't say enough good things about him. I was very pleased he was the doctor that did my surgery. As for my impression of him changing over time, it has not changed. I still think he's the greatest. His office staff is wonderful. Everyone has been just as sweet and helpful everytime I contact them. There is nothing I can say against Dr. Paynter or his staff. I think anyone that chooses Dr. Paynter will be just as pleased as I am. The office staff are wonderful too. They are very helpful in suppling imformation you need to know before surgery and emphasizes how important aftercare is to a patient to have sucess. You are well informed of the risks and danger of the surgery. If I had it to do over again, I would do it in a minute and for sure have Dr. Paynter as my doctor. Dr. Paynter also did my daughters on May 7, 2003. She is very pleased with him too.

Dr. Paynter was very nice and open about the surgery. Gave me the information that even though I had already researched it thoroughly it was nice to hear from him. The staff was great. One of the girls had just had the surgery and was full of info. I was very comfortable with the whole group. The seminar was also very imformative. The seminar was very specific about risk, what to expect in the future and there were several that were there to encourage you. People in their 20's and people over 60! My mom has had her surgery and has done great! I can't wait til May 7th

I am sorry that I implied that DR.PONCE was already my docter .I have been researching and have narrowed down to HAMILTON MEDICAL CENTER in DALTON,GA. which is where DR.PONCE is.So far they have best "PATIENT FINANCING" available although their interest rate has gone from 4.92% to 12.92%! Apparently 4.92% was a special they were offering during month of December!I am hoping I can get some more info thru someone at OBESITYHELP.COM concerning "self-pay" and any other patient financing sources out there that has lower interst rates. The docter that referred me to obesityhelp.com was my family doctor of many years ,DR.GARY HUNT in Blue Ridge,Ga.He was not in favor of any bariactric surgery until his nurse started researching LAP-BAND surgery and shared her findings with him.Due to the fact that my "MODERATE DEGENERATIVE JOINT DISEASE in my right knee was getting worse, combined with my diagnosis of osteoarthritis in both my legs ,feet,and back from several years.and my urine incontinence was increasing,and the cortisone injections were not helping for more than a few days and he was real concerned about amount of meds I was havig to take to even be able to tolerate the pain,along w/knee brace and cane when needed,and the added fact that I had adopted a year ago just before my joint disease worsened 2 special needs children and I still own and operate a THERAPEUDIC CHILDRENS HOME -having cared for 24-7 ,over a period of 8yrs. 115 special needs children. DR.HUNT decided that I needed to seriously consider LAP-BAND SURGERY and he would be the referring physcian .

He is very pleasant and knowledgeable. I felt comfortable. The office staff is ok, Bev the nurse is great. The group really stresses aftercare and they were involved in the LapBand clinical trials. There is written and video info to address risks of surgery as well as the doc talking to you.

He looks very young despite the amount of experience that he has with the lap band. I went to one of his informational meetings where he gave a long in depth lecture that was so helpful. It was not a commercial about why you should choose him. He included the good and bad of the procedure, which I appreciated. I left the meeting feeling confident in my decision to have him be my surgeon. There are surgeons in Atlanta, which is much closer to me, but going to Dalton is worth it. Dr. Ponce has so much more experience and has excellent results compared to others that I researched. His staff has also been VERY patient with me. I know I have been a pain with all of my calls and questions!

I was very impressed with Dr. Ponce's understanding of a weight problem and that diet's don't work. He seemed to geninually care about his patients and wants to see them suceed.

He insist on follow-up and is associated with a hospital department Hamilton Surgical Weight Mgt who assist by providing follow-up information and an on-going support group that is great.

I would say that Dr. Ponce is a great surgeon and very well respected.

I met Dr. Ponce at at seminar about weight loss surgery - they discussed lap rny and adjustable lap-band procedure. Very informative - very upbeat. Made my consultation appointment at the seminar. Very impressed with the whole staff. Memorial Weight Loss Management offers spirtual counseling, psychological counseling, nutrionist, etc. They had videos showing the entire procedure and after watching it he came in asking if I had any questions. His staff includes ladies who have had the lap-band procedure and they were also at the seminar to answer any questions.

I met with Dr Ponce, Monday, May 13th, 2002. He is a very nice person. He seems to really be interested in his patients. I asked him "why did you choose to be a bariatric surgeon?" This was his answer: "Let's say that your husband comes in and I remove his gallbladder, I never see him again, I helped him, but that's it. With an obese patient, after the surgery, I will see them. Changed, happy, a new person. I like the fact that I can really help change their lives. That answer was the one I wanted to hear.

I met with Dr. Paynter for a surgical consult about the adjustable gastric band (lap-band). We drove from Orlando, Fl to Dalton, GA because I liked what I found out in my research about Hamilton's early involvement in the lap-band as well as their reputation for successful outcomes.
I was not sorry I made the trip. Dr. Paynter was compassionate, thoughtful, informative and very competent. He patiently listened to every question I had about the procedure and answered honestly and thoroughly.
The staff was helpful and encouraging and the nurse who did my pre-consult stuff had been banded just three weeks earlier and showed me her scars and shared her surgery story.
If gut reactions count (and surely in this, of all things, it means something!) mine says I came to the right place and the right surgeon.
If I were forced to say something negative, it would be about the awful bioenterics video we had to watch. My husband, a film and video producer, found it almost painful to view. It's poorly done and surely something as innovative as the lap-band deserves better. But this had nothing to do with the surgeon or his staff and everything to do with the manufacturers of the band.