Grand Health Partners Bariatric Center

Since I had my surgery in 2004, I've recommended Dr. Kemmeter and Grand Health Partners to friends and family and seen a number of them go through the surgery there. Three of my husband's family had surgery with the doctors there on the same day and had as much success as I did. I had no complications, very little scaring and have continued to maintain a good relationship with the staff there. I go back every year for check-ups and have gone back for periodic testing - the staff at GHP are wonderful. They treated me as though my obesity were an illness, rather than just a problem I could overcome.

Michigans' "Top Doc" Duodenal Switch Surgeon Dr. Paul Kemmeter


Cutting edge, compassionate, comprehensive care, all describe Dr. Kemmeter. He is well respected by his peers in the surgical field. Considered a "Top Doc" in the country for bariatric surgery, and his speciality the Duodenal Switch, performed by less than 50 doctors nationally. Director of Saint Mary's Hospital bariatric department, and patient center, located at Grand Health Partners, Grand Rapids, Mi. The duodenal switch, his prime surgery is considered by him and his colleagues to be the premier bariatric surgery because of its success rate with long term weight loss and least chance of regain. Because so few surgeons master the Duodenal Switch, he is highly regarded in his field. Prospective patients travel from near and far for his expertise, in the hopes of qualifying for this highly saught after surgery.

One of my other surgeons at Saint Mary's Hospital is also a nationally regarded "Top Doc", Director of gynecologic oncology. Specialist Dr. K. Brader said he works closely with Dr.Kemmeter. If he ever needed WLS he would only have the Duodenal Switch over all the other possible WLS with Dr. Kemmeter. He stated the surgery was worth while to be able to lose my excess weight for cancer prevention. Maintaining a thin body helps lessen the chances of developing future cancer for everyone. This fact plus my arthritic hip and knee pain with walking was all I needed to spur me on to have this surgery.

I admire Dr. K's uplifting personality, professionalism, and personalized caring devotion to all his patients. I like his approachable open style of discussing all the patients questions about choosing the right WLS for them. Its apparent he is truly dedicated to each and every one of his patients throughout their surgical experience and beyond. He provides superior pre through post surgical care, with attention to individual emotional and spiritual needs.

All these unique traits make him my my "Top Doc" pick for any kind of WLS, especially the Duodenal Switch, my surgery choice. I left my in- town surgeon part way through the pre surgery process to to have the D.S. with Dr.K. I knew after Dr.K's introductory seminar the D.S. was the only WLS I could see living the most normal life with long term, with varied choice of foods, and least regain.

Grand Health Partners is a designated "Center of Excellence", meeting the utmost requirements for successful bariatric surgeries. Contributing to these factors is the highly trained staff of professionals, including internists, psychologists, nutritionists, and sports physiologists. The business office is extremely talented working with the insurance companies to get approval for you. The on site store is packed with the most up to date protein sources, and vitamin supplements. It's so easy to pick up my supplies after my appointments. I especially like being able to e-mail my nutritionist any questions about nutrition, or my other detailed health concerns for the doctors. The nurses respond by phone with answers after consulting with the Surgeon or PA.

My journey began with attending the seminar, and answering Dr.K's first question to me-" Why is the D.S. the right WLS for me?". I had done my homework, researching all about every WLS. With the D.S. the digestive properties of the pylorus are intact, enabling digestion of foods closest to my normal healthy diet, a lot like the high protein Atkins Diet. A portion of the stomach is permanently removed along with hunger producing hormones. The restrictive size of the newly sleeved stomach enables smaller eating habits, and the most long term success with weight loss over all the other possible WLS. My insurance covered the entire cost of one WLS in a lifetime. I wanted to be sure to choose the one where I could go out to dinner with friends, and not have them know I had ever had WLS by my food choices or inability to handle restaurant meals like the other surgery options. I wanted to be able to get to my goal weight and maintain it for the rest of my life, all the while keeping an eye on my health, and improving my ability to exercise for longevity. Demonstrating a working knowledge of the D.S. for Dr. K, I gained his confidence I could handle living with the D.S., monitoring my daily intake of protein, fluids and vitamins, along with limiting carbs.

My Saint Mary's Hospital experience began with meeting their bariatric nurse coordinator, Kathy Mooney at the introductory seminar. So helpful and friendly, she helped me transition into their program, in person and on line. I must have asked her a million questions. My new friend was a welcome visitor after every surgery I had this year. She made sure all went smoothly throughout my stay and discharge, following up with a home call to see how I was doing.

My 3 surgeries this year were months apart beginning a year ago. Minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques were used for my Davinci Robotic complete hysterectomy,Duodenal Switch, gallbladder/appendectomy/upper endoscopy combined with internal review of previous surgeries. It was a real plus to have my D.S. surgeon do my gallbladder/appendectomy. He knew his way around my rerouted system best. One of my main reasons for having the D.S. was to be able to lose as much of my excess weight for cancer prevention. I am genetically predisposed to having cancer from relatives on both sides of my family tree. My uterine cancer diagnosis was a depressing finding, the doctors didn't know the extent of it all until surgery. They were very worried about my condition because I had the symptoms a long time. Dr. Brader was able to provide me with a compelete cure, no post surgery treatmentts necessary. 4 months later I had the D.S., and 8 months after this I had a gallbladder attack necessitating gallbladder removal.

Saint Mary's Hospital Lack Center is the best place to have major surgery. They have superior staff and facilities, with restaurant quality food any time, on your schedule, a phone call away. Every bariatric patient has a private room, with shower/bath, and well appointed furnishings, comfortable enough for an overnight guest. The over all stress reducing environment included a relaxing waiting area for family and friends, private surgical prep rooms, bariatric trained nursing staff, private out patient and in patient recovery rooms.

Since my first surgical experience with the surgeon, anesthesiologist and the hospital, I wanted to have any future surgeries there to reduce my pre surgery stress. Because of all my positive experiences, I plan to relocate all my healthcare to doctors connected to Saint Mary's Hospital for continuity with my future medical/surgical care and computerized records. I had no complications with all 3 of my surgeries, uneventful surgeries and quick laparoscopic recoveries. I was back on my feet the day of surgery, walking the halls the next day, and packing my bag to go home by the second, or third day of each surgery.

As my recovery from my latest gallbladder surgery one week ago continues, I am able to return to the gym for light exercise, walking the track 3 miles, and followed by 2 miles recumbent stationary bike. I reached my goal weight of 127 this week, 128 lbs lost within 8 months post D.S. surgery. Many of my doctors have remarked how I have lost 1/2 of myself. I am healthy, happy and fit working out with no hip and knee arthritic pains which prevented me walking without extreme pain pre surgery. All systems healthy and monitored by specialists. I know I have found the road to longevity, healthy living through weight loss surgery and the Duodenal Switch. Energized, and enlightened about the care required for improved health with aging. I am 58, but a young 58, feeling like 35 now that I have my health under controll. Don't let the idea of major surgery hold you back, Laparoscopic surgery techniques and modern medicine have made great strides in the bariatric field. Research all your options like I did and you will have success too.

Sandra C ;-)

Dr P. Kemmeter, GHP, Grand Rapids, Mi.
Dr.K.Brader, Lack Center, Grand Rapids, Mi
Saint Mary's Hospital, Grand Rapids, Mi.

Let me just start off by saying that Dr. Paul Kemmeter is one of the kindest, most compassionate and caring physician that I have ever encountered. Typically, when meeting physicians I can be a little more on the reserved side, because of my previous experiences with being belittled by them. However, Dr. Kemmeter is warm and receptive and very engaging. He talked TO me, not AT me. I feel honored to be able to call myself his patient. I have nothing but things to say about Dr. Kemmeter and his office staff. Nettie his surgery coordinator answered a lot of my questions and took every one of my phone calls. All of the PA’s are caring and seem genuinely concerned for my welfare and health. The NUTS are very informative and give great advice. Grand Health Partners as a whole is a “well oiled machine” they know what they are doing; they treat each patient with dignity and are always there for me if I have any questions or concerns. Amazing surgeon, amazing staff!

Having seen one other surgeon and bariatric program (and having a traumatic experience in doing so) before Dr Baker, I was extremely relieved and impressed with his knowledge, expertise, and friendly (and humorous) personality. His initial lecture had more new information than I had found with other doctors or websites in the entire year I was researching the surgery. Bedside manner is important to me and he made me feel at ease, safe, and informed at all stages. I didn't have to wait around to see him in the hospital; he visited often to check on me all 4 days. I feel I found the best possible surgeon I could have and highly recommend him and the pre- and post- op program he offers.

Dr. Kemmeter is not only a careful and skilled surgeon, he has treated me with nothing but respect, compassion and understanding. He is busy and you may not seem him much after surgery, but I have faith that he will make time for anyone who needs it, as that would be consistent with my dealings with him. I am so glad that he continued with me even after I decided to have the VSG instead of the DS as I was originally considering.

LOVE Dr. Kemmeter and have yet to hear anything bad about him.
He is friendly, witty and engaging without coming across as phony.
Answers all your questions patiently and doesn't make you feel rushed.
Supposedly one of the top Bariatric surgeons in Michigan with a great track record.

The group he is with at Grand Health Partners cover all your Bariatric patient needs
from free pre-op seminars, behaviorists, nutritionists and physical therapist.
They also have a diet food/supplement store.
Post-op supports groups are offered as well.
Office staff is friendly and helpful.
Very professional.
VERY satisfied so far!

If you want a doctor that will be honest with you, that will not sugar coat anything and make you feel totally comfortable with this process well Dr. Kemmeter is the one! I felt very comfortable and confident with him and his staff right away. He has a passion about his job and patients that you can see immediately, he cares for each patient and doesn't treat anyone like a number or pay check as some doctors do. My surgery went great (almost 3 weeks out) and I feel great and I owe my newly found health and progress to him. He has helped me in ways that will make me healthier and happier and I am excited to continue my journey with him. The peace of mind to actually have a doctor that I feel that I can open up to and ask any question to is simply amazing. I was blessed to have him as my surgeon and I would recommend him to anyone!

What can I say about Dr. Kemmeter that will truly describe the kind of person he is. He wanted to make sure I knew exactly what to expect , when to expect it.. and how to deal with it.
His staff has been amazing as well...

Dr. Nagle and the whole group from GHP have been great. Dr. Nagle is so personable and caring. The staff at St. Mary's is great too. They all took very good care of me. Thank you Dr. Nagle and St. Mary's Staff~

Dr. Foote's experience and talent speaks for itself. I chose him because he is an incredibly talented surgeon. What I found out was a caring human being. I had a rough time post op with nausea and hard time getting fluids down. My nurse called him while he was in surgery. He came down to see me after the surgery. He took the time to listen and understood how I was feeling. He reassured me and supported me. He was outstanding. My difficulties were from anesthesia.
I have recommended several people to Dr Foote and will continue to do so. Grand Health Partners is an outstanding practice. I feel very fortunate to have had him as my surgeon.
Dr Foote..... I LOVE my sleeve. I have never felt this healthy in my life. Thank you for giving my life back.