Grand Traverse Surgery, P.C. Bariatric Center

I met Dr. Slikkers in June 2005 and had a lap RNY in October 2005...this was the beginning of a great relationship and I named my first 100 pounds after him...Steven. He is a talented, personable surgeon with a very kind, respectful bedside manner. He has a great sense of humour, which is an essential characteristic in any health care provider I have. He has been supportive and realistic re my weight loss. He is very knowledgeable and will seek an answer if he doesn't have one. I would refer family and friends to him or any of the other surgeons at Grand Traverse Surgery, Dr. Nizzi and Dr. Featherstone, without any hesitation. It is great to be able to reach one of the bariatric surgeons at all times, day or night, weekends etc. I live 4 hours away from Traverse City but if I ran into problems and needed to go to an ER here in my hometown, one of these docs would be willing and able to talk with a local doc.rnrnI do know Dr. Slikkers is human...but I think that is what makes him special.rnrn

Outstanding!

At my consultation I found Dr.Featherstone informative and friendly. I was fully imformed about what to expect and do by Dr. Featherstone and his staff (which are equally as awesome!) They recommend that you follow their complete program-info,monthly support group, friendly and helpful staff, you also have internet support (with other patients just from their bariatric practice) to help you with your new life-style. You will see Dr.Featherstone and Mary Kay, (his wonderful assistant) after surgery and recovery because they will continue to monitor, encourage, educate, and do whatever they can to help you become successful with your weight-loss tool (your surgery). Its been 7 months since surgery and I would highly recommend not only the Lapband surgery but Dr. Featherstone as well. Both have made a significant difference in helping me shed not only pounds but conditions that I had to take medication for!

Dr. Nizzi seems very professional. He has an excellent reputation around town and is a well-respected surgeon. He made me feel very comfortable.rnrnHis staff is nice, and Angie and Mary Kay are great.rnrnI'm looking forward to my surgery date and will update this section later.rnrn--------------------------------rnrnOK, I'm now nearly 2 weeks post-op. I think Dr. Nizzi did a great job on my surgery. I am feeling better than I expected to at this stage, and I can tell my body is healing well. I have no issues with Dr. Nizzi at all. I am meeting with him in about 2 weeks. I met with a nurse at his office to have my drain out and talk a little about my progress (Mary Kay was on vacation), but it was right after Christmas, so I wasn't expecting much. Overall, I am happy so far with my decision to have the surgery done and I'm grateful to Dr. Nizzi for doing a good job.rnrnMLF

My husband had had prvious surgery with Dr Nizzi and we both fell in love with him. He is very kind and professional. My sister works in an out pt surgery center and she recommended him highly because of his surgical skills and how he treats the staff. He will be my surgeon for as long as I need him.rn Their office strongly insists on follow up care for a life time after this surgery, they also had several sessions before surgery so you understood what to expect from the surgery and from his office. I would rate him a 8 out of 10. The office staff is a little overwhelmed with the volunm of pt's and do tend to rush thru the visit.

My first impression was that he was confident in his skills and that he might be a little bored with the education process, but I'm sure he cares about his patients.rnMore and more I see that he is a surgeon that is available to his patients. The hospital he works through has a very tight program. You can usually get a hold of someone that can help you through whatever and if not they pass the message along.rnThe staff was, and is, wonderful.rnI would tell a new patient not to be afraid to ask questions and discuss the pros and cons of any of the surgeries he performs.rnAftercare is huge with Munson Medical Center. They tell you to be prepared for a life time of aftercare. You don't go into any procedure thinking it's a quick fix and now you're on your own. They arrange follow up visits and expect you will keep up your end of the bargin.rnrnIf how I felt after the surgery is any indication of Dr. Slikkers' competency, he's a great surgeon.

Dr. Slikkers is very knowledgeable and is a great listener. They are very thorough at Grand Traverse Surgery and make sure you don't have any hidden conditions that might complicate things. I will add more after my stay in the hospital.

Dr. Featherstone is the best! I felt completing at ease with him. He was very caring and wants to help those of us battling obesity. He is such a great person and I am glad to be a patient of his.rnrnThanks Dr. F!!!

Nothing but positive things to say about Doogie..er...I mean...Doctor Nizzi. He and his staff were all friendly and helpful. My surgery was almost three yrs ago...I would do it again in a heartbeat. I have had absolutely no complications. Just follow the \"rules\"...That's the most important part. Stick to the restrictions and suggestions given to you by he and his team. It's not rocket science. If you eat things that are not on your \"list\", expect to have negative results. It's pretty simple stuff.

I instantly felt at ease when as soon as I entered Grand Traverse Surgery. Everyone is so pleasant, the nurses were friendly.... Mary Kay (bariatric coordinator) is a sweetie and was very informative. Angie that made all my appts for pre-op testing, who was also the first one to have bariatric surgery there in TC, was more then willing to discuss her personal story with me and that meant alot. Dr. Nizzi is great ! I had been wishy washy about which surgery to have, LapBand or RNY and by the time he got done going through the surgery processes for both, I knew without a doubt RNY would be the best. He isn't afraid to put it out there and is out to strive for 100% excess weight loss for his patients. From my experience with Dr. Nizzi and GT Surgery thus far, it has been a very pleasant one and I would recommend them !