Lake Norman Center for Surgical Weight Loss Bariatric Center

I feel extremely blessed that my primary care provider referred me to Dr. Heider and that he was willing to accept TRICARE insurance. If you have decided to have weight loss surgery, you will find no better surgeon or staff. The support never ends, and it is very specific, such as a detailed notebook, nutrition guidance, literature, and very friendly ongoing communication before and after surgery. Dr. Heider has a true compassion for people that have tried and tried and tried and are still obese. I waited 47 years to meet a doctor who understood me. Most importantly, his training and experience as a weight loss surgeon is superior. I had the vertical sleeve procedure. I've lost 110 pounds since my surgery on December 28, 2011 and have never felt better in my life.

Dr. Heider and his staff are all so amazing! The best decision I made in my weight loss journey was choosing their facility! Michelle, and Tammy you ladies are so top notch!! The level of care and wonderful bedside manner Dr. Heider and these ladies showed, has been unmatched. Thank you for being such great listeners, and truly hearing your patients. I was a patient on June 7th and with their phenomenal services I have reached my doctor recommend goal weight at eight months post op a vertical sleeve gastrectomy. I could not sing your praises enough best decision of my life!!

My first impression of Dr. Heider was that he was an intelligent, sincere, enthusiastic, patient-centric physician who kept current with the latest information on obesity and bariatric surgery. As I reflect on that first impression from several years ago i now realize I was seeing only a glimpse of the talent and compassion with which he cares for his patients. I was leery of taking what I considered to be a drastic step, felt I hadn't tried hard enough on my own to lose the weight and feared I might be taking the easy way out. Dr. Heider and his staff explained that obesity is a disease with many contributing factors and not necessarily the symptom of lacking willpower. The decades of trying to lose weight on my own resulted in weight gain. In the end I came to the conclusion that remaining obese was much more of a health risk than being able to say I did it on my own.

Dr. Heider's pre-op evaluation process further convinced me that this was no quick fix but a shared responsibility between doctor and patient. From meeting with nutritionists, counselors, nurses, exercise professionals and both pre and post-op patient support groups it is clear that your success is the most important thing to Dr. Heider and his staff.

For anyone who's ever felt shamed by a doctor when discussing obesity you will find compassion in Dr. Heider. If you want a doctor with a proven success record over years of pioneering and performing bariatric surgery see Dr. Heider. If you are looking for a doctor who stays on the cutting edge of medical advances in bariatric surgery see Dr. Heider. If you want a doctor who recognizes that immediate success provided by bariatric surgery often provides the necessary jump start for continued success see Dr. Heider. If you want a doctor whose ethics are beyond reproach see Dr. Heider. If you want to be able to get the response, attention and support you need for your weight loss journey see Dr. Heider and his staff.

Dr. Ryan Heider impressed me the first time I researched his surgical procedures and his practice on-line. His website is very informative and helpful. My opinion of him only increased after attending his informational seminar. Soon after this seminar I met with him and we scheduled my surgery date. All of my appointments with him before, during and after my surgery have been outstanding. He is extremely knowledgeable about bariatric procedures, pre-surgery preparation and aftercare plans following the surgery. He is approachable and very helpful with the information that he has shared with me. His surgical competency is exceptional along with his continued support with aftercare information and suggestions.
I have been a diabetic for over 46 years and to say that I’ve had many interactions with medical doctors is an understatement. Dr. Heider is well informed about the disease of diabetes and he has worked well with my other medical doctors. Dr. Heider is extraordinary in his field as a surgeon and a bariatric specialist!
Dr. Heider’s practice is comprehensive to say the least. All of his staff members work together for the benefit and success of the patients. His office staff and medical staff are outstanding. All of these staff members are tremendously helpful and they are “top notch” in their area of expertise. Anytime that I have gone in for appointments with his medical staff they have been informative and supportive.

The information that I received before surgery was detailed and extremely helpful. This information has guided me through the pre-surgery process along with post surgery and continued aftercare.

Dr. Heider and his staff have changed my life in such a positive manner! I highly recommend him and his team for any bariatric needs that a person may have in his or her life.

I am very impressed with Dr. Heider and his staff. I went to his office from out of town and they were able to schedule numerous appointments for me over my two day stay. I attended Dr. Heider's seminar which he and his staff put on themselves twice a month. They go over the different kinds of WLS, have former patient's tell their stories, and answer any questions that you may have. Dr. Heider is extremely personalbe, knowledgeable and confident. Everything I want in a surgeon. The office has a program in place for all his patient's to follow with an amazing support staff. I look forward to having my Sleeve gastrectomy done by him in April 2012. I will update my review after surgery.

I had the lapband surgery on Feb. 16th 2012 by Dr. Heider. Dr. Heider and his staff have been excellent since I started my journey. Prior to surgery any questions or concerns I had they whole staff was there for me and very helpful. Even outside of appointments if I had a concern I could call the office up and someone was always willing to help me. My surgery was a great success and so far I have been back to see Dr. Heider once and I have another appointment coming up very soon. I love this whole office and Dr Heider and I would recommend them to anyone. Thank You all for your support. Teresa Palmer

I work with Dr. Heider as his assistant and I am also a patient. I had the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy on January 26th, 2012 and I have never been so happy with the decision I have made in my life. Dr. Heider is an awesome doctor and I would not of chosen any other. Thank you for everything.

Always, an Awesome Professional all about his patients.GREAT SURGEON!

Dr. Heider and his crew are amazing. I had the Vertical Sleeve (VSG) with him, and it couldn't have gone better. A year and a half later I'm very happy and 130 lbs. lighter!

Thanks for everything.

I knew which surgery I wanted before I choose a Dr. I was a self pay so the cost mattered. I had saved for 6 years to have my surgery. I emailed several Dr.'s but the cost or location was unrealistic for me.
I emailed Dr. Heider's and got a quick response. It was not until after the 3rd email did I realize I was communicating with him and not a staff person, He answered all of my questions and encouraged me to make an appointment.
I have a 3 hour drive to him. I tried locally but the expense was 4x his cost.
He has a informational clinic to can go to to let you get to know his staff and talk about the options available.
He is wonderful. He was willing to sit and talk and answer any question as long as I needed during my first appointment....and all that have followed. His staff are wonderful....Michelle is great.
I was able to have my surgery scheduled within weeks because I did not need insurance qualifications.
My pre surgery diet was Opti Fast. I lost 13lbs before my surgery. He told me that if I did not stick to this diet he would not do the surgery, It was hard .... a 2 week liquid diet uggggghhh.
My surgery was without complications and I only had 3 laparoscopic incisions. They have healed and you can hardly see them. He did a wonderful job in minimizing the stitches and scaring.
The hospital & staff were great and anything I needed they were willing to help me. Our room was large and comfortable. I would use this hospital again...Lake Norman Hospital.
They have an aftercare support group available, but because of my distance away from his office I am unable to attend.
If I had to do all of this again I would not change anything. This may seem to unreal but for me it has been a wonderful experience and I have no bad things to say. Dr Heider was the best Dr. for me.