Northside Hospital of Atlanta Bariatric Center

I had my first consult on December 4th, 2002. I had already got the ball rolling with another surgeon but decided not to go with that surgeon. I had heard good things about Dr Hart so I got a consult with him. I already had all my pre-op tests done. He met with me and went over everything in great detail. He was wonderful. His staff was wonderful too. They got me in and out in no time, while covering everything important that I needed to know. Then mid January the office called to tell me I had been approved, and gave me a date of February 18th. Talk about working fast. I can't believe I will soon be on the other side!

Like him very much. Have seen twice. Actually had read my file both times BEFORE he saw me. Very professional.

Office staff is generally efficient, especially the patient advocate.

No structured aftercare program.

Very clear on risks and rewards of surgery.

I'll take surgical competence over bedside manner, any day, but I still would like my surgeon to be kind. Dr. Hart seems to be so.

He is awesome! Very confident, not arrogant. I feel very safe with him. His office staff is extrememly helpful and will spend a lot of time answering all the questions you have, but it took a couple weeks for her to fax my insurance info. He told me he would like to follow-up with for at least one year and forever if I am willing. His surgical competence and his bedside manner are both excellent. I rate him and his office staff and perfect 10!!

Had my appt with Dr. Santivicca 1/9, have my cardiologist appt 1/15 and my first appt with Dr. Hart on 1/27.

I have decided to stay with Dr. Hart. I have heard all wonderful things about him. I see him on 1/27. Can't wait!!!

I see the cardiologist on Wed. 1/15. Again, once completed I hope I don't have anything else to do before I can have the surgery scheduled. Psych done and out of the way. Sooooo...can't wait. yes I am impatient!

Okay all, I saw Dr. Hart today. What a sweetheart!!! Explained everything and I acutally understand it. I have a tenative date of 4/1/03. He wants me to lose as much weight as I can prior to surgery because it will be easier on me and also him doing the surgery. I am going to be good and try to lose at least 40 pounds in the next 2 months.

So far so good.

Dr. Hart was wonderful, he explain the procedure and was willing to answer any question i had. He was able to catch another medical problem with my thyroid that several physicans had missed in the last two months. I was very pleased with his staff professional manner, and look forward to my next vist.
Thanks Joi Williams

Beautiful blue eyes! Ok, let's be serious. Dr. Daly is confident and direct. I felt very comfortable and safe with my decision to have him perform my LAP RNY procedure. I asked him a list of questions I had from researching the procedure. He put me at ease with HIS experience with post-op complications or I should really say his lack of. The staff is helpful and seems to really care about you. The whole process from first visit to surgery date was quick. I would say about 3-4mos. Waiting for insurance to send written approval is everyone's struggle. I would rate him a 10 from my experience. I'm not sure how to rate bedside manner. I don't expect my surgeon to hold my hand and I wasn't looking for that. I wanted the most confident and successful surgeon who could get me through this and I found him. Thanks Dr. Daly!!! I am down 90 lbs. in 7mos. Eating what I want in small portions and feeling better than ever. 30lbs. to goal!

Dr Daly is an extremely busy surgeon who does many different types of surgeries. Apparently, he is one of the top surgeons in Atlanta (as I was told by patients in his waiting room).

I did have to wait for the initial consult, about 2 hours past my appt time...but I didn't mind because I feel a lot of confidence in Dr Daly.

He is very confident about his abilities himself. He says that he is very "anal". I joked with him and told him that I considered that a good trait in a surgeon!

Dr Daly met with 3 of us individually and then together about general info and questions about the surgery.

Dr Daly addressed 2 of my major concerns about the surgery--the common complication that can be deadly--"leaks" along staple lines. He uses a circular stapler to prevent leaks and has never had one. (He also does leak testing while you are still in surgery.)

Additionally, he said that he has learned over the years to make the pouch smaller, to get better short term wt and long term wt loss results. I was very concerned about pouch size and I am so pleased that he is too!

I will write more post-op!

I have not met anyone at Dr. Waits office yet, but from all the research done, I think that I have made the right choice for a surgeon. I got a chance to speak with Karen, and she was very pleasant. I have a consultation date for 9/10/01. WOW! I got a chance to meet Dr. Waits and some of his staff. They were everything I expected. I must say this to all of you newcomers though, PLEASE make sure you send in your information packet back via mail as soon as you get it, and make sure you follow all instructions to the T. I personaly had a wonderful experience, but two others did not follow instructions.(need I say more) Dr. Waits was very informative about all surgeries, and explained thoroughly why he chose to do the Open RNY. Looking forward to support group meeting.

September 20, 2002
Well we all know what happened the day after my visit with Dr. Waits. I did not get approved for the surgery, due to the all the changes that took place with my insurance carriers. I recently had a visit with Dr. Daly, whom I feel is the correct surgeon for me. He was very honest and he made me feel as though there is hope!

November 21,2002
I had my final visit with Dr. Daly before surgery. He was GREAT! I love his approach, and he is to the point in reference to the odds, etc. I could have not chosen a better surgeon. Tammy is the BOMB! She has been great and I just absolutely love her.

I've started with Dr. Duncan's office in August of this year and after getting approved received a surgery date of 03/03/2003, which is to far out and I need the surgery done this year. My insurance is changing as of 01/01/2003 and I will have to pay a big amount.
As of today I've changed to Dr. Christopher Hart. He seems not so busy and a lot of people went from Dr. Duncan to Dr. Hart.
Looks like they can still get me in this year:-)

11/18/02, I did meet Dr. Hart today and he seems very professional and nice.

10/29/02 UPDATE EVERYONE "I GOT MY DATE" NOVEMBER 26!! THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT AND THANK YOU GOD FOR THE VICTORY!! I GUESS IT'S NO THANKSGIVING DINNER FOR ME!!
10/25/02 I WAS RE-APPROVED TODAY THROUGH DR. DALY, IT ONLY TOOK THREE DAYS ONCE THE UHC FINALLY GOT EVERYTHING THEY NEEDED. CAROLYN, DR. DALY ASSISTANT IS SO NICE COMPARED TO DR. DUNCAN OFFICE. SHE STAYS UP ON THINGS.
10/15/02 I've decided to change surgeons because Dr. Duncan office gave me a surgery date in March 3, 2003, I really would like to have it done this year. I met Dr. Daly on 10-15-02 and really thought he was very direct and to the point,I did like the fact he gave you eye to eye contact. He also told me he schedules 3 to 4 weeks out, which I really appreciated.
10/11/02 I GOT A SURGERY DATE OF 3/3/03 OF NEXT YEAR. I CAN'T BELIEVE I WAS SCHEDULED SO FAR AWAY. I MAY HAVE TO CHANGE SURGEONS BECAUSE MY INS. COMPANY, WILL CHANGE NEXT YEAR EFFECTIVE JAN 1ST.
10/03/02 I was officially APPROVED today. Thank God!!!!!
9/16/02-Great news everyone, I just found out my letter went out to the insurance company this morning, please pray for me!!!!!THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!!!!!
9/10/02 I met with Dr. Santivicca he was very nice I had to wait about a hour to see him but after that everythIng went very smoothly. I had to take a test which asks you alot of questions my advice is to not to tell all of your business because it seems to it may be used against you when he writes up his report so be very careful,If not he may just say you might need to continue to see him. ok