San Jorge Clinica Bariatric Center

Dr. Baltasar was quick to respond to my email preop and has been very responsive postop when I had a request. He is a compassionate, caring, competent bariatric surgeon with 22 years of experience. He does not have a structured aftercare program for his postop patients here in the US, but I have gotten into other weight loss surgery support groups and have been welcomed with open arms. Most patients who go to Dr. B from the US are patients who must self-pay because of insurance denial. The cost of the entire surgery, including a nine day stay in the hospital is $10,500 for morbidly obese and $11,000 for the supermorbidly obese. The thought of going out of the country for surgery was certainly scary, but Dr. B put me at ease almost immediately after meeting him face to face. I would have no qualms about recommending him to others.

I have been in contact with Dr Baltasar by email as he is in Spain. He has been very quick with responses and anwers to my questions. He updated me about Amy E. who had surg on the 24th of July, 01. I so far, have foun hime to be all everyone says he is...good!

Dr Baltasar seems like a very caring surgeon and individual. He has made himself available to answer questions or address my concerns. He even gave me his cellular phone number!

When researching WLS, I emailed several doctors with a long list of questions, concerns, and expectations. I received several responses from all over the US and was continuing my research when I got a belated reply from Dr Baltasar. He had been in Italy speaking at an international conference on Bariatric Surgery. The tone of his letter was much different than those I had gotten before. He actually read the attachments I sent, which detailed my weight loss history, my goals/hopes/expectations, my co-morbidities… He read it all thoroughly and commented on each in turn. Then he told me that after reviewing my case, he knew I was a good candidate for this surgery, that what I had was a disease called morbid obesity, that I hadn’t failed by being large… I sat in front of my computer crying, freed from the idea that I was at fault for what I had become… It was the first major step in my journey…

Over the next 7 months, I sent off email after email, all full of questions. Each question, he answered in turn, always giving me support and respect for whatever decision I might make. I began feeling more and more human again, like my opinions and concerns really mattered… My self-esteem went up and my new attitude made a big difference in my everyday living…

If you were ever to consider going to Dr Baltasar, you should know that if he doesn’t get right back to you, it is probably because he is out of town. His postop patients have his pager/home/cell numbers so that they can get immediate attention for any possible emergencies, but new patients would have to wait for his return to have their questions answered. He is thorough, honest, caring, and forthright. He charges $10,500-$11,000 US dollars, which includes everything except travel for a stay of up to nine days in the hospital. He works closely with your PCP on preop needs as well as postop, and keeps track of his patients’ progress long-term.

Dr Baltasar does have an aftercare program that he has you follow to maximize your healing and results.

Dr Baltasar answered all my questions about the risks of surgery and sent me his latest study covering a several year span of DS patients. He also had me read the Hess Report.

I give Dr Baltasar an Excellent rating overall. He treats the whole person instead of just the disease, which heals the soul as well as the body.

I believe surgical competence is the most important thing for surgery, and respecting the patient’s experience is the most important thing for before and after. I do not believe a surgeon can adequately care for a patient if he cannot listen to them long enough to find out what is truly wrong; yet he cannot heal a patient by simply listening… It requires both surgical competence and a good bedside manner!

I decided to check out Dr. Baltasar in Spain because I have gotten really good feedback and comments from his patients. I have corresponded with him by email and he has been very detailed in the information he has given me and names and email addresses of his patients to get information on their experiences with him. Traveling to Spain is something I thought I would NEVER do, but I feel very confident that he is an excellent surgeon from what I have heard about him.

10/29/2000- I have not yet met Dr. Baltasar, since my surgery date is about 6 weeks away now. However, I have had a few exchanges on email with him, and have been satisfied with those communications. I have kept up with reports about his care of current patients, and find his reputation to be very good in the caring and personal attention department. Plus he has an impressive resume. I will update more after I return from Spain. My surgery date is December 11,2000. I will be back in the US hopefully at Christmas. More about Dr. Baltasar then!

12/22/00
I had my surgery 11 days ago, and I am really extremely pleased with Dr. Baltasar. He is among the elite in the bariatric surgery profession, and a fabulous doctor. He is informative, kind, and very attentive. He went the extra mile to make me comfortable when I was thousands of miles from home, alone in the hospital. He has a very caring way of making patients comfortable and relaxed before surgery. I trusted him completely and am 100% satisfied with his care. He is in Spain, but fluent in English. He is available to me or my PCP by telephone, email or fax at all times. He gave me an excellent discaharge summary with postop followup info for my PCP. He also has a patient handbook that covers the main points of lifetime follow-up. He encourages his patients to become active in the cyber world of after care, and to talk to each other. There are duodenal switch discussion groups on egroups.com. Again, an excellent doctor with a special, caring touch.

I have not meet him in person yet, but have exchanged many emails I am scheduled for surgery on 1-18-2001. I am very happy I have made the decision to have the BPD/DS which is what my orginal goal was. I am having to be a self pay but I think this will give me the best quality of life. Dr.B appears to be a very compationate man. All his patients have nothing but he best to say about him. I looking forward to meeting him in person.

Dr. Baltasar was a very knowledgeable and genial personality. Although I was at first concerned about having the surgery in Spain. I was quickly reassured after meeting and consulting with Dr. Baltasar. You will not be disappointed in his expertise or bedside manner! An excellent surgeon, takes his time to talk and offer explanations.

I have not personally met him yet since he resides in Spain, but have heard what a caring and compassionate man he is. I have sent several e-mails to him and he has answered me back within 1-2 days and he answered all my questions and even more! When I get back from Spain, I will have more to say.

I would like you all to know how WONDERFUL Dr.Baltasar has been to me. He is so caring and concerned about me. From the first email I sent him he has replied quickly and with much concern and caring. My impression of him has not changed, I knew from the first email that this man was going to be my suregon!

Dr.Baltasar will be working with my PCP for after care. She is very supprotive and is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure I stay healthy and get all the necessary tests run.

Overall rating: A+++++