Baylor Scott & White Weight Loss Surgery Program Bariatric Center

Seems to be very serious about his work, but that's what you want! I have only seen Dr. Provost once, but that one time I knew he would be good at his job.

The office staff is awesome!

Just remember....he is very serious...no joking around. His bedside manner is less than great, but I'd rather have someone that has top shelf surgical competence anyway!

The aftercare is every 3 months for the first year, then once a year for the rest of your life. He said the office would always be there for me.

Dr. Provost said every 1 our of 200 die from this sugery and that it is a very serious decision for a lifetime.

I'd rate him on a scale from 1 - 10...a 9.
I've had 2 friends that had this same surgery and recommended him to me. They both think alot of him. That was enough for me.

My first impression about Dr. Rodriquez was that he is very concerned and is honest and straight to the point. He stresses to you how this is a tremendous life change and that it will take alot of will power and positive surroundings. He also stresses how important excercise and eating healthy will be for the rest of your life.

He is Very Professional and Knowledgable.
His staff is also very Professional and willing to do anything to help you through the process.
He stresses aftercare a lot.
He has a structured aftercare program.
I would rate him very high.

I am now getting close to my 6-month anniversary date since my surgery. I can't say enough good things about Dr. Rod and his staff. They have been wonderful throughout everything.
When I initially met with Dr. Rod, he told me a normal surgery would be 2-3hours. Well I was not so fortunate. Since I weighed in at 396lbs before surgery, it took a little bit longer. My surgery lasted 5 hours. My family and friends waiting outside were beside themselves. They did not know what to think. My Mom had been to all the meetings with me so she knew the expected time frame for the surgery. Once Dr. Rod finished, he went out and re-assured them and told them it took lots longer for him because of all the excess fat getting through to do the surgery. Mom said Dr. Rod looked completely drained and he still had 1 more surgery to do after me. Dr. Rod explained everything to my family and for that I will never forget him. That means more to me than words can explain. He took the extra time to comfort them and to tell them all the little details. The staff has been very supportive since my surgery. If I had any questions, all I did was email or call and they answered them. I would have to agree with one lady that came to our Diet classes before surgery. She told us the first 3 months would be hard. They are!! It has gotten a lot easier now. I have lost 110lbs so far and can do things I haven't been able to do in a LONG time!! :) You that have already had the surgery know what I am talking about. I still have a ways to go but I know I am going to make it. I go back for my 6-month visit on the 28th and I can't wait. I look forward to the visits each time. More to come!

I was immediately impressed with Dr. Rodriguez. He is extremely knowledgeable and trated me with dignity and respect, not as a gross, morbidly obese fat girl. Over time, my respect and admiration for Dr. Rodriguz only deepened and became more solidified. The office staff was extremely helpful, polite and knowledgeable...as long as you were following the rules that we outlined at the beginning of your journey. I followed the rules and was exceptionally happy with their demeanor and helpfullness. The only thing I can think of that I don't particularly care for about my surgeon is that you don't see him personally at your follow-up visits after surgery. You see his NP, Paulette Whitfield. She is great and I have no complaints about her, it's just that I would have liked to see Dr. Rodriguez again to let him know how appreciative I was for everything. Future patients should know to follow the rules as outlined and your surgery process should go very smoothly. Thre is a emphasized aftercare program that is very structured...all for your own benefits. If you follow it, the weight will literally fall off of you! The risks of the surgery were explicitely outlined at each visit with Dr. Rodriguez. He thoroughly answered any and all questions, no matter how long it took. I NEVEr felt rushed or hurried at any appointment. Overall, I would rate Dr. Rodriguez and his staff a 10+++++ on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being superior. Both competence and bedside manner are top priority and superior with Dr. Rodriguez! The only negative comment I have to say would be that what I thought would be a simple 6 month process turned into a 9 month process of waiting. The six months prepare you mentally and physically for the surgery, but then you have to wait and wait to get appointments with psychology, the NP, and finally Dr. Rodriguez. It was a very frustrating time, but now I know it was definitely worth the wait! Again, this was my personal experience and opinion with S& W and Dr. Rodriguez and you personal experience may vary as well as your results and opinions. I am trying in no way to influence anyone with my opinions.

Dr David Provost is a very good Doctor.He was very friendly and explained everything to me.I still very much like Dr.Provost and
appreiciate everything he has done for me.His nurse Lois is very good and always helpful.If I had it to do over again I would still do it and use Dr.Provost .I think he is wonderful.Dr.Provost has a good bedside
manner.I would rate him a 10.

Wanda Medina
Garland, Tex

I first observed Dr. Provost in Spring 2003, at an "info night" that he and his staff conduct. I was initially impressed with the information he provided. It was detaile and didn't pull any punches, yet delivered in a professional and down-to-earth manner.

I met him in person about 15 months later (yes, his waiting list was THAT long!). My initial consult with him was Aug. 20, 2004. When he first walked in the room, I thought to myself, "He's a CHILD!!" I understand he older than the early 20's that he looks...he is one of those fortunate people who has a very young face. He also has kind eyes. He talked with me for about 30 minutes and went over material in depth, including his expectations of me after the surgery. Once again, it was delivered matter of factly, in a way that told me this would be best for me. He is responsible for the surgery but I am responsible for how t act after the surgery.

After meeting with him, I met with his staff nutritionist, Michelle; David, the insurance coordinator; and lastly, Lois, the bariatric nurse. They were all informative and pleasant. I was a bit intimidated by David because the insurance was my biggest area of concern. So every question he asked me (and the manner in which he asked it) put me on the defensive. But I know the whole staff is working for the best interest of the patients and I will be grateful for everything they do. Michelle and Lois, especially, made it real clear that this is a team effort and they are available if I need them for anything.

I will add more as I go along and have more interactions with them. But right out of the starting gate, they were TOP NOTCH!

I am posting this for Diane who passed away yesterday, August 14, 2004.

I am Cathleen C - also an OH member and close friend of Diane's family.

Dr Provost is an outstanding surgeon. He teaches OTHER bariatric surgeons how to perform the surgeries.

U T Southwestern is a teaching hospital.

I have always had a great deal of respect for Dr Provost.

Diane was *rushed* through the process & scheduled for RNY in a short period of time which totally surprised me. Dr Provost usually has a waiting list as long as your arm.

I attribute this to the fact that she had Medicare & all he has to do is complete the surgery & file a letter of *medical necessity* to Medicare for payment.

In Diane's situation, I feel that a 2nd opinion about her laproscopic surgery could have headed off the ultimate issues with her diverticulitis & COPD (I understand that Dr Provost was aware that she had been diagnosed in August 2003).

Diane was in his office for a follow up visits twice in 2 weeks before she was re-hospitalized with a diverticulitis attack (May 27th). She was malnourished & dehydrated with a bp of 75/25.

The family feels that IF he had spent more time with her during the visits, he could have headed off her trip to the ER. It became obvious to us that home health was not communicating with him on her condition.

The gastrointestinal surgeon who ultimately did 4 more surgeries on her to try & save her life said that the bariatric surgery was NOT the cause of her death but the malnutrition & dehydration attributed to her inability to heal after he operated on her.

I realize that we are excited and in a *RUSH* to get on the operating table once we are approved.. but I feel that a 2nd opinion in her case might have saved her life.

Rest in Peace, my friend. I love you.
Cathleen C

My first impression of Dr. Provost was that he was cute but shy. He really seemed to be one of those doctors that is there to help people. After my surgery, I felt like he was a genious. After my complications (internal bleeding) and the fact that he never came to see me I was a little turned off. I keep telling myself that he must have been really busy or out of town, but it still bothered me.

Felt very comfortable with him...seems to have a nurturing tone to himself..also...that..hes giving us the TOOL..we do have to work..his office staff has been GREAT thru now...love love love everyone so far
AFTERCARE..is VERY important..i am theres for a yr!!!
yes the risks are addressed thru and thru
10+
on all areas!!!!!