Baylor Scott & White Weight Loss Surgery Program Bariatric Center

Let me make myself clear, I only have the initial office consultation appt. Even that is 13 months away due to the volume of patients Dr. Provost has. He did a friends surgery 4 yrs. ago and she has had no problems and weight loss has been a great sucess.

Dr. Rodriguez seems to be a very caring person. I am very impressed with him and his staff. This process has been almost 11 months in the works. He stresses that this is the tool, that the success is totally up to the individual. He was precise and very open to the surgical risks and the things that could go wrong after surgery. I would rate him as excellent. To me, both surgical competence and bedside manner are both important. I feel confident that I will be in good hands.

My first impression of Dr. Rodriguez was of a very nice but quiet man. My impression changed but only to add the words wonderful, supportive, and caring.

His office staff is terrific. They are supportive of you and do everything they can to help.

There is nothing that i don't like about him. I was admitted into the hospital 2 weeks after my surgery for blood on the spleen (non-surgery related). At first they were afraid it was related to my surgery and gave me every test possible. Dr. Rodriguez came by my room several times a day to see how i was doing. He seemed to take it personal that i was back in the hospital. After i was released a month later he would call me at home to follow up and see how i was doing. He went above and beyond the call of duty as my bariatric surgeon.

He has a structured aftercare program. I went in every month for the first six months. Each month a different food item was added and we discussed how my excercising, eating, and water intake was going.

Overall, I give Dr. Roriguez five stars for explaining the risks of surgery, his bedside manner, and overall patient interaction.

Dr Provost was nice, informative, and a little behind schedule for my first consult on 4/12/02. The second time I met him was 7/18/02 for my pre-op appointment. Obviously, he wasn't pushed for time and his manner was much more at ease and almost comical.

His staff, I think is a little over-whelmed with work. David, insurance personnel, at times during getting me approved was almost rude with his unwavering style of he had all the "right" answers. I was the one that finally contacted Aetna and got the last bit of paperwork for my final approval. Seems David's schedule hadn't given him time after 2 weeks to submit final paperwork. I met Lois, his assistant, on my second visit, as she was out due to gall bladder surgery in April. She seemed very nice and friendly.

I can't think of anything that I didn't like about Dr. Provost, as he reminded me of one of my newphews that I love dearly. So, it would be hard not to dislike anything about him. His smile is very kind and his eyes show lots of warmth.

Future patients waiting to get in should practice the virtue of patience! I made my appointment September 2001 and finally saw Dr. Provost April 2002. The wait is long, but I'm pretty sure it's all worth the wait.

My pre-op appointment lasted 5 hours. You see Dr. P, complete more paperwork and then your wisked off to the hospital. Since I'm having LAP, I'll use Parkland, which is the county hospital for Dallas. My day was spent with so much information going into my brain and plenty of paperwork to take home to reabsorb all that was said.

At this point, I'm thrilled I've chosen Dr. P and will begin this journey in 4 days on 7/25/02 for my scheduled surgery at 7:00 a.m.

My first impression of Dr. Provost (Dr. P) was not made by meeting him but from talking to a patient of his. I felt that he could be the right Doc for me. After meeting him I was even more convinced. He has done many WLS's and answered all my questions with a smile and honesty. His nurse, Lois, is very informative about the complications, after care, expectations, and she truely cares about you. David, the "Ins. Guy", was very prompt and considerate. I think Dr. P is a great Doctor, but I base that on the fact that he had to deal with me throughout 4 different hospital stays the first of which lasted a whopping 2 weeks. Although he emphasized the complications that could occure with this surgery, I never thought I would exerience them all. I had a leak, pneumonia, high blood pressure (post-op), nausea, vomitting, peritonitis, a pleaural affusion, my gall bladder was removed, pancreatitis, severe dehydration, fatigue, hair loss, and the loss of friends. Despite all of these things, I am here today through Dr. P's fortitude, bedside manner and his attention to his patients. If it wasn't for his knowledge and "you can do it" attitude I would have lost hope months ago.

My surgery was 06-05-02. In my opinion, Dr. Joaquin Rodriguez is an excellent surgeon. I have had no problems, other than the ones expected (blood pressure, nausea, etc.). The Scott & White aftercare program is very structured. The surgeons do the surgery and most of the aftercare is handled by their Nurse Practioner Paulette Whitefield. I believe that she is very good in her position. Both doctors Rodriguez and Symmonds together currently do the LAP. surgeries for Scott & White. It was an extra comfort to me knowing that two Bariatric Specialists were there doing my surgery.

Again, from my personal experience, my opinion is that, Dr. Rodriguez is an experienced and, an excellent surgeon. I personally am very greatful for the new life that he has given me.

I can't say enough good things about Dr. Provost and his nurse Lois. Everyone in his office has been wonderful. The wait to get a consultation appointment is a little long, but it is worth it, as he is such a great doctor. My surgery was on a Friday, and he came to the hospital every morning to check on me, even though it was a weekend. He could have easily let the surgical residents check on me, but he came himself, and that was great. He is a wonderful surgeon and I would recommend him to anyone.

David Provost at our first meeting..was down to earth,told my wife and I all the risks of the by pass surgery,Which both my wife and I had a hard time with..but there are so many risks for me by being so much over weight..That the surgery for ME..out weighs NOT having it, He also explained all the good things to come after the surgery..Like not having to take a reflux pill anymore..Diabetes
reversal..lowed blood presure,which also means less meds..dropping a 100 lbs in only a few months..I am 5'8" tall and weigh in at 415 lbs...it's hard to get around..even to stand for more that five mins at a time is hard..because of lower back pain..my knees and ankles..I'm really looking forward to this surgery..and I happy to know that a sergeon with David's Rep. will be doing it
Now just waiting for Insurance approval and a surgery date..Gerald Ray

<p><u><b><font face="Arial">Nov.27, 2001</font></b></u></p>
<p><b><font face="Arial">Today I attended a seminar for WLS with Dr. Provost. My
first impression with Dr. Provost was very good and after I met him and had a
personal conversation with him I was even more impressed. He is very
knowledgeable and personable. I attended seminars for three other surgeons
however I kept comparing them to Dr. Provost and I did feel the same connection
with them that I felt with him. I look forward to having him as my surgeon.</font></b></p>
<p><u><b><font face="Arial">March 22, 2001</font></b></u></p>
<p><b><font face="Arial">Today I had my consultation with Dr. Provost. He
explained the surgery and risks involved in great detail and answered all of my
questions that I had prepared. I also meet with Lois his nurse, and David, the
person that works with the insurance companies. Everyone made this a pleasant
experience. I definitely made the right decision choosing Dr. Provost as my
surgeon.</font></b></p>

1/19/02 My first impression of Dr. Provost was that he really cares about his patients and that after care is a must. He kept stressing that during my consultation. Lois his nurse is so down to earth both her and David the insurance guy were wonderful.