The Surgical Specialists of Louisiana Bariatric Center

<blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><b>08/14/02 Previously, I was preparing to complete necessary tests and
approval to have the Ajustable Band surgery with Dr. Lavin in Covington,
La. but, continued research has lead me to a surgeon in Lafayette, louisiana
(45 minutes from my home) much much closer which I found does the Ajustable
Lap band. I have an appointment with her August 19, 2002. I will post
information regarding this surgeon based on my personal opinion of her
as time progresses. Also, if you prefer there is also a male that does
this surgery at the same hospital in Lafayette, Louisiana. His name is
Dr. Gary Stevens. Both of these surgeons are with the Hamilton Medical
Group Hospital on Ambassador Caffery Street in Lafayette, Louisiana. </b></p>
<p><b> 08/20/02 I have met with Dr. Chu, she is young and very nice, took
alot of time with me discussing my medical history and discussing co-morbidities
needed. She states my BMI is fairly low and that I also may not have enough
medical issues. Nvertheless, she states she will attempt to argue my case
with my insurance company. I am very comfortable with her. My conversation
with her was like speaking to one of my good friends. She is very likeable.
She is new to bariatric surgery although she will have an experienced
physician assisting her so this is even more comforting. Now comes the
testing procedures and then we will move to the approval process. Wish
me luck! Updates to follow! </b></p>
<p><b> 09/25/02 Dr. Gary Stevens will be my surgeon if I am approved. As
per this surgeons office, he will be doing the Adjustable Bands and Dr.
Chu, his partner, will only be doing the RNY's. Still awaiting a decision
from my insurance company! Updates to continue! </b></p>
<p><b> 11/28/02 I have had to change facilities and physician's. I am now
going to utilize Dr. Thomas Lavin (see profile as to why the switch) in
Covington, La. You know this change may just be a blessing for me since
Dr. Lavin is so experienced in this type surgery! Will update my thoughts
on him after my consultation with him on December 5th 2002. </b></p>
<p><b> 12/05/02 I had my consultation with Dr. Lavin on today and I think
he is very nice, and very experienced with this type surgery. Actually,
he is one of three physician's in the USA that were selected to teach
the Lap Band procedure to other physician's throughtout the USA. I am
very impressed! My surgery date is: 12/23/02. Best wishes to me! </b></p>
<p><b>01/01/03 I am now 9 days post op. Dr. Lavin and his staff were helpful,
friendly and accomodating. I was and am very happy with my choice of surgeons,
Dr. Lavin is definitely the physician of my choice. I would recommend
him highly to anyone regardless of the type surgery they are in need of.
</b></p>
<p><b>Thanks Dr. Lavin and Staff!!</b></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>

Dr. Warden is a down to earth, get to business doctor. He carefully explained all the surgery details and gave me plenty of time to review the details and ask any questions.
The office staff was considerate and very courtous. The doctor was running late the day of the first visit, but they told me to come back later. When I came back, I went in to see Dr. Warden rather quickly.
I would recommend Dr. Warden to anyone considering this type surgery. Dr. Warden has you to sign a promise that you understand and will abide by the after care procedures outlined by the group.
Dr. Warden works through the weight loss clinic called "Crossover Bridge". Through the surgeons office and this WLS clinic, they stress the importance of nutrition, stress management along with many other important post surgery concerns.
Dr. Warden's bedside manner and surgical competence rate high on my report card!

I have not met Dr. Lavin yet, but I have met with one of his associates Dr. Glenn Steeb at the seminar. He was very informative with information regarding gastric bypass surgery. He made me felt like I was doing the right thing for myself by deciding to have the surgery. The staff at Surgical Specialist of LA are GREAT!!! especially Penny. She is a very sweet and patient person with me no matter how many times I call her with little crazy questions. There is nothing that I can say bad about the staff there because they are GREAT!!! Maria (Nure Practitioner)is the person that you will see when you go in for your first visit at the office. She is a very nice. She makes sure that you have everything that you need to start your journey to have the surgery (Bloodwork, Sleep Study, Psychological Evaluation and Physical Therapy Baseline). She STRESSES the importance of after care and how it will greatly benefit you for life without it you won't achieve your goal. Maria also makes sure that you know the risks and effects that are involved with the surgery. On a scale of 1 to 10 I would rate the team members at Sugical Specialist of LA with a 10+. The doctors there have surgical competence and bedside manners. That's very important to have both, because patients put their trust in the hands of the doctors at the Surgical Specialist of LA. I would recommend anyone to the Surgical Specialist of LA Team, because they are very professional and they care about the patients they come in contact with in their office.

I chose Dr. Lavin to do my surgery primarily because I knew him when he was a resident, so our association went back a few years. I knew that as a resident, he was a kind and caring person and had excellent reviews on his work. Best of all, he was a person who always had time for anyone who needed him. I feared the surgery because I had family members who had it done years ago, before it was perfected in the laparoscopic manner. When I contacted Dr. Lavin, he was more than helpful, as usual, and not only was he supportive, he explained everything very carefully to me, still taking the time to show how important his patients are to him.

I am ecstatic with the results of my surgery so far, and when I call for Dr. Lavin, he is always there to answer my questions or help me with my problems. He personally took my case to the insurance company and helped me get coverage for my surgery, which I would not have been able to afford otherwise.

I would rate Dr. Lavin an AA++ and I wish there were more doctors like him that not only cared for their patients, but cared about them. His surgical competence, bedside manner and people skills are superb. His office staff was particularly helpful during the "waiting" time, and I thank them for their kindness and understanding. Surgical Associates is a group of surgeons that I would highly recommend if you are looking for good, competent doctors that care about their patients and their outcomes.

I have no complaints with my care or with the care given to me at the hospital during my stay.

He is a very nice and sympathetic person. I believe that he truly cares about his patients needs. Being in the medical field, I see and interact with doctors on a daily basis and haven't met one like him in a while. He is a genuinely concerned doctor.
His office staff is excellent and are willing to go above and beyond to get things accomplished.

When I first met Dr. Warden he was very nice had all the answer for what ever question that I had. I still feel the same about him. When I went back into the hospital he was very concerned. His office staff was very pleasant.I think that people should know that he is a good doctor and that I trust him to take care of me and make the best decision for me. I like that fact that he gives you a booklet letting you know what to exept after the surgery letting you know how thing will go, and your stages of what you can eat. He was very open about some of the things that can happen during and after surgery. I would rate him a 10.

Dr. Lavin and his associates are very knowledgeable and personable. They present a seminar twice a month that presents the problems of overcoming obesity and describes the procedures they do, including the risks and life changes that must occur. The office staff were helpful in describing what was important in obtaining insurance approval. The thing I liked least was how busy everybody seemed. When I was in the hospital, I was only visited once by the surgeon. I felt they needed to coordiante the discharge instructions better with the nospital staff. Aftercare is strongly emphasized, and the aftercare is fairly structured. Dr. Lavin and his team are very competent, and have had and continue to get lots of practice.

Doctor Levin has a very structured program. You can't even make your first appointment till you go to a seminar where you learn all about the surgery. The seminar was great. He really stressed after care and went over all of the risks. I got to meet Dr. Levin and ask questions as well as talk to others who have been through surgery. I made an appointment for later that week and Maria (the nurse who handles the prescreening process) answered any additional questions I had. The staff was very nice and friendly. The girl who will be working with my ins. came in the room to meet me and answer questions which made me feel like she really cared. So overall, my first impression was really good.
Now that I've had surgery, I recommend him highly. He is a great doctor who gives people like me hope for a better life. He has helped change my life.

Liked Dr. Warden. Kinda quiet, but seems to be very intelligent. I am much less interested in bedside manner than surgical skills. His care has been excellent. Misdiagnosed stricture by radiologist, Dr. Warden caught it immediately.

Dr. Thomas was very professional as well as understanding.
His office was very helpful and informative. They were as excited as I was when I recieved my approval from my insurance company.
They stress the importance of after care for each patient. They schedule you periodically for the first year. They also hope you will return throughout your lifetime. They also have a support group set up for pre op and post op patients. Meetings are monthly and they ex[ect you to attend them for one year.
I initially attended a seminar and all the risks were addressed. I am scheduled to
go over them with the dr. one on one next week.
I absolutely reccomend a dr. have both bedside manner as well as surgical competance, but if I had to pick one it would be surgical competance. I would reccomend his office to any one that asked.