The Surgical Weight Loss Institute of Kansas City Bariatric Center

The Bariatric Services in Columbia Missouri do a great job!! I had some complications 2 weeks after my surgery and they were right on top of it. I never had trouble getting through to the Bariatric resident at the hospital.

Dr. Scott is very professional and caring. He has a strong program and believes no one should consider the surgery if they are not fully prepared to follow the program for the rest of their life. He is an excellent surgeon and gave me a the chance to live a much healthier life.

My first impression of Dr. De La Torre was that he was thinner than his pictures on the website. He seems calm and very knowledgeable about what he does. He has no problems answering questions, and he does so in a way that you can understand what he's saying. He is personable. His office staff is great. I've had the most contact with Nancy and Kathy. I think I've talked to Patsy on the phone, and Scott talked with us about exercise. They are all just very kind and enouraging people. They are efficient, caring and have good senses of humor. They all emphasize that the WLS is a tool, and there is lots of hard work that must be done by you. They do have a structured aftercare program, and stress that it is up to you to follow the rules. If you follow the rules, you will lose weight and you will be healthy. The risks of WLS were discussed at length. I feel I am in very good hands and I feel lucky that I am geographically close enough to have my surgery done by this surgeon, at this hosptal. Groups of surgeons from the Mayo clinic have come to observe him. His group participated in the clinical studies that got the laproscopic RNY surgery approved in the US. I guess the thing that patients will want to know, and he told us this himself, is that he is very busy, and will be the one to do our surgery, but may not be the one we see the next day in the hopsital. He is spread out over several offices, and he can't be everyplace at one time. This would be the only negative I have at this time. I'm glad that he is upfront about it, though, and his patiens know what to expect. I feel that this groups success rate is due to their extensive experience of 3000 gastric bypass surgeries, combined with their structured program, and extensive preoperative screening process. At this point, I would rate them very highly.

Dr. de la Torre was very knowledgable. He explained the risks and benefits both. I thought him to be nice, but didn't carry on much of a conversation. He answered any questions, but other than that he didn't talk much. His head nurse Nancy is WONDERFUL! She is very charismatic, and very concerned about her patients. I was given a notebook explaining foods I would eat, and when. It also explained all the vitamins I would need to take.

I met with Dr. Scott for my first consult appointment. Dr. Scott took his time and went over all that could happen with this surgery. There were several thing I have to do before he will do the surgery. I was impressed that he wasnt the type of Dr. that just wanted to get ya on the operating table. He's genuinely concerned for his patients. And wants them to make the most out this tool. I would recommend Dr. Scott to anyone!!!

Dr. Scott is a fantastic surgeon! He's very kind and listens to any problems or questions I have. I had my surgery with him in February 2005 in Columbia, MO at the university hospital. His office staff and the hospital staff were wonderful. Natalie (nutritionist) is wonderful!! I email her with questions all the time and she always responds quickly. I highly recommend Dr. Scott and his staff in Columbia they are all fantastic, i had no complications, and i'd do it all over again in a second!!

<table width="75%"><p align="left">My 1st impression was that he was very professional. No, my impression of him didn't change at all. His office staff are all wonderful, and his program director Nancy is wonderful. I think I liked best that he always had a smile on his face. He seems like a happy/healthy person in general. I think that future patients should know that Dr. Deletorre is very professional and takes his work very seriously. I think that the aftercare program is wonderful because they take the time to go over the eating stages step by step. If you have questions...Nancy or another staff member is only a phone call away. Yes, he did address the risks of the surgery and he even tape recorded it. I would rate Dr. D. the highest that I could 10/10. I would have to say surgical competence and only because I did not see him at all following my surgery. Both days an assistant came in to check on me and released me from the hospital. I think it's very important for people to understand that I'm not concerned or wasn't even surprised that my surgeon didn't come and see me after my surgery. Sometimes I think people expect too much, and want to have their hands held throughout their WLS process.

10/26/2005 My first visit with Dr. DeLaTorre was today for a physical that my insurance company asked for. I was impressed with his kindness. He was nothing like I had pictured in my mind. (much younger looking and softer talking)

10/14/05-I went to another surgeon's info session in middle of SEPT and was not really impressed with him. I then happened upon Dr. de la Torre and the weight loss program thru DePaul and attended one their seminars. I was very impressed with this Surgeon and did much research on # of procedures he has performed and reviewed his CV (resume). I also reviewed articles he and Dr. Scott had published for Obesity Surgery journal. When Dr. de la Torre spoke at the seminar he gave many details and answered all questions given. I want a very confident Surgeon!! I also want to feel like I could contact him/his team anytime for anything...and also when admitted for this surgery that the Nurses will feel comfortable contacting him. I have not had surgery yet...so will have to update that info later.

Dr. De La Torre was great. He was very personable, patient in answering questions, and very encouraging. His office staff were very helpful.