WhyWeight.com Bariatric Center

I met Dr. Warden during my consultation. I don't know yet whether he will be performing my surgery or whether it will be Dr. Kim. My understanding is that they are both in the operating room. Everyone at SMS seemed great. They shared lots of information and answered my questions openly and honestly.

Update (6/18/2014) - Dr. Warden performed my surgery on 5/6/2003. I am now 11 years out and still doing great. My life has been forever changed.

Dr. Lavin is a great guy. He is easy to talk to and is very understanding of the problems faced by those of us that suffer from obesity. I was impressed with Dr. Lavin while listening to him talk to another patient. I knew at that point that I would be comfortable with him as my surgeon. Dr. Lavin has always been able to be reached and will answer all of your questions. Dr. Lavin's office is full of people that truly care about their patients. I get a true sense that they are as excited about our sucesses as we are. They are very knowledgable about the insurance process, surgery perparation, recovery and long term support. They are with you the whole way and you will feel like a part of the family.

My first impression of Dr Warden was that of someone who was open and willing to be of assistance in understanding the process. He exhibited an professional manner and my opinion of him has not changed throughout any of my contacts with him. He is very direct and concise and has answered any of my questions. His approach prior to surgery was thorough and direct regarding informed consent. I appreciated both Dr Warden and Dr Kim in their approach to this surgery and hold them both in high regards. I believe these Surgeons are excellent in practice and interactions with me

I was very impressed with the friendliness of this practice. The gals there are just great...friendly and efficient. Never feel "rushed" when I call with all kinds of questions.

The initial visit to the office was tremendously informative. Little need for any questions because of all the information that was supplied.

I would rate them superior as far as I have gone with this group.

Will comment on the aftercare in a few weeks.

My first surgeon was Dr. Clark Warden in Mississippi. He's an excellent technical surgeon, a very skilled laparoscopic surgeon. He's very shy, so it can be hard to get him to connect with him. My first impression was that he would do what he felt was best for me. Farther on down the line, I'm not so sure.. I don't think he trusts the DS enough to fully commit to its potential- he worries that its overkill, maybe? He uses a finite set of measurements, and doesn't want to consider that humans aren't all alike. Or maybe its just my freakin wierd body.. So far as I know, I'm my surgeon's only failure, I suppose it could definitely be my body/metabolism. Who know?

My first impression was that he was very thin and handsome...I wondered how he would understand someone with my problem without ever being there....He is wonderful to talk to and is open to answer any questions I have to ask...I have complete confidence in him..His staff is always so helpful and friendly...almost too friendly...lol...Beth iin his office has put up with me crying and being pissy and has always been so helpful..I do feel I could have been a little more informed on nutrition and the next few weeks after surgery...only given a 1 hr class with not as much detailed information as I would have liked...I was able to ask questions so maybe that was a little of my fault as well...his office personnel welcomes calls and questions and never seems bothered...I was well informed of the risks involved and so far I rate my surgeon very high...I feel surgical competence is much more important than bedide manner...but Dr Lavin seems to be great at both.

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<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>
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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.