Constantine T. Frantzides Bariatric Surgeon MD, PhD, FACS

At 16 I was possibly the only teenager I had known to try every diet imaginable from Herbalife, trial Diabetic shots, and diets passed along by doctors, friends, and family. I had given up on myself to ever be healthy. At the Age of 16 I was reminded that my mom had had Bariatric Surgery when I was very young, about 2 or 3 years old. I decided then that this would be the only way for me to gain what many consider a ‘normal’ life. With my now deceased grandmother obese, my mom once obese and myself morbidly obese I needed a change. We began our search as a family for a doctor who would perform the procedure on a 16 year old. Our first obstacle came when our insurance company declined bariatric surgery on anyone under 18. By 17 I began to meet with a doctor in town so that all would be ready by the time I was 18. That doctor became a bust when their office was more interested in selling me dieting supplements then to get me approved for surgery. I was a bit discouraged for about a year or two. Then by 20 we decided it was worth the drive to visit a Doctor in Michigan, long story short, another bust! Their insurance department could not get me approved causing me to just give up on myself. Until one day my mom arrived home excited about a new doctor she heard about in Chicago. We looked Dr Frantzides up online and found him to have most and the best reviews. I had an appointment within the month, approved the month after, and surgery the month after that! I am now 10 days after surgery I have already lost 19 lbs!

It has been a year since my surgery. I have lost 70lbs.! I have reached my personal goal of 130, although for my height I should be a little les. However, I am still losing! I recently went to Jamaica. For the 1st time since I was a little girl, I wore a swim suit with out being ashamed. I was actually happy on the beach! Before, if I did happen to go to the beach or a water park, I would always wear a T-shirt and shorts over my suit to hide my “full” figure. For my trip I bought all new clothes! Shopping is fun now! I can walk into a store and find things that are not only in my size, but also look awesome on me! I am constantly showered with compliments, which encourage me to maintain my new healthy lifestyle.

Over the past year I have learned a great deal! I’ve learned that all foods are okay, as long as they are consumed in moderation. I learned that I don’t have to finish everything on my plate, (despite what I was brought up to believe). I now look in the mirror and not only like what I see, but who I see! I’m me! Not “fat girl,” or “the girl with just a pretty smile,” or “the really nice girl.” It’s me, and I am so thankful to have finally met me! I am so grateful for having such a supportive family, who, I am happy to say, have also adopted new healthy habits.

Dr. Frantzides and his team have also been a vital component to my metamorphosis! They have stood by me every step of the way. Any question I have had along the way never went unanswered. I enjoyed going for my checkups because I am greeted into such a warm and friendly environment. If I had to do it all over again, I would! It was worth it.

Dr. Constantine Frantzides was referred to me by a well respected doctor at Rush hospital a little over a year and half ago.I had been under the care at Rush for obesity, and extreme IBS, chronic fatique syndrome, fibromyalgia and a laundry list of other ailments that had taken over my life for five years.

Dr. Frantzides performed laparoscopic bariatric surgery in December 2008. I can not begin to define the difference of my life BF (before Frantzides) to AF (after surgery under the care of Frantzides). He helped me get my life back. All my previous conditions seemed to disappear. My medications no longer are needed. And the weight loss was the icing on the cake.

Last week, once again I was in surgery with Dr. Frantzides for hernia repair and a tummy tuck. Like the first surgery, I could not have been in better physician care than with Dr. Frantzides. He is a brilliantly skilled surgeon. He has such a positive and uplifting demeanor that he makes the recovery painless.

I will always be indebted and grateful for the blessing to have him as my surgeon.

2 years ago I weighed 250 lbs (5'9"), had high blood pressure, sleep apnea, acid reflux and no energy. I was miserable. I found Dr. Frantzides on Obesity Help. I got an appointment right away and he helped me decide which procedure was best for me. He took the time to explain the options and answer any questions. I knew I was in good hands. He performed my gastric bypass less than 2 weeks later. I lost 70 lbs the first year. I started excercising and lost an additional 10 lbs. I went from a size 20 to a size 12. I now weigh 165 lbs, have normal blood pressure, no more reflux, and tons of energy. I keep up with my kids, wear bathing suits on the beach, buy clothes in normal stores and love looking in the mirror again. I'm still excercising and can't imagine that ever changing. This was the best decision I ever made. Dr. Frantzides continues to take care of me and I trust that if I ever needed anything he'd be right there for me. He's a wonderful doctor....

I came to see Dr. Frantzides to have a revision of an open vertical banded gastroplasty(stomach stapling) that was done by another surgeon 12 years ago. I was so happy he agreed to se me because it is impossible to find a great doctor who has expierience with revisions. I met him when he did my daughter's laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. He has such a great personality and he is so compassionate and kind to his patients. Dr.Frantzides not only did my revision surgery he did it laparoscopicaly just as he said he would. My recovery was GREAT compared to my first surgery. My revision surgery was 2 years ago and my starting weight was 336lbs, today I weigh 135lbs. I came back to see Dr. Frantzides because when the first surgery was done open it left me with a hernia that was hindering my quality of life. Once again Dr. Frantzides came to my rescue and performed my hernia repair as well as my tummy tuck. I can not belive the difference in the way I feel and look. I am very greatful for all that Dr. Frantzides has done for me. Dr. Frantzides is the best gift you can give yourself if you are struggling with these issues.

When I first contacted Dr. Frantzides I was 464 pounds. I had tried every diet known to mankind and failed at each one. I was breathing but not living, the restrictions on a 460 pound person are severe with social consequences. The moment I met with Dr. Frantzides I knew that I was in the right hands. The laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery was performed 6 years ago, the result is that I lost 240 pounds and am happy to say that I had maintained the weight loss for the last six years. Besides exuding extreme confidence Dr. Frantzides is a very caring physician. My follow up with Dr. Frantzides and his staff was an amazing experience. I recentely required hernia surgery and had only one surgeon in mind. Dr. Frantzides once again performed a laparoscopic hernia repair excelently and I have no lomitations from either surgery. This is important since I have spoken with many people who have had the same procedures performed by other surgeons with less than optimal results. I would highly recommend Dr. Frantzides as the ultimate choice for minimally invasive surgery.

It has been a year since my surgery and I feel fabulous. I don't have the problems that I had prior to the surgery involving indigestion and so far I lost 90 pounds. Additionally I don't have the comorbidities that were my primary concern and lead to me having the surgery. My diabetes, high blood pressure and my cholesterol are normal. People who had the surgery done by other surgeons warned me that I would throw up constantly and I would like to say that I have not thrown up once. I tolerate sweets(too much) I never had the dumping syndrome, I enjoy all foods. Another thing that people didn't tell me before the surgery is that I will be able to eat everything that I could before the surgery, only in snaller quantities. I owe all of this to the fact that I chose Dr. Frantzides to do my surgery. I know that his approach is innovative and that he is able to provide the surgery and correct the problem without leaving the patient with the side effects (dumping) that plague patients that have gone to other surgeons. In the end I lead a normal, thin, healthy life which wouldn't have been possible otherwise.

In February of 2009 I had a lap band placed by Dr. Batty in St. Josephs hospital in Elgin. Following the placement of the lap band I didn't loose any weight, acually I gained 30lb despite the 6 fills I had. Shortly after the band placement I also developed gallbladder problems and had to have it removed, also by Dr. Batty. Everyone was sending us back to him. After being dissapointed with the weight gain, the complications with the gallbaladder and the fact that now my acid reflux was horrible,my wife and I searched for a doctor that had a lot of experience and knowledge of both the lap band as well as gastric bypass and revisions. We found Dr. Frantzides and we made our first appointement. Dr. Frantzides had me do some tests and we found out that the band had slipped and I also had a hiatal hernia. Two weeks later I was scheduled for surgery. When Dr.Frantzides went into my abdomen, he found out that the band was not only slipped, but it had eroded into my stomach and perforated it. Dr.Frantzides had to remove the band and a portion of the stomach that was perforated by the band. He also performed a gastric bypass and he fixed my hiatal hernia. He did all this laparoscopically. It has been two weeks since my surgery with Dr. Frantzides, so far I lost 24 lb and I feel good. Little sore but nothing major at all.

My primary doctor actually reccomended Dr. Frantzides to me, and said just go in for a consultation. I had a hiatal hernia problem, but I was also interested in the gastric bypass surgery because I continuously gained weight for the past 10 years, with exercise and dieting. Nothing seemed to help. The doctor informed me that he would fix both my hyetal hernia and do the gastric bypass at the same time. I spent a lot of time in my consulation and all my questions were answered, the procedures were explained to the max, and I felt comfortable on making a decision on whether or not I wanted to do it. I talked it over with my family and we decided to go for it. The second visit was even more informative, there is not one thign that is not explained and this makes the process a lot easier. We set up a date, and the day of the surgery was here. I only had to spend one night in the hospital. I had the best experience with this doctor and his whole practice. Everything is explained very well and the process is made easy. Dr. F makes you feel so comfortable, and youc annot help but trust him. I definitely am very happy that I chose this doctor and this practice. I think that it was the best choice. I know taht this is a long process but I am confident that with the help of Dr. F I will succeed in achieving my goal. I have never been so comfortable before or after a surgery, and I am extatic about continuing on this journey towards my goal. I know this seems like a too good to be true kind of thing but I really have nothing negative to say. The thing that makes this the best decidion for me is the fact that my health problems are goign to go away because of this surgery. I have had many health problems, and one of the biggest reasons that I decided to get the surgery was the fact that I was going to be a lot healtheir after. My diabetes, dleep apnea, and every other health problem that I have had for a long time, are things of the past now, and I cannot be happier. That is the biggest reason why I know that it was worth it and that it is going to be an easier road from now on. My first visit after the surgery proved just how important this was for me, I cried of happiness when the doctor told me I no longer needed my diabetes medication. I am trully happy and I would not have chosen another doctor. I am really happy about my decision to choose Dr. F and his practice.

My first contact with Dr. Frantzides was through an email (he does read his emails). I explained that I was approved through my insurance but my PCP group was denying me and that I had to find another doctor within the Unicare network. Dr. Frantzides called me the next day (bright and early) to tell me that he was in the network and would see me. That really made my day..

I made an appointment with Kathleen immediately. When I finally meet Dr. Frantzides, I thought, boy, was he good looking... He made me very much at ease and Dr. Moore had me laughing the entire time.

I had my surgery September 18th, 2002 at Rush Hospital and both Doctors had excellent bedside manners.

I have much love and respect for both Dr. Frantzides and Dr. Moore and I HIGHLY recommend them to anyone that's in need of a new beginning.

Thank you Dr. Frantzides and Dr. Moore for giving me a new lease on life.