G. Wesley Clark Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

Dr Clark is wonderful. Very casual but extremely competent surgeon. I was at ease with him from the start.

His office staff are great, many that work there have had the surgery as well as many in the hospital staff. They were always encouraging and pleasant to work with.

They really push to have you follow up each month and go to support groups. I have had problems with my follow up appointments and have quit calling in every month. For 3 out of 4 appointments the nurse was busy and could not speak with me at the appointed time. I do not have a private place to talk at work so would leave and call on my lunch hour. Since this has not worked for me I lean more on the support group and reading for my information.

Before surgery you have to take a test to make sure you understand the surgery and your limitations afterwards. He did discuss some of the dangers etc.

Surgical competence is #1 but it is nice to have a doctor with a good bedside manner. I had both with Dr. Clark!

For me last appointment I needed to check out early in the day and saw Dr. Costanza, who assisted Dr. Clark in surgery. I was disappointed in him. He seemed unwilling to really answer my questions. After one question he was ready to dismiss me and was aggrevated when I had more to ask him. This was the only negative thing I experienced with his staff.

Dr. Clark was wonderful. Personable and patient when answering all questions. Over time my first impression only got better. His office staff was wonderful and very knowledgeable. There wasn't anything about him I didn't like. Future patients should know that he is extremely busy and doesn't get to spend a lot of time with them after surgery. The hospital and his staff have an excellent structured aftercare program. All risks of surgery were addressed in my initial consultation with him. I would rate him Outstanding overall.
Both surgical competence and bedside manner are great.

Dr.Clark is very down to earth and seems to be very concerned with his patients. The office staff has always been very helpful.The have a very structed program including aftercar.
The downside to Dr. Clarks office is that due to media exposure (Dr. Wittgrove/Partner) from celebrity patients the volume of new patients seems to be overwhelming. It seems that they spend so much time getting patients in and out that those who have post op problems may not be getting the attention they need.
My other concern that although we are told of the risk factors, they may often glossed over and of course we as patients never believe we will have the complications. There needs to be more detail and focus on the complications which occur commonly. Additionally I feel they need more of a support system for those patients who develop complications.

Yes...I had complications (pouch leak).

I haven't met Dr. G. Wesley Clark yet but am looking forward to our first visit on May 3, 2001 (my physical). I am well aware of Dr. Clarks reputation. Dr. Julie Ellner will be assisting and I've already met her at the information seminar on February 2nd. She is a wonderful surgeon who is willing to take all the time a patient needs to answer questions.

Had my surgery on 8/29/00. I felt very confident with Dr. Clark. He is very professional and was never in a rush. Answered all of my questions. The staff in the office were all very nice and very helpful.I would highly recommend Dr. Clark to anyone considering surgery.

Dr. Clark was totally cool! He took time to answer all my questions, I never felt rushed or like he didn't have time for me. He was sensitive to my needs in the hospital. I have had no complications with my surgery so far and I am thrilled I made the choice I did. His office staff was wonderful too. They all remembered my name before I did theirs. They set up an phone aftercare program with me because I live out of the area. I would give Dr. Clark and his staff a 10!!

I haven't met Dr Clark yet, but my dealings with Alvarado have been very professional. I will update when I have more info.

Went to the free seminar and was impressed with his thoroughness in which he explained patiently, very patiently, till all were satisfied in the vast audience.
As yet I have not had my office visit with him. It seems to move at a snails pace, as they at Alvarado are now quite famous and busy. I have been dealing with his office trying to get my letter done to the insurance co. They ordered an at home test for me with a sleep data co. which was completed and found that I had some sleep apnea.

Loved my surgeon. TThere were long waits to see him and get all the preop done
even after doing many of the tests in Hawaii
but I would still go to him anyway. The office staff is very freindly
very helpful and supportive. Once a month I get a follow up call from
one of the nurses to monitor my progress. After care is a must and so is exercise
the surgery is only part of the cure, we have to do the rest of the work.
I want a surgeon who is competent and has a great bedside manner, both are important to me.

My first impression of him was when I met him when my daughter had her surgery. He does not have the very appealing personality that Dr. Whitgrove has. But, he is a very nice man that puts you at ease. Very through regarding asking and answering questions. My opinion did not change though out the whole procedure. Would recommend him highly to any one. I really believe the Lap is the only way to go. Recovery so much quicker (but that is only my opinion). I am having my surgery November 27, 2000. I am hoping everything goes as well as it did for my daughter. She has lost 31 pounds in 3 weeks and she weighted 237 going into surgery. At the time of her surger Dr. Clark told her the good the bad and the ugly. Not to scare her just so she would know what she was getting into he was very informative and answered any and all questions.
Eileen Allen