James Harris Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Harris is a soft-spoken, kind, caring thorough doctor, who takes as much time as you have questions during visits.

Dr. Harris' office staff has been wonderful - very helpful and returns calls promptly.

He was very thorough about the risks, even requiring me to have a vena cava filter inserted prior to surgery because of a hx of pulmonary embolus.

I am now 11 weeks post-op and have lost 43.5 lbs. Dr. Harris is starting a support group which will meet at New Hanover Regional Medical Center on the 3rd Tuesday of the Month (hopefully starting in August). He continues to be a wonderful, caring physician, to whom I would refer anyone for WLS.

I am now 8-1/2 months post-op and have lost 94 lbs. Dr. Harris continues to care deeply about his patients, particularly around the issue of their long-term success. I can't say anything I like least about him.

Going to a vascular surgereon has showed me the difference between them and a bariatric surgeon. My doctor is a good surgeon and I have no problems with his clinical surgical ability. The two surgeons here only do proximal surgeries as they are concerned with the long term malabsorption effects. I do not think they realize that they may be causing the weight loss to be much slower and may even be easier to regain due to not having as much malabsorption. I do think this does not cause as much problems with what and how much you can eat. I have never had problems with diarrhea or vomiting. I have had some nausea when I have eaten too much. I had trouble getting a nurse there to call me post op 3 days and ended up going to my primary physician the day I called her with the same issues. I would have made different choices if I had this to do over. I would have wanted to be more in control of how much small intestine was bypassed. My surgeon has a support group that meets monthly that is growing and he has speakers to come in and present material. This has been established since my surgery. I think on the whole Dr. Harris does a good job/

Dr Harris has always been profesional and pleasent. EXplained everything but didn't talk down to me. He has good office staff that support his practice focus-obesity. I have never detected any "attitudes" toward the obese pt. He has started a support group that is very helpful-includes guest speakers,protien sampling sessions and clothing exchgs. He is very firm on follow-up. The dietician assoc. with the practice is available for questions at anytime-she is skinney but still "real world". Dr Harris has good skills and good bedside manner

Dr Harris is a great surgeon .My first impression of him was how thorough he is .It is cut and dry about the procedure and lets you know about the risks.He is also very caring with agood sense of humor ..I would reccomend Dr.harris to any body .I felt atb ease with him and knew if a problem arose he would take care of me .He is all around agreat surgeon,and I feel happy that i was able to have him as my doctor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dr. Harris is straight-forward, no- nonsense. He is very upfront about the risks with bariatric surgery. He has done many open rny surgeries and has been doing the lap ones for about 2 years now. He will want to know exactly why you are wanting the surgery, and he will make you have a psychological evaluation and nutritional classes about post-bariatric surgery. He answers your questions thoroughly. His staff is very nice, from the few I have met. His office is busy. I liked most of all about him was his intelligence. I liked least I have only seen him smile like one time since I met him. lol Future patients should know to be ready for this surgery...he expects you to do research about bariatric surgery.. the benefits and the risks.and alternatives . I will take competence over bedside manner anyday...if I have complications he will know what to do..and that means a whole lot to me. He will be assisted by Dr. Tackett, FACS, another practicing surgeon in his group. (Coastal Carolina Surgical Associates, P.A.) I will have two skilled surgeons working on me. Dr. Harris will emphasize that the success is up to you. If you listen to him and follow his instructions you will be successful...with this tool that he gives you to help you lose weight.. it does not do the all of the work for you. Dr. Harris does not have a support group yet but they said they are working on it. I have not met Dr. Tackett yet.