James Stephen Scott Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

Fantastic Surgeon. I would fly 2000 miles to have this doctor work on me. The Depaul Health Center Weight Loss Institute staff have been fantastic and are extremely well organized. They helped me jump through the hoops and follow through post op.

I have seen Dr. Scott Twice and both times, positive and very business like. First time I saw him was not sure of questions and was very anxious because of previous visits with other bariatric surgeons. Second time he was very up front and no nonsense.

5/8/08 I had my consult with Dr. Scott today. He seemed professional, very brisk and caring. He looked me in the eyes when he spoke with me and asked me lots of questions, told me what he thought and asked me what I wanted and if I had any questions. You could tell parts of what he was saying he had said lots of times to others. He picked things he needed out of my responses to help me get the help I need. He had someone set me up with the all day class later this month and I was told I would likely get a surgery date at that time. His staff seems busy but very friendly and accommodating.~~5/21/08 Had my pre-op class. Very looong. Talked to the Dr, nurse, dietician, and exercise guy. Did pre-op testing like EKG, bloodwork and got a date!~~5/28/08 Dr. Scott was a lot more personable and reassuring going into surgery. He was very much in his element. What I did not like was that going into this he knew I have an anxiety d/o. On the a.m. of surgery I couldn't take my meds and asked if I could have something. Dr. Scott told me to ask the anesthesiologist who told me no-flat out. I think that the situation was poorly handled.~~5/30/08 Into surgery again. Dr. explained why and was very understanding of my fears. I reached out to him and he held my hand. Did not see him much after the surgeries and he asked for lots of bloodwork (but I DID have complications) even though I am an extremely hard stick.~~6/8/08 Dr. very prompt in returning all the calls we made to him. Confident without too much pride, he makes me feel like he knows what he's doing and he's done this all before. Also very understanding of my pain. I was never made to feel bad for letting him know I hurt and he does something about it.

rnrn

I first saw Dr. Scott because I had VBG in Dec 2002 and needed a revision. He was very thorough and took copious amounts of notes. He also went over various revision options for me, and scheduled an endoscopy. After the endoscopy, he determined that I had a gastro-gastric fistula and a blockage. Essentially, my staple line tore due to my opening being blocked. The only remedy for this is RNY, which I will have on 7/30/08. Due to the complications, both Dr. Scott and Dr. de la Torre will perform the surgery. I had a slight problem with my insurance company, initially, because they didn't like the cpt code the doctor was using. Dr. Scott spoke with my insurance company's medical director personally, and even gave them his personal cell phone number. They were able to agree on a valid cpt code that worked for both the doctor and my insurance company. I'm a little nervous about the surgery because I know the risks are increased with a revision, but I have full faith in the surgeons competence and skill.

He was/is great. Not very personable but treated me very well.

Dr. Scott knows his stuff, and so does his office staff. I was impressed by the ease with which the insurance process was handled. In addition, every piece of guidance that they've ever given me was right in line with generally agreed-upon guidelines according to my research. I've never gotten some kind of crazy \"what are they thinking?\" type of advice like I've heard other people's surgeons give. Even more impressive, Scott/DeLaTorre & staff are constantly updating themselves with new research and changing their guidelines accordingly -- the manual that I'd received in September was already out of date by January!rnrnTheir aftercare program is responsive and comprehensive. This is not a cut-'em-and-shove-'em type of practice; they are truly concerned that each of their patients be successful in the short- and long-term.rnrnMost importantly, my surgery went very smoothly with no complications! I felt at ease going into the surgery because I had complete faith in Dr. Scott.rnrnStick with DePaul -- it's head and shoulders above the other program in STL.

I have met with my surgeon 5 times, my lovely insurance company required 4 visits prior to approval. The center that I have choosen has lots of really special people on staff. The surgeons, nurses, dietitians, psychicritist, exercise therapist, and the office staff are all knowledgeable and experts in weight loss options. I personally feel that my surgeon is more than competent. The risks of the surgery are explained in depth and it is explained that you cannot have the surgery unless the risks are completley understood. I feel that I am lucky to have this surgeon in the St. Louis area. The word around town and in the medical population is that Dr. Scott and De La Torre are the pioneers for weight loss surgery.

I like him very much and I have great trust and faith in him. Dr. Scott has a fantastic staff.

I seen Dr Scott only at my post op 1 week visit.rnI did not see him the day of surgery, before, after and upon discharge, the house Dr of DePaul discharged me. I wouldve liked to have seen him more but oh well--I did fine!rnrnI was in the step down unit of the ICU for a day---the nurses there wasnt versed very well in us Bariatric patients, I had to educate sone of them. But there overall care of me was excellent--I never had to wait for them when I pushed for the nurse to come except one time--But I could hear 2 people getting sick--so I could wait!!!rnrnIm pleased with my surgery and at the expertise Dr Scott obviously has/had !rnrnI would do the WLS all over again!