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

Very conscientious - makes sure that you know all the facts - eager to answer all of your questions - wants you to be as informed about your procedure as possible.

I have a date for surgery, and I haven't talked with Dr Scott, on day of consult he was called to emergency surgery, consult with intern who works with him. This is a new program at UM, went very well, very informative and learned alot. After care is HIGHLY stressed, very important, asked to sign a contract to make and keep after care appointments, take supplements, etc. Very structured program care. Can not stress enough the importance of you and your part of your after care, YOU HAVE TO DO YOUR PART!!! During the class, about 12 of us, we talked to program coordinator, a wls patient of Dr Scott (RN of 13yrs.), nutritionist, excercise guru,LOL-talked about the proper kinds of excercise and the proper way to perform them, psych Dr.(she also wls patient of Dr Scott), informed us of mental changes, challenges, and preventive measures to ensure success. All asked ?, and answered in a very professional manner, not intimidating at all, professional but very open and explained in detail all answers. At end of session, Dr De la Torre (sp) came in and explained all possible complications, their patient stistics, after care, etc. Very competent surgeons, I KNOW I am in the VERY BEST OF HANDS going into this surgery, no fear!!! This is in my own opinion, and will update after surgery on 2/28.

I didn't meet Dr. Scott. I met Dr. De La Torre, his partner, at my pre-op appt. He was somewhat matter of fact, maybe even a little cold, but-IMO-his demeanor made sense for the appt and the kind of questions I was asking. I think he just didn't want to be warm-fuzzy and cheering on the surgery when the reality is there are risks to consider. I think things would have been better had there been more support up until this point. I think, in the future, others will have that. Right now, the program is new at this hospital so there are not support groups. I have not seen a nutritionist or physical therapist. And, naively, I have not been trying to lose weight since I decided to do this because I thought losing weight before surgery was not a good idea. And, I thought yo-yoing was bad (I had just had a big gain before deciding to go for the surgery) so, anyway, I found out in the pre-op that I -in fact- need to lose weight and should have been. So, I think this kind of information as well as emotional support would be better to have during the months before. I did go to a seminar with Dr. Scott several months ago. I didn't meet him but did watch him speak. He and De La Torre both seem extremely knowledgeable, have good reputations and a great deal of experience, so I think I am in good hands.




Feb. 5, 2005: Update to thoughts about surgeons and this program, University of Missouri Bariatric. First of all, let me say that I am extremely grateful for the skill and knowledge of my surgeons. However, I do want to caution others about this overall program. I hope that it improves with time, because it is seriouslly lacking at the present time. It is new so maybe this will improve. I educated myself before the surgery and have had to continue to as there is very little formal support and education offered. Here are some examples. 1.) They just, this month, started a once a month support group and it is at 4pm, an inconvenient time for most. 2.) I never met with a nutritionist until after my surgery in the hospital. She is a hospital nutritionist, not specific to this program. I have e-mailed her and she is very nice and has been helpful. But I think as many surgeries as they are doing, it would make sense for there to be a nurtitionist that is part of the program, specializes in this area and meets with patients regularly (maybe in groups) before and after the surgery. 3.) I would have had no idea what I was getting into if I had not educated myself. I think it would be highly possible for someone inappropriate or unprepared for this surgery to slip through, because there really is not enough focus on preparing and screening and presurgery education. There is a psych eval required, but I think there should be more. 4.) Information has been disorganized and frequently one handout they have offered has contradicted information on a different one of their handouts. 5.)They do have a nurse who is willing to answer questions and will seek out information if she does not have it on hand. I am not sure if she is fulltime, but I know she only commutes into the clinic twice a week as she lives a few hours away. I think it would be ideal to have a nurse, office/program coordinator, and nurtritionist who were fulltime and regularly in the clinic, on a daily basis. I cannot understand with the number of surgeries they are doing why this is not possible. It seems like that would be fundable. But the University Hospital works in mysterious ways, so who knows. Liability wise, I think the surgeons would be doing themselves a favor to have a better program which leads me to my last criticism...6.) The atmosphere of the program is chaotic and at times confusing. Some important bits of information that greatly effected whether I was successful or not, I have had to seek out myself. The coordinator, Kassie, always sounds like she is out of breath and she talks a mile a minute and seems frustrated when people try to slow her down and clarify what she is saying. I have noticed this both times I was in the waiting room for follow up appts as well as when I was there for pre-op. There has always been a patient upset and she has been talking fast, and I have always had the sense that if she would quit cutting them off for a two minutes and listen to their quetions, it would be resolved quicker. But she is so into trying to shut them down that she actually prolongs the conversation. I experienced this with her first hand as well. I was trying to ask her a question on the phone before my surgery, and she just kept cutting me off saying, "You just have to be patient." I guess she just assumed I was asking about getting the date set when in reality, that was not my question. I finally gave up. I think issues like this are a big deal liability wise, because misunderstandings and misinformation are obviouslly dangerous when dealing with this type of surgery and recovery. I would encourage anyone in this situation to be vigilant and be an advocate for yourself and seek clarity and answers. Having shared all these concerns, I would still recommend these surgeons and I would use them again if I had to do it all over again. They are world-reknowned and very experienced and have great reputations. But... I would definitely encourage anyone who is going to use them to 1.) Build your own support system 2.) Research carefully and educate yourself before surgery and continue afterwards, and 3.) Be assertive and persistent when you have questions for them or need clarification

Have not met with Dr. De LA Torre or Dr. Scott yet. Kassie and Lindsey are WONDERFUL!!! Very helpful in everyway. If they can do anything at all to get an approval you can bet they will.

I had my pre-op appt with Dr. Scott on Jan 12th, my first impression of him was great, very nice, patient and he was in no hurry to leave the room, he is very upfront about any and all risks involved but also very reassuring and confident. He is very proud of all of his patients and takes pride in being able to give them "a tool" to work with for their WL journey. He said "this isn't a cure but a tool for you to use." I wouldn't hesitate to recommend anyone to this facility and these Dr's, they have a wonderful staff and make you feel great about yourself just the way you are.

Dr. Scott is simply the best surgeon I know of. His bedside manner was professional and caring from the first second I met him to the last time I talked with him. He is top caliber. His office staff was very responsive and open to helping me get through the whole procedure in the most healthy way possible. Dr. Scott emphasized aftercare in a very strong way. I am confident he would have rejected me a s apatient if I had not agreed to do the same. He adressed all the risks of the surgery and has follow-up visits as an intergral part of his program. I have nothing negative to say about Dr. Scott or his staff.

1. He is very professional and very knowledgable in the field of bariatric surgery.

2. It improved, Dr. Scott is excellent.

3.Professional, courteous, and concerned.

4. I like everything about Dr. Scott.

5. I was over 350 lbs. and Dr. Scott still did the laproscopic surgery and you are suppose to be under 350. I was 373 lbs. and wanted the laproscopic and he did.

6. He emphasized aftercare as being of utmost importance.

7. Yes.

8. Professionally.

9. As the best.

10. Both are great.

Dr. Scott was wonderful. I originally attended the mandatory informantion session and was impressed with the explanation of the procedure. When I finally got to meet him he took the time to answer all my questions as well as going over my medical history with me. He explained all the risks and all the benefits to the surgery. He stressed that this surgery was tool to help me reach my goal in weight loss. He told me what the requirements would be for life. I chose Dr. Scott's program due to his knowledge and experience. The doctor, dieticians, and nurses are always available to you. They have a wonderful support group that meets weekly with a psychologist heading the group to help you.

I like Dr Scott. His staff has been very supportive. He requires you adhere to the guidelines of diet in what to do, when to do it, and in the amount they tell you to do it.

He wants to you see the first week after surgery and at one month.After that you see the dietician at 3 months, 6 months, and a year. The staff is always willing to help answer questions and talk through any issues you may have.

I found Dr. Scott to be an amazing educator during his lecture on obesity and after meeting him, I found him to be very kind and caring. He answered my questions completely and put me at ease about the surgery. I felt totally prepared for my surgery and post op care. Dr. Scott and his office are wonderful! I have worked in the medical field for 20 years and feel he is at the top of his field.

He is a wonderful Dr. very caring.
I am very happy with my decision to have the surgery and I had no problems with anything. The hospital staff was wonderful and the diet is easy to follow.