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

Haven't met with Dr. Weber as of yet. I am scheduled to attend the seminar on 12/11/00. Spoke to his office staff. Felt very rushed on 3-4 occasions and then I talked with Lisa and felt very comfortable.

I met with Dr. Weber and his staff at his required orientation meeting on Aug 14,2000. I seeking a "new" surgeon because I ran into some rather "uncomfortable" complications with the local surgeons office here in Tacoma. I found out about Dr. Weber from a friend at the company I work for. I had decided to have this surgery back in April and had had all of the required tests done from the other doctors office, so I found that Dr. Weber was a prefered provider for my insurance company (which already approved my surgery), finding a new surgeon was all I needed.

I was so impressed with Dr. Weber. He was so layed back and relaxed but was very intelligent and straight forward. He answered the questions that I had in the meeting and when I explained to him after the meeting that I was already approved and had all of the other tests done, he put his head in his hands and looked up at me (he was sitting, I was standing) and said "It would be terrible for you to wait any longer than you have already waited. Call my office in the morning and see if you can't get your appointment moved up from 10-31 to a date sooner." Something in my heart at that very point told me that Dr. Weber was my doctor. He's going to take care of me and everything will be alright. I had a few run ins with Pam because she grilled me on the phone every time I called up there. I have since grown to really like Pam. She was under an extreme amount of pressure but with office staff changes, she is much more personable and kind. Dr. Weber is very honest. He tells you straight up what his expectations are of you and your aftercare. He emphasizes aftercare, going to local support groups or being involved online. Also he is a stickler about vitamins and supplements. I have to say that I still need to get an iron and B complex suppliment. But that's my problem, not Dr. Webers. Dr. Weber went over the risks of surgery in the orientation and also in the consultation meeting at his office. For any future patients, even if you have a co-pay from your insurance company, Dr. Weber's office policy for the initial consultation is $125. I didn't know this when I first went to my consultation and almost didn't get to see Dr. Weber. I didn't let that appointment go by, I had waited too long. I paid the money, and your insurance company will reimburse you, but just be prepared that everybody pays the price of $125. No exceptions. On a scale of 1-10 I rate Dr. Weber a 10. He is very caring and compassionate about his WLS patients and it's not put on or phoney. He truly cares. I find that surgical competence and bedside manner go hand in hand, both should be excellent. I also feel that patient participation is very very important too. When I had my surgery, I weighed 475 pounds. I was concerned about the hospital staff in moving me, so they wouldn't hurt themselves. I needed to be just as involved in my care as they were. I have to say, if you go into the hospital with expectations that they, the staff, are going to be at your beck and call, and you are going to wait for them to come tell you to get out of bed to take your required 6 to 7 walks a day, your in for a rude awakening. The more pro-active you are in your own care, the better you feel and the more the staff will want to do for you. I am so happy I made this decision to have this surgery with the surgeon I choose, because it has saved my life. When I had the other doctor in Tacoma preparing everything, I had dreams that I died on the operating table. When I found Dr. Weber, the dreams and anxitity stopped. I felt and feel nothing but peace.

This surgery is a tool to permanate weight loss but my roll in keeping it off is just as important as the surgery. The surgery itself has got to be a last ditch effort on your part because it is so drastic, but if you have lost and gained weight your entire life, like I have for the last 27 years of my life, the surgery was my only hope. Good luck to all of you who are pre-op and welcome to the other side to those who are post-op. The more positive your outlook, the easier things will be. Email me if you have any questions.

I have not met with him yet, but have heard great things about him! Have talked wtih his office a few times and although very busy, they are polite. Just really busy!

November 13, 2000
Well got to meet Doc Weber and some of his staff and have to say they are very nice! He has a great sense of humor and is very comfortable to be around. he is straight forward, but not in a way that is embarresing. He definately seems to understand all the stuff we go through in life being overweight!
So far I recommend him 100% and can't wait to have my surgery!

Dr Weber is kind and was very real with me. I felt like I had known him forever. There was no condecending attitude from anyone in his office. I left feeling like I was in very good hands and would be taken care of from start to finish. I think they were as excited as I was. I was expecting it to be alot different than it was. I did all the foot work and had everything done that was required by Dr Weber and my insurance company so that really helped get things moving. I should hear within a week what my surgery date will be. I recomend Dr Weber highly. 11/2/00 Well I've been approved and I must say that Pam was outstanding in helping me get the approval. Very friendly and thoughtful, made me feel great. Did her job at a rate of 100%+. I had heard that she was kinda tough to work with but I found that was not the case for me :o) Lisa got back to me the very day I was approved with a surgery date. She gets an A+ too

Dr. Weber is one of the most warm, personable surgeons I have ever met. He really cares about his WLS patients, and considers WLS his "ministry." He finds it the most gratifying of all the surgeries he does. Over time, this impression of him has only deepend. I trust him implicitly. His office staff was very helpful, especially when my insurance company insisted they had never recieved any of the reams of documentation we sent. They are very accepting of WLS patients, and very supportive. I frankly haven't found anything about Dr. Weber or his staff NOT to like, and have no complaints whatsoever. He even sees his patients on time! I'm kind of a cynic, especially when it comes to health care, so when I say Dr. Weber impressed me, he really did. He expects patients to participate fully in their recovery and exersize plans--yes, he will insist that you exersize, every day without fail. He does his part, you do yours...After care is once weekly, then bi-monthly, then once a month, plus he wants to see his patients immediately if there are any complications or concerns. He encourages WLS patients to join live or online support groups, and he even goes to some of the meetings himself.
The surgical risks of ANY surgery on a morbidly obese patient are significant, and he does not gloss over this fact. However, in 20 years, he has only lost one patient, and that patient did not come in for an appointment that could have saved her life.
I would recommend Dr. Weber without reservation. His surgical reputation is excellent, and is manner is ...well....
charming. And I've never said THAT about a Doctor before.

Met with Dr. Weber on 10/20/2000. Very nice man. He answered all of my questions and more. I didn't feel rushed, but felt like I was treated as a friend. His nurse, Lisa, was very friendly, outgoing, and helpful.

I think Dr. Weber is great. I felt comfortable with him immediately. For the most part his staff are helpful and courteous. I only had a few communication problems with them. Mostly the receptionist:-). He screens potential patients thouroughly.

I met Dr. Weber at a meeting he held for those considering weightloss surgery. What a wonderful man. He is very caring and compassionate and has a great sense of humor. I will definitely have Dr. Weber perform my surgery.

I met Dr. Weber at an informational meeting in June. I had my first appointment with him on August 2nd. In between that time I tried to get as much of the pre-surgery testing done. The most time consuming was the psychologist and I question the value of those sessions. In a way I found it insulting-what other surgery puts you through that? After saying all that, I understand that many of us eat out of emotional reasons. However, I have known that for a long time and still have been unable to change the habit.
My open RNY is scheduled for September 22nd. I am nervous, but feel good about my decision.

I met Dr. Weber and his crew on 5/8/00 in Ballard (north of Seattle). I really believe he is my only local option. I liked his staff and his approach too. I don't want to underestimate the pain of the entire approval process; it's grueling, and I'm not sure that all of the requirements add value. I feel he is eminently qualified and has a reputation and record that would challenge any surgeon. He likes the VBG better than the RNY. He has a lot of success with both procedures, as he makes the tummy so small. For some reason, he has more success than most surgeons with the VGB.
Now that I've been approved by Dr. Weber and my insurance company, I'm convinced that it's a good decision to go with Dr. Weber. Knowing he is my surgeon will reassure me that things will turn out well; I have a lot of confidence in his abiities.