John Butsch Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

I came to the clinic after Dr butsch assisted in my abdomnial surgery to remove a clot from my v-p shunt. He noticed I had nicrosis and it was spreading to my organs. I was told if i did not have weight loss surgery as soon as possible it would spread to my organs a they would start to fail. My highest weight on record was 525lbs and in May of 2010 I started my journey with the South Beach diet. The day of my weigh-in i was over 500lbs, When i reached 483lbs my surgery was scheduled and the day of my surgery on August 19 2010 i was 454lbs. Today is Feburary 8 2011 and my last weight was 328lbs. I had some problems the first 3 months after the surgery but Dr John Butsch was there all the way, he returned my calls right away, he was so nice and really cared, i was taken seriously and driect admitted to the hospital whenever something was wrong. I asked a lot of questions and complained a lot, but no matter what it was He was there for me. I will forever be greatful to Dr butsch and his team for the gift of life that they gave back to me, did i mention im only 31yrs old. Before the surgery my life was at an end, i had no where to go, now i havemy life back, im loosing every day and im eating right and healthy and feeling like i have a future again.

Dr. Butsch was absolutely amazing! I had a lot of questions which he answered honestly and didn't sugarcoat anything. He was upfront about the potential problems that could arise during surgery and potential problems post surgery.

While in the hospital, I saw him daily or one of the other surgeons from his office. He didn't rush through anything, and always took his time to explain things and gave me ample time to ask questions.

Dr. Butsch and his associates don't glamorize the surgery or the results, they say it like it is, the good and the bad. He was very clear that this was a lifestyle change, that things wouldn't be easy after surgery - but that they would get better with time.

Dr. Butsch is an amazing doctor with loads of experience and impecable bedside manner, as well as his associates.

This is the best doctor/surgeon I have ever met.

Dr. Butsch was thorough in talking about the surgery and what it entailed. My first visit was really quick, which bothered me at first. After completing all of the labs, my boyfriend and I went to visit with him and he really took his time with us. I appreciated that. I was able to ask him several questions such as how many deaths has he had, why?; what does he consider a successful surgery, etc.. My boyfriend is a PTA so he had additional questions too. It was nice for him to slow everything down. We talked about post op, skin, and all inbetween. I left feeling very confident. His nurse Renata cracks me up. She is very sweet and called to make sure I was prepped for what would be taking place. She's a hard person to catch up with, but she will eventually return the call. The Nutritionist Heidi is rather cumbersome, and is never ontime but; I'm working with her. Some of these questions I won't be able to answer until after surgery. I'll have updates after June 11th.

I had weight loss surgery with Dr. Butsch back in 2005. I then develop a hernia (they're common after wls) he repaired my hernia. I walked away from the hospital with MRSA and C-diff. My MRSA is hospital acquired. I believe that Dr. Butsch or someone on his team did NOT wash their hands. I've been fighting MRSA for the past 6 months. I'm on a iv at home, and taking antibiotics through the iv daily. The MRSA creates seroma's/cysts in my stomach that I have to have drained 2 times a month. Dr. Butsch, or someone on his staff has caused me to have a highly infectious disease. MRSA is expensive to fight, BCBS doesn't cover some of the medicine that I am required to take via iv. My husband, and kids are now at risk for developing this disease. Please, whatever you do, make sure that proper sterilization techniques are practiced at whatever hospital you have surgery at. Don't end up like me. I'm fighting a very dangerous and expensive disease, because someone (or Dr. Butsch) on the surgical team didn't sterilize their hands.

i am planning on seeing 3 surgeons, their hospitals and their weight loss ideas. Then after praying, I will decide who and where i will go. God please, help me do this.

Went to Alexian Brothers medical center, it takes about 5 months for approval. Want to go to Wish Centerin Downers Grove, Il. Leaning towards Drs. Kane & Kane, very professional and informative. My Best friend Barbara started the journey together, she's afraid to do it. Im afraid if I dont do it. My mind is made up. Need to be healthy for my kids. My husband and mom are behind me 100%.

3/1/04 Well, after all this time, I finally made up my mind and went in the see Dr. Butsch at Rush in Chicago. He is a tall, blond average-built man. He was very informative. He went through the whole surgery with the group and answered a lot of questions. My only concern is that he only has about 150 surgeries uder his belt. Well, as time goes by, he will have more I guess. Has a clean record and is very professional but you can tell has a very good bedside manner. His office staff is impeccable Jeff, is one of the assitant, cant say enough about him. Receive my prescriptions going for my abdominal and upper gi ultrasounds on Monday the 15 and psy on the 17th. Good luck to me!!! here we go

4/1/04 Did all my testing pass the pchy which was my biggest worry. Met with the Dr. I like him. Has a birthday a few days from mine, therefore he is balanced elequent and intelligent.

5/10/04 Sorry I haven't updated in a while, well have i been on a roller coaster or what? Last week, after Rush pulling the plug on all Medicaid cases, I get my approval letter today. Found another surgeon in Oak Park but Dr. Butsch's wonderful asssitant Renata knows that I am really totally heartbroken after hearing that they are no longer performing surgeries.

5/13/04. Got a call from Dr. Butsch's office, my surgery is May 27. Thank you Lord. I'm really excited, scared. God please protect me and guide me through this as you always have in my life, my beautiful children need me. Thank you Lord.

I first meet dr butch in octber 03 and was scared by the risks but he assured me he knew what he was doing and id be fine i went home and thought about it and decied i wanted to do it by the way thought dr butsch was a hottie im 23 so bear with me i completed all the tests and had surgery secualed for jan 23 had it and was in pain for about a week and i overdosed on morphene but was realeased on 3rd day and drain was left in too long but it was fine once it was out dr took good care of me and renata his nurse answered all of my questions and so far soooo gooood theres nothing i didnt like about him ask a question get a straight forward honest answer 1 being bad 10 being good hes a 15 good docter and great hospital the even got me a fan at the hospital

I have meet with Dr. Butsch. He and his office staff are Extremely nice and helpful. I have all my labs and x rays done at this point. I have completed the physc eval, and nutrition appts. My last meeting I was on March 3, 2004. He asked me some general question about my surgery and asked if I was exercising and practicing with suggested diet (Post) 6 meals a day. I advs him that I was. He infromed me that his office will contact me once IDPA has approve the surgery the time fram is est to be a month. We shall see? All will happen if it is God's will.

Dr. Butsch was very nice and he answered all of my questions with straight-forward answers which I appreciated. His assistant Renata, is a very nice woman and I think that I will be happy with them.

I was referred to Dr.Butsch by a good friend who was scheduled to have him perform an Open RNY for her.I was a little apprehensive because I had already had a bad experience with another surgeon. I had seen his web site and there was a picture of him on it. So, I knew that he was young and that was never a problem. In fact, his age was a plus, in my opinion. He was very "up front" with me about all of the risks and assured me that I could have the surgery Lap, since that was a concern of mine. His staff was very friendly and Renata,his assistant,is the best.

My first impression of hime was that he was very laid back but straight to the point. He was also young. But I think that's good..
His office staff is great especially Renata, and GiGi they have helped me alot.Future patients should know that he is very open minded, he listens to your every question, he seems like he really cares for his patients.He didn't really emphasize on after care a whole lot but we discuss it at every visit he wants me to make sure that I'm reasy for this life changing event.He was very straight forward and took the time to explain the risk of surgery he made it very clear of the risk of dieing and complications.He does have a very structured aftercare program especially with the nutritionists.Ona scale of 1 - 10 I would rate him a 9 1/2 with 10 being excellent.I think that surgical competence and bedside manner are both very important.