L. Albert Wetter Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

Some information on my doctor for anyone who is considering using him.

*****
I had my surgery with Dr. Wetter on 7/25/00, lap RNY. I started at about 300 pounds (with clothes) and had severe sleep apnea. I am convinced he is a master surgeon. He was very patient in each of my visits with him and answered my long lists of questions very thoroughly. I did find him more rushed at the hospital after the surgery but he did stop in each day and if I had any questions he took the time to answer them. My recovery has been going well. My new stomach certainly tells me when I eat too much or too fast! (That feedback loop was completely missing prior to the surgery).

*****
One person that is part of Dr. Wetter's support staff is Anne Timberlake who works at Peninsula Hospital. She is on Email "[email protected]", and will answer all your questions promptly and completely. She is much easier to get ahold of than going through Dr. Wetter's office staff. And she doesn't stop after the surgery ... she told me as long as I had questions about the surgery or any post op issues to feel free to contact her.

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The only negative for me was that I did find the interactions with the insurance company and the hospital scheduling to challenging. I could never tell how much was attributable to Dr. Wetter's office staff and how much was caused by the insurance company and hospital schedulers.

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When my insurance was initially denied, Dr. Wetter called me personally, made recommendations about what I needed to do, and he wrote another letter as well addressing the issues that were raised by the insurance company. I was later approved.

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I don't know if Dr. Wetter is responsible for the hire of Ann Timberlake or the training and protocol for the staff at Peninsula, but they all do a terrific job. He has a wonderful support team at the hospital. The nurses often praised my efforts to get up and walk around, and my courage in getting the operation. I had the medicine pump with the pain killers when I woke up. Most all the nurses were extremely well educated about the surgery. I felt that the hospital stay was the best hospital stay yet (and I have been in several times).

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When I found out that one of my medications could not be stopped for the 3 days that one usually can't have food, and that it couldn't be delivered by IV, Dr. Wetter worked with my other doctor to find something that would work. He left in the NG tube from my nose to my stomach after the operation so that the pills could be crushed and given to me that way. (The tube isn't as bad as it sounds and many doctors leave them in for all patients after the surgery).

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There is a Northern California Support Group that meets the 3rd Saturday of every month at Peninsula Hospital. You are likely to meet many other patients of Dr. Wetter there. The web site is: http://www.obesitysurgerysupport.org/

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This reflects my own personal experience and your mileage may vary.

Welllll I finally met Dr. Wetter and he is great! I feel very comfortable with him and I'm confident everything will go well.

When I first met Dr Wetter on Nov 15th I was very impressed by his knowledge and 'bedside manner'. I also enjoyed meeting his Surgery Coordinator, Terry. Unfortunately, it is now Dec 18th and I still don't have the Medical Necessity Letter from the transcriber.
After a long wait, my surgery is scheduled for 4/23/01! It will be performed by Dr. Wetter and assisted by his associate, Dr. Baggs.
Keep me in your prayers.

My first impression of Dr. Wetter was very positive. He was very supportive and positive. His office staff are very nice, as are his support staff. If I have questions I e-mail his program advisor and she always answers within 24 hours. I am still pre-op, and so far they are top notch.

IN OCTOBER WHEN I MET DR. WETTER HE WAS VERY NICE AND STRAIGHT FORWARD ABOUT EVERY DETAIL.
I LIKED DR.WETTER EVEN MORE BY THE END OF MY VISIT,BECAUSE HE TOOK SO MUCH TIME GOING OVER EVERY LITTLE DETAIL,NOT LIKE MOST DOCTORS I HAVE SEEN OR WORKED FOR.MY MOTHER AND SON CAME WITH ME TO AND BELIEVE ME MY MOM WAS NOT NICE ABOUT HOW SHE QUESTIONED EVERYTHING ABOUT HIM AND THE SURGURY.
HIS OFFICE STAFF SEEMS VERY NICE EVERY TIME I HAVE SPOKE WITH THEM.THE ONLY PROBLEMS THAT THERE HAS BEEN IS GETTING MY LETTER PRINTED UP AND TO THE INSURANCE.IT TOOK 2+ MONTHS OF MY PHONE CALLS TO GET TERRY AND MY INS. TOGETHER AND WITHIN A HOUR I WAS APPOVED FOR SURGURY.AND THEN IN JANUARY I HAD A DATE FOR THE 2ND OF APRIL.MILLS HOSPITAL HAS A VERY GOOD PROGAM FROM TOP TO BOTTOM,SUPPORT GROUP TO GYM TO THE DOCTORS AND ALSO THE NURSES.THEY COVER EVERYTHING THAT IS NEEDED BEFORE AND AFTER.

I had sugery with Dr.Wetter on Jan.22,2001.
I liked him,he is very BLUNT.If you can't handle that type of person,don't go.
I found he has a great sense of humor,and he visited me regularly while I was in the hospital.He explains the whole procedure cleanly and honestly.
His office staff is great,Terri,who handles your insurance is an angel,and God forbid she is out sick,she in my opinion,is the back bone of that office.
One more thing about Dr.Wetter.
If you smoke,STOP.He won't tolerate it ! I know,I had to quit.

Dr. Wetter is wonderful. It never did I still think he is the best. His office staff is caring, wonderful, and very helpful with everything. There is not a bad thing I can say about Dr. Wetter. That he is by far the best surgeon you can choose to perform your surgery. His emphasizes on aftercare is very high, he likes to see you every 3 months. Yes he has a structured aftercare program with support group that meet every 3rd Saturday of the month. He explained the risks in great detail. My overall rating of Dr. Wetter is that I am extremely pleased with the choose I made with choosing him as my surgeon. Definetly Both

I met with a doctor in the Fresno, CA area, however, I was not comfortable with him or the fact that the hospital he uses does NOT have an ICU. The nearest ICU is 13 miles away. The drive was herendous too. I didn't like the idea of going that far on a semi-continual basis. So, I decided to look for a "local" doctor. Unfortunately, the closest local doctor is at least an hour's drive in any given direction. I started doing research and stumbled across Dr. Wetter (quite by accident). When I read the fact that he pioneered the lap-RNY and all the positive comments on this website, I decided to make an appointment.


I appreciate Dr. Wetter's direct manner. He doesn't beat around the bush and tells you in very simple language the benefits and RISKS to this life altering step. Dr. Wetter explains the procedure but really emphasizes what happens after surgery. After all, what you do, or DON'T do can make or break the surgery. He discusses in detail the aftercare process and outlines your responsibility as a patient if the procedure is to be successful and so that you FULLY benefit from it. His office is extremely busy and I have had to wait on hold for extended periods of time to speak to someone. Dr. Wetter does return calls in a timely fashion though.

Since I was already approved by insuranc& had a consultation with my previous surgeon, every moved very quickly. I had a surgery date 2 months away from our meeting.
I was impressed by Dr. Wetter at our first meeting. He was concerned,concise,organized & so is his staff.
His office staff is efficent & friendly.
The aftercare team is very knowledgable. I was visited everyday by my surgeon, his assistant, hisnuse/program coordinator & a dietitician.
Not, only was the surgery successful, Dr. Wetter also managed to take out my stone laben gallbladder at the same time,laproscopically!

When I had my initial consultation with Dr. Wetter I was a bit nervous, because well I have never had major surgery, and this is pretty major. I wasn't worried about death, or anything like that, but just the whole thought about being the fish on the chopping block!! Dr. Wetter came right in (actually early to my appointment) and point at ease. He was very straightforward and obviously caring.

So far he has my highest recomendation.

Dr Wetter is the best...I'm doing great! Go on, take it from me--- I like loosing weight!!