Pamela Foster Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

Through,professional, attentive,firm,direct, educational.
My first impression was and still is that Dr. Foster will be my surgeon always for any need on mine or my husband or family member.
Staff, very helpful,I feel comfortable to call with any problem or question.
Future patients should always be honest with their surgeon.
Dr. Foster emphasize aftercare though patient education and patient participation. With on going follow up appointments.
There is a well informed staff and support group.
Rishs of surgery was addressed in a stright forward maner.
Overall Dr. Foster is the best.
Surgical competence, according to the surgical team I spoke with she has their upmost respect. And the is good enought for me. And she performed my surgery as far as I am concered, perfectly.

When I met Dr. Foster, she seemed very nice, yet serious. I could tell we were both interviewing each other. After we concluded our initial meeting, I think we both felt we were a good match.
I just had my follow up visit with Dr. Foster. I was supposed to loose between 7-10 pounds. I surprised everyone, including myself, by loosing 12.8 pounds. I think this proved to Dr. Foster I was serious and able to make the necessary lifestyle changes for surgery.
I have called her Burlingame office a few times, everyone seems very helpful and nice. I will probably not meet them, as I am having my surgery performed at El Camino Hospital in Mt. View. The one assistant who was there both times seems like she may be new. Dr. Foster has to tell her what to do next, as she does not seem to know.
The most impressive thing about Dr. Foster that stands out is how real she is. She wanted to make sure I was educated with not only the positive sides of WLS, but also the very real negatives. She even makes you sign a form stating you understand all of the possible risks. She is very detailed and does not leave one question unanswered.
I cannot think of one negative thing about Dr. Foster. She is a very real person. She uses words which are easily understood, and made me feel comfortable right off the bat. She is the third Dr. I spoke with, as I did not feel comfortable with the previous two doctors. I have found the right match!

Pamela Foster was great in all respects. What more can I say.

I immediately liked Dr.Foster -she took lots of time with me every time I saw her. She is very smart, knowledgeable and kind. I would say her staff has taken care of just about everything for me and has been very helpful.

WHEN I FIRST MET WITH DR PAMALA FOSTER I THOUGHT SHE WAS REAL YOUNG. BUT AFTER TALKING WITH HER I FOUND THE SHE REALLY NEW ALOT ABOUT THE SURGERY. HER STAFF IS ALSO VERY SUPPORTIVE. I HONESTLY CANT SAY ONE BAD THING ABOUT MY VISIT. DR. FOSTER WILL BE VERY SRTICK ON WHAT SHE WANT FROM HER PATIENTS. YOU CAN AVE UP TO 3 TO 4 VISIT BEFORE PR-OP BUT THAT FOR HER TO REALLY SEE HOW SERIOUS YOU ARE FOR SURGERY. SHE HAS A AFTER CARE PROGRAM BUT I'M NOT THAT FAR. SHE GOES INTO DETAIL ABOUT THE RISKS OF SURGERY. DR. FOSTER IS WONDERFUL.

My first impression of Dr. Foster was a very positive one. I could tell by her sense of humor, and her straight forwardness that I had made the right/best choice. I always feel like she's really listening to me, and not brushing me off. She wants to see me suceed, and I am thankful for that.

At first I wasn't thrilled about the pre-op weight loss needed, but I understand and appreciate why she requires it. I know Dr. Foster will take good care of me.

Her staff is very friendly, and are extremely helpful.

Overall I'd rate her a 10+!

Dr. Foster is an amazing doctor who is dedicated to changing peoples lives. She made me feel very comfortable during the whole consult. It is nice to meet a doctor who is so enthusiastic about helping individuals lead healthy lives. Her compassion is truly heartfelt.
She informed me of all the risks involved with the surgery. I left the consult appt. feeling fully informed and excited to begin the journey to a healthier future.

I drove 3 1/2 hours to see Dr. Foster, because I had heard of her outstanding reputation. I also had read from some that she can be tough. I did not think that at all. She was super friendly and oh so thorough, explaining the benefits, risks and lifestle changes needed for success with the surgery. I really liked her and know that she is very skilled at what she does. She requires I lose 20 lbs before surgery, which is reasonable. I felt so comfortable with her and when she looked at my dieting history, she said it is typical of most of her patients. I felt releif and a sense that she understands the dilemna of obesity and all of it's problems. That I am not a weak person with no self control or a loser for allowing myself to get so big. She was very supportive and compassionate! Her staff was so friendly too! Everyone took the time to sit down and explain the next step. I felt extremely informed and that I am in the best hands.

My first impression of Dr. Foster was very positive. My insurance company picked a winner.She was very competant,took the time to explain the risks, benifits, requirments and answer all my questions.When i first met her she was at Stanford then went into private pratice, I was lucky enough to be able to follow her after they reached a agrement with my insurance company. Nothing has changed over time. I always look forward to seeing her even though I have to take a half day off and travel 40 miles. The office staff has always been very nice, there is plenty of parking and right off the freeway[kind of] I think the worst thing[or best depending on your point of view] is how she made me quit smoking and lose my ten percent. I lost, I gained,it was fustrating for a while but through her support and help I got through it. I think that furture patients would be very happy with her,she is supportive, competant, but firm[Pretty also, for the guys]. As for aftercare she gave the information in a timely manner I suppose[I would of prefered to get everything at once but I supposed thier is a reason] She stressed the need to do the right things and emphasized the need to not do the wrong things. I found she kept me focused and on track. The risks where explained to me in detail, but not hounded on[a good thing] On the subject of rating, on a scale of one to ten I rate her a fifteen. If I sound like a commercial for her,I don't mean to, but, I had a wonderful experiance, no problems, and great result. some of that is do to me, but I think most of it is do to her. As for the last question which is better,Surgical competence or bedside manner, Um lets see, I would rather have a jerk who lets me wake up instead of a nice person who does not. Wouldn't you? LOL.Lucky for me I had both.In closing all I can say is research your doctor whoever it maybe throughly and go with your gut and heart. If it don't feel right move on. I did not have a computer back then but I had a cousin that had it done by Dr.Foster who did researched her and I quote "She is the best you will get anywhere around here[the greater bay area]. If anyone has further questions about her that has not been answered here feel free to E-Mail me and I will respond as quick as possible. Thank you Steve

Dr. Foster is absolutely wonderful at what she does. She comes across very competent and caring without the put-off of the "surgeon's ego." Her office staff are all very friendly, professional, and efficient as well.

In speaking with Dr. Foster, I found that she really takes the time to discuss all of the issues, go through what her expectations and her goals would be, make sure that your expectations and goals are a good fit and realistic, and answer all of the questions. I truly appreciated that she speaks just as easily, candidly, and sensitively when speaking technically and when speaking more casually. I work in healthcare and had many detailed technical questions, but my wife, who was with me, does not work in healthcare and would not have been able to follow the conversation if Dr. Foster had not been as sensitive to that.

I came in to see Dr. Foster since my insurance (Blue Cross) is likely to cover the Roux-en-y gastric bypass, and my primary care physician's medical group referred me to her. However, I was also interested in attempting to secure coverage for a duodenal switch (which was my first choice as a surgical intervention). My thought was that if my insurance carrier or medical group denies me coverage to have the DS, I want to keep my option for the Roux-en-y open. I discussed this right up front with Dr. Foster who was absolutely fabulous about discussing the philosophy behind each procedure with me, why she doesn't perform the DS, who she feels is a good surgeon who does perform the DS, and what the significant factors are in comparing the two procedures and determining which is most appropriate for me.

Dr. Foster has an extremely thorough pre-op plan, and a very well-structured post-op/aftercare program. She follows her patients closely and takes an active role in working with psychological support for behavior modification, and in assisting patients to find good physical fitness programs and regimes.

Dr. Foster does require that a person lose approximately 10% of his or her total body weight before proceeding with the surgery. She feels that it makes the operation safer to perform laparoscopically as the liver will be reduced in size proportionally. Further, she requires that this weight loss be achieved by following to the greatest extent possible, the diet that one must follow post-op. Her rationale is that it prepares a patient for real life following the procedure and establishes good habits beforehand.

While I agree that her reasoning is sound from a medical standpoint and from a psychological standpoint, I am aware that most surgeons do not require something like this. From those patients of Dr. Foster I have spoken with, it seems that I am not alone in being less than enthusiastic about losing weight to have the weight loss surgery. This is the only negative aspect or downside I see in working with Dr. Foster.

Overall, I rate Dr. Foster to be a perfect 10. I feel quite privileged to be able to work with her in planning my surgery, and I would highly recommend her to anyone who is interested in bariatric surgery without reservation.