Pamela Foster Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

My Impression of Dr Foster was good.I first met her at Stanford medical center.Dr Foster answered most of my questions and gave me a clear picture of the surgery on my first consultation.I put her name into google to see what I could find out about her.I basicly checked her education and stuff like that.I was looking to make sure there were no negative articles about her,And actually found a very encouraging and positive piece written about her.Dr. Foster Left Stanford while I was working on all the pre-surgery requirements and Joined the Thinnerfuture program.Her move to
thinnerfuture made it easier for me because now her group had a contract with my insurance.Stanford didn't have a contact with my insurance so I had to go through the appeals process just to continue to see Dr Foster. The office staff at thinner future is nice.
They put up with me calling all the time.I was Little(ok a lot) nervous about some insurance issues pre-op and kept calling or emailing.There were a couple of things that slipped through the cracks as far as what I needed to have done before surgery.I gotta call from My Doctor's office the FRiday evening before my tuesday morning surgery asking me where I had my OTHER Ekg.I was never aware that I needed 2.At Any rate it was friday so I could do nothing before monday.It was a good thing I had been admitted into the emergency room a month before.I was able to go to the Hospital and get a copy of the ekg done in the Emergency room.I guess this was all sort of good because it kept my mind off the actual surgery.I didn't get nervous until being wheeled into the Operating room.
Dr Foster gave me a complete of all the risks and explained to me that I may not be able to have the operation done laparoscopicly.She had also made herself clear on the fact that She would not do the surgery(this was in the beginning) unless I started exercising and worked on losing about 50 lbs.(to make the surgery less Dangerous).I wanted it bad enough so I did what I was supposed to do.I am now 4 days post op.I feel good for somebody who just got out of the hospital 2 days ago.The surgery WAS done laparoscopicly.I never really had any bad pain.Some minor nagging pains.I get a little pain when I cough.I haven't had much of an appetite which I am told is normal at first.The worst thing was the thirst I had the day of surgery after surgery and Not being able to drink anything. well thats about it for now.One last thing,the hospital bed I was in was NIce and big.I really liked it.They just need to find a place for all the bed and tv controls.Well gotta go time for lunch :)

I loved Pamela Foster from the first time that I met her. I met four other doctors before her, but Dr.Foster was the only one that I felt safe with.

I first met Dr. Foster while she was still at Stanford. Since then she has joined a practice in Burlingame that specializes in Bariatric Surgery. My first impression of her is that she was very young; however she has a way of looking at you while you are speaking that lets you know she is really listening. Her youth also hides how very experienced she is. She is very thorough in her approach to the surgery. Some would say she is tough; I found that she has very good reasons for having the requirements that she does. She likes to make sure that any medical issues are either taken care of or under control. She also believes in very extensive follow up post-op. She prefers that a client loses about 10% of their body weight prior to the surgery as a show of commitment. I don't believe she will perform surgery on a smoker, excessive drinker or drug user. All of these factors are very important in the success of her patients surgery. Dr. Foster inspires confidence in her patients. I will post more information after the surgery, but I have no doubt that all will go well.

she is a straight talker and serious about her work. seems to be concerned about the needs of patient. I was at mills penninsula hospital in Burlinggame and The pre-op was really informative. I can e-mail them with questions anytime. The staffthere was great. She is strict about losing 10% before surgery. The staff are fairly new to her and getting use to her routine. I always got answers and a quick response so far. I feel that the surgical competence was really high and I feel that she incorporates bedside manner into that. She was straight forward on the very first visit about what to expect after surgey and all the risks. I first met her at stanford. She told me that I could have problems mostly as a result of eating too fast or not chewing well or not taking my vitamns eating enough protien ect. Her aftercare seems to be good I only had surgery 4 days ago but my first visit is in 2 weeks. I WISH I could add some negatives but I think having this surgery laproscopic helped with the recovery a GREAT deal. I have 4 other abdominal surgeries to compare it to. I can say that my insurance (medi-medi) would not pay for liquid pain meds or zantac and that sucks to crush and swallow!!

10/1/02 I went for my initial consultation today. I was very nervous. I went in to the office 10 minutes before my appointment which was at 9:00 am. The receptionist was friendly. I filled out basic forms. I was called in at 9:00. They started by taking my weight on a BMI machine. It said I was 10 pounds heavier than my scale at home. That was depressing. Then the nurse took a photo of me. So glad I wore something nice and had make-up on:) Next, on to the exam room. The nurse took my blood pressure. Everything good there. Dr. Foster came in and was very personable and professional. She answered all of my questions. Her main focus was to educate me about the different surgeries. Dr. Foster went over in detail what is expected of me to gain long term goals. Plus the fact that I need to lose 10% of my weight before the surgery. Dr. Foster went over the risks in depth and answered all my questions. I have great confidence in Dr. Foster's surgical ability. At this point I feel she will also have a great bedside manner.

Dr. Foster was great! She is very knowledgeable because this is her specialty! She is very considerate and explains about the surgery. She does have the rule of pre-op that you MUST loose 10% prior to surgery. She will schedule your surgery after loosing 1/2 of the 10%. Her staff was very professinal. She discussed the procedure (lap and open), where the incisions will go, etc. And she discussed the risks of the surgery. Her coorinator, Julie, is nice and is willing to help get things rolling for you. She is very busy so leave her a message-she will get back to you in 24-48 hours. Be patient! All in all, I am very satisfied with my consultation.

I liked her she is personable yet professional. The staff seems nice. she has moved from stanford to burlingame with dr. wetter. My only reservation was having a woman do surgery on me for the first time. I think she is very confident and that helps. she requires her patients to lose 10% of their weight before surgery. She wants an exercise program established before surgery. I can tell you more after august.

I had gone to a support group in which 3 of her patients were in attendance, so I knew a little about Dr. Foster before I had my first appoinment in April. I loved her when I first met her, she is a very caring, knowledgable doctor. Yet, she is strict and when she says she wants you to lose 10% of your weight before you get scheduled for surgery you have to be deligant. I knew this before I saw her so I had already lost more than the required 10% and still continue to loss weight as I wait to get a surgery date.

When I had my appointment 3 of my friends went with me and she invited me to ask them to join us, which I did. They were able to hear about the surgery and what it entales so I had 3 extra pairs of ears and eyes. Her staff is nice and caring.

I live in Sacramento so I wish she was closer but that can't be helped and I would and will travel to see her. She has now left Stanford University and gone into private practice with Dr. Wetters in Burlingame. So, I will be having my surgery at Mills Peninsula Hospital instead of Stanford since I wasn't able to get everything done before she left. I have an appointment on Thursday, July 11th, and hope I get a surgery date.

I have not seen Dr. Foster at her new office so I can't say anything about them, I do know from talking to other people that are supposed to be nice and well trained in the field of bariatric surgery.

I gave Dr. Foster an A+

I felt very comfortable right away with
Dr. Foster. She is very nice, compassionate,
but tough. When she says she wants you to
lose weight before the surgery, she means it!
We spent about an hour discussing the procedure
and I did not feel that she was rushing through
it. She cares very much for her patients.
I am glad I was referred to her.

It has been 7 months since my surgery and I cannot say enough about Dr. Foster and Trina, her nurse. They are both such caring, compassionate persons. Whenever I go to see Dr. Foster she does not rush and spends whatever time is necessary discussing post-op concerns with me. I truly love Dr. Foster and Trina.

I loved Dr. Foster from the get go. She is very smart, qualified, and had a wonderful bedside maner. She has been wonderful. The staff at Stanford is very efficient. You should know that Dr. Foster requires a 10% weightloss. A lot of people are put off by this, I know I was, but let me tell you I am so glad to be going into this surgery with 10% of my weight GONE FOREVER! I feel much better than I did 4 months ago, that's for sure.