Peter LePort Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

I met Dr. LePort today (5-12-01) at an informal seminar in my Drs. office in Bakersfield. He seemed very knowledgeable and straight forward. It was funny I have been researching this site so long I felt I could have answered most of the questions people were asking him. All in all he seemed very honest and sincere about the surgery. He said it was not an easy fix and it would take work and a life time commitment from the patient. It made me feel good that he stresses follow up with him and he and my Dr. are trying to start a support group in Bakersfield. I cant wait! I will actually be having surgery with Dr. Philip Chin, he is an associate of Dr. LaPort. I will not meet him until the day before my surgery.

I attended the required consultation with Dr. Le Port's office and found Diane to be very knowledgable about the procedure and insurance requirements. I meet with Dr. Le Port for my evaluation on February 5. I actually met with Dr. LePort on February 12. I waited for 2.5 hours in his waiting room. He went through all the risks associated with the surgery and said that he thought I would be a good candidate. He also stressed the life altering change that this surgery provides. He kept saying that this is a tool, which I understand, and that after this surgery things I enjoyed I may not any longer and people in my life that have been friends may no longer be friends. I appreciate the realistic nature, but definitely gives you something to think about.
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5/22/01
I'm six weeks out from surgery and doing great. Dr. Leport did a great job on my surgery. I was one of his first laproscopic RNY's, so surgery was a little longer than the open procedure but I have had no major complications and feel good. My follow-up visits with Dr. LePort have been positive and he says everything is on track and healing well. I would highly recommend Dr. Leport to anyone considering this procedure.

My surgery was Feb 6th 2001! No complcations at all! Dr. Le Port was great, and Ihave lost 52 pounds as of May 8, 2001. I have went from a size 22 to a 16. This surgery has saved my life!

first impression was good, quite professional, staff was very helpful for the most part.Explained everything, encouraged questions, did not try to hold back anything. Spoke about the good as well as the bad. Stressed that the surgery is a committment. Also stressed the importance of aftercare, exercise, eating properly, nutrition. Covered all the bases. I felt extremely confident in my decision to have him perform the surgery. I had gone to two of his seminars. Future patients should know that he is very competent and will not perform a surgery if he doesn't think it is appropriate. Has surgical competence and also a good bedside manner. Very understanding. Staff has been trained to work especially with obese people. Hospital has special program to deal with us.

Dr. LePort is a very busy man, but it is understandable because he is an excellent surgeon. When you have your first consultation with him, don't schedule anything from your appointment time until three to four hours after, because likely you will wait about an hour to 90 minutes to be seen. Almost every person I've referred to him has had to wait at least an hour. I attribute this to his just being so darned busy, trying to accomodate everyone who wants the surgery. Just go in with a very patient attitude.

I have only seen him once so far, but I expect to see him at least a couple more times as my pre-op testing is coming up in a week or two and lap RNY surgery is on 5/14.

I will post more about him once I get through the pre-ops.

Other than that, he is a very kind, gentle man, looks a little harried at times due to his schedule, but he appears to be well worth the wait.

I first heard of Dr. LePort when I was calling my insurance company to find out if they covered the surgery. When they told me they did, I asked them if they knew of any doctors that performed it in California. Without hesitating, the rep saide "Dr. LePort". She told me alot of people had used him and were very happy with his program. I called his office and they scheduled me for my intro class and referred me to his website for more info in the mean time. I went to the class at Orange Coast Memorial about a week later. The have you fill out you medical history paperwork and walk you through every step of the insurance process. They have diagrams of the surgery and even fake food to show what size portions you will be able to eat after surgery. They submitted my paperwork to my insurance company and a week later I had a letter in my stating that I had been approved. His staff is amazing. After that I had my consult about a week later. Although I was diappointed when I found out they did not offer laparoscopic surgery, I was reassured when he told me they were working with a doctor in San Diego to learn how to perfom laparoscopic and that they would be performing it on several "test" patients prior to offering it to everyone. I was told I would probably have to wait 3 months for surgery, so that they could finish their test patients, and purchase the laparoscopic equipment. After their trials, they called me to schedule my laparoscopic RNY.

I spoke with the office nurse last night2-20.She was very kind and paitent with all my questions.2-21-01 I called back and spoke with the insurance girl who also was very kind.She said she will call me back this morning with an preauth.Just to let me know where I stand with my insurance.
I met with Dr LePort on monday.I was given information on the procedure all the good and bad.The ladies in the office were very kind and helpfull.All my questions were answered and also met with his associate.
Dr LePort is very good at what he does and does not take risks or put you in danger in surgery.The Anest. is also very involved and very good.
I was over all very happy with my results and lack of problems during and after surgery.Carol
I would givr Dr LePort very high marks.He did a A++ job on me and I thank God and the Doctor for that.

Dr LePort, was a very nice gentle man, understood my feelings and I was at ease with him. His Staff, what can I can they were great. They did all the ins work and got me approved so fast, I thank them for that. They were always there to answer a question and hear my worries. I was never put off, if I called about a problem, they helped me and called the next day to see how I was doing. Aftercare was among the first most important things that was told to me. It was very important to follow to the last letter what they told me to do, and I have and I am greatful that Dr LePort makes sure a big thing of it, or I am sure I wouls not have done as well as I have. I was told all the risks of the surgery and I had my questions I wanted to asked and i did and was given a straight answer. Over all Dr Le Port and his staff are great. Didnt see much of Dr LePort after surgery, but his asst and his office staff inquired everyday I was in the hospital and always return my calls now that I am home. Surgical competence and bedside manner were great, I feel I made the best choice in sergeron and Clicic. I will have to say, that the hospital staff had some improvements that could be done, but i think they were short handed. I am just glad that my family was there during the day and that my surgery was not so painful that i could not let know what I wanted. A nurse Kim and nurse aide named Michelle were life savers there, so sweet and I love them both. Always could make me smile.

I met with Dr. LaPort on the 9th of January. I was impressed with his confidence, and his explanation of the process. His staff seems very helpfull. He has a pre and post care program.

I have scheduled my surgery date for Feb. 14th, to give my self a present! I am in the final ( I hope) approval by my health plan (pacificare HMO).

I will be having LAP.

I go for my counseling appointment on the 19th of January.

Today is the 23rd of Feb. and I am 10 days post op. My surgery ended up being open rather than lap and Dr. LePort also removed my gallbladder at the same time.

Dr. LePort & staff were excellent - I was at Fountain Valley Hospital and highly recommend it. Monday I go for my 2 week post op visit, and I hope to be allowed to go back to work on Tuesday at least part time. Best part, Dr. LePort didn't use staples, didn't have a tube down my nose after surgery, etc.

Very caring, he truly understands the need to have this surgery.
His mind set is this is the only life saving surgery for morbidobesity.

Iam totaly impressed with his never ending commitment to this surgery.

The staff is very informed, caring and seem to work well together.

Having to have my pre-op pitchers taken. and body measures taken.

Dr. Le Port takes this surgery to heart, when he see some one once he wont stop untill they
get the approval and the surgery.

Number One! you must stay in a suport group of some kind and his staff calls you at home to see how you are doing.

yes, you must follow his instruction to the "T", as he says this surgery is ONLY a TOOL... not a CURE...

All the Risks are Spelled Out in black and white and he goes over them one at a time. If you don't ask question, he thinks your not ready for surgery.

On a scale of 1-10 10 being the best, he's 9.5

Both are great, you see I am a super chechin.. in fact he was at my bedside and walked me into the OR holding my hand..
I cann't tell you how great that feels.