Richard Benavides Bariatric Surgeon M.D.
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When the process started, I went to a very busy Heart Center run by Dr. Fred Maese. It is located in Ferris, TX, about 30 miles south of Dallas. The building is in this hole in the wall place that looked like it was going to fall down. The place seemed hectic but everyone was so nice. Talking to the people who had the surgery and the people that wanted the surgery while I waited was the best part. After talking to the nurse and them telling me, UHC has been approving everyone with a 40 BMI or higher, I was excited about this journey and got the ball rolling.
I met Dr. Maese during my stress test two days later. My first impression was, "sharp", he was friendly, smart, showed a real interest in you but he was very busy and could not spend too much time with you. After UHC approved the surgery, I met Dr. Benavides 3 days before my surgery date. His office was much nicer, in a new building in Richardson, TX (North Dallas). He told me what to expect during and after surgery. My impression on him was, very smart and answered all of my questions. I now go to Dr. Maese's new office in Dallas for my after care and fills. He still has the Ferris office - it is too busy to close. His team is great. I never have to wait to get a fill; I can usually call the week I need one.
I think this is a positive but some may say it's a negative Dr. Maese will get on you if you are not following the program i.e. eating too much junk food and not losing weight.
If you have to have a surgery like this then Dr. Benavides is the type of person you want on your side. From the very first office visit onward he makes you feel comfortable about the surgery while making sure that you do understand all the possible risks that are invoved with a Lap-Band surgery.
His staff is great and well trained to meet your needs and with over 4,000 surgerys completed they are very skilled at the process.
I guess the best way to rate him is that 3 weeks after my lap-band surgery I trusted him to do the ame on my wife. Since nothing on earth means more than her to me I guess you could say he earned my trust.
First impression was that he is very friendly and down to earth.
Very poor aftercare; I feel very disappointed.
Very pleasant and caring.
It didnt change.
Friendly and helpful.
He does emphasize aftercare, suggests strongly to attend support group meetings. Stresses the importance of following the post-op diet.
Addressed risks throughly, answered all questions without making me feel silly.
Great surgeon, great doctor.
Today is July 22, 2004. I went to my seminar with Dr. Benavides yesterday evening and was the first one to arrive and the last one to leave. Dr. Benavides stayed there until I left, answering all my questions. When I first walked into the building one of the first people I saw was Melissa Jensen who also had the LapBand surgery with Dr. Benavides and now works with him. I had recognized her from her profile on obesityhelp.com (and had even emailed her that day) so I began asking her questions about the surgery and felt like I was talking to an old friend. She was very helpful and reassuring. All of his staff that were at the seminar had the surgery and were very attentive, helpful in answering questions and easy to talk to. Dr. Benavides was very knowledgeable and answered everyone’s questions and did not hurry anyone. I was not going to even go to his seminar because my doctor's staff (receptionists, and referral administrators) gave me 4 names of other WLS surgeons but my PCP personally recommended him. I am glad I went to the seminar because I found out that Dr. Benavides is an expert in the field of LapBand bariatric surgery. He only does the LapBand for WLS. He has done over 950 surgeries in the last 2 1/2 years and none of his patients have died during surgery or due to complications from the LapBand. So I feel that he is very competent in this area. He talked very little about aftercare because so many people had questions concerning the actual procedure so I did not get a lot of information about the aftercare program. Dr Benevides talked a lot about the two major complications with this surgery, which is slippage and erosion, which I was happy to know that only .02% of patients experience erotion and none of Dr. Benavides' patients have had this experience. Overall I think he is a very caring, humble man and I rate him and his staff a 10 out of 10 and the best in the Dallas Metroplex area.
I have not met Dr Benevides (surgeon) yet. I have met with Dr Maese (pre and post care)2 times and I like him. He is very short to the point and no beating around the bush. He is honest and seems to care. He started me on BP medicine and high cholesterol medication as well.........he was concerned about those 2 things. I'll speak only about Dr. Maese since he's all I've seen. The office is very small and not what you would call "state of the art". Very plain and the furniture doesnt really match. They have not spent any money on the appearance of the office for sure. My first impression when I drove up was NO WAY!! But after meeting him and Cynthia (very nice) I decided who cares what the office looks like, the people and the care is what matters. He is very clear about his expectations of you. This is a serious decision and he lets you know, it is life long. Overall so far........8 1/2
He's very interested in his patients and in their comfort. He looks and acts like a person who loves life and that zest for life involves his potential patients. At his seminars, he acts like he has all the time in the world to answer questions and interacts one-on-one with his attendees.
Dr. B. is like a breath of fresh air. I like to feel valued. He's the best!
It's impossible for me to find anything negative. He requires testing and physical workups prior to surgery. That's a real positive.
He also emphasizes that aftercare is the most important part of the process and warns that a person who does not participate in aftercare will not succeed. He does have a structured program for his patients to support each other, along with dietary help and other care.
The first doctor I saw had no personality and seemed too negative.
I believe surgical competence and bedside manner are of utmost importance. Both are necessary for a good alliance between physician and patient.
I'm glad I shopped around until I found Dr. Benavides.
I had my preop appt with Dr Benavides yesterday. I have been seeing Dr Maese, who I love, but was anxious to actually meet Dr Benavides. I feel so much better, I could immediately tell that he knows what he's doing and that everything is going to be fine.
Office staff was nice yesterday, but he was 2 hours behind for some reason??
Overall, I would highly recommend him to others. His surgical competence and bedside manner are both equally great.
I think he was great. I usually judge a doctor by the way he walks in. I look for the doctor to introdue themselves and shake your hand. That is exactly what Dr Benavides did. I've only met him twice. The first time was 4 days before my surgery. But I had already heard he was the best. The office staff was really really nice. They all introduced themselves by name. He gave me materials too read. Lots to read. Yes, the structured aftercare is pretty self explanatory and thorough. He told me all about the risks. I would say he's an excelled doctor. I would say both.