Roger De La Torre Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

My husband and I met Dr. De La Torre during the day-long seminars that his clinic requires of prospective patients. I was surprised to find him very open and genuine, with all the comments I had read on this site. We are both very impressed with his forth-rightness and CLARITY. He explains procedures and his philosophy about various subjects with crystal clear rationale. My thoughts about a doctor's "bedside manner" may differ from others... I HAVE an excellent hand-holder...my wonderful husband. I need my surgeon to be an excellent SURGEON. Which, I believe I have found in Dr. De La Torre.

UPDATE: My first insurance company, United Healthcare, adamently denied the surgery saying they NEVER covered it which I knew was a lie. I didn't pursue an appeal because I was moving and would have new insurance in a couple of months. During that time, Dr. Scott has taken less of a role in the surgeries and is doing more teaching, lecturing so I was fortunate enough to have his partner, Dr. Roger Delatorre who ultimately performed my surgery. He was very nice, honest and up front in answering any questions we had. I really liked him and thought he and Dr. Richards did a great job. :))))


Dr. Scott called me today and we had a nice conversation. We spoke about 15 minutes so he could determine whether I would be a good candidate for surgery. He asked several questions and gave me lots of information. At the end of our phone call, he told me I'd be an EXCELLENT candidate for surgery and they would begin the process of obtaining insurance approval.

Dr. Scott was very polite and knowledgeable. He was also very honest. I was impressed with him.

I'm excited and hoping that my insurance company will approve me.

Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Melody

Dr. De La Torre is wonderful. His bed side manner is excellent. He sits and goes over the risks of the surgery himself, good aftercare proram.My overall rating of him is excellent.

De la Torre is a young (35ish) doctor who is very professional. He is understanding about obsesity and willing to listen. The office staff was also professional and I was seen in the office in a timely manner. He has a strict aftercare program and has a weekly support meeting. He address all the risks as well as tape records any questions afterward for his own liability. I would rate De la Torre as a very experience (over 2000), professional, and kind. I would give him a great rating.

You ask for my opinions, but at the end, have a disclaimer... which do you want open honest opions and feelings or lies....
Needless to say, the following may or may not be accurate, due to the possibility of being sued.... Don't ask for opinions, if you really do not want them!
My first impression of Dr. De la Torre was great, he seemed up front and tried to talk me out of having the surgery.
Since my surgery, things have changed! I had the surgery and never again saw him until my 10 day post of check up to have my drain and staples taken out. He lacks any bedside manners or attitude. When I tried asking many questions during that post op fu, he was cold, curt and brief. The office did no follow up blood work, blood pressure check or even ask how I was doing or if I had any problems. I believe it is all about the MONEY. His Bariatric Program leaves much to be desired. Pre Op they are ok, Post op, they are absent! I still have so many questions with no one to really ask, as all surgeons do things differently. I am kinda winging it and that feels terrible!!!
I would not recommend this program until major steps are taken to correct the major wholes in the program or lack of program.
Of course this is my opinion and feelings and my personal experience!

1/14/03 Spoke with someone at Midwest Bariatric Center and they are going to send me the stuff to fill out for the surgery. She said that she would send it in a week, as they had so many out at the moment. Also, that I should send it back as soon as I get it and fill everything out.

I was told that I need to have a psych eval, pcp referral, and a thyroid test done. For them to submit to my insurance, even though my insurance doesn't require them. But I am willing to do anything to help my case. I already have all the appts made-- for within the next month.

Nice an stictly business. I am very happy that I chose Dr. De La Torre for this surgery his expertise in the type of surgery helped put my mind at ease.

De La Torre was informative and to the point about the surgery. He answered every question. The aftercare is all laid out for you when you meet with his staff. In order to be successfull, you must follow the plan. He spends a great deal of addressing all the risks of the surgery. I would rate him a ten for today. If I had to say anything negative, he was called into emergency surgery prior to meeting our group. Our group had to wait, which we did. Not a problem. Everyone in the group got to know a little about each other while we waited.

Dr De La Torre was great. He was very thorough in covering the risks of the surgery beforehand. His staff is wonderful and I found them all to be very polite and helpful. The only thing I can possibly complain was that he was not the one who saw me post op..it was his assistant surgeon. I was fine with that but some people may feel slighted by that. He is an EXTREMELY gifted surgeon. My scars are so small and faint. My PCP was thrilled and could not believe how beautiful his work was. Overall I would rate him excellent.

I am very proud of having Dr. De la Torre for my surgeon. Dr. Norbert Richardson was his assistant. You couldn't ask for anyone better. His staff was great and I am very happy that they were there to help me. He is an excellent doctor and I am very lucky I got him....