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

My first impression of Dr. De La Torre was that he was thinner than his pictures on the website. He seems calm and very knowledgeable about what he does. He has no problems answering questions, and he does so in a way that you can understand what he's saying. He is personable. His office staff is great. I've had the most contact with Nancy and Kathy. I think I've talked to Patsy on the phone, and Scott talked with us about exercise. They are all just very kind and enouraging people. They are efficient, caring and have good senses of humor. They all emphasize that the WLS is a tool, and there is lots of hard work that must be done by you. They do have a structured aftercare program, and stress that it is up to you to follow the rules. If you follow the rules, you will lose weight and you will be healthy. The risks of WLS were discussed at length. I feel I am in very good hands and I feel lucky that I am geographically close enough to have my surgery done by this surgeon, at this hosptal. Groups of surgeons from the Mayo clinic have come to observe him. His group participated in the clinical studies that got the laproscopic RNY surgery approved in the US. I guess the thing that patients will want to know, and he told us this himself, is that he is very busy, and will be the one to do our surgery, but may not be the one we see the next day in the hopsital. He is spread out over several offices, and he can't be everyplace at one time. This would be the only negative I have at this time. I'm glad that he is upfront about it, though, and his patiens know what to expect. I feel that this groups success rate is due to their extensive experience of 3000 gastric bypass surgeries, combined with their structured program, and extensive preoperative screening process. At this point, I would rate them very highly.

Dr. de la Torre was very knowledgable. He explained the risks and benefits both. I thought him to be nice, but didn't carry on much of a conversation. He answered any questions, but other than that he didn't talk much. His head nurse Nancy is WONDERFUL! She is very charismatic, and very concerned about her patients. I was given a notebook explaining foods I would eat, and when. It also explained all the vitamins I would need to take.

<table width="75%"><p align="left">My 1st impression was that he was very professional. No, my impression of him didn't change at all. His office staff are all wonderful, and his program director Nancy is wonderful. I think I liked best that he always had a smile on his face. He seems like a happy/healthy person in general. I think that future patients should know that Dr. Deletorre is very professional and takes his work very seriously. I think that the aftercare program is wonderful because they take the time to go over the eating stages step by step. If you have questions...Nancy or another staff member is only a phone call away. Yes, he did address the risks of the surgery and he even tape recorded it. I would rate Dr. D. the highest that I could 10/10. I would have to say surgical competence and only because I did not see him at all following my surgery. Both days an assistant came in to check on me and released me from the hospital. I think it's very important for people to understand that I'm not concerned or wasn't even surprised that my surgeon didn't come and see me after my surgery. Sometimes I think people expect too much, and want to have their hands held throughout their WLS process.

10/26/2005 My first visit with Dr. DeLaTorre was today for a physical that my insurance company asked for. I was impressed with his kindness. He was nothing like I had pictured in my mind. (much younger looking and softer talking)

10/14/05-I went to another surgeon's info session in middle of SEPT and was not really impressed with him. I then happened upon Dr. de la Torre and the weight loss program thru DePaul and attended one their seminars. I was very impressed with this Surgeon and did much research on # of procedures he has performed and reviewed his CV (resume). I also reviewed articles he and Dr. Scott had published for Obesity Surgery journal. When Dr. de la Torre spoke at the seminar he gave many details and answered all questions given. I want a very confident Surgeon!! I also want to feel like I could contact him/his team anytime for anything...and also when admitted for this surgery that the Nurses will feel comfortable contacting him. I have not had surgery yet...so will have to update that info later.

Dr. De La Torre was great. He was very personable, patient in answering questions, and very encouraging. His office staff were very helpful.

I read a little about him and they said that he didn't have a good bedside manner, but that really didn't matter to me. When I met him in person, I thought that he was really personable. He said that he used to read the comments made about him on the internet and he had to stop because it would determine his mood for the day. If the comment was good, he would be on a natural high. If the comments were bad, he would hang his head low. I liked him. He talked to everyone individually to see if he thought we were good candidates for the surgery we wanted and he explained all of the risks to us thoroughly. I did not like the fact that, during my stay in the hospital, I did not see him once. I saw another doctor briefly who asked me if I was ready to be discharged and then he left me in the hospital with orders not to discharge me and he did not give me an explanation. That doctor left that task to the nurses. 24 hours later, I was still in the hospital with no other bariatric patients left, except me, still without word from any doctor. I called the exchange and Dr. James Scott called me back. I asked him why was I not being discharged. He told me that he would call Dr. De La Torre and have him call me back. 30 minutes later, I was discharged from the hospital. That was the thing that I hated most about my entire process. Dr. De La Torre later explained to me that he was out of town that next day which is why I didn't see him. He travels quite a bit, however he is a good surgeon.

My first impression was he seems to be very confident and I like that. Some say he is cocky, but i didnt find that at all. I loved him.

The office staff at Depaul is very helpful, super friendly and just wonderful to work with...nancy, kathy, and patsy and everyone there. Im confident they all know me by name.

Aftercare is a BIG deal at the DePaul Weight Loss Institute. Its honestly the key to making the surgery successful. Dr. De La Torre has done his part..now it up to us. The program is very structured. You know at all times what you should and should not be eating. You know what stages you are moving to next. I hightly recommend their center.

I think surgical competence and bedside manner are both equally as important and you know what...Dr. De La Torre has them both...especially the surgical competence. I know i was in good hands. Thanks Depaul

Dr. De La Torre is just fantastic! He has been so nice to me and I was so pleased to have him as his surgeon. His office staff is outstanding! I have never seen an office staff that is so friendly and sweet to everyone. They really worked with me and I could never say thank you enough. Anyone thinking of surgery really should consider this office. I am sure glad I did!

I spent 2 years researching the surgery before making the decision to do it. I found Dr. de la Torre on the internet and was very impressed with his credentials and history of involvement with the surgery. What I like the most about him and his staff is the total understanding they have that bariatric surgery is 10% surgery and 90% education and follow-up. You have total access to Nancy, his RN assistant, and if they don't know the answer to something, they will find it for you. They also research products and never recommend anything they haven't researched and/or tried for themselves. Dr. de la Torre works with a large team, so no matter what happens, you always have access to care. They are very open and forthright with the pros and cons of what you are doing and lets you know not only what is happening within his own service but also with the community at large. I highly recommend Dr. de la Torre and his team. They are great!