Thomas Lavin Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

Dr. Lavin was very knowledgeable and receptive to answer any questions I had. He was personable and considerate of the distance I had to drive.

Dr. Lavin explained in detail the steps he would take during surgery, the approximate length of surgery, and possible risks or complications.

The staff was helpful, friendly, and time conscious.

After care has been great. Maria gave me a weekly schedule that included a list of foods to eat and or avoid.

Overall, the experience was very fulfilling.

I have nothing but positive things to say about Tom Lavin, MD. He performed my "lap band" procedure 2 years ago and on May 20, 2004, I had my band converted to a bypass. Both surgeries were incredibly smooth without any complications.
Dr. Lavin is very concerned about the welfare of his patients. He is readily available with a terrific bedside manner. I find him knowledgeable, experienced and easy to talk to. He worked with my insurer MANY times to get the paperwork needed to approve my bypass. He must have dictated a handful of letters to the insurer to meet their insatiable appetite for "more documentation"!
I would have no problems recommending Dr. Lavin for any type of bariatric surgery. He is an excellent surgeon.
Dr. Lavin's staff is well organized and they work hard on your behalf, especially where insurance is concerned. There is an excellent, pre-operative class and follow-up care is very structured with nothing left to puzzle out. At your pre-op class, you are presented with the information you will need before, during and after your surgery. You keep this packet. I have referred to it many times since my surgery and my husband has too. This class also gives you the oppotunity to ask questions.

After my consulation with Dr. Lavin, I found him to be very down to earth, very understanding and very positive.

His office staff was great as well.

Althouh, i have not met him, many people tell me he is a blessing and a joy to be around. supposedly, he is one of the best in the united states!! i will meet him in a week. can't wait!!

My first impression of Dr. Lavin was wonderful. He listened to me and my concerns. He is a hero to me. He has helped me change my life forever and I am so grateful to him for all of his hard work. You really have to like your doctor b/c your life is in his hands with the job that he is doing. I would just like to tell him thakyou over and over again for everything.
As far as the office staff they couldn't be a nicer. A lot of them have had this surgery done themselves so they know what it is like and what we are going through. I couldn't have picked a better Dr. and staff for this

I really did like Dr Lavin, he was very caring and concerned for how I felt about the surgery. He answerd all and any of my questions even if they where a little silly. He understood my concern with my family excepting what ever surgery I am to have. The office staff on the scale of 1-10 would be a 8 they are very nice and polite. Alot have had the procedures done so they understand what u are about to go thru.

So far, Dr. Lavin has been great. His office staff does a tremendous job. When I had my consult with him, I was assessed by a student nurse practitioner doing her clinicals with Dr. Lavin. She has also been lap-banded by Dr. Lavin. Laura and Beth, in his office, have been great...always pleasant and eager to help...I'll be experiencing all them further as surgery gets closer...


It's been so long since I've looked at my profile.....

I must say I love Dr. Lavin and his staff. I've been very pleased with the treatment I've received. I'm now down 101 pounds (status post lap-band and conversion to LGBP). I was 70 lbs successful with lap-band over 13 months, then experienced slippage. At that point, I converted to LGBP and have reached my goal weight.

Surgical Specialists of LA & Southern Bariatric Associates have been wonderful! I highly recommend them.

When I first me Dr. Lavin, he had a very confident attitude and wanted only what was best for me. I have not been the best patient, I have only gone to one check up, but see my regular doctor every three months. But the second time i was in his office was better than the first because I had already had the surgery but Dr. Lavin was the same, very concerned, focused on me and my recovery. He is the best! There is just nothing I could say in a negative way about him, just that i wish he was more accessible in my area, the long drive is the reason I did not return for the 3 month and 6 month check ups.
Dr. Lavin's surgical competence and bedside manner are both Grade A, he is what other Dr.'s should grade themselves against. I would let him operate on my child if nessasary, that is the greatest compliment I think I could give, and he deserves it.


Thank you,
Tammie Walker
Pineville La.

Dr. Lavin is a very nice and down-to-earth surgeon. I only met him a couple of times, but the times I did speak with him, he was wonderful.

His office staff is the MOST frienly office staffs I've ever been in contact with. You can tell they truly care about the patients.

I was given a suggested diet to follow. After the surgery though, I threw it right out the window. I wanted to chew something so bad, it was killing me. So, I verified with the office and I could follow what my body was telling me and experiment (carefully) with food on my own.

I had to see Dr. Lavin one week post-op. I have to go back after 1 month, then 3 months, then 6 months and yearly....forever.

I rate Dr. Lavin and his office staff a 9 on a scale from 1 - 10.

Dr. Lavin was great. On October 8,2003 when I went in to the office he explained everything in detail including a hand drawn picture of the procedure. He was very professional and so was his staff. He had a very neat appearance and did not come across as a " here we go again " person. He treated me and my husband with respect and answered all our questions. It helped take some of the doubt away from our minds. Thank you to Dr. Lavin and his associates and staff for doing an excellent job with everything. Kim was expecially helpful with the diet class pre-op. Thanks Kim.
I would rate Dr. Lavin and his staff a definate 9 on a scale of 1-10. On the day of surgery he called the hospital at 11:00pm just to check on me and then again at 5:00 am the next morning. I then saw Maria, the Nurse Pract. at about 10:30am and Dr. Lavin himself was in at around 5:00pm that afternoon.
I would recommend Dr. Lavin to anyone considering this procedure.