Thomas Lavin Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

I first met Dr. Lavin at a seminar that his office hosted. I had not made the decision to have surgery at the time, I was just interested in getting as much information as I could. Well the seminar was very informative and they opened up the floor to answer questions afterwards. Dr. Lavin went around and personally spoke to everyone there and answered any questions that they had.

I researched the surgery, facilities, and local surgeons that performed the surgery for a few more months before making my final decision. I was hesitant of having the surgery at Lakeview Hospital because I know a few people that had bad experiences there, but after meeting with Dr. Lavin and his nurse, Marie.........my mind was put to ease and I decided to have the surgery at Lakeview.

Dr. Lavin's office handled everything!! They told me what my next steps would have to be and they wrote the letter to my insurance with my medically necessary reasons for surgery. My insurance (Seafarer's Health & Benefits Plan), approved my surgery based on that first letter (it must have been a great letter :)

As a surgeon.........you can not ask for anyone better than Dr. Lavin........he explained in great detail all about the procedure and was very patient with both my husband and myself!


If there is one thing I could say that is somewhat negative about my experience (sorry Dr. Lavin), it would have to be regarding the contact after surgery......there is very little, I sort felt like I was my own. Of course they tell you to call if you have any questions or concerns, but I really was disappointed that I was not contacted by anyone in the office after surgery to check on how I was dealing with all the changes. I sincerely hope this was just my experience and not anyone else's. I adjusted well because I diligently researched what to expect, found this website (Thank God), and made sure to contact as many past gastric bypass recipients as I could. It also helped that I had a wonderful support system in my husband, my two daughters, all my friends, and the rest of my family.

I do have to recognize one particular person that works in Dr. Lavin's office, of all the people he has working for him, my favorite is another nurse in his office....her name is Carrie........she is so sweet and has helped me with any questions I have had since surgery. She also had the gastric bypass surgery (and she looks terrific)!!

In regards to Dr. Lavin's surgical performance............my surgery went great, my scars are minimal, no complications from surgery at all, Dr. Lavin is awesome. I would highly recommend him to anyone that is considering the laporscopic gastric bypass surgery! If anyone in my family were considering the surgery I would demand that they go to Dr. Lavin!!

Thank you Dr. Lavin for not only saving my life, but for making my life full and worth living again!!! <tear...sniffle...sniffle..>

Good Luck to all! Hope this has been helpful.
Debbie Long

I definately had to update this section because my doctors were just awesome. I had some problems after my surgery and Dr. Lavin and Dr. French were there for me every step of the way, checking up on me and reassuring me. They would call and talk to the nurses a few times a day on my progress. Even when I got out of the hospital, I had to return to St. Louis and Dr. Lavin called me at home and made a special trip to the doctors office to check up on me before I left. Not to mention both doctors are such cutie patuties. hehe Their staff is the best also, they will bend over backwards to help you out with anything ya need. They all really seem to care about their patients!!!

My first visit was 6/12/03. I met with Dr. Lavin's Nurse Practitioner, Maria. She was very nice and even had the surgery herself. I didn't get to meet with Dr. Lavin as he was called away to surgery. She assured me that I would get to meet with him on another visit. His office staff seems very on the ball. I went for the consult on Thursday and I was approved on Monday! Maria told me that I have to attend a pre-op class that teaches you about how to eat, etc. They also have aftercare meetings. When I asked about how many have died, she said only 2 in over 500 surgerys. She explained those situations and we went over the risks. After finishing all of my required tests I met with Dr. Lavin. He seemed to be very confident and knowledgable about the surgery and answered the questions that we threw at him. He seemed to be a little hurried but was will to talk if we wanted more answers. I had the surgery on July 7th 2003. I didn't see Dr. Lavin until the day after surgery. He was very professional and confident. After surgery I had a 2 week visit and met with Maria again. She spends as much time as you need with her. She seems more than willing to answer any questions. She has had the surgery herself which is a big help. For my one month visit, I made an apt with Dr. Lavin. The wait is long in the waiting room (about 1 1/2) and he seems a bit rushed. My apt was near the end of the work day and he was running behind so I can partially understand why he was rushed. I like Dr. Lavin and think that he is a very competant surgeon but I think that for the future visits, I will make my apt with Maria.

Dr. Lavin is really nice, he answered all questions. The only problem I have had with him, is that he runs late for his appointments so you have to wait, but my surgery was wonderful. No problems. I would reccomend him to anyone.

Dr. Lavin was very helpful in answering any questions that we had. He is a very nice doctor who also has a sense of humor. His office has been great with helping me try and getinsurance approval(BETH!!!!) and with any other needs that I have had. Nothing to say but positives!!!!

DR. LAVIN AND HIS OFFICE STAFF ARE GREAT. THEY ARE VERY HELPFUL WHEN CALLING WITH QUESTIONS, AND SUPPORTIVE WHEN GOING TO THE OFFICE. THEY CONGRATULATE YOU AND OFFER MORAL SUPPORT. HE IS THE BEST SURGEON IN MY AREA FOR THE SURGERY. I WOULD RECOMMEND HIM TO ANYONE PLANNING ON HAVING SURGERY OR CONSIDERING IT. DR. LAVIN WILL EXPRESS DEEP INTEREST IN YOU AS A PATIENT BEFORE AND AFTER SURGERY. AFTERCARE IS REALLY WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT. YOU KNOW THE DO'S AND DONT'S, AND IT IS UP TO YOU TO FOLLOW THEM. OVERALL, I LOVE MY SURGEON AND WOULD LET HIM PERFORM THE SUGERY AGAIN, IF I HAD TO. EVERYONE SHOULD LOOK FOR A SURGEON WHO IS CONFIDENT IN HIM/HERSELF, HAS GREAT RESULTS, AND GOOD MANNERS.

When i first met Dr Lavin, I was impressed I thought that he was very knowledgeable in the surgery, and i was glad he was the one doing my surgery. Over time i found out more about dr lavin on the internet and on message boards, i was more impressed because of all of his accomplishments. I thought the staff at the Surgical Specialist were excellent and i couldn't have been more pleased. i haven't found anything that i didn't like about him or the office. Dr Lavin emphasized the importance of aftercare alot especially that with the lap band that is how we achieve the best results. They also have a structed aftercare program, including support groups. When talking about the risks of the surgery he said that the risks are different for everyone, while the some risk is there for everyone, there is a low complication rate with the lap-band procedure. I would rate Dr Lavin first rate everything I think he is awesome so nice and personal with everyone. Also i think that his surgical competence and his bedside manner exceeds the norm. I have had no problems out of the office and i think that everything is going great, i will keep up dated...

i am now post-op and i can't say enough great things about dr lavin...he has been the best..while at the hospital he made me feel totally at ease. he was compassionate and listened to all of my concerns...i really think he IS the best surgeon!

He was very pleasant and encouraging. He presented the seminar I went to and he was very enthusiastic and went to each person at seminar and introduced himself and spoke privately to you. His staff is very helpful. I am awaiting insurance okay and surgery date. He stressed the risks of surgery at my visit with him in the office. I did not have any questions prepared and now I have lots of them. I will write my questions down for him and the office staff for the next visit for pre-op stuff. I read Barbara Thompson's book, and it made me realize more how serious a decision this is for my life. I have spoken to 3 people who have had the surgery, one with Dr. Lavin and 2 with open surgery and Dr. Lavin was with laproscopic surgery. The one with laproscopic surgery went home after two days. I am asking for 4 weeks off from work and after reading Barbara's book my concern is more for the weeks after surgery and the things I need to do then than the surgery and such. My husband is very supportive and my brother is coming to be with me in the hospital and then my husband will take time off from work after I return home. Also have a better idea of what to take to the hospital. I had neck surgery not too many years ago and had a cd of Beatle's music that was instrumental and had nature sounds with it. It was very soothing for relaxing and not thinking about the pain. I believe in letting the pain meds help you heal...I am very upbeat and in my mind I am post surgery and 100 pounds lighter. Want to keep my positive attitude.

Dr. Lavin is very helpful and so is his nurse Maria. I had a page full of questions but by the time I got to see the doctor for the last time before surgery, my questions had all been answered. I am ready to go. And counting the days.....

I am six weeks post op and I feel very lucky to have found Dr. Lavin. He is very busy but he is very capable of dealing with the surgery. His bedside manner was very good and also his partners bedside manner was very good. My surgery only took 1 1/2 hours and Dr. Lavin came out and spoke to my family and said everything was terrific. I go back to see him next week and I can't wait to see him. There has been lots of publicity about weight loss surgery in my area and know it will be hard to get into see him at times, but I am so pleased with his manner and his knowledge and competence that I am willing to wait and continue with him. Don't be discouraged if you have to wait to see him. It was worth it for me. My scars are minimal. And the pain was minimal. I had the OnQ pain pump and it was great. I was more "uncomfortable" than in pain. I couldn't believe the difference in the pain tolerance with the OnQ. I was very skeptical. But it worked for me.

My first impression of Dr. Lavin was at a seminar my husband and I attend at Lakeview. He was very forthcoming and confident. After my inital office visit with him, I was more confident in his ability as a surgeon. He was willing to take the time to answer all my questions, and to address any of my concerns. It is important to have a good bedside manner but to me and my family it is even more important to have someone who is good at what they do and to be competent in it. The office staff was very helpful and a willing to listen and answer all question but to them.

Dr. Lavin is a great guy. He is easy to talk to and is very understanding of the problems faced by those of us that suffer from obesity. I was impressed with Dr. Lavin while listening to him talk to another patient. I knew at that point that I would be comfortable with him as my surgeon. Dr. Lavin has always been able to be reached and will answer all of your questions. Dr. Lavin's office is full of people that truly care about their patients. I get a true sense that they are as excited about our sucesses as we are. They are very knowledgable about the insurance process, surgery perparation, recovery and long term support. They are with you the whole way and you will feel like a part of the family.