Thomas Lavin Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

My first impression was that he was very thin and handsome...I wondered how he would understand someone with my problem without ever being there....He is wonderful to talk to and is open to answer any questions I have to ask...I have complete confidence in him..His staff is always so helpful and friendly...almost too friendly...lol...Beth iin his office has put up with me crying and being pissy and has always been so helpful..I do feel I could have been a little more informed on nutrition and the next few weeks after surgery...only given a 1 hr class with not as much detailed information as I would have liked...I was able to ask questions so maybe that was a little of my fault as well...his office personnel welcomes calls and questions and never seems bothered...I was well informed of the risks involved and so far I rate my surgeon very high...I feel surgical competence is much more important than bedide manner...but Dr Lavin seems to be great at both.

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<p><b>08/14/02 Previously, I was preparing to complete necessary tests and
approval to have the Ajustable Band surgery with Dr. Lavin in Covington,
La. but, continued research has lead me to a surgeon in Lafayette, louisiana
(45 minutes from my home) much much closer which I found does the Ajustable
Lap band. I have an appointment with her August 19, 2002. I will post
information regarding this surgeon based on my personal opinion of her
as time progresses. Also, if you prefer there is also a male that does
this surgery at the same hospital in Lafayette, Louisiana. His name is
Dr. Gary Stevens. Both of these surgeons are with the Hamilton Medical
Group Hospital on Ambassador Caffery Street in Lafayette, Louisiana. </b></p>
<p><b> 08/20/02 I have met with Dr. Chu, she is young and very nice, took
alot of time with me discussing my medical history and discussing co-morbidities
needed. She states my BMI is fairly low and that I also may not have enough
medical issues. Nvertheless, she states she will attempt to argue my case
with my insurance company. I am very comfortable with her. My conversation
with her was like speaking to one of my good friends. She is very likeable.
She is new to bariatric surgery although she will have an experienced
physician assisting her so this is even more comforting. Now comes the
testing procedures and then we will move to the approval process. Wish
me luck! Updates to follow! </b></p>
<p><b> 09/25/02 Dr. Gary Stevens will be my surgeon if I am approved. As
per this surgeons office, he will be doing the Adjustable Bands and Dr.
Chu, his partner, will only be doing the RNY's. Still awaiting a decision
from my insurance company! Updates to continue! </b></p>
<p><b> 11/28/02 I have had to change facilities and physician's. I am now
going to utilize Dr. Thomas Lavin (see profile as to why the switch) in
Covington, La. You know this change may just be a blessing for me since
Dr. Lavin is so experienced in this type surgery! Will update my thoughts
on him after my consultation with him on December 5th 2002. </b></p>
<p><b> 12/05/02 I had my consultation with Dr. Lavin on today and I think
he is very nice, and very experienced with this type surgery. Actually,
he is one of three physician's in the USA that were selected to teach
the Lap Band procedure to other physician's throughtout the USA. I am
very impressed! My surgery date is: 12/23/02. Best wishes to me! </b></p>
<p><b>01/01/03 I am now 9 days post op. Dr. Lavin and his staff were helpful,
friendly and accomodating. I was and am very happy with my choice of surgeons,
Dr. Lavin is definitely the physician of my choice. I would recommend
him highly to anyone regardless of the type surgery they are in need of.
</b></p>
<p><b>Thanks Dr. Lavin and Staff!!</b></p>
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I have not met Dr. Lavin yet, but I have met with one of his associates Dr. Glenn Steeb at the seminar. He was very informative with information regarding gastric bypass surgery. He made me felt like I was doing the right thing for myself by deciding to have the surgery. The staff at Surgical Specialist of LA are GREAT!!! especially Penny. She is a very sweet and patient person with me no matter how many times I call her with little crazy questions. There is nothing that I can say bad about the staff there because they are GREAT!!! Maria (Nure Practitioner)is the person that you will see when you go in for your first visit at the office. She is a very nice. She makes sure that you have everything that you need to start your journey to have the surgery (Bloodwork, Sleep Study, Psychological Evaluation and Physical Therapy Baseline). She STRESSES the importance of after care and how it will greatly benefit you for life without it you won't achieve your goal. Maria also makes sure that you know the risks and effects that are involved with the surgery. On a scale of 1 to 10 I would rate the team members at Sugical Specialist of LA with a 10+. The doctors there have surgical competence and bedside manners. That's very important to have both, because patients put their trust in the hands of the doctors at the Surgical Specialist of LA. I would recommend anyone to the Surgical Specialist of LA Team, because they are very professional and they care about the patients they come in contact with in their office.

I chose Dr. Lavin to do my surgery primarily because I knew him when he was a resident, so our association went back a few years. I knew that as a resident, he was a kind and caring person and had excellent reviews on his work. Best of all, he was a person who always had time for anyone who needed him. I feared the surgery because I had family members who had it done years ago, before it was perfected in the laparoscopic manner. When I contacted Dr. Lavin, he was more than helpful, as usual, and not only was he supportive, he explained everything very carefully to me, still taking the time to show how important his patients are to him.

I am ecstatic with the results of my surgery so far, and when I call for Dr. Lavin, he is always there to answer my questions or help me with my problems. He personally took my case to the insurance company and helped me get coverage for my surgery, which I would not have been able to afford otherwise.

I would rate Dr. Lavin an AA++ and I wish there were more doctors like him that not only cared for their patients, but cared about them. His surgical competence, bedside manner and people skills are superb. His office staff was particularly helpful during the "waiting" time, and I thank them for their kindness and understanding. Surgical Associates is a group of surgeons that I would highly recommend if you are looking for good, competent doctors that care about their patients and their outcomes.

I have no complaints with my care or with the care given to me at the hospital during my stay.

Dr. Lavin and his associates are very knowledgeable and personable. They present a seminar twice a month that presents the problems of overcoming obesity and describes the procedures they do, including the risks and life changes that must occur. The office staff were helpful in describing what was important in obtaining insurance approval. The thing I liked least was how busy everybody seemed. When I was in the hospital, I was only visited once by the surgeon. I felt they needed to coordiante the discharge instructions better with the nospital staff. Aftercare is strongly emphasized, and the aftercare is fairly structured. Dr. Lavin and his team are very competent, and have had and continue to get lots of practice.

Doctor Levin has a very structured program. You can't even make your first appointment till you go to a seminar where you learn all about the surgery. The seminar was great. He really stressed after care and went over all of the risks. I got to meet Dr. Levin and ask questions as well as talk to others who have been through surgery. I made an appointment for later that week and Maria (the nurse who handles the prescreening process) answered any additional questions I had. The staff was very nice and friendly. The girl who will be working with my ins. came in the room to meet me and answer questions which made me feel like she really cared. So overall, my first impression was really good.
Now that I've had surgery, I recommend him highly. He is a great doctor who gives people like me hope for a better life. He has helped change my life.

I can't say enough good things about Dr. Lavin and his fine staff. Interestingly, a number of hospital personnel have hade the surgery so everywhere you went in the hospital, there was a cheerlead from a post-op or post-op friend! What a vote of confidendence in Dr. Lavin and the hospital to have your own nurses seek out the procedure there.

Dr. Lavin and his partners at Surgical Specialists of La have a structured monthly support group. Dr. Lavin's surgical competence and bedside manner are both good. The nurses spoke with great praise for his laparascopic surgurical skills. So I belive them!

I couldn't be more pleased with my choice. His office was extremely accommodating in helping get my surgery scheduled around my schedule and to deal with insurance problems. (Through no fault of theirs, I ended up not having coverage. My employer changed insurers Jan. 1, and we simply couldn't get it approved and done before year end, particularly with the holiday schedules).

My first impression was that he was a nice man, genuinely concerned for the well-being of obese individuals. After meeting him, I felt very comfortable, and I was ready to sign up for surgery. His office staff is wonderful. Even though I felt that I bugged them, they never acted put out or irritated. I have not had my pre-op office visit yet, so I cannot say much about aftercare, risks, etc. I will add to this sight at a later date.

Dr. Lavin is the best. He helped me to think about getting this started. He gave me all the help I needed to fight with my insurance. He sent his Corodinator Ms. Laura Boyer and a medical docotor to testify for me at my hearing with the review board in Baton Rouge.

I am yet to know more about this practice. So far I recommend anyone to go see him or call Ms. Laura.

Chanel & Tapas

Dr. Tom Lavin is a personal friend as well as a great laproscopic surgeon. I consider Tom to be an outstanding surgeon willing to skillfully perform this new Lap. RNY to help people like us who have tried everything to lose weight. Not many physicians want to take the extra "risk" of doing these procedures because it is so fairly new....being a major surgery on the inside and being done laproscopically makes it even more of a challenge. Working at the same hospital with Dr. Lavin is also another reason I am familiar with his skills as a surgeon. Dr. Lavin has put together a team of health care professionals and a state of the art program for the lap. RNY here at Lakeview Regional Medical Center in Covington, Louisiana and I am looking forward to my surgery and getting my life and health back! I am so grateful to have Tom as my friend and my doctor!