William Roe, Jr. Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Roe seemed very "put together." The powerpoint presentation was very informative and he seemed to answer everyones questions effectively.

Consult was great--he made sure I understood the risks and also the benefits...very easy to talk to.

I was able to get an appointment with Dr. Roe within a week of my phone call to his office. We met on 01/09/02 to discuss the surgery. Dr. Roe has a Power Point presentation that he requires all individuals to see. It is very informative and his presentation style is adequate. My major regret is that another potential patient whose appointment was 1:00 (mine was 3:00) and I viewed the presentation with Dr. Roe together. I personally feel that my appointment time was not my own. Asking questions was awkward for me. All questions were "general" -- nothing of a personal nature.

My first impression of Dr. Roe is mixed. He appears to be very sure of himself which could be interpreted as "cocky". The office staff is competent. My impression of the location of his office, plus the interior of the office isn't good. I am new to the Baltimore area, from Seattle, WA, so my impression may be a bit squewed. I understand that the office is moving -- good idea! Dawn is friendly but very busy. I don't feel I was given any time to spend with her concerning insurance coverage concerns, health concerns, etc. I was weighed and that was the extent of any physical information.

The risks of surgery were covered during the Power Point presentation. Aftercare was discussed as well. I was given a booklet to read about diet. Dawn indicated that Dr. Roe would be discussing the booklet with me, but that did not occur. Again, having another potential patient present during my appointment wasn't the best situation. After the Power Point presentation I was excused from the room and Dr. Roe continued with the other individual. It is my impression that Dr. Roe had spent considerable time with the other potential patient prior to my appointment. In short, I felt as though I had been "squeezed" in!

I put a lot of weight into first impressions. Perhaps my expectations were set too high. Sharing my appointment with another person just wasn't on my agenda. Another concern for me is that he has only performed 50 gastric bypass surgeries. He is a surgeon by trade, so I am sure that this fact would not deter me from considering Dr. Roe.

I have made an appointment with Dr. Michael Schweitzer. I am hoping that this appointment will be my own! Will keep you posted.

*******01/22/02 UPDATE***********

I received a telephone call from Dr. Roe's office and we had a very good conversation concerning my "first" impression during the consult appointment. Apparently it was not a good day for all concerned -- which we all have on occasion. So, I have another appointment with Dr. Roe tonight to discuss the possibilities of surgery. My PCP has approved the idea and his referral is complete. Once I decide on a surgeon, insurance approval will be next. I am looking forward to my appointment with Dr. Roe and his staff. Will keep you posted!

**********UPDATE*****************
01/23/02 -- Met with Dr. Roe and Dawn last night and this appointment was much better. After careful consideration and converstion with Dr. Roe I have decided that I would prefer that he do the surgery. Yeah, I was interested in the LAP procedure, but Dr. Roe's explanation of the method he uses makes good sense to me! He will be doing the surgery with a 3" incision -- I can live with that. Dawn is pursuing my insurance approval today, and with any luck I will be able to have the surgery on February 5, 2002. Someone cancelled their scheduled surgery for that day -- so the Gods must be with me and in favor of my regaining good health again!!! Will keep you posted! If you haven't talked with Dr. Roe I recommend that you put him on the list of potential surgeons.

***********UPDATE**************

Insurance approved after 24 hours. Thank you Dawn! I am scheduled for February 5, 2002. Have to admit that I am scared, excited, and in a daze. This is a big decision but I know in my heart it is the best one I have ever made (next to saying "yes" when my cute little hubby asked me to marry him over 20 years ago). He is my best friend and remains so supportive of me and this decision. A definite keeper!

I met with Dr. Roe and Dawn last night (01/29/02) for my pre-op weight and (ugh) pictures. Things went well. Dr. Roe answered all of my "questions" and has been very patient with me and my hubby.

I will definitely keep all of you posted on my progress. Have a date with the support tonight (01/30/02). Tomorrow is my birthday and I feel grand knowing that on my next birthday I will be healthier and half the person I am now -- in body size only!!!

***********January 30, 2002 UPDATE***********

If you decide to have Dr. Roe as your surgeon and you decide to have this surgery but are having some discomfort about the decision you HAVE TO GO TO THE SUPPORT GROUP! It is a must, especially prior to your surgery. The stories are unbelievable, the people are so eager to help you get through the initial fear of the unknown, and there are stories and recommendations galore. Don't think twice about attending a support group session -- make it a MUST!!! You won't be sorry. I have 4 more days before surgery and already have received well wishes from many people I have yet to meet. Thank you! Will keep everyone posted.

******************February 19, 2002 UPDATE***

I am 2 weeks post op and feeling great! I came back to work today and have lost 19 lbs. More importantly is this: I feel great, my health is improving and my energy level is a ten! I had no complications, no vomitting, each food item I am reintroducing is agreeing with me, etc. Why didn't I do this sooner?

***************UPDATE 04/25/02***************
Well, I am almost 3 months post-op and still doing quite well. I see Dr. Roe once a month and my last appointment was April 2, 2002. I had lost 45 lbs! My clothes still continue to get loose, I've lost a shoe size, and I have gone from a size 3X (or 12) to size 8 in undies! Hooray for me. I feel great and have no regrets about my decision. The support group meetings are a welcome evening for me. We missed quite a few folks last night........where were you??? I will post again after my May 3rd appointment with Dr. Roe. Take care!

*************May 3, 2002******************
Drum roll, please! I have lost a grand total of 56 lbs. since 02/05/02. I feel great! Dr. Roe also took me off of my blood pressure meds today.......life just seems to get better each day. More clothes for the "get rid of" box...hoorah!

*************May 16, 2002*****************

I continue to do well. Lately I am experiencing feelings of grazing, but understand that this is normal. Why be normal? Anyway, I am working hard on getting those proteins in and reducing carbs. Sugar is not an option for me and I don't miss it at all. I was a Diet Pepsi fiend prior to surgery, but I don't miss that either. Does this mean I am no longer a member of the Pepsi Generation? So be it! So far fish is the only meat I can tolerate but that is okay. I will go back to my vegetarian diet days of long ago -- there is so much one can do with and to tofu! More on that later (tee, hee). I am now 60 lbs lighter and in a size 14/16. Life is so good and I am so grateful to Dr. Roe, my insurance company (BX/BS), my hubby, and me for making this decision. Don't waste another day----get on the band wagon and join the best "losers" club around. You won't regret your decision. PEACE!

November 5, 2002

I am now 9 months post-op and feeling great! Victoria Secret and I have become close and personal friends...if you know what I mean. I no longer crave or miss the fast food lifestyle I was on for so many years. Protein is still an obstacle for me, but each day it gets better. Chicken,turkey and pork are NOT user friendly. I can do fish and sometimes on a very good day I can eat a few bites of really ground up hamburger. I've eaten so much fish I am almost positive I have gills and scales! Flipper is looking pretty darn good to me lately! I have never regreted my decision to have this life altering surgery. It saved my life. No more pain, off of meds, and energy that goes without saying. Take a chance, what have you got to lose except those unwanted pounds????? Peace, Brigitte

Hello it is me Annette. Well I meet with Doc William Roe for my first time in Baltimore MD.This first visit was to find out about the Roux-en-y surgery, when I got to his office, which is a drive for me since I live in Delaware, anyway I did not know this but the appt was with a group of people, to mmet him and his staff. Well out he came after we all signed in. He seemed nice and very,very confident about himself and his work. We watched a slide show and he explained all about the surgery,the whole nine yrds. After going over all he needed to explain to us he had ask if anyone had questions.Well we all did and he answered all of them very well! I was very impressed with him, I liked the most that he was very confident about his work that now has me wanting to go back. I have made a appt for Monday the 21st of Oct 2002 in am to see him for turning in all my paperwork needed and to talk to him about getting the sugery, which I have decided to do.I did alot of research on the surgery and him.I am happy to say I want the surgery!His sec Dawn seems really really nice.Even know she stays very busy , she always has time for ?'s.Well til Mon Oct 21st I hope all to wish me luck and pray all goes well.Also to all that shared on here about how things went for them I would Love to Thank all of you , sooooooooooo thank you again!

he is a very smart doctor, and his staff are just great.his surgical competence is amazing.

I am very impressed by Dr. Roe so far. At the power point presentation he was confident, funny and informative. He made me feel very comfortable. At my consult, I enjoyed talking with Dawn, in fact, she had me so distracted that I didn't even notice what the scale read until I saw it on my chart later. Dr Roe put me at ease immediately, and I left there convinced that this is the right path for me.

Dr. Roe and his staff are wonderful!! He gives indepth and thorough report on RYN surgery, as well as what is to be expected, not only days after, but for a lifetime. Very nice man with a great personality that put me right at ease. Office is BUSY!!!, and I can see why. Very happy with my choice!! Hopefully the insurance waiting game won't be to long.

Dr.Roe puts you in a relaxed mode about the surgery, he does a powerpoint presentation that explained the entire procedure and the dangers and health related problems associated with obesity.

He can be very humurous at times.

He strongly emphasizes aftercare and has a structured aftercare program.

He explains all of the possible outcomes from this surgery.

So far I would give him a 9 out of a possible 10.


I think Surgical competence is better than bedside manners

7/15/02 I had my initial consult with Dr. Roe. My first impressions were very good of him. If I meet him somewhere other then his office I would have never known he was a doctor. He did not try to impress me with big words and medical talk, he explained it in plain english. His office staff Dawn and Joan are very helpful. They don't sugar coat anything they just tell you like it is. I don't have insurance approval yet but I feel if anyone can get it, Dawn will.

9/18/02 Well I am 6 days post op and felt good enough to go to work for a bit today. I cannot have been anymore pleased with the care I received from Dr. Roe. I would highly recomend him to anyone.

I HAVE MY FIRST APPOINTMENT ON AUG.12 2002
WITH DR. ROE. I HAVE ALREADY GONE TO ONE
SUPPORT MEETING AND IT WAS GREAT. I MET ALOT
OF GREAT PEOPLE. I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS
SURGERY. TODAY I HAD MY FIRST APPOINTMENT AND
I LOVED DR. ROE. HE WAS EASY TO UNDERSTAND
AND I FELT THAT HE CARED. I THOUGHT THAT DAWN
AND JOAN WERE GREAT.I FEEL THAT DAWN WILL BE
THE MIRICALE WORKER TO GET MY INSURANCE CO
TO PAY FOR THIS SURGERY.

My 1st phone call I spoke with Dawn who was very informative. I cancelled 2 appts. before I finally had the courage to go. My husband went and played the devils advocate asking all kinds of questions. Dr. Roe answered each question to my husbands satisfaction. The video he showed explained the surgery very well. My only complaint so far is my insurance company told me I was approved but it took over a week and several phone calls to finally get a date. I know I am overly anxious! So far I would rate Dr. Roe and his staff as excellent.