Louis Balsama Bariatric Surgeon DO, FACS

Great surgeon, support staff extremely helpful.

My first impression of Dr. Balsama was a bit bittersweet, I had an appointment (my first appointment) and on the way to my appointment I received a call that Dr. Balsama was tied up at the hospital and that my appointment had to be rescheduled, I understand being unavailable it was just I was so excited to get started on my journey, I had left work early to go to the appointment but I felt it must have been meant to be. I was worried that my next appointment would be handled the same way and fortunately that appointment went uneventfully. I finally was able to meet with his surgical coordinator and also Dr. Balsama himself, I did not have many questions as I had my mind made up that I would have RNY surgery, I was given an extensive list of "THINGS TO DO" for insurance purposes before we could proceed. I have a wonderful primary care physician so getting referrals for everything that was needed was not an issue [Surgical Release from the following: PCP, Gynecologist, Pulmonologist, Cardiac, Psych] Also Labwork, Chest Rads, Upper GI & last but not least 12 weeks medically supervised weight loss program. When all of the above were done and I realized that I had NO co-mobidities I decided that the Gastric Sleeve was going to be best for me, I had my follow-up with Dr. Balsama and he agreed, we set a date for surgery, I still had to finish my weight loss program and then submit that information, the hardest part of the process was the 2 1/2 week wait for insurance approval.

Dr. Balsama is an amazing surgeon. I would highly recommend him, without question. My incisions are the most unbelievable, they are so beautiful there are no staples, there were no drains, the largest incision was about 2 inches, everyone who has seen them has remarked the same they cannot believe how beautiful they are.

I am not going to address any negatives vs. positive experiences. To each his/her own. Something I may not have found "professional" may not mean the same to another person. You have to take the good and the bad with any situation, the positives of Dr. Balsama far outweigh any negatives there could possibly be. The Kennedy Bariatric Program is wonderful, I was treated like a queen while in the hospital, the nurses, cna's, therapists etc all were right there and readily available if I happened to need anything.

Doctor Balsama is great. I have had no issues since being released from the hospital. However, I did have severely low blood pressure and he and his team ran every test under the sun to make sure I would be ok.