The Bariatric and Metabolic Institute at Arkansas Heart Hospital Hospital

On 16 Apr 2012 I had the two year anniversary of my surgery. I had an appointment that day with Dr Bledsoe. I am still at 155 Lbs, walking 4 to 5 miles per day and feel great Since my surgery I have had eight friends and neighbors have the surgery by Dr Bledsoe to include my cousins wife and all have been a success. And all are happy with the results. This has been a life changing event for me and I love it. I highly recommend the surgery to those who are in need and I very highly recommend Dr Bledsoe and his staff for the job. You might want to check out his new line of vitamins that his company is producing just for bariatric patients. He can be reached at Cabrini hospital Alexandria Louisiana, Mid Louisiana Surgical Specialists. Phone(318-442-6767) Fax(318-449-3986. He is located at 3311 Prescott Rd, Suite 201 Alexandris Louisiana 71301. I will never be able to thank him and his staff enough for what they have done for me.

January 24, 2012 I had Gastric Bypass surgery. One thing I know for certain is you will never find a better doctor than Dr.Bledsoe. He honestly cares for every patient he has. He is not only a highly skilled surgeon, but also a very religious person. Dr. Bledsoe is genuine, always has a positive attitude, and makes you feel at ease all the way through this process and afterward. He created the vitamins you need after weight loss surgery. He and his staff go above and beyond their call of duty. They each make you feel so special, and cared for. Dr. Bledsoe takes the time to listen to you, and answer every question you have. I was so impressed with Dr. Bledsoe and his staff that the only regret I have is that I did not have this surgery sooner. I am 2 months out and have lost about 40 lbs. I feel better than I have in over 30 years. All of my medical problems are gone, I have more energy, I am happier and healthier than ever!
If you are thinking about having Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery, and you live in Louisiana; do yourself a favor and choose Dr. Samuel Bledsoe. This will be the best decision you can make for yourself. I feel he has truly saved my life.

I absolutely love Dr. Bledsoe. The first time I met Dr. Bledsoe was at the seminar that he and Dr. Parrish give in order to inform people of bariatric surgery. The reason I chose him was because of his personality. He genuinely cares for his patients. You will experience his care from the moment you meet him and every follow up visit after your surgery. I have never felt that cared for by any doctor that I have seen. He has one of the best bed side manners that I have ever experienced. One thing that impressed me was that Dr. Bledsoe will pray with you before surgery. I'm not sure how you feel about that, but the fact that he relies on God for guidance during surgery and cares enough for you to rely on God to help is one of the reasons I love him.

I had the gastric sleeve done. I have currently lost 125 pounds and I am still losing. It is one of the best decisions that I have ever made. I'm not sure I would have made that decision had it not been for the ease and the information that Dr. Bledsoe provided me with. The most important thing I can leave you with is to trust Dr. Bledsoe if you decide to use him. He sincerely has your best interest at heart and will do what he can to ensure that you have a successful surgery and that you reach the goal that you set for yourself.

Dr. Bledsoe is truly amazing! My entire experience from the beginning has been great, he is so truly sincere. It is really important to really know my Dr. cares and I always felt that since we first met at the siminar. Dr. Bledsoe's nurse Pam is really sweet too, I loss my mom a few months after surgery and they were so understanding why I had to keep rescheduling my appointments and they worked around all the things I was dealing with. That meant alot to me. I haven't had any problems with my surgery, only right on schedule with losing my weight, I feel GREAT! I wouldn't change a thing about my decision to have Dr. Bledsoe perform my surgery :))))

Dr. Bledsoe performed the lap band procedure on me in Decemer of 2009 and it's been the greatest thing I've ever done for myself. Rather, had done for me. I have the honor of being the first person to have it done in Alexandria... Dr. Bledsoe was and is a very kind and caring doctor. He and his staff held my hand throughout the entire process pre and post and continue to do so. It's very rare for a physician to take the time to actually get to know their patients but Dr. B does. I've had absolutley no complications from the surgery and have lost almost 100 pounds. I would recommend Dr. Bledsoe to anyone considering weight loss surgery but especially anyone who lives in or near Central Louisiana. I am very grateful to him for being in Alexandria and for being such an excellent surgeon....and just being a real sweetheart of a guy.

I first found out about Dr. Bledsoe during my annual check up July 2010. I was very unhappy with my weight and was starting to experience some of the long term problems associated with age and obesity. When I expressed an interest in bariatric procedures, my family doctor referred me to Dr. Bledsoe. I picked up a packet that day and scheduled my first appointment.

From my first meeting with Dr. Bledsoe, I was very impressed. He explained the bariatric program in great detail and gave me ample opportunity to ask any questions. When I left his office that day, I knew what I needed to do to make this program succeed for me. Part of the process is attending a seminar where both Dr. Bledsoe and his partner, Dr. Parrish, give a presentation about the different procedures they perform. Throughout the presentation, they review the risks of surgery. Other program requirements are meeting with a bariatric coordinator. a dietician, an exercise physiologist, and a counselor. At each step of the process, the risks are outlined.

I had my procedure October 12, 2010. My recovery was very similar to the gallbladder surgery I had 8 years earlier. I returned to work October 25 and was able to resume my normal duties right away. I am currenly 1 year out from surgery and have lost 108 lbs. I feel wonderful, like I have a new lease on life. At my recent annual visit with my family doctor, my lab results were perfect, my blood pressure is great, and the problems I was having with my knees and back have completely disappeared.

After surgery, there are regular check ups that start at the 2 week mark and progress to a 1 month mark, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months and then yearly. I am presently at the 1st 6 month mark. In addition to regular check ups, there is a bariatric support group that meets in our area once per month. This support group is open to anyone who has had a bariatric procedure or is thinking about having a procedure, regardless of the physician they use.

The support staff, Pam, Ms. Doris and Vanessa, has all been wonderful. They have been able to answer all of my questions along the way and have been very supportive. They visited while I was in the hospital and have followed up since my procedure. The support group meetings are handled by Vanessa and she has provided us with really good information about diet, exercise, supplements, etc. She makes sure these meetings are not only fun but informative as well.

My overall impression of Dr. Bledsoe is very positive. The one thing that impressed me the most is that right before surgery, he came to the pre-op area and prayed with me. You can tell in talking to him that he has a genuine concern for his patients and their wellbeing. He doesn't rush through his examinations and he takes time to ask and answer questions. I have recommended two of my friends to him and they have been impressed as well. I think anyone who chooses him would be very pleased with his competence and his bedside manner.

I'm a few weeks post op and my review of Dr. Samuel Bledsoe is this: I found him to be a gentle, compassionate, understanding physician, who has a wonderful gift and skill in performing bariatric surgeries. I sailed through the surgery without a problem or glitch! I did not have pain (beyond the usual kind you'd have in surgery).
Dr. Bledsoe ... if there were more stars to add I'd stick them on! You have given me a new beginning!

FANTASTIC!! Surgeon, wonderful staff .

Dr. Bledsoe is great and I have been very happy with my experience with him. He and his partner have a very structured program that covers everything (attending a seminar, meeting with a nutritionist, meeting with a psychologist, prep for surgery, surgery, and after-care). His staff, particularly Pam, is fantastic! They attend to any problems or concerns you might have promptly and have always treated me professionally and courteously. Dr. Bledsoe is friendly and outgoing and easy to talk to. Overall, I consider him to be an excellent physician. I would recommend the VSG to anyone considering WLS.

I would note that Mid LA Surgical Consultants works in conjunction with Cabrini hospital. The director who coordinates the WLS surgery program, Doris, is also fantastic in prepping you for surgery and helping you understand exactly what will occur pre-op and post-op. All of the staff at Cabrini were excellent and my hospital stay was pleasant. My only negative to report is that the nutritionist is lacking --you will learn far more from this forum or from one of the often posted WLS guides (such as the Cornell one).

Of course that last caveat does not detract from Dr. Bledsoe's surgical expertise and the nutritional information can be obtained from many other sources such as this one. Again, I would, and have, recommended him to others.

There was one thing i wish i knew before selecting my surgeon, and it is just a personal delima that others may not have to concider. I had my lap band done in Dec and missed my follow up due to weather. Its now about 10 weeks later and I cant get seen because they only see patients on Wendsdays and im a student on that day 3 hours away. The receptionists attitude was poor. I have questions and concerns. Nothing major. The decision to get the Lap-band was major to me. I assumed Dr's office usually 5 days a week. After talking to the receptionist I feel like Insurance has already paid and my satisfaction/outcome is of no matter. I know my health is up to me but she made it clear that I chose my surgeon and thats his hours. Never asked if maybe i had a few questions or concerns maybe to refer me to his nurse or anything for the time being. Prior to surgury i am pretty sure i saw him on a mon B4. Why I give 5 stars? as for Dr Fuller and his nurse Shannon are WONDERFUL. I am a nurse also. This wasnt a hasty decision, I did my homework :) esp the surgeon. I trust them and still recommend them thus far. For me i just wouldent of gotten it done yet.