Mills-Peninsula Health Services Hospital

I had met with doctor Wetter in November and he was very caring. He took time to explain very clearly all aspects of the surgery. He was very open and strait forward about the risks and complications. He kept enphasizing the risks involved. I really respect that because we need to really take time to think and be 100% sure about having this surgery. I was very impressed with the referrals he had given me. Anne Timberlake is very encouraging, caring, and kind. Dr. Tatomer was very nice. By doctor Wetter making us go through a process of talking to a phsyciatrist and getting more inforamtion made me really respect him more. I feel completly confident in him.

Just had my consult with Dr. Baggs and he was very informative. He answered all of my questions quickly and made feel at ease. I feel very comfortable with him. Unfortunately he is leaving the area in April of this year. I hope to have everything in order before then. Switched to Dr. Wetter as Dr. Baggs is leaving the area soon. I haven't met him yet but hear great things from his references.

I loved Dr. Foster from the get go. She is very smart, qualified, and had a wonderful bedside maner. She has been wonderful. The staff at Stanford is very efficient. You should know that Dr. Foster requires a 10% weightloss. A lot of people are put off by this, I know I was, but let me tell you I am so glad to be going into this surgery with 10% of my weight GONE FOREVER! I feel much better than I did 4 months ago, that's for sure.

Dr. Pamela Foster a very caring expert in the Laparocopic RNY Surgery procedure. She was complete in her consultation with me (my two daughters were present). She put my daughters and myself at ease in her explanations of the Laparoscopic RNY procedure and what we should expect. My daughters went in rather anxious about having their mother have this surgery, yet left her office confident that she knew what she was doing.

She explained the risks of surgery and what were common complications. Of course my daughters picked up on the risk of death part, and she told us it was low and that so far she hasn't lost a patient. That really put my daughters at ease!
Overall I would rate Dr. Foster an 10+ for competence, patient/doctor relations, professionalism. I will let you know more after the surgery is performed.
Post-op update: March 22, 2002. I now rate Dr. Pamela Foster a 10++++++ as a surgeon. I would do it over again in a heartbeat under her skilled care.

Dr. Foster had to schedule me earlier than usual, I had fun 'looking' for the office since the front doors were locked at 7:30 in the morning! This was my first consult with Dr. Foster, I really didn't have any expectation, I just wanted to feel secure that the person working with me had answers and hoping for some nurturing qualities. Well, Dr. Foster delivered. I am so looking forward to my surgery date. The time that Dr. Foster took to talk with me, trying to get to know some of the little details. What I was impressed with was how she really needed the facts, not just what she wanted to hear. I left the office very positive and felt that my aftercare would be just as much a priority as to the surgery itself. I think what I liked best about Dr. Foster and her team is that the information came to me with out the 'sugar-coating'. I was told how it was, what to expect and encouraged to join a support group. I am truely blessed to have met this group and I look forward to a new chapter in my life.

7/5/01 - I met Dr Pamela Foster for the first time on 7/3/01. My sister and mother joined me for this first consultation.
On 6/20/01 I met with the Nutritionist K. Birge and the Psychiatrist Dr. Robin Apple who were
recommended by Dr Fosters office since they specialize in this surgery. Those appointments were pretty
standard and were required before my initial Consultation with Dr Foster. When I met Dr Foster, we were all
very impressed with her professionalism, knowledge and good bedside manner. She is very caring and will
answer all of your questions. This first appointment was not rushed at all and she wants to get to know her
patients as much as possible before surgery. She did mention you had to lose 10% of your total body weight.
Luckily at that appointment I had already started and had lost a total of 19 lbs from my highest weigh of 322.
She felt confident in setting my surgery date; but most important she wanted to make sure I was confident in
making this decision as well; since I am so young she said. (I am 22 years old) My date is August 27th,
2001. I am very excited! *****

8/9/01 - I had my pre-op appointment with
Dr. Foster yesterday. Everything went well; she
talked about what will be happening the day of
surgery and what to expect. She also went over
what to expect during my entire stay at the hospital.
Dr. Foster is very thorough and easy to talk with.
She will honestly answer any question you have.
I have lost a total of 36 lbs pre-op and she
is happy that I have been doing my part. *****

9/26/01 - I had my surgery with Dr Foster on 8/27/01.
She was great; very kind and took a lot of time to talk with
me and my family in the hospital. The staff and nurses
are awesome at Stanford! I have no regrets about my
surgery, and no regrets about Dr Foster. I am
excited that my new life has begun! *****

11/26/01 - I met with Dr Foster on 11/21/01 for
my 3-month post op appointment. I weighed in at
235 lbs which makes a total weight loss of 87
lbs. Dr Foster is great... She encouraged more
fiber in my diet. I go and meet with her again
in 3 months for my 6 month Post op. *****

2/27/02 - Everything is on track when I met with Dr Foster for my 6-month Post-Op appointment. All of my blood work came back normal. I am down a grand total of 120 lbs and still feeling awesome!

Dr. Wetter:
- Great references
- Great peformance with previous surgery's
- Staff is friendly
- Answered me with a personal email when I was researching information
- overall program that includes before and after operation care
- honest about the risks
- overall very pleased

When I first met her I really liked her. She is very upfront and blunt about things, which is why I liked her. I immediately felt comfortable talking to her, and have since my first visit. Her assistant Trina is the sweetest thing, she as well was very welcoming and comforting. Dr. Foster went over EVERYTHING in detail of what to expect pre-op, during and post-op. She really emphasized the importance of making sure that after the surgery, of how important it is to watch your nutritional intake. At first I didn't care too much about the fact of having to lose weight and excercise, and more so at the fact that she was so adimat about it. Logically, if I could I would, and I would not be here. Realisticaly, I know she pressed the issues so hard for my own good. Not for her obviously, but me. So that I would be in as best health condition for the surgery as I could be.

I really like Dr. Wetter. I have met with him only once but I found him very understanding of my situation. His staff was very friendly and they have been very helpful in getting everything in line as far as insurance is concerned (making sure I am part of the right medical group). I didnt' really find anything about him that I disliked, but I have had only one consultation. Dr. Wetter is very knowledgeable of RNY and is very detailed in putting things into "laymans" terms so that I understand it much better. Dr. Wetter went over all the possible complications of having WLS but also reaffirmed that they are minor compared to my health if I continued to stay at the weight I am now or worse, gain additional weight. I have not had the surgery yet but will update on Dr. Wetter's bedside manner when I am "on the other side"!

January 9, 2002 - Well I am now on the other side and I am so happy that I did this! It has given me back a life I thought I had lost forever to morbid obesity. Dr. Wetter has an excellent bedside manner and I felt comletely confident going into the surgery. I have my first post op today so we shall see how I do!

Just one meeting with Doctor Wetter. Young but not to young around 40 (I remeber a time when 40 was old). Staff was great. My only concern is that I meet him for a total of 30 min that was it. It all seemed to easy. He was very open to answer any questions I had. And told me to cantact him if I had any more questions, Or sechedule a second apointment. And after the support meeting I attended I felt very confortable with him. Seems like everyone in the meeting only had very postive things to say