Palo Alto Medical Foundation Hospital

Dr. Foster did my lap band surgery some 13 or 14 years ago. She saved my life. I weighed 218 and I stay steady at around 125lbs. I see her every couple of years for a band adjustment. Dr. Foster is very open, forthright with the information, brilliant, extremely nice and informal - great bedside manner. I would recommend her to anybody.

Saw Dr. Wetter starting over a year before my VSG surgery in December 2012. He was able to address all the questions and concerns my husband and I had about having the surgery. Fortunately the surgery and recovery were very easy for me. The scars I have are very minimal. Have had several follow-ups with Dr. Wetter and as with my pre-surgery appointments he was very concerned with following the proper eating and emphasizing that the surgery can only do so much, and the rest is following plan and being in the right attitude to deal all the changes. So glad I went to Dr. Wetter, he is an expert in his field, and his office staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. The bariatric program Dr. Wetter is in is part of a Center for Excellence for bariatrics at Peninsula Hospital in Burlingame, Calif. They also have a great Bariatric Nurse/Program Director and have monthly support meetings for pre and post surgical patients. Dr. Wetter and the whole staff/program are excellent. I would highly recommend him.

Just met Dr. Wetter and his staff. Janet, the bariatric coordinator is responsive to calls. You will hear back from them! Claire, his medical assistant, was nice and approachable.

Dr. Wetter seemed very kind and knowledgeable. I look forward to working with him. We talked about the types of surgeries, which was appropriate for me and my goals, risks and benefits, and his requirements before we move forward.

First off, please note this review is NOT about his surgical skills of which I have no knowledge. He seems to be a very competent and experienced doctor from other reviews. This review is strictly about his bedside manner when I went to him for a second opinion.
I had a LapBand by Dr. John Feng in September of 2010 (he is a GREAT guy btw - see my review of him). It did NOT work and finally, after two and a half years, I was at my wits end, incredibly discouraged, and had no hope left in me. I went to Dr. Khalil for a second opinion re a revision. I was sobbing in his office (and I'm not the kinda girl who cries - am very stoic and straight forward - military kid - so this was highly unlike me). As soon as we started talking it was IMMEDIATELY apparent that he would not even consider doing a revision for me. He hardly acknowledged that I was EXTREMELY upset (see above), and never once in ANY way tried to calm me down and help me - he offered no alternatives! We went on like this with him telling me all the reasons he won't do it, blah blah blah... but here's the real kicker: (and yes, he ACTUALLY said this), "Studies show that if you fail at one weight loss surgery you'll fail at another one". HUH? Did I just hear right?? Why, WHY would you tell that to someone who is so upset because you have lost ALL hope (AGAIN)... and are thinking that maybe, just MAYBE there might be SOMEONE out there who can help you??? Why would you hurt someone so much? This is a DOCTOR? His comment utterly destroyed me -- I left feeling even MORE hopeless, feeling a complete failure, and almost suicidal as it now seemed that I would always be fat and unhealthy. Needless to say, I went elsewhere AND yes, I found a surgeon (GREAT guy, again) who was appalled that another doctor would say this to a distressed patient. So, as I said, while I am guessing he is a very skilled surgeon, and maybe a likeable guy in many other ways, IMO a person who treats a patient this way is NOT someone I'd ever consider as my doctor.
To those of you who've had him and liked him - I am happy for you. But since this was such a large transgression on his part, I felt it should be shared.

I have to give Dr. Feng 5 stars for being a terrific guy, a knowledgeable surgeon, and a GREAT bedside manner. However, I received a LapBand from him and it was a total 100% failure. (I'm getting revised to an RNY in December of 2013 - hopefully). IF you still believe in gastric banding (which has been proven now to be the LEAST effective method for losing weight AND keeping it off), you can't go with a better surgeon. So I don't want to diss the guy, but I WILL diss the procedure. Want to know more? Send me a post.
Whatever choice you make, good luck! :-)

I first "met" Dr. Legha at an orientation. It was the second orientation I had been to. The first one scared me, it was given by another doctor. The second one with Dr. Legha and his team made me feel that this was the right thing to do. He has a great support team, not only with the medical foundation but also with the hospital. My first impression of him was that he was somewhat distant, but after a few visits I found him a man of few words but very caring. He made sure I knew what I was getting into, explained things well, and his staff made sure everything kept moving forward. In talking to nurses from the hospital, I found he is very well respected and handles the difficult cases that other hospitals turn away. I had no apprehension about the surgery, he made sure I knew the risks but I knew I was in good hands. He and his staff emphasize the need for followups and support. Before my surgery I had two followup visits already scheduled. I know Dr. Legha and his team will be with me for a long time.

I was originally a patient of Barry Sanchez, he left the group and I was a "leftover" patient, and was assigned to Dr. Wetter.

In 10/12 went to doctor and the band was diagnosed as it had slipped & needed to be removed asap, due to complications happening.

Dr. Wetter performed the surgery without any complications. During and after the surgery he was attentive, professional and very through. My only hiccup with him was in the determination process of the surgery-he did not display any bedside manner and was abrupt, almost rude like.

This surgery changed my life and has given me a new lease on life.

My opinion in regards to Doctor Foster: She was great for my gastric bypass, 10 yrs ago. I was very disappointed when I resent called her office made an appointement to see if I qualifyed for a revition surgery.In her own words... I needed to loose the weight by eating less. And not to call her office until I did. If I could loose the weight on my own, I wouldnt need the surgery. Very rude, I was very very disappointed. I am sure my insurance will cover the revition, but I will not do it with her.

Dr Foster is wonderful! When I first met her she was very informative and made me feel very comfortable. There is are no questions that she is unwilling to answer. She really tried to discuss my specific needs rather than prescribing a generic plan. I had my RNY on 6/11/12 and she visited me in my room twice and stayed while I ate my meal to chat about how it felt (I had some uncomfortable chest pains when consuming liquids.). She always makes me feel that she cares about my journey and genuinely wants me to be sucessful. Not every doctor will be right for everyone, but I definitely feel as though I have found the right doctor for me!

Upon my first meeting with Dr. Foster in Oct., 2011, I knew she was the right doctor for me! She's smart as a whip, compassionate, no nonsense and kind. she sugar coats nothing, explains things to a "T" and I have complete trust in her. bypass surgery is scheduled for April 16th, 2012, and I went last wk. for all my pre op admission, meetings/ and final check up. She was firm about me loosing 30 lbs before my surgery....i was afraid I wouldn't be able to do it...but I did! ( I lost 66 as of last wk)...I'm feeling better, she was extremely pleased...and that will just help along the process even more...she "lit the fire" and got me motivated! Thank you DR FOSTER!!!! You are good for me!!!!