Anyone had surgery with Dr. Heider and if so, what was your experience? Thanks for your info.

Yes! I was sleeved on Oct 15th & doing GREAT!!! I don't weigh myself so I can't tell you those stats, but I have lost many inches & already at least one pants size down.

Staff is fantastic. I was self-pay at Lake Norman &, this being my first surgery & first hospital stay, I couldn't have asked for better treatment. Everyone is very responsive via email & so helpful.

Let me know if you have specific questions.

I'd say "good luck" but you won't need it with Dr Heider as your surgeon!!!

Other (very recent) Heider patients I know of here on VST are:

CLTgirl

Jennyannk73

my time

Do you know what size bougie he uses and did you have a drain? Thanks.

Do you know what size bougie he uses and did you have a drain? Thanks.

He'll tell you he uses a small bougie & explain that it's all technique. You can use a bougie as your guide, but each doctor is different. Meaning: a doctor can use a small one but then cut further out from it. But in my experience, his are small.

No drains.

If you're still torn between Dr. Heider & going to Mexico, don't just look at the dollars. Look at what you're getting: Dr. Heider may not be as experienced as the doctors in Mexico, but he trains many other doctors on the laparoscopic technique of the sleeve surgery so he must be doing something right (he has done over 400 sleeves, I think closer to 500 now). Plus, your money pays for nutritional follow ups & monthly doctors follow ups for at least a year. Will you be seeing your Mexico surgeon on a monthly basis after your surgery? Is your doctor in Mexico going to KNOW you - or are you just a patient he met 30 minutes before he walked into the O.R. (If you even get to meet him before the surgery)? I'm not saying going to Mexico is the wrong decision, I'm just telling you what I considered when I made my choice to allow Dr. Heider to do my surgery.

Thank you Susan for the great info. I am no longer torn about Mexico. I have made my decision to go with Dr. Heider. I can see all the benefits that he has to offer. I was just excited and wanted more info prior to calling his office tomorrow!

Thank you Susan for the great info. I am no longer torn about Mexico. I have made my decision to go with Dr. Heider. I can see all the benefits that he has to offer. I was just excited and wanted more info prior to calling his office tomorrow!

Congratulations on your decision!!! You will be so pleased with your choice. I'll still be here to help with any other questions/concerns so bring 'em on!!!

Hey retakk -

Were you able to get an appointment soon at Dr. H's office?

I have been considering Dr. Heider. However, he was sanctioned in June due to the death of an appendectomy patient. This worries me.

Serenity,

Thank you. I was just informed that a few days ago by another patient and looked it up on the NC Medical Board website. You can as well. It is serious and worrisome. I haven't had surgery yet and will not be going to Dr. Heider. I had considered him because of his cost, as I am self pay. But this has just influenced me to go elsewhere. Good luck with your search. If you are self pay, I can let you know what I have found so far.

Becky, Yes, I will be self-pay, too, as WLS is an exclusion in my medical insurance. I am looking for someone who is a good surgeon, reasonable price and with BLIS insurance. It seems to be hard to find someone with all those qualifications! I would really appreciate hearing the results of your research. If I find someone good, I will share with you, too.

Just to clarify: the loss of the appendectomy patient was in 2009. This is now 2012/2013 & he has performed SEVERAL HUNDRED WL surgeries since then with NO loss of life.

I understand your concerns but hope you'll both reconsider. I could not have had a better surgery or follow-up experience.

Susan, my best friend is a nurse and I showed her the report. I don't want to post her feedback on the Internet, but she advised me to go elsewhere.

I am going to have the surgery GSV in a month or two and I am not able to decide which dr should I go with

Dr. Timothy Heider, MD

Dr. Keith Gersin, MD

I met with both, they are okay .. Dr. Heider price is fantastic but I have spoke with two ladies who did the surgery with him and they have to redo it again due to a leak problem. Both of them was confirm that it was not the dr fault but it puts doubts in me.

Now I need some help between both of them , any review would be very helpful and if you know another better dr, please let me know.

Thanks

I am going to have the surgery GSV in a month or two and I am not able to decide which dr should I go with Dr. Timothy Heider, MD

Dr. Keith Gersin, MD

I met with both, they are okay .. Dr. Heider price is fantastic but I have spoke with two ladies who did the surgery with him and they have to redo it again due to a leak problem. Both of them was confirm that it was not the dr fault but it puts doubts in me.

Now I need some help between both of them , any review would be very helpful and if you know another better dr, please let me know.

Thanks

When was the leak discovered?

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