DFW TX Surgeon selection? (Dallas / Ft. Worth)

[Better than dead 19]

First time post, be gentle!

I have settled on the sleeve and that I will have it done in the Dallas area. I am having a hard time picking a surgeon. It is really hard to find solid information on them. Of course everyone loves their Dr (assuming they didn't have problems) and their websites all say they are great.

Is there an unbiased source for true numbers such as how many procedure completed and complications?

How do you educate yourself and make the choice?

By the way, I am a self-pay (insurance excludes WLS) so I don't care about insurance issues and such.

Thanks for your input. I welcome all responses about Dr's in the DFW area.

[dfwtxmissy 108]

Dr. Adam Smith...Operates out of Baylor Trophy club. Has an office in Fort Worth but not aware where else. I went thru True results and picked him after my best friend used him.

[HotMessPrincess 39]

Dr Scott Stowers at My Bariatric Solutions. Had an appointment with him 2 years ago to talk about Lap Band (which I chose not to do eventually). I loved how I was treated by everyone there. Never once did I feel like an insurance check walking in the door - and I expected to be looked at like just another fat person on a conveyor belt. They are wonderful there. I felt like I was the only patient they had.

Another thing I really like that they do: all your appointments are in one day. You meet with Dr Stowers, the dietician, the exercise specialist, the patient coordinator...etc. You can expect your consultation to take 4 hours. They have this streamlined to amazing perfection - which I prefer so that I don't have to keep making appointments and taking additional time off work.

I have an appointment with him tomorrow to discuss Gastric Sleeve and this time I'm ready for the change that surgery requires.

(Called Dr Kim 3 years ago...the guy who always advertises on tv. Got cold feet and cancelled the appt. His office staff phone-stalked me for weeks before I called and told them to leave me alone. Also had a friend who went to him and when she said "Well, I'll certainly think about it...thank you..." he had her in tears. She said he got nasty and was pointing out all the ways in which she'd failed herself...and she's not a super sensitive person. She's a tough cookie. This is why I went looking elsewhere when I was ready.)

Edited October 15, 2013 by HotMessPrincess

[7 Bites_Jen 479]

I and my mom went to Dr. Frank Veninga at Presby in Carrolton. He is one of those doctors that is very upfront and matter-of-fact with you. The thing I like about him is that he is not a "meat market" doctor. He has many patients, don't get me wrong, but he doesn't do THOUSANDS of surgeries in a year like some of the bigger ones in DFW do. He only does the lap-band and the sleeve (and there's a reason for that) and he is very good at what he does.

His nurse, Barbara, is also his nutritionist, and she is absolutely wonderful as well. She is a lap-band patient and will give you a TON of information. They will really take their time with you, walking through every step. Once you become their patient, it's like you become part of the family. I love this office. My last appointment, I almost cried when I was told I didn't have to go back for another year (it was my one year surgiversary)!

Whichever doctor you chose, make sure you do your research. Go to their web site and check them out. Read their testimonials. Find some online reviews if you can. You need to be sure that the doctor you go to will be 100% there for YOU not for THEM. Any doctor that tries to pressure you to do something you're not comfortable with is not the right doctor. Good luck!

[newat52 1,612]

I choose Dr. Nicholson in Dallas, I was self pay, no insurance coverage for the procedure. For me, attending his seminar which he conducts himself made gave me a very good feeling about him and how he believes in WLS. I had my private consultation with him soon after. Prior to attending the seminar, my husband and I did extensive research on him, could not find anything bad about him. He is a top rated surgeon. Personally, I like the fact that he has a few thousand surgeries under his belt. I had my sleeve at Forest Park in Frisco.

His office staff is very caring and I never felt like I was just a $$.

My overall experience was great, the surgery itself was easy, I was up walking withing 3 hours and went home the next day even though 2 nights was included in the self pay. I would recommend him to someone considering it.

Congrats on your decision to take this step, the great thing is that the DFW area had an abundance of top notch surgeons for a reasonable price. I guess we are all fat in Texas! lol!

[HotMessPrincess 39]

I guess we are all fat in Texas! lol!

We're all fat in Texas, but we're getting slimmer!! LOL

How long has it been since your surgery, Newat52? Just curious...I'm new to these forums and have my consultation tomorrow so I'm trying to get a feel for where everyone's at.

[newat52 1,612]

We're all fat in Texas, but we're getting slimmer!! LOL

How long has it been since your surgery, Newat52? Just curious...I'm new to these forums and have my consultation tomorrow so I'm trying to get a feel for where everyone's at.

I had my surgery on March 6th. I am started at 220 and am at 157 currently. I am 5'2" and was in a 18-20. Now 10's are comfortable. Things have slowed down but I know they will keep going in the right direction. I feel amazing and am SO glad I took this step. I watch what I eat and nothing has bothered me. I have chosen to avoid breads, refined sugar and simple carbs till the end of the year. I am so happy!

Good luck to you, you will love your sleeve!

[Better than dead 19]

All great information, keep it coming!

I have researched Dr. Nick Nicholson quite a bit, but no one else yet. Cant find anything bad on him. I hate to not have other options though.

In response to everyone in TX being fat; I am currently living in Mississippi (the fattest state in the US). I guess the good thing about being here is I blend in. haha

[DonRodolfo 1,416]

All great information, keep it coming!

I have researched Dr. Nick Nicholson quite a bit, but no one else yet. Cant find anything bad on him. I hate to not have other options though.

In response to everyone in TX being fat; I am currently living in Mississippi (the fattest state in the US). I guess the good thing about being here is I blend in. haha

Nicholson is one of the big names in the DFW area. I want to throw my surgeon's name into the mix, Dr. Manuel Castro-Arreola at http://www.nbsurgical.com/. Many people I mention his name to are not familiar with him but the reason I went to him in the first place was on the recommendation of a coworker and his wife who both got sleeved by him. He is a soft-spoken man but very professional. His office staff are the nicest of any doctor's office staff I've ever met. I highly recommend you visit the website and attend one of his "meet the surgeon" seminars.

[Ginagirl 21]

I had three surgeries with Doctor veninga.. I reccomend him without a doubt

[bayareanan 24]

I had my lap band surgery with Dr Victor Gonzalez at Medical City. I moved before going to TJ to have a revision done. I should have gone with the sleeve to begin with.

[Better than dead 19]

I had my lap band surgery with Dr Victor Gonzalez at Medical City. I moved before going to TJ to have a revision done. I should have gone with the sleeve to begin with.

I spoke to a friend yesterday that had the band done. He hasn't had any "complications", but he agreed that this was the right way to go and he wished it was common when he got his band.

Thanks for all the input all, I am still researching for the right Dr. Keep em coming.

[Bigbeaz 91]

First time post' date=' be gentle!

I have settled on the sleeve and that I will have it done in the Dallas area. I am having a hard time picking a surgeon. It is really hard to find solid information on them. Of course everyone loves their Dr (assuming they didn't have problems) and their websites all say they are great.

Is there an unbiased source for true numbers such as how many procedure completed and complications?

How do you educate yourself and make the choice?

By the way, I am a self-pay (insurance excludes WLS) so I don't care about insurance issues and such.

Thanks for your input. I welcome all responses about Dr's in the DFW area.[/quote']

I am also using Dr. Nick Nicholson. He is quick fast and to the point. But it never feels rushed if that makes any sense. Havent had one bad experience yet. Love the staff and cant until the 24th.

[Better than dead 19]

I am also using Dr. Nick Nicholson. He is quick fast and to the point. But it never feels rushed if that makes any sense. Havent had one bad experience yet. Love the staff and cant until the 24th.

Good luck. Keep me updated on your experience.

Like the cap BTW. 7-0 Wreck em!

[Carmen1963 27]

Check out Dr James Davidson. He comes very highly recommended and has been a top doc on Dallas for 20 years. He works out of Presbyterian and Forest Park. His office staff have been super nice so far.

I

Was going to go with Nicholson - but he does 12 approx. surgeries in 1 day. Dr. Davidson will pray with you before surgery. Not necessary but sweet and kind just the same.