Donald A. Balder Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

Dr. Balder was very laid back yet always very professional. Put me totally at ease about my surgery. Sue was always so helpful and helped to get my surgery scheduled pretty quickly especially seeing as I was a self pay. Overall, was very impressed and would recommend practice to anyone.

Dr. Balder was exceptional, very straight forward and made me feel like I was his only patient that mattered. I explained that I would be paying cash and he scheduled me immediately, no run around. I meet with him on a Tuesday and the following Tuesday, I was having surgery. No problems, no complications, just excellent service!!! His entire staff made me feel as though I was the ONLY patient too. Sue is amazing and gave me so much support and the same goes for the nurse staff and nutritionist. If you can afford it, make the choice and go with Dr. Balder...he and especially YOU are worth every penny.

He is wonderful! Not only is he professional, and intelligent, he is also friendly. He was ready to answer any questions, and he made me and my husband feel very comfortable.

The wait in his office was average, and his staff was very friendly. Sue, the Surgery Coordinator, has had the surgery herself (9 years ago) and she is GREAT!

I met my Dr. Balder on October 10, 2002. He asked so many questions and answered all of the ones I had. I finally feel like my wellbeing is important to a Dr. Everyone in his office is so helpful. I did not feel uncomfortable at all. Angie is great. I email questions I have and she answers them within the day. It is so nice to know that I am not just another number. I am telling everyone about my surgery and about my doctor. They are happy to know that he is so close to home and at such an awesome hospital. I have even been to a support group meeting. Even though I have not had my surgery yet they all still welcomed me. I am so glad that you have somewhere to go to talk about the good and bad things you are going through. At least one person there had been through the same thing-you are not alone. I brought my husband to the first meeting. He left feeling better about the surgery. I brought my Mom to the support group meeting. She left feeling better too. Both felt better educated overall. My husband goes with me to the next support group meeting. Hopefully he will behave himself (if you have been to one of our meetings then you know what I mean) I can not wait to have my surgery done and looking at the beginning of December. I feel like I am in great hands. Dr. Balder knows what he is doing and made me feel like I was his only patient.

Balder is an excellent surgeon. From the start I found him direct, clear spoken, and open to all questions. He and his office staff and coordinator provided a wealth of information about the surgery but never pressured me to make a decision.

Dr. Balder was very caring throughout the tests and preparation for surgery period. And on the day of surgery, he and his entire surgical team showed extraordinary confidence, competence, and genuine sympathy for me.

I had a rather unpleasant day in the hospital after surgery, but most of it was caused by miscommunication among the nursing staff of the hospital.

My first thought about Dr. Balder was that he looked sooo young! He was quite professional and knowledgeable as well as understanding about all the concerns my sister and I had. She accompanied me to my initial consult with Dr. Balder. The office staff was great and were very, very helpful in moving my surgery process right along. The clinic has a very good aftercare program requiring you attend an orientation, class and a few post op support group meetings to help insure your success. Dr. Balder addressed the risks of my chosen surgery and also gave me a good comparison to other procedures they do. I feel confident that I made the right decisionas far as the procedure and the surgeon. Godwilling all will go well 12/21/05.

My sister had Dr. Balder do her gastric bypass surgery and let me know that he was caring and knowledgeable Doctor, but I still had my fears b/f meeting him for the first time. From the time I entered his office, I was treated with nothing but respect from everyone. They treated me just like a normal person which is a great feeling. The whole staff was extremely caring which really made me feel more at ease. Dr. Balder took the time to sit down with me and explain not only the benefits, but the risks of the surgery. He explained everything completely. He explained things to me in a simple manner which made sure that I was able to truly grasp what was going on. This gave me a great feeling of comfort as I knew my surgeon knew exactly what he was doing. He also makes sure to keep up with you after surgery to make sure things are going well and to help you with any complications. He's a great doctor and I would recommend him to anyone!

I am very pleased with the 'curriculum' of Dr. Balder's entire operation... The office staff is cordial and professional, quick to respond, and they actually return phone calls! Dr. Balder takes the time throughout the entire process to make sure all questions are answered, procedures are understood; and guidance is given to enable achievement of established goals. How refreshing that the actual "hands-on" surgeon conducts the "Introduction to Gastric Bypass" seminar, followed by a relaxed question and answer session. The handout at this seminar is a thick, detailed packet of written information, including a very specific dietary plan that starts two weeks pre-op and continues through all stages of post-op care. Even details of the dietary needs are spelled out -- including good/bad food choices, when to start introducing certain food types, vitamin supplementation regimen, and such things. I understand what is expected from me and what I can expect while following this plan. His aftercare program has been great, the staff willing to do whatever it takes (within their authority) to help you achieve your desired goals.

Dr. Balder seems to be a really nice and down to earth guy. Everyone at the office was great the staff and other patients that I meet in the waiting room. He seems very concerned that his patients know upfront what to expect before and after the surgery.

I met with Dr. Balder yesterday for my first consult. He seems to be a wonderful doctor. I posed some questions to him that he was very willing to answer. (Ofcourse I have millions). He is very thorough and running some tests no other doctors have ever offered to run in order to help fix me! His office staff was great, even people I did not meet smiled when they happened to look up as I was going by--that makes a big difference. He did not speak to me about aftercare but did say we would meet again before surgery if insurance covers it, he did say right now my insurance is denying claims for WLS. I didn't ask if they are denying with appeal letters. He was very thorough with answering my questions and explained each risk. I am pleased to be a patient of his and Dr. Andersons and hopefully will get to have my surgery god-willing.