Donald A. Balder Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

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I think that Dr Balader is wonderful!! A lot of people told me that he did not have a good bed side manner but I have nothing but great things to say about him!! He is very professional and also listens to me!! I am very happy in my choice of doctors!!

My first impression of Dr. Blader was good.(they always say your first impression is always the best one. Floyd Medical Associates really have thier stuff together. When I went to meet with Dr. Balder for my surgeon consult, it was a very pleasant experience. He answered all my questions, and I left there feeling very comfortable in the transtion I was going to be making in my life. I am ready to change my life, and I know this is going to be a Great change for me!

My husband and I met Dr. Balder at one of the education meetings. We both found that he was very kind and dedicated to what he does. He explained in detail, again, how the surgery was done, the risks, and how he would determine if he would not be able to laproscopy method. I'm very trusting, and I believe I will be in good hands.
His office staff is very nice, they have an excellent bariatric coordinator, Sue Rudnicki. She's a gem.
They have a very structured pre-op and post-op program, support group meetings every month. We've enjoyed both meetings we went to and learned a lot. I still have an education meeting to go to Jan. 28, and that will be the final one before surgery.

Dr Balder performed my surgery but post-op while in the hospital I actually saw more of his partner, Dr Anderson. Dr Balder seems to have done a very good job with my surgery, and I am sure Dr Anderson is skilled in this area as well. However, they both need to work on their people-skills (I guess like many surgeons). They are brief and to the point, but in a way that almost comes across as rude and ignorant to patients' needs at times. There is not much explanation of things, and I guess they think that you are just supposed to come up with all the questions, but it doesn't work like that when you've just had surgery. They need to be a bit more compassionate and caring of patients' needs and feelings, and they need to better explain what is going on. I guess if I had a choice between surgical competence and bedside manner, I would have to pick the surgical competence. But without having good bedside manner as well I don't think you can be a truly good doctor, since they are both necessary and vital to patients and their experience.

Also there is some serious miscommunication going on between the surgeons and the staff on the ward. It happened frequently that a nurse said X and when we saw a surgeon they said Y, if you see what I mean. This was extremely frustrating at times. My husband stayed over in my room with me (he's such a sweetheart!) but all they could offer for him to sleep on was a fold-out cot that was only about as wide as he is and much shorter (he is 6.4, 330lbs and he will have this surgery soon as well) so he was extremely uncomfortable at night.

I had heard that DR. Balder lacked a great bedside manner but was a very good surgeon. i needed a very good surgeon. so when i met him for my consult i was prepared for his lack of a good bedside manner. dont get me wrong he was polite and nice but not frendily. there was once in the hospital (i was there for 9days,sensitive tummy) he made me so mad i could have slaped him.i might have been a bit sensative, anyways since then he's been great. i've been to see him a few times for after care and hes been uplifting and wonderful. Couldn't have asked for a better surgeon.

And then there's Sue, She's just great. since she's had wls herself Sue has a lot of great info and is very willing to share and help. I'm so glad that she is there

I FINALLY met the infamous Dr. Balder a couple of weeks ago. Everything everyone had told me about him was true- he is very courteous and informative. Dr. Balder is young but from what I have been told by those who have had their surgeries with this doctor, he is definitely a competant doctor. Many have said that he is straight to the point, maybe lacking a little in the bedside manner category, but I found him to be very personable. He actually joked around with me some which put me at ease. I also have to give a nod to Angie, his nurse. I can already tell that she is a very compassionate woman who will be there for me, no matter how much I will be whining and complaining! For those considering Dr. Balder or Dr. Anderson, Angie holds a monthly support group which I find is essential to us whether pre-op or post. I am (so far) extremely satisfied with the surgeon (and his staff) that I have chosen!...**UPDATE** Though I still think Dr. Balder is a great surgeon, I am finding that his aftercare isn't the best. I am now 6 months post op and he doesn't plan on seeing me again until my 1 year anniversary. Granted I have had NO problems, my concern is that he still has not checked my bloodwork. I will find a local PCP to keep an eye on me, but it bothers me that they do not keep up on something so important. I feel that they are taking on too many new patients and not concentrating on the posties (also commented by other patients). Its apparent that his office needs to hire more staff or at least stop taking new patients. I literally felt like cattle the last two times I was in there- they get ya in, weigh ya (which in my case they have my starting weight wrong by 9 pounds which annoys me), ask the basic questions out ya go! I am extremely glad I chose Dr. Balder, I just wish he would re-evaluate his aftercare.

Hi,My first impression of him was young,but he sure knows what hes talking about.Everyone seem real nice,

Dr. Balder was so nice to me, and so was his staff.I was denied last year, and so we are reappling with a different insurance company, and Angie, his nurse is an "Angel Unaware", And no matter if I get to have this surgery or not, I couldn't have ask for a more thorough or sincere group of people. Last year he made me go through some test to be sure there wouldn't be any complications, since I had some surgeries before, and I passed all the test, and so they aren't giving up on me, and so I am pressing on too. I feel very confident with this practice!!!!!!

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I met Dr.Balder finding him to be very professional, open, honest and informative about every aspect of the surgery. He listened to my concerns and provided the answers I needed to make a informed decision.
What impressed me was his team of professional, the information class and presurgery evaluation process. He shows the highest degree of sensitive to the needs of his patients. Angie is gem.

My expectations were very high after doing months of research on WLS for the standards, complete level of care from the inquiry, referral process, insurance, evaluation, preop, postop and support. To my amazement Dr.Balder and his team exceeded my expectations.