Donald A. Balder Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

My first impression about Dr. Balder is how young he looks. The office staff was very busy. Dr. Balder seems to be very sure about his abilities. I gave him specific questions and took the time to answer them all. I feel very good about my visit. Dr. Balders nurse Angie was great. I realy like the idea of how Dr. Balder called this a disorder and not just having obesity. I was told to start a high protien diet and 20 to 30 carbs a day. I ready to anything at this point. I'm just waiting to hear the money situation and a date.

My first impression of Dr. Balder was the fact that he looked so young! But, as soon as he started speaking I could tell he was extremely educated,not because of a lot of fancy words...but that he rather chose to share his education by explaining the procedure,answering any questions I had, and by going into details about all aspects re:the gastric bypass,the risks involved,the need to walk,the recovery time,the need to eat proper foods afterwards,vitamins,water.
His office staff was extremely busy, but polite and efficient...clean.There is a support group that meets the third Tuesday of each month at the Women's Pavillion at the Floyd Medical Center.I was impressed because although I'm sure he has spent a fortune on his education, he is not so "almighty" that he can't come down to earth and be human like we are,he was very compassionate and did not talk down to me at any time!He also has taken further training in Fla. re: the laproscopic procedure, fine tuning it to an art! Just the man I've been looking for to do my procedure!I am very comfortable, at ease knowing that he will be doing his best to help me overcome this disease called obesity.

Angie, his nurse is **WONDERFUL** The surgery will be out of pocket. I got my appointment asap. No problems, he is working with my local Doctor to ensure I have the best care while in South Carolina and when I return to Hawaii. I'm just so pleased with the communication and contact.
I feel so supported...I will keep you updated as I get to know him and his staff further. NOTE:::Also, this is my first *reaction* so of course I'm pleased.

Well, I am two weeks post op. Insurance approval was fairly easy. Cigna Approved once all documents were submitted. I had surgery on January 8th with Dr. Balder performing the surgery. I am very surprised at how quickly my body has recovered. My only fear is that I will do something to make the surgery unsuccessful (such as stretching my pouch or eating the wrong things) Dr. Balder has been wonderful, and he has a nurse, Angie, that is absolutely wonder woman! She has been there for me all the way and continues to reassure me whenever I need it. I strongly suggest relying on the surgeon's support staff. That's what they are there for and it has made all the difference for me in getting insurance approval, preparing myself for surgery, and knowing how to care for myself post op. Depending on who you talk to, you can hear some pretty negative things prior to surgery. However, so far, I have had a great experience with Dr. Balder and his staff. If the weight loss is successful, my experience will have definately exceeded my expectations. Dr. Balder and Angie are the best!!

This is one of the most courteous surgeons it has been my experience to encounter -- and he looks like a "doll" baby! My impression of him has not changed. If this is love, then so be it. The office staff is, like all others I know, overworked; but, the overall impression is one of friendliness without being overly so. Dr. Balder has worked with his staff to cut the waiting time of his patients by almost 90%. The first visits with him were not too bad other than once or twice; but over time, have really shortened (waiting time). He is very efficient and, even though the visits don't take long, you don't get the impression he is trying to hurry you out. Anyone who uses Dr. Balder will find he is very attentive -- before, during and after the surgery. Now that he and his partner are forming this support group, he seems to be in for the long haul. He did not have to address too much about the surgery to me as I work in the medical field and was only too aware of the risks, benefits, stumbling blocks, etc. He did, however, take time to draw the surgery out so I could study it and know exactly what he was going to do to me inside. I was under the impression that he would try the laparoscopic way before cutting and did not know until I was in the hospital that he would do the straight cutting; but, it was an option all along so I accepted this. This seems like an idealic situation, but it is really not. I had a good experience but a lot of that may have been because of my own attitute; someone else might not find him to be so understanding and caring. This was my experience with the surgeon and my own impressions; yours might be quite different than mine.

8-30-01 DR BALDER WAS VERY HAPPY W/MY RESULTS AND MY RECOVERY SO FAR. I HAD SURGERY ON 8-7-01 AND HAVE LOST 45 LBS. I AM APPARENTLY THE 1ST COMPLETELY LAP SURGERY PT DR BALDER WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE W/OUT AT LEAST PARTIAL OPEN ASSIST. HE WANTS ME TO APPEAR ON A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE. I HAD TO HAVE A BILE DRAIN IN MY OLD STOMACH TO PREVENT NAUSEA. DR BALDER FORGOT TO TELL ME ABOUT THAT BEFORE SURGERY BUT I GUES IT HELPED BECAUSE I HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THAT. I GOT MY DRAIN OUT ON 8-27-01 AND WAS REALLY HAPPY ABOUT THAT. HE HAS HIRED A BARIACTRIC SURGERY NURSE AND PLANS ON STARTING A SUPPORT GROUP AND EXTENSIVE AFTERCARE PROGRAM.

I HAVE MET W/DR BALDER ONCE. CONCERNED THAT HE DID NOT EXAMINE ME BUT SEEMED TO BE FAMILIER W/MY MEDICAL HISTORY. WAS VERY POSITIVE AND SELF-ASSURED IN HIS ABILITY TO PERFORM THIS SURGERY W/OUT COMPLICATIONS. HE TOLD ME I AM A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR LAP SURGERY. THAT MAKES ME FEEL BETTER BECAUSE I WAS HOPING TO HAVE THE SURGERY LAPORSCOPICALLY. HIS OFFICE STAFF WAS VERY BUSY BUT EXPLAINED THAT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I WOULD HAVE TO DO TO HAVE A GOOD OUTCOME, SUCH AS KEEPING MY FOLLOW-UP APPTS AND STAYING ON THE PRESCRIBED DIET. THE FRONT DESK STAFF WAS NOT VERY NICE, BUT I HAVE FOUND THAT TO BE COMMON TO MOST DR OFFICES. DR BALDER EMPHASIZED STRUCTURED AFTER-CARE, WAS NOT TRYING TO PRESSURE ME TO HAVE THE SURGERY. IN FACT, HE SUGGESTED I GET ON THE INTERNET, READ ARTICLES, TALK TO OTHER PATIENTS, ETC. BEFORE COMING BACK FOR MORE QUESTIONS FOR HIM. HE TOLD ME ABOUT THE RISKS OF SURGERY AND THAT ONE OF HIS PT'S HAD DIED OUT OF THE 80-100 SURGERIES HE HAD PERFORMED. HE STATED THE DEATH WAS DUE TO THE PT'S PREVIOUS MEDICAL HISTORY AND NOT THE SURGERY ITSELF. HE WAS VERY NICE, DID NOT MIND ANSWERING QUESTIONS. HIS SCHEDULING ASSISTANT WAS ALSO VERY HELPFUL IN ANSWERING QUESTIONS ABOUT PAYMENT AND WANTS TO HELP PEOPLE AS MUCH AS SHE CAN. SHE SEEMS TO FEEL VERY WARMLY TOWARD OBESE PTS, EVEN THOUGH SHE IS VERY SLIM.

He is very "to the point" in the initial consultation, and I liked that. No examination is done, it's just a basic information gathering and question answering session. Dr. Balder was recommended to me from another Physician whom I totally trust that said "Balder's surgical skills were as good as any one He has ever worked with" so I feel totally confident that I am in good hands.

Some people complain about the God Complex coming out of these Surgeons, but I don't care about that. I'm not looking to marry the guy, I just want a Surgeon with the skills and confidence that it will take to do my surgery right.

I work in the medical field and have had the opportunity to work with Dr. Balder before. I trust him. His bedside manner might seem a little rough but he knows what he is doing. The office staff have been wonderful so far.

I think Dr. Balder is absolutely wonderful!! My first impression is that he is a very caring man and understands how important this surgery is to people who need to lose the weight.
His staff is absolutely wonderful!!
What I liked least is that he is in Florence, SC and I am in Conway, SC! Also, he is in a very busy office and I often had to wait for my appointment.
He may look very young, but he is a remarkable surgeon!
I think his surgical competence and bedside manner are wonderful!
I would go back to Dr. Balder for any surgery that I need to have!