Donald Waldrep Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

I didn't meet with Dr. Waldrep but actually did get to meet Dr. Suh
who was very funny and managed to make the whole group feel at ease.

I first met Drs. Waldrep and Suh on 7/24/02 during a three hour group orientation at Sutter Roseville Hospital. The orientation was very informative and answered the majority of my questions. It was helpful to hear the other individual's concerns and feedback. I also found that the packet of information they distributed was very helpful. During the group orientation they also took our vitals, weight and pre-op pictures (all behind privacy screens in the conference room).

I had my surgery on 9/23/02 and was in the hosptial for 4 days. I had problems in the hospital with high blood pressure and spent 2 days in ICU. However, I was so pleased with the level of care I received by the nurses - they were just great! Drs. Waldrep and Suh were very caring and attentive. I can't express enough my thanks and appreciation for all the wonderful care I received.

I had my first post-up apt. on 10/1/02. I was Dr. Suh and he removed my drainage tube. I was very glad to get rid of that! I have been doing well since then. I am 3 weeks post-op and have lost 25 lbs!

Overall - I have the highest respect and regard for Drs. Waldrep and Suh.

Well, I'm back with Dr. Waldrep now. I couldn't get my medical group to approve Dr. Rabkin but that's okay. I've heard a lot of really good things about Dr. Waldrep. I really wanted to have the duodenal switch but I'll take the RNY. That was what I was planning on having at first anyway so it will be okay. I go for my initial consult on May 7th. Getting closer... It seems like the time just drags on and on.

5/11/02 I saw Dr. Suh, (Dr. Waldrep's associate) last Tuesday and he was really great. Made me feel really comfortable; explained everything and emphasized the risks. I asked him how many times he had drawn the diagrams of the surgery and he said at least 300, haha! He explained that this is only a tool (haven't we all had that drilled into our heads?) and explained the different kinds of WLS and why they preferred the Roux-en-Y. There were a couple ladies in the waiting room that I chatted with and they both like Dr. Waldrep and Dr. Suh a lot. Also, the staff was awesome! So sweet and pleasant. I would really recommend them from what I know already! I don't have any complaints. I want to say that Robin is the BOMB! She calls you back right away and sometimes after hours. She called me at 6:30 pm to tell me I got a surgery date!

9/15/02 I met Dr. Waldrep on the day of surgery and I think that's the only time I will see him. He was very sweet. He came in to ask me if I had any questions and I said not really, but I heard you were really good at this and he said, "oh, yeah? Have you been talking to my mother?" HAHA! He visited me in the room after surgery but I don't remember a lot 'cause it's all a blur now. He was really nice, that's all I remember. Dr. Suh will be taking my drain out on my post-op visit.

I first met with Dr. Suh for my consultation in August 2001. Dr. Suh was very friendly and thorough, taking the time to explain the medical progression of gastric bypass and what they would perform. He also explained the pre-op steps that I needed to do, prior to surgery and was very kind.

I did not meet Dr. Waldrep until my pre-op appt. Dr. Waldrep was very kind and thorough as well. He answered all my questions and is very compassionate. They both went over the "scary sheet" to ensure I understood the possible complications, yet also reassured me at the same time.

Dr. Waldrep performs the surgery lap. I would rate his bedside manner and skill an 11 on a scale of 1-10. He did an amazing job, I have tiny scars and returned to work in three weeks. My strength is good, I feel great and 8 weeks post-op have lost 30 pounds. For the first time in my life, I feel in control of my body.

Would I recommend Dr. Waldrep and Dr. Suh??? You bet your life!

Just an update... the aftercare has been great. At five months post op, I have lost 60 pounds. Dr. Suh is great!

9/9/2002 Update... Eight months post op, I have lost 82 pounds. Everything is going great. New found hobby... tubing down the Yuba River!

I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Waldrep and Dr. Suh several times so far.

I have attended a monthly support group in Roseville that most of their patients attend and to the delight of everyone, Dr. Waldrep usually tries to stop in for a small chat!

Dr. Waldrep and Dr. Suh also do the 3 hour consultation that is required of their office. They split the consultation up and both express their views very clearly. I loved the opportunity to really feel like you know them and have the atmosphere to visit and ask questions.

They were completely honest and upfront with both the good and the bad. Their staff is very friendly and helpful. The office really looks into the whole patient. They are structuring their office to be there as much as possible both before and after the surgery.

They are wonderful and I couldn't have picked anyone better! I feel completely comfortable with them and trust that my surgery will go very smoothly. If you are looking to them for your surgery you have no need to look any further!

Very impressed after meeting surgeon at initial consultation and support group.

Waldrep is the name but you'll actually see Dr Sui. He is wonderful - kind and seems sensitive to our issues. Office is in Roseville, right next to the hospital you'll stay at. The hospital is excellent - truly a treat to stay there.

8/8/02 just signed up for this, so here's the background that I have experienced thus far...
Dr. Waldrep is the surgeon that I have chosen. I followed the path and suggestions of Dr. Waldrep's Office, Dr. Hopkins, the nutritionist, the phychologist, and my primary care physician. I am on my way. I was able to meet with Dr. Waldrep and Dr. Suh on July 12 for a seminar/workshop on the weight loss surgery. I spent the morning, along with my husband, learning about the doctors, staff, the surgery and its risks and benefits. LEARNING LOTS. I had been researching the surgery for about a year and a half. They do everything that they can to make sure that you are very well informed. They took my weight, took my picture, and sent me on my way into the classroom-style room. We watched a video and then Dr. Waldrep went through a very thorough explanation of the procedure. Dr. Suh then explained the after-care process. I enjoyed the seminar and suggest it for anyone else interested in the surgery. VERY INFORMATIVE.

Robin, from Dr. Waldrep's office, had been sick when Dr. Hopkins had given me his okay to have the surgery. I called and left a message for Robin so that I could schedule my surgery date, but I didn't get a call back. I was losing faith. You see, I had gone to see another doctor and surgeon, but their office didn't return my phone calls. I stopped calling and figured that it was just not meant to be. So, I was afraid that this might be the same situation. HOWEVER, it was just not the case with Robin. I got a phone call from her at 6:00 at night a couple of days after my last phone call while I was at home. She apologized emphatically and explained that she had been very very ill, in the hospital, and unable to get back to me. The time of day said it all. She was working many extra hours to make sure that she got back to people as quickly as possible in order to schedule their surgeries. She called to let me know that I was going to need a cardiac clearance and EKG. I asked about scheduling a surgery date, and she said that she was going to wait until she got those two things before scheduling. I said PLEEEEEAAAASE!!! I promised to make sure that they were faxed the following morning. She went ahead and gave me a tentative date of September 9, 2002. I was soooo excited. It was set and I was ready to go on the first available date. I thanked her several times and we hung up. I hadn't even checked my calendar. After hanging up, I did check my calendar and found a big conflict with another event that I had to attend. I called back and got the answering service (what else could I expect at about 6:15 at night?). I told the service that I had just gotten off of the phone with Robin and thought she was still in the office. Sure enough, they rang into the office and I was able to fill her in. She gave me the very next available date of SEPTEMBER 12, 2002. Now that it's going to happen, now that I have a date, I'm extremely excited. I will finally have all of the tools I believe that I will need in order to find the thin me waiting to come out.

The rest of the staff at Dr. Waldrep's Office that I have encountered so far have been great. Michelle, the receptionist, is very nice and does what she says she will do. I haven't had any occasions where I have been mislead.

I'll fill you in more as time goes by.

Dr. Waldrep, Dr. Suh and All of his staff are the most caring, loving people I've ever met. Every single one of them really care about their patients, they are easy going, and make the whole process so easy. Their willingness to answer any questions you may have and arming you with all the information you need to know about WLS just goes to show they are on top of everything.

Dr. Waldrep is very gentle, easy going, funny and makes you feel at ease. Dr. Suh (ass't surgeon) is very funny, very sweet and easy going as well. I've NEVER met two Doctors like these two. If they weren't surgeons, I'd say they should be on the road for a comedy show. All joking aside, they do take their work very seriously and I feel I'm in the hands of the two best surgeons in the Sacramento metropolitan area. I feel very blessed I found these two doctors.

Aftercare is a #1 priority. Follow-up care is very essential to recovery of the patient..and they stress that very much.

I would rate Dr. Waldrep/Dr. Suh a 10.

1/26/02 - I have not met him yet, although I hear he is wonderful. I cannot wait until my appointment.

5/19/02 - I had an appointment with Dr. Waldrep on April 24, but it was rescheduled for earlier in the morning with Beth (the N.P.) She was really nice and helpful. I think the office staff was great too. I can't wait to actually meet the surgeon's though.

7/5/02 - I finally met my surgeon in person! He is great! He is nice and complete and very thorough. I can't wait!

7/26/02 - WHAT A GREAT DOCTOR! That is all I have to say. With his sensitivity and humor he manages to change a lot of lives. Great thanks and appreciation go out to him and Dr. Suh too.