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

I first met Dr. Waldrep at an Open House in Jan '04. This orientation meeting was so informative and I was thoroughly impressed with Dr. Waldrep's expertise and his sincere understanding about the challenges obsese people face. He was pleasant, had a great sense of humor and certainly instilled trust in his abilities with over 760 surgeries under his belt at that time.

Excellent info shared at both the open house and group meeting covering all the benefits and all the risks. Good slide show with slides of actual surgeries. Nice to see what was really going to happen internally.

I feel Dr. Waldrep is the best surgeon for this surgery because of his excellent stats and his caring personality.

Dr. Waldrep's staff has been very helpful. He has a full staff, each with an area of expertise. They have always been there to answer questions when they pop up...and they certainly have many times.

SALSA has a very strong aftercare program. Monthly support group meetings and an online support group.

I'll share more later after surgery.

Dr. Waldrep met my criteria for a surgeon easily. He is articulate, funny, personable, compassionate and a great surgeon. He is trained in trauma and I wanted to know if I "got in trouble" on the table he was capable of handling it.
First impression was not very - improved over time greatly. Offic staff is busy, just very busy. I would rate him a 10/10. I think both surgical competence and bedsie manner are both equally important and Dr. Waldrep met me in the middle on both.

Dr. Waldrep is very cool people. I appreciate the fact that he takes his time with his patients to answer all their questions, even if it makes him run late for his next appointment.

Met with Dr. Waldrep Mar. 12 for my one-on-one consult. I have heard him speak before at his seminar, group consult and a support group meeting. Very impressed with his knowledge and understanding of obesity and what this surgery means to so many people. Very caring and very funny personality. One can't help feeling comfortable around him. At the consult, we went over my past history, what to expect for surgery and in the future. He stayed to answer all my questions, without me feeling rushed out the door. Aftercare is very important on what and how to eat and the importance of exercise, even if it means starting out with walking around the house. He stresses that this surgery is a "tool" to help in the weight loss road and this tool he can give us. Surgical competence is most important to me, and Dr. Waldrep has a very good history. His great bedside manner is a special bonus!!! Pre-op, I give Dr. a 10 out of ten! 4-3-04: 10 days post op, Dr. Waldrep did a great job---what else is there to say---if you have a choice in surgeons, Dr. Waldrep is the one!---peg

Dr Waldrop is a very cool dude. Easy going and has a great support staff.

I met with Dr. Zagorski in a group setting for the first time. He seemed very knowledgable and confident in himself and the hospital staff. He has the most wonderful coordinator. She is a very helpful and caring person. He made sure that we knew the complications of this surgery. The doctor also has a very outgoing personality which takes the nervousness out of the whole ordeal. I think his surgical competence and bedside manner are just great. After meeting with Dr. Z, I was chosen to have Dr. Waldrep perform my surgery (lap rny). I think he is wonderful and is very caring.

My first impression of Dr. Waldrep was that he was very knowledgeable and kind. I had had a bad experience with another surgeon who strung me along for a year trying to get me to lose weight and every time I did he would move the goal post and though I lost 24 pounds after a while it crept back-- as if I was seeking surgery for a lark and not because I had failed for 40 years at dieting---it was like saying to a drunk, we'll let you into AA, but first you have to get sober! It was torture and I finally left his office in tears knowing that I would never have surgery with that doctor.

Dr. Waldrep was very kind in listening to me and agreeing with me about the torture part and he responded to my questions, although I had already read every book and article about the procedure and talked to friends who had had it so I was pretty well informed to start with. He continued to be kind through the surgery and post-op in the hospital. He has a great sense of humor. HOwever, my post-op visits have been entirely with his PA, who is also wonderful but I would like to see Dr. Waldrep again. His practice also sponsors group meetings the second saturday of the month with guest speakers and he has both a nutritionist and a behaviorist who is a past patient and so he does not just do surgery and that is the end of it. It is in keeping with his general brilliance that he has both pre-op and post-op educational programs for his patients. I highly recommend him and his practice as the best kind available. I am glad I finally got so fed up and frustrated with the other surgeon that I pursued Dr. Waldrep. I am grateful that he was there and took me on as a patient. I had the surgery by the time I would have had to go back to the other surgeon to again fail at dieting.

We cannot say enough complimentary things about Dr. Waldrep and his entire SALSA staff.
They have gone out of their way to make this journey possible and pleasant. Dr. Waldrep's skill is nothing short of a miracle. Walt has not had a single problem since his surgery on 12/1. He has lost about 45# thus far -- The follow-up support group meetings are valuable and informative. Walt's surgery was at the Sutter-Roseville facility and the staff there was equally super!

The only grumble is that Walt was eager to come home at 6:00 am the day of his release, and Dr. Waldrep didn't get to him until about 3:00 pm that afternoon.

Overall, I'd say he's the best!

I was so very fortunate to have this Lap RNY surgery with Dr. Waldrep. Yes, he is young but he is also extremely well-qualified. I feel I made the best decision possible in choosing this surgeon. His office is conveniently next door to the hospital, which seems more like a resort than a hospital. All rooms are private and the care is superb! It's been a wonderful experience!

I've learned he has a great aftercare program, cares about his patients, works hard, and lets one know about all the risks of surgery. This surgeon works hard to accommodate all his patients the best he can. His surgical competence and bedside manner are excellent. Dr. Waldrep is nice and easy to talk with, empathetic, intuitive, understanding, and a good surgeon. He is an expert in his field, and treats his patients with a great deal of respect. I am grateful to have a surgeon like him who truly understands the pain i have endured. One really gets the feeling he's walked in your shoes which is pretty unique. He is interested in everyone's story and is genuine. You could not ask for a better surgeon than Dr. Waldrep. His skill produces excellent results. I've lost 108 pounds in 12 months. I'm in size 10's, and almost to my goal weight.