Drake Bellanger Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

My first impression of Dr. Bellanger is that he is a very informed and straight to the point surgeon. He seems very competent. I was very comfortable with him during my first consultation. He informed me of all the steps that would be required and also the risks.

His office staff was at NeWeigh. They have been very supportive and always willing to answer any question I have. They have never seemed to be bothered by any of my questions or problems that have come up with insurance. They also informed me of every step that I believed to be important to making the decision to go forward with surgery. They also have done most of the dealing with my insurance, therefore taking alot of the stress off of me.

Dr. Bellanger and staff stress before, during and after care. Since most of the NeWeigh staff has had the operation, they are very informed and supportive of all the steps and procedures that must take place to use this tool to be successful.

I would rate both surgeon and staff from a 1-10 scale -- an 11.

I believe that competence is the most important aspect of this whole journey, with bedside manner a very close second.

My first impression was hey I know this guy, yea we were in the same class in high school, so i new i could ask him any and all questions and get and honest answer.
The more questions my wife and I asked, and his honest answers eased my mind about this major life style change. He and his staff were great and reasuring, making my decision easier to go through with the surgery. Dr. Drake and the staff were very thorough in there preop testing and the staff at Vista were also great, comforting my family and myself while there. He emphasied about coming to the support group meeting, that they were informative about aftercare and maintaining protien intake, products and all that good stuff, but the 2 hour drive, just can't do it. I talk to alot of people who have had wls or who knew someone and they tell me so and so had to stay 9 days in icu, one said a friend stayed in and out of hospital for weeks due to complications they had, don't know the situation but i was in and out in 3.5 days, no problems with anything except few times maybe ate too fast are didn't chew well, but hey, Im doing just great, so on that I'd rate Dr. Drake a really competant and caring surgeon

Dr. Bellanger was very patient and listened to all of my concerns. He answered all of my questions. Some of the answers were not what I wanted to hear i.e. risks of surgery, possible complications. He informed me up front that this was no miracle and it was up to me post-operatively to begin working on changing some of the habits I had developed over my lifetime. (sedentary lifestyle, grazing etc)

He encouraged me strongly to attend the support group both before and after surgery. His office staff was very helpful and friendly.

My surgery went very smoothly with no complications. Dr. Bellanger has a wonderful bedside manner.

I have no negative comments to make. This was an experience that has absolutely transformed my life. I went from being almost a recluse at a size 28-30 to being a very active size 12. I swim, walk, fish, travel and do all the things that I have been unable to do for years.
Thanks, Dr. Bellanger!

DR. DRAKE BELLANGER TOOK AS MUCH TIME AS I NEEDED OF HIM ON MY CONSULTATION, HE WAS VERY PATIENT WITH ME; GREAT BEDSIDE MANNER. HE ANSWERED ALL OF MY QUESTIONS. MY IMPRESSION OF HIM DID NOT CHANGE OVER TIME BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT. THE STAFF AT NE WEIGH IN BATON ROUGE IS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL, VERY HELPFUL, ALWAYS FRIENDLY. NEW PATIENTS, BE PREPARED, DR. BELLANGER IS VERY THOROUGH, DOES NOT BEAT AROUND THE BUSH, HE WILL TELL YOU LIKE IT REALLY IS. DR. BELLANGER AND THE STAFF AT NE WEIGH HEAVILY EMPHASIZED THE SUPPORT GROUPS; THESE ARE VERY INFORMATIVE AND CAN BE A LOT OF FUN, VERY WELL STRUCTURED WITH INFORMATIVE TOPICS.
DR. BELLANGER EXPLAINED THE RISKS OF THE GASTRIC BYPASS VERY THOROUGHLY TO ME, THIS IS NOT A SIMPLE PROCEDURE TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY, IT IS A LIFE CHANGING SURGERY!!!
DR. DRAKE BELLANGER HAS SAVED MY LIFE BY PERFORMING THIS SURGERY ON ME, I SING HIS PRAISES EVERY WHERE I GO!!!!!! SURGICAL COMPETENCE OR BEDSIDE MANNER..LET'S SEE.. HE POSESSES BOTH, BOTH ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

Quiet.

But answered all questions that I had about the lap band versus rny.

When it came time to talk money very vague answers and not sure who to direct them to.....

I had my first appointment with Dr. Bellanger at Neweigh and I was really nervous. Dr. Bellanger was very nice and informative. My visit was very short and to the point. Neweigh was GREAT! You could not ask for a better staff. Everything was really left up to me as to making a decision. I finally made a decision. I proceded with all of tests and was approved immediately. I am now scheduled for surgery on June 21, 2004.

I am 3 days post op and Dr Bellanger performed lap gastric bypass. My first impression of him was that he was very professoinal but also interested in what I had to say. He took his time and did not hurry me like some dr's do. The staff at Neweigh was great. They handled my insurance and made all my pre op appointments. All I had to do was show up. I would recommend Dr Bellanger by being a poster girl on billboards all over Louisiana.
They have a ongoing group meeting for beginning post op patients as well as a advanced class. He explained to me all the risks associated with WLS and answered all of my questions. I would rate him a 10+. Of course surgical competence is more important but bedside manner builds trust and eases fears. It is so wonderful to find both in Dr Bellanger and staff at Neweigh.

Dr. Bellanger is an excellent surgeon and he really cares about his patients. He patiently answered all my questions and we talked about my fears. When I left his office I was confident that I had made the right choice of surgeons and operations. His assistant Holly is excellent also.
The NeWeigh office is great too! All the people are caring and really want you to succeed. They handle the aftercare groups once a week. Dr. Bellanger stresses that it is very important to attend the meetings.
Vista hospital and ALL of the people who work there are great! The nurses and the nurses aides, the physical therapist, the pulmonary therapist, and the phlebotomist are all excellent.
I think that Dr. Bellanger gets an A+!

Dr. Bellanger was great. He didn't rush my husband and I at all at our first meeting. He answered all of questions and then took the time to ask if we had anything to add or ask. His staff at Neweigh was wonderful. I feel very comfortable with my decision to go through Neweigh and have Dr. Bellanger as my surgeon. I am waiting for my pre op visit and a surgery date.

Dr Bellanger has a wonderful bedside manner.
He took the time to explain to me all aspects of WLS Good and Bad. He is not one to sugar coat this life decision.Talking with him and his staff helped me to understand the changes that I would have to make in my life.
In my opinion he is the best.I am so happy that he performed my surgery!

Thank's Dr Bellanger!!!!