Voravit Wongsa Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

DR. WONGSA COMES ACROSS VERY COLD AT FIRST. I GUESS HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT HAVING THE SURGERY. THE FIRST THING HE SAID TO ME WAS "I DONT THINK YOU NEED THE SURGERY" THEN FOLLOWED WITH "YOU KNOW YOU COULD DIE FROM THIS". WHEN HE KNOWS JUST HOW SERIOUS YOU ARE HE LIGHTENS UP A LITTLE.

HIS OFFICE STAFF WAS GREAT. ALL OF THEM WENT OUT OF THEIR WAY TO HELP.

I thought Dr. Wongsa was very kind and knowledgeable. He spoke with me and my husband regarding my health and the procedure he was going to perform. He has a great staff and they have first hand information and experience. Dr. Wongsa is a very serious surgeon. If your mindset isn't right, don't go see him. You need to be serious about your weight and your health risks. Dr. Wongsa emphasizes absolutely no carbs for six months before and after surgery. The day I met him, he told me to stay off carbs for six months. I was told that after the procedure, he will see you after the first week, then six weeks and then 3 months. After that, I think it's on a yearly basis or as needed.

My husband talked with Dr. Wongsa regarding the risks and he explained that with all surgeries there are risks. There's a risk of infection, leakage and death. Dr. Wongsa has performed this procedure over 800 times.

I was so nervous before meeting with Dr. Wongsa that my blood pressure was through the roof. After my visit, I was at ease. He made me calm down and we had a great visit. He also examined me in his office. All in all, the visit went extremely well.

Dr Wongsa is a no BS kind of person. I like that alot. My mother used him for her surgrey 2 years ago and has had nothing be complete secess! After meeting him a few times my 1st impression was the same. He tells you how it is, like what he is saying or not doesnt matter to him. Its not mean at all, just matter of fact. You can die from this surgrey he told me. He explained every little detail about it and took as long as i needed to understand and ask all my questions. Things to know about him are that Ruth and Jackie that work for him are just WONDERFUL. They bust their arces to make sure you get this surgrey. They handled everything for me, and I had a rough time getting approved. The only thing I dont like is that there is no aftercare programs with him. There are a few support groups in this area that are easy to find out about, so thats not such a big deal. I'll rate him again after my surgrey, but right now he is a 10 out of 10 to me and my mother who used him 2 years ago.

I have not meet with Dr. Wongsa yet. I have an appointment set up with him on Feb 17, 2002. I am hoping there is a cancalation and they call me in early. Keep you updated after my appointment.

Dr. Wongsa is very straight forward and to the point. My first visit was on 11-1-02 and I was very nervous. The office staff was excellent I felt very at home. I had heard that Dr. wongsa had a very bad bedside manner, but he seemed very caring to me. He fully laid out all thie risks, which was very scary but I liked that. His waiting room was like a chat room. At the time I was there, I was the only pre-op everyone else was there for fu visits. They were all very nice in sharing their stories and answering all my questions also. If you do not want to hear it straight and to the point, I do not recommend him. If you can handle it, he was excellent. I now have 4 friends that have had surgery with him in the last year. Only one of them is having a few problems. He does not really have an aftercare program, which I wish he did. He just says eat lean meats and green leafy veggies. I so far, would rate him and his staff a 9. I would have to say his surgical competence was great he seems to be very educated in helping obese people change their lives.

I had my first office visit with Dr. Wongsa on Monday, Dec 9, 2002. He is a very nice man. He is very to the point and does not beat around the bush or candy coat anything. he tells you all the risks of the surgery and what to expect. Also when he tells you he does not want you to do something he means it. I think he is awesome!!

The office staff is very friendly and down to earth. Jackie is wonderful. What I think is great is the two girls in the office have also had this procedure done as well:)

Well I was kinda scared at first, had been told and read that Dr. Wongsa was very stern and kinda inpersonable, but when I met him, he was very nice, he was stern, and tells you just like it is. Nothing hidden. He explained the procedure, drawing a picture to explain exactly what happens, then he saw I had a tablet full of questions, and told me to go ahead and ask my questions, so I did and he answered everyone of them. I left that day from his office feeling this was a very nice doctor, and very confindent in the surgery he performs. He is stern, he doesn't want to waist your time, if your not gonna be complient. Over all, his whole office staff is great, and makes you feel very comfortable and welcome. They wasn't nothing that I didn't like about his office, very nice office and super friendly staff.I would tell anyone seeing Dr. Wongsa, to be serious and willing to do your part (be complient). He explained the aftercare, post followup visits, and does explain all risk (kinda scary because he does put it all out on the table) but like any other surgery, all doctors have to tell you the worst that could happen, doesn't mean it will, just have faith in the all mighty God. I rate Dr. Wongsa along with his staff a 10 +. I haven't had surgery, yet, just got news today that I have been approved by my insurance (united health care), schedled Jan 22, 2003

Dr Wongsa was very kind, direct an to the point. He doesn't waste your time with repeat visits. When I left his office after the initial consultation I had all my pre op instructions with me. The staff was very friendly and efficient. They are familiar with the different types of insurance and know what you need to do to get approval. The only thing I wish he did was nutritional counselling for after surgery. The only thing he says is to eat lean meat and vegetables... and to take your flintstones! I was slightly confused about what exatly constituted soft foods but I got by ok.

When I first met Dr. Wongsa he was very professional and very strict about what he does and follow-up. He was very thorough in answering my list of questions I brought with me and informed me of the risks of surgery. He told me that if I was not serious about losing the weight that I should not have the surgery. My assignment was to lose 5 lbs before surgery to prove that I was serious. (I lost 15) He was very thorough in his explanation of the procedure and what things might look life after surgery. He was very realistic with me and made no pie in the sky promises. Later into the conversation I saw that he also had a sense of humor. I was also impressed that he has been doing this surgery for over 8 years. He has great bedside manners as well as surgical competence. I could not find a surgeon in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area with as much experience.
Dr. Wonga's office staff also sold me on him becasue they were so professional yet relational. It did help that his front nurse, Jackie, was a walking example of the surgery. In the patient waiting area we all sit and talk about our experiences and no one was dissatisfied with Dr. Wongsa. You can call the office and ask all the questions you want and the staff does not seem put-off.
He does not have an aftercare program other than coming back to see him at specific intervals in the following 18 months along with lab work. Dr. Wongsa's philosophy is that you get oriented back into your old life as soon as possible. He does not believe in eating special foods but instead lean meats and vegetables. He does not push support groups because he wants his patients to not feel segregated from the rest of the world. However, I dod wish there was some printed materials as far as dietary issues and maybe questions most oftened asked. But it does help to be able to call and talk right away to a nurse.
After surgery I have gone back to see Dr. Wongsa and he greets me by name and we talk like old friends. As you can see I like my surgeon. On a scale of 1-10 and 10 being the highest I would give him a 10+. However, these are just my own personal feelings towards Dr. Wongsa and each person has to experience him for yourself.

My first impression of Dr. Wongsa was that he is abrasive. My impression of him has not changed too much. He is a good surgeon and explained all of the risks of this surgery in great length. Dr Wongsa's office staff is always helpful and friendly. The thing I like least about Dr. Wongsa is that he is too focused on exactly how much weight you should lose each month. I didn't have this surgery to worry about losing exactly 10 pounds by a certain amount of time. The weight has come off at its own pace. I exercise, eat well, and feel healthier than I've ever felt in my life. I believe his surgical competence is better than his bedside manner.