William Rupp Bariatric Surgeon M.D., FACS, FASMBS

Update: 4/10/03. I finally met Dr.Rupp on a one to one visit. I was very impressed with the way he answered all of my questions, and the fact that he was so very easy to talk to. I felt that I had his full attention, and never once felt like he was in a rush to finish with me, and move on to his next patient.
Original Comments:
I have only seen Dr. Rupp during the 1st group meeting that took place nearly a year ago. At that time, I was especially impressed with him and his reputation. Joyce is the main person that I've been workig with from his office thus far, but she really knows her stuff. She's been extremely helpful with answering all of my questions, most of them before I have time to ask. I have been extremely frustrated at the length of wait time there has been (almost a yr now), but I also understand there are a lot of ppl like me who are in need of attention and they are overloaded. I try to be patient for my April meeting with Joyce and Dr. Rupp to take place and more so, for my May surgery date to roll around. I think the think I would tell others is that the wait for surgery can be very frustrating, but Dr. Rupp and his staff make sure everything is done very carefully and compentant. I know that can only benefit me, in that I'd certainly not want a surgeon who rushed through it without making sure all was prepared for correctly.
To me, surgical competence is top priority, but I also feel that bedside manner play an important role in better recovery.

Dr Rupp did the VBG in 97, and he was wonderful, thru all. I now have since visited Dr Rupp, due to needing the surgery again. He was great, I would not go to another surgeon. He knows what he's doing, and is very good at it

Stephanie @ Dr.Rupp's office is always prompt with calling me back and she is so patient...When she called me for my surgery date she got just as excited as I did! (well not quite because I was jumping up and down but you know what I mean :)
So I finally met Dr. Kelly (Dr. Rupp's Partner) and he was very easy to talk to. I had a list of serious questions and he had no problem with answering any of them. So far I'm completely satisifed and I'm glad he was so relaxed because I was not:)

My husband and I met with Dr. Rupp and Joyce on 1/16/03. This was our first one-on-one apt. with Dr. Rupp. I was so impressed with how he treated us, answered questions and helped us make our decision on whether to go with the VBG or Roue en Y. After Dr. Rupp taking time to answer our questions,we chose VBG. Dr. Rupp and his staff (Joyce, Stephanie, etc.) have always treated me very well and took the time for me. I am totally impressed with their entire program from the before care to the proposed after care. My apts. with Lana were well worth my time. I look forward to their after program and have heard nothing but raving reviews about Dr. Rupp and his program. Dr. Rupp has a great personality that I see so far and look forward to having all his staff's support during this life changing journey.

I think he is wonderful. He and his staff truly care about their patients and treat them like real human beings instead of just statistics. I have found that everyone who works for Dr. Rupp is caring, kind and know's what they're all talking about. I would suggest his program to anyone who is serious about losing weight.

He and his staff have developed an awesome after care program and there is alot of support both before, during and after surgery.

Dr.Rupp and his nurse Joyce both take the time to explain in great detail what surgery will be like. Joyce is awesome at explaining the risks of not eating properly or overeating. She shows you exactly what you're going to be getting and makes sure you understand everything before she goes on. If you have questions, you don't have to worry that they won't be able to answer them. If they don't have to answer right that minute, they will get it for you before you leave the office.
Over all, I'd say that anyone lucky enough to have Dr. William Rupp as their surgeon, should know that they are in good hands.

Dr Rupp know his stuff. He made me feel relaxed. I had a lot of questions about the surgery and he answered all of them. When ever I called Joyce his nurce I recieved a call right away. They all are very great to work with.

A friend of my husbands (from work) had wls with Dr. Rupp as her surgeon. She liked him a lot, and had many positive things to say about him. When I brought up the subject with my pcp, he also recommended Dr. Rupp (acutally he said he would only recommend him!) After waiting 2 months to get a "large group information session" I met Dr. Rupp. I had done some searching on the internet and read Barbara Thompson's book "WLS Finding the Thin Person Hiding Inside You" and "The Doctor's Guide to WLS" (I think, I lent it out, so I'm not sure)I had lots of questions and Dr. Rupp answered all of the ones that I had that weren't personal issues for me. I liked him, and was even more comfortable with my decision to have VGB. He is very upfront with his mortality rate (3 patients in 20 years(?)and over 2 thousand operations- sorry, about the numbers). He stresses two kinds of after-care with Lana - either private counseling or group therapy. The hardest thing has been the waiting. I saw Dr. O'Neil for the psych eval - that took a long time too. I found him to be more aware than other doctors I have encountered. But again, long waits - two months to take the test, he said it would be three weeks before he called with a new appt date (and it was exactly) and then another month for that appointment. I also had a sleep apnea test done, but by the time I had that, my approval had come in:), and then it was a month wait from getting the approval to finding out when my surgery would be. But I have learned patience, and believe that it is all on a pre-destined timeline and there is not much I can do about it but wait. I also liked Joyce, who admitted right away that her speech might be a little dry because she has said it a lot of times. I have talked to Stephanie several times on the phone, with my questions.

I was way overwhelmed with first meeting, which was info meeting. Just after I was given my date of surgery, I met with Dr. Rupp himself. My fiance and I were kinda concerned with what almost seemed like an assembly line surgery, but talking with him I became much more relaxed. He has done over 3,000 of these. There are three patients that have died of his, and none of those were attributed to his surgery, and all well after surgery... His nurse Joyce is a little cold in her recital of necessary requirements, and eventual procedurespre and post operative. He is a little arrogant sounding, but with his success rate, I think he may have earned some bragging rights.The whole process is very well spelled out both pre and post operative... I think both surgical competence AND bedside manner are important. Competence is needed for nervous waiting, AND for successful surgery, and bedside manner for ease afterward, as well as for the safety of patient......

I met with Dr. Rupp and his assistant Joyce today. The information that I was given was very informative. Dr. Rupp made great eye contact and took lots of time for me, even with his busy schedule. I was impressed and feel that I am in good hands with him as a surgeon.
The office was pretty basic, nothing special but comfortable - all the chairs were for heavy people. The receptionist and nurses were very nice. I have no complaints.

You first meet Dr. Rupp at an informational meeting with between 100-200 other people. As I remember Joyce his nurse first gave insurance information. Then a slide presentation coveing the surgeries and other general information. The question and answer session at the end answered everyone's questions. If you did not have your question answered you either left early or didn't ask it as Dr. Rupp stayed until he had answered them all and the last person left. Dr. Rupp does only open surgeries. He does not require you to lose weight prior to surgery. AFTERCARE is VERY important to him for long term success. Your first appointment is with his nurse Joyce. You are given all pertinent information and steps you need to follow to surgery. She is very efficient. You don't actually meet Dr. Rupp till about 2 weeks before your surgery so if you are waiting to talk to him to decide on which is better for you you won't know till then. However when you do meet him one on one he takes the time to answer any and all questions. He talks over the risks for you and what precautions are taken. He is an EXCELLENT surgeon. Bedside manner good with patient sometimes a little abrupt if visitors ask questions. He and Joyce are well organized. He is in great demand so be prepared for a wait for surgery. I felt I put my life in the hands of a very competent caring surgeon.