I live in Miami but my surgery will be in Atlanta GA with Dr. Michael Williams. It's been a long year waiting for my insurance to approve and find the right doctor. But it's Done!! I'm so excited. My surgery Cordinator just sent me my flight itinerary and hotel reservations.

I had a very bad experience. I felt this drs office staff was incompetent- specifically calling me and asking for the wrong gender, or calling me by the wrong name (despite requests to use the correct name (there seemed to be confusion between my name and the doctors for some reason despite us being different ethnic background and a strong disparity in height/weight/hair color), and giving me information- then asking me if I had had a different surgery. I found myself questioning the security/accuracy of my records. The office manager once called me to 'discuss my concerns'- I was promised a callback, 3 months later I have yet to receive that call back. When I was having a 2nd endoscopy, I felt Dr Williams attempted to make a joke? (maybe it was but when I am on a table afraid (I have PTSD, etc and vibrations scare me) perhaps that was not a time for humor? I have heard and read about some really amazing 'teams'- I felt I was on my own... I never got phone calls or follow up. My information was, I felt, minimal (so very glad for Facebook!!!). Tone of voice can mean a lot to me and when I feel staff is not listening or caring- I don't like that experience. I got an apology that felt very hollow, only after I called out someone on a situation (not being able to get my name right, despite many request to...call me by the correct name). I had an RNY, then a stricture/scarring (it happens, I don't blame the surgeon). I then had complications. I learned a very valuable lesson- be your OWN advocate! When I asked the surgeon about my weakness I felt the 'you have gone from 4000 to 400 calories' explanation was...not correct. I felt not heard. Long story short- I had a bleeding ulcer (again, no blame on this surgeon, its happens...(my self joke was 'if there is a 5% chance of it happening- I had it!). What I did not like at all is the complete lack of follow up with the office. Calls went unreturned, emails not answered, promises not kept (again, for me, I can't speak for other patients). I did call & file a grievance with the insurance company. I was told (by the insurance company) that the office said they did not want to lose me as a patient/would contact me. That was over 2 months ago, still no phone call (I have since gone to another surgeon). It was such a relief to leave that office knowing I would not go back. I felt I need/ed to trust the surgeon & his office, for me...there was simply no trust. (if you fib to me, and I catch it- no.). 5 hospital stays in 4 months....I never want to be recognized by an ER staffer & 2 nurses on sight! The hospital folks were terrific but...I would rather be known at the gym, or library...bookstore? dog park? but NOT the hospital (smile). The surgeon seemed very pleased about my weight loss (I was told to expect 90 lbs in 6 months) I lost 90 lbs in 3 months. In 7 months I have lost 140 lbs. Every (other) medical person has said that was/is 'extreme', yet I felt this surgeon was 'pleased',. I still struggle with extreme weakness (so glad I am on disability!) I am now anemic. I still do not exercise (no energy)- one upside is, it is giving my brain time to catch up with my body!!! I have lost 10-12 inches in the waist, have gone from a 4XL(T) to a 1XL(T?)- the T is I am very very tall and all 'trunk' so I have always had to find longer shirts. I have had people totally not recognize me, or be confused (being very tall and bearded is a factor). Oh, per the norm, my hair and beard are thinning/brittle. I finally had a hair cut recently - after 7 months. I am startled by the hair thinning as I have always been proud of my 'thick head of hair' (again, no blame on this to the surgeon or his staff). I would not recommend this surgeon or his office staff. It was not a good experience. I asked myself the other day if a choice of being dead by now (my blood sugars were out of control (I am no longer diabetic!), mobility issues, a plethora of co-morbidities (sleep apnea, hypertension, depression,etc..etc..). or of living this life now (extreme weight loss but so tired, struggling to get a handle on whats wrong (is it depression? low iron? the apnea? I am working to find answers to those questions. Seeing a plethora of differing doctors plus my therapists is exhaustion.