Dr. Frank Felts - Word of Caution

[ronnie87 8]

My mom was banded in 2007 by Dr. Frank Felts and hasn't gone in for a fill in about a year, but when she went back to True Results AfterCare (since she didn't feel comfortable going to Dr. Felts' new office in The Colony, even though he was her surgeon), they turned her away. For two different reasons:

1.) Dr. Felts isn't practicing at the Surgery Center of Richardson anymore.

2.) No doctors want to assume liability for one of his patients, because of Dr. Felts' high occurrence of post-operative complications.

Dr. Felts DOES NOT follow-up OR do his due-diligence by educating his patients. This is something to think about when considering Dr. Felts as an option for a LapBand surgeon.

Is someone who isn't backed up by his peers someone you want performing your surgery?

[kaleighzmom 1]

My mom was banded in 2007 by Dr. Frank Felts and hasn't gone in for a fill in about a year, but when she went back to True Results AfterCare (since she didn't feel comfortable going to Dr. Felts' new office in The Colony, even though he was her surgeon), they turned her away. For two different reasons:

1.) Dr. Felts isn't practicing at the Surgery Center of Richardson anymore.

2.) No doctors want to assume liability for one of his patients, because of Dr. Felts' high occurrence of post-operative complications.

Dr. Felts DOES NOT follow-up OR do his due-diligence by educating his patients. This is something to think about when considering Dr. Felts as an option for a LapBand surgeon.

Is someone who isn't backed up by his peers someone you want performing your surgery?

Hi Ronnie, I was banded by Dr. Felts in Sept of this year. I was suprised to read this. You see I researched all the DFW area lap band doctors for 6 months before having surgery. Not only I, but my husband who is a private investigator for the Dallas PD did as well. When I first met Dr. Felts, I instantly liked him. He was very thorough and genuinely wanted to make sure that I understood everything that was involved with this procedure. He had wonderful bedside manner and follwed up by phone personally the day of and the three days after surgery. Anytime I need anything or have any questions he is there to help immediately. I am sorry you guys had a bad expierience. Also, some doctors prefer not to touch another doctors patient because of the liability that is involved. Most doctors use this tactic. (I am an RN at a leading hospital in the metroplex, and my father is a heart surgeon here as well.) It is not unusual for a doctor to not want to touch another doctors work. It would be very easy for a patient to try and sue a new doctor for a past doctor's mistake. I am interested however, where you got your information about Dr.Felts high occurence of post-operative complications. I would really like to read about it if that is possible because while my husband and I were both researching/investigating Dr. Felts before surgery, I couldn't find any type of complaints or post operative problems. Could you please share this info? Thanks!

[LaMonica 6]

I am sorry that your experience was a bad one. I was banded by Dr. Felts May 2008 and he also called me from his cell phone the day after surgery and also the next week although he was out of town on vacation. Dr. Felts is no longer with True Results which would be the reason why they turned you away, and like the other poster said most surgeons will not just "assume" or take over another surgeon's client, especially when the original surgeon is still local and still practicing.

I was very educated not only by Dr. Felts' staff but by him as well during each one of my fill visits that were all done by him personally. If I had any questions, he would answer and not just some nurse. He would never rush through any appointments and was always prompt. I haven't had a fill in over a year but to date I have lost 130lbs. I was featured on his website after 1.5 years for a success story so I know these stories are real:

http://drfrankfelts.com/patient-results-weight-loss-surgery-dallas-texas/lamonica-lap-band-results.html

Maybe if you visit him in his new office you can get some of your issues resolved. Also nobody I know personally or researched had any complications. Thanks,

[cheryl2586 3,053]

First of all why wouldnt she see her surgeon in a year. The first five years post op are important to maintain with your surgeon. I moved and found another surgeon who took me in as a patient all he wanted was my op report and to know I didnt have an complications after surgery. He sees me regularly and is very nice. Everyone will not like their doctors or the care they get for some reason but I think it is also our duty as the patients to remain in contact with our surgeons at least yearly once banded. You need follow up care. If you are not willing to travel to see that surgeon then you need to find one that will follow you and as long as it is after care and not to redo the surgery then most surgeons will take you on as a patient as long as you are not asking them to revise what another has done.