DFW Area - Doctors Kim, Frenzel, Nicholson & Stowers

[BrownEyedTxGirl 139]

Living in the DFW area I have too many choices for a surgeon! I am hoping to have the gastric sleeve and will be paying cash (insurance covers it but don't want to wait 6 months to get things going).

I meet with Dr Kim last week and loved him and his staff! Was ready to pull the trigger but thought I should visit with a few more surgeons before making a decision. I have an appointment scheduled with Dr Clayton Frenzel this Friday and then appointments with Dr. Nick Nicholson and Scott Stowers next week.

Has anyone used these surgeons and if so do you recommend? Please feel free to share if you had a negative experience as well. I have seen lots of comments about Dr Kim (good and bad) but no so much about the other doctors.

Any input would be appreciated!

[TexCntryBoy 34]

Just to make it more confusing, let me throw in one other surgeon. Dr Nirmal Jayseeling. He has an office at Forest Lane and Central Expressway. He came highly recommended to me, has performed thousands of WLS and I found he and his staff to be wonderful!! The name kind of had me worried a little bit but his West Texas drawl made this old country boy feel comfortable right away. I'm 5 week post op and can honestly say the only unpleasant parts were the liquid diet and paying the bill. There was no pain with the surgery. I was up and walking within a couple of hours, went home the next day and missed only 4 days of work. I'm down 80#s but that can be misleading because I had 220 to lose to get to my goal. I would recommend him to anybody. Check out Dallas Bariatric before you decide.

[KellarsMom 28]

I'm scheduled for band removal and conversion to sleeve with Dr. frenzel

[BrownEyedTxGirl 139]

TexCntry - I did a little online research on Dr. Jay but decided I had to narrow my choices. I might look into him more if I don't feel comfortable with my current options. Glad to hear you are doing so well!

KellarsMom - When are you scheduled for your surgery? I originally was only interested in the lapband but after doing researched realized the gastric sleeve was best for me. Why are you going from the band to the sleeve?

[Weighting2BeFree 164]

I used Dr Smith, so did my best friend. No complications for either. Staff is great.

[skinnytiff 49]

Hi, Browneyed! Dr Kim did my inverted sleeve 3 years ago. He is an excellent doctor and your right the staff is amazing!! What I love about Kim Bariatric is the after surgery support! They have monthly support groups, monthly fitness events with Nate Newton and biking fitness events. Dr Kim throws his staff a really nice Christmas party for his patients each year. The private Facebook group is amazing!! We do 5ks/10ks together, monthly breakfast/dinner get togethers, we have gone dancing and painting together. We are doing our first KBI cruise this year!! So KBI has lots to offer and doesn't leave you hanging after your surgery. You are not just a number, you are important and success is very important to KBI. Good luck to your journey to whomever you choose!

[KellarsMom 28]

I'm scheduled for June 12th.

[KellarsMom 28]

My band is placed high. I've had it for almost 5 years and have always had a pain in my chest when eating, I assumed it was restriction. Recently I started waking up coughing and choking so I looked into a revision and that's how I discovered my band was placed high.

[Sandylou 4]

Hello, Dr Kim did my WLS and it truly saved my life. I lost 100 lbs and am off all medicines and am healthy. Dr kim and staff are the best, they are there for you if you have questions, many support groups are offered during the month and that is important to keep the weight off. I dont blame you for getting second opinions, but you can go wrong with choosing Dr Kim, I trust him fully!!! Best of luck to you what ever you decide.

[BrownEyedTxGirl 139]

KellarsMom - good luck with your surgery!

Tiff & Sandy - thank you so much for your feedback regarding your experience with Dr. Kim.

I met today with Dr. Frenzel and I am completely torn at this point. Dr Frenzel blew me away with his knowledge, success rate and compassion for my success. I was impressed with the amount of time he spent with me and it did not feel like a cattle call. I would 100% pick Frenzel over Kim. However I was not impressed with his staff or his facility. He did have a wonderful coordinator who I met with after Dr Frenzel and she was extremely helpful but the rest of the staff seemed not very knowledgable and a little lost about everything (couldn't find my file, didn't know what my charges were today, the lady who weighed me had to ask other staff member how to figure my BMI).

Driving home from his office and I receive a call from Dr Kim's office. My insurance approved me for surgery with NO waiting period!!!! Only prerequisite is 5 years weight history which I have. I was stunned!!! My insurance has told me twice that there was a six month waiting period. I had 100% planned on paying cash.

My insurance does not cover Dr Kim but it would cover Dr Holden from his office. I met with her briefly and would definitely pick Frenzel over Holden.

However I love Dr Kim's staff, facility and the hospital I would have my surgery in. The hospital as well as his office are near my house. This would make appointments and post op support groups easier for me.

I am so torn at this point!!! I have cancelled with my appointment with dr Stowers as I feel I have two really good choices at this point. Still have an appointment scheduled with Dr Nick next week and haven't decided if I will cancel or not.

Decisions....decisions!!

[KellarsMom 28]

Thank you!!!

I know their office recently went through a remodel and I had to wait a few days for them to get some of my stuff together.

Several people I know have used Dr. Frenzel and have all really said great things about him. He's the only dr I've seen regarding a sleeve so I have nothing to compare him to. Good luck with your decision

[Ms. Nunya 126]

My friend Deb had a consult with Dr. Kim. She loved his bedside manner and was very impressed with his staff. I believe she said she was having surgery in the fall, self pay. That way she "won't be able to eat" during the holidays. I hope to be doing it with her.

Edited June 21, 2015 by mrsFAB

[TexCntryBoy 34]

I'm 8 weeks post op. Off all my blood pressure and insulin. I was taking 10 pills a day plus 2 shots (180 units of Lantus). Down 103#s from 502 to 399. A milestone for me. Best thing I've ever done in my life (except for getting right with God and marrying the love of my life). Never any pain or discomfort. Good luck to everybody.

[KellarsMom 28]

Today is my 1 week postop day. I'm feeling much better. I get nauseated which I've always related that feeling to being hungry, I think that's the hardest part for me right now. I get to have milk and creamy Soups today thank goodness because I am sick of all liquids. I can add my Protein Drinks in now also, Isopure is not something I looked forward to drinking anymore. I weighed 154 this morning.

[Nikkidoodlebug 120]

@@BrownEyedTxGirl I myself am a patient of Dr Frenzel, Great Doctor!!! I would recommend him to anyone!! I have also heard a lot of good things about Dr Kim. Good luck to ya!