James Weber Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

I first met Dr. Weber at his surgery orientation in November 2001. I instantly liked him. He is personable, serious, forthright and almost "humble." He answered any and all questions asked of him with great detail and honesty. I was also quite impressed with his nurse, Edie. I spent about an hour with her on the phone prior to attending the orientation and found her very direct and knowledgeable. Edie grilled me about my current level of exercise and gave me some fantastic suggestions for ways to increase my exercise. She also gave me some really sound nutritional advice. This was all BEFORE I even became a patient. Dr. Weber and Edie are passionate and strict about exercise. As Edie says, everyone in Dr. Weber's office exercises in one form or another, so they "practice what they preach," so to speak.

Dr. Weber's office. The office is extremely busy. You can call and call and get a busy signal and on other days get right through. I've heard from other folks that there is usually a long wait when you are there for an appointment, but have not had that experience. In terms of his staff, I honestly have mixed feelings about Pam, she is obviously extremely busy, but can be short and abrupt at times. Then there are times when she is very pleasant and easy to speak with. I think that some people just have different ways of dealing with stress. Lisa is wonderful, also helpful, cheerful and positive. Lisa always gets backed to you when promised and always has a kind word when you speak with her.

I was comforted in my choice of Dr. Weber as a surgeon for a few reasons. First and foremost, I feel at ease with him and know that I can trust him to always be open and honest. I have also met a lot of folks locally that are living examples of his excellent surgical skill. Lastly, my primary care physician, who I adore, Linda Gromko has known Dr. Weber for 20 plus years and thinks the world of him. To use her words, "I couldn't be in better hands."

Dr.Weber, and his staff seem to be very nice. My husband went with me to my initial consult, which everyone has to attend, and it was very informative. He answered all of not only my questions but my husbands as well. He has a very nice personality, and smiles alot. I think that is great. He seems to be very insistant about following all of the rules after surgery. He totally believes in the pureed food for a minimum of 8 weeks. I was expecting this so it wasn't such a shock but for those of you who are just shopping, he is one that is very serious. The office staff(Pam,and Edie)seem very nice, and VERY BUSY. I completely understand this because there were so many people just at the consultation. Even if only half of the people that were there are eligible or make the final decision to have surgery that is still alot of paperwork for each patient, not to mention, the patients already in the process of having surgery. So if you decide to choose Dr. Weber, give their office a break and be prepared to practice patience, and keep in the back of your mind, if his office was empty, and there were not alot of patients there, would you really want him to be your surgeon????

I started this journey on February 11, 2002 (if I remember correctly), when I attended a seminar that Dr. Weber and staff facilitate. We started out with Pam, who handles front desk and insurance responsbilities, and probably a lot more!! She really knows her stuff regarding insurance. I was impressed with her thoroughness. Dr. Weber's nurse Edie spoke and was very informative and answered the many questions of those in attendance. Dr. Weber spoke after that and was very knowledgeable. He has been doing these surgeries for a long time and knows his stuff. I felt very confident in my choice of surgeons. My husband, who attended with me, felt this way also. Dr. Weber spent quite a while, probably close to two hours, fielding questions. His packet of information was very thorough, giving what was necessary in order to proceed with the surgery. All in all, I felt very informed after the seminar.

I proceeded to work on getting done what was necessary to meet the requirements. Psych testing and evaluation, nutritional counseling, documentation for five year weight loss history, etc. When I had as much in order as I could, I made my consult appointment. I live a two-hour drive away, and didn't want to have to go down to Seattle any more than necessary. Well, my meeting with Dr. Weber went very well, and very quick. Since I had so much done in advance, I felt like the time was well spent.

My preop appt went well also. I continue to feel confident in my decision of surgeons. Well, actually my insurance company's decision of surgeons!

My experience with my first appointment with Dr. Weber caused a little anxiety for me. I felt rushed by his mannerism, and didn't get the warm and fuzzy I was hoping to get. But my appt. was on a Friday afternoon and he just wanted to go home. I know he has a fine skill and I won't let his personality get in the way of deciding if he should be my surgeon. I am sure I am in fine hands. There are so many other patients of his that I personally got to know and they all have a mutual feeling of knowing that Dr. Weber is a wonderful surgeon. He really believes in excercise and won't take any excuses. I wish to add that on my second appt. he was very sweet and kind and made me feel important. I think my first visit I caught him on a bad day. I feel very like am in goods hands truly.

Dr Weber is such a wonderful person. I feel that he gave me a new lease on life!
I am now 16 months out and weigh 126 lbs
We are in the military so left shortly after surgery but he continues to keep in contact when I email him with my updates and concerns. Thanks Dr Weber!

Dr Weber was very to the point, strict on excercise but was caring also. My impression stayed the same od him throughout everything.The office staff was helpful and did a wonderful job. Dr Weber is always late and that bothered me. Future patients should know that they will be expected to have an exercise program and he is a straight to the point kind of person. Aftercare is extremely important to Dr Weber and he will cover all these bases with you.His after care is somewhat structured but not a lot. The risks of surgery was addressesd thru the admitting staff. I would rate Dr Weber A 10. Both his bedside manner and surgical competence is great.

I liked Dr. Weber when I first went to his seminar. He answered all the questions asked of him. He described all types of surgery he does. I believe he only does them open. He is very strict about exercise! Make sure you are doing some type of exercise when you see him. I have had no problems with his office staff, they have all been very nice and helpful. While I was in the hospial, he spent time talking to my husband and sons. He is very busy so be prepared to wait when you see him in the office.

Dr. Weber asked me why I chose him. I said, "Because you do it right."

He is demanding. Preop, he wants many evaluative criteria done. And, he is a tyrant about doing exercise. Then, in all of this, you attend his seminar and see his statistics. They are super because he has such high standards.

As I approach surgery, I do so with full confidence in Dr. W. I should add that I am a retired anesthesiologist, and when I say good things about Dr. W., I know whereof I speak.

His aftercare is superb. I know, not from experience, but from knowing so many who have had surgery done by Dr. W. This includes two colleagues at work + my own daughter.

As for bedside manner, well, Dr. W. is a surgeon and has a typical surgeon's demeanor. Despite the exterior, there is a caring, teddy bear inside. But, please don't tell him I said that.

Dr. Weber is excellent. He does a great job surgically and his style is warm and friendly. Some of his printed materials aren't so great, but that's a minor shortfall.

I did not like him at first.

It was more my insecurity than him. I love him, and he cares about his patients...

His office staff are terrific.

I did not like that he is always in a hurry (there are so many of us!)

Don't let any first impressions deter you, he is a wonderful man.

I don't know if there is a structured aftercare program - I was unusual in the fact that I was military, and moved soon after.

My rating, via the Ebert system, Two thumbs up!!

Both his competence and bedside manner are great, but as I said, he is a busy man, and the reason for this is because he is an excellent surgeon...