Michael Holzman Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

I am going to Vandy in Nashville to have my surgery done and Dr. Holzman is going to be my surgeon. I've attended his seminar and I loved the fact the lap-band surgery is the only one that he performs because he doesn't believe in any of the other ones. He seemed very knowledgable and appeared to have a good bedside manner...hope all goes well!

I met Dr Holzman Tuesday, June 10th, after great frustration from the whole process....my papers got lost, said more was needed prior to filing forinsurance approval, etc. However, Dr Holzman was wonderful. I had heard he was a great dr but was very direct and would tell it like it was....which I happen to like. He came in and had a LENGTHY visit with me (and my sister). I had several questions, and had not truely decided if I wanted Lap-band or gastric. Everyone one I know that has had WLS has had gastric. I do NOT know one person who has had lap-band....that worries me a little. Dr Holzman talked to me at length about the surgeries. Stating the pros and cons of each. (He only does Lap-band.) I had not lost any weight since beginning the process last November...I had not really been trying. He wanted me to lose 10 lbs prior to setting a surgery date. I can do that! He said the reason was that if I struggled to loose the 10 lbs then lap-band wasn't for me. Lap-band is a tool only. He gave a great analogy.....Dr Holzman said this....\"If you remember nothing else, remember that the lap-band DOES NOT WORK.\" This stunned me, but then he went on to say \"It is a tool to help YOU lose weight. For example, if I give you a hammer, it is NOT going to build you a house. You will have to purchase wood, nails, etc. and you will have to exert the effort to build the house. The hammer serves as a TOOl only\".....okay...I got that. Great illustration. He has had a wide variety of patient success. He stated there are some who lose 75% of excess weight to those that lose none. The difference he indicated was dedication, motivation, continual care and support. Overall I was very impressed with his chairside/bedside manner :o) I appreciate honesty and not sugarcoating. To me...it is important to have a great doctor/surgeon in skill and communcation ability! I would highly recommend Dr Holzman, thusfar. Oh...on that note I will tell you he only does bariatric on Tuesday mornings. The rest of the week he does general surgery.....from my understanding.

Great doc! In and out of the office lick-a-dee split! =)