Michael Walters Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr Walters is a very good choice. He was very informative in all aspects of the procedure. He discussed in great detail the different types of surgery and helped me too choose which would be best for me. His office staff is also very professional and always eager to help in any way possible. I would highly reccomend him to anyone who is looking into surgery. There was nothing that I did not like about Dr Walters or his staff. He is a very caring man. His aftercare program is sure to be alot of help to me. I am scheduled for surgery on April 14th. He is a \"10\" in my eyes.rnrnI had surgery 4-14-03. 10 months out I started having complications. I tried to call my surgeon and his office was closed phone disconnected and no-one knows any thing about him. Called the hospital where I had surgery and they wouldn't tell me anything either..It has now been 6 years and complications are horrible I met with a surgeon in Tn and had to have emergency surgery went from VBG to RNY.

DR. MICHAEL DECHERD, San Antonio Texas
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I had consultations with 4 different plastic surgeons and selected this guy because he was young, nice and offered a less common procedure. I had bilateral mastopexy and augmentation and mini- brachioplasty. I'm generally satisfied with the breasts. I'm horribly disappointed with the arms. My disappointment was intensified by the lack of preparation for the post op situation. I felt like I was treated like a dollar sign. Once the dollar sign was deposited, my concerns didn't matter. Pain management was not taken seriously in regards to my WLS limitations. Generally, I'm glad I had the plastic surgery because now I know what I'm NOT looking for... I would NOT recommend Dr. Michael Decherd. He seems nice enough, but fundamentally, I think he's just too inexperienced. I thought that because I'm a young and highly effective person that he would be too... He hasn't had much experience with massive weight loss patients and my results are evidence of that. It's a shame because had I experienced something more positive, I would have returned to him for my tummy tuck and other procedures... I won't even go back for my 6 month follow up which was supposed to be this month, Feb. 06. I'm still debating litigation. It was THAT negative.
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As a surgeon, he is a 10. As far as everything else goes, he is seriously lacking. I called a couple of weeks ago because I was concerned about diarhhea and constipation. I spent the whole time on the phone listening to him tell me his views of the insurance companies and why his office coordinator behaves the way she does. When I mentioned how my stomach was making weird noises, he said, "Well, you are just a loud person." Thanks, but that's not the kind of help I want, jerkboy. He's not funny and usually just doesn't realize how callous he comes across. I'm not wasting my time with him anymore. Anyway, at this point, I can see my PCP for anything I need.
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Well, my rating of 9 has gone down to 6. The surgical competence is of utmost importance, but I'm not a pre-op anymore. Dr. Walters' demeanor is not sensitive. He doesn't let you speak and thinks he knows what you are going to say before you do. He's very patronizing. On my last visit, despite the fact that was working out 7 days a freaking week like he said, he still found something negative to say. Last week, when I was concerned about fatigue and soreness, he just dismissed it as depression. I'm very disappointed with his callous way. He needs to take some sensitivity training classes or something.
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My first impression of Dr. Walters was formed when I got the information packet in the mail. There was a picture of him and he looked scary. I had him pegged as pretty stiff. I was not completely wrong, but pretty close. He's sorta stiff, but not in the horrible way I had imagined. He really seems to know some of the feelings that obese people have. He is genuinely concerned about helping his patients, but he can only do so much. It's up to us and I intend on making the most of this tool.

Glenda and Annie, his office staff are great.

After I was released from the hospital, I was concerned about something so I called the answering service. Dr. Walter's called me back in less than 10 minutes. It only reaffirmed that I had made the right decision to have this surgery and the right choice of surgeon.

I think that Dr. Walters is a great surgeon and a terrible comedian.

I'm two weeks out and I'll rate him at a 9...since no one is perfect. :)

I still remember his warm bedside manner and I was very compliant (in the beginning) with what he asked but as most people are I soon grew weary of writing that letter once a month to let him know how I was doing and because I wasn't being compliant I was embarrassed to tell him that.

I didn't even know he was still practicing until I filled this questionnaire out. I do owe him a lot though as I am tons healthier now than I was in 1987. At 48, I feel better than I did at 28!

From the first day that I met him Dr. Walters made sure that I knew what I was getting myself into. He is a very kind and caring Man,and the best DR. that I could have ever prayed for.

What was your first impression of him/her?

No nonsense approach to his patience care. My first impression of him was pretty much what I expected from reading the literature that his office sent out prior to my initial meeting. Dr Walters offers his services to those he can help. He is very straight forward and doesn't waste allot of time trying to sell you on this type of surgery. He is very serious about the procedures that he performs and is very clear about complications and risks associated with the bariatric surgery.
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How did your impression change over time?

No, I have had the same impression of him from the very first meeting. If you have come to him for help, which all of his patients do, all you have to do is follow his directions. There is no rocket science involved in his care. The care you receive is exactly what you need to achieve and successfully transition into a new way of life.
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How would you describe his/her office staff?

They are great. Annie and Glenda are sweethearts! They have a clean, comfortable and private office setting. You see the same courteous and caring office staff each and every visit. They did all of my pre-op and post op scheduling for me and have always been accommodating to my schedule. Like Dr Walters, they are there to do their job. They do that efficiently.
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What did you like least about him/her?


He can be very strict with his patients. This worked advantageously for me but I can see where it can effect patients feelings. Dr Walters is not going to perform the surgery and then let you fail. If you fail, it will be by your own actions. When he identifies issues in your post op care, he will bring them to your attention immediately. I can see where this is probably hard for many to take, but it worked for me. I guess the fact that he is strict and to the point may not be what I want hear at the time. It sure worked for me though. Life's not easy, weight loss isn't easy. Dr Walters doesn't sugar coat anything. It can be a hard pill to swallow but a necessity.
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What should future patients know about him/her?

Future patients should know that Dr Walters is a fine Surgeon. He cares about his patients and is dedicated to seeing you succeed. His techniques and post op requirements on you will work. No one in his office promises that the procedure is easy. No one promises it to be the magic key to changing your life. From day one, Dr Walters will tell you that your surgical procedure is nothing more than a third tool in weight management. Diet, Exercise and your Pouch. All three are equally important to him. That's the key to success with him. If you cant release your hold on food and you cant start exercising everyday, the pouch is worthless. It is imperative that you understand that you have to stop 'living to eat' and start 'eating to live'. You can live on 800 calories a day and not be hungry. You can exercise everyday without fail. If you can follow directions, you can succeed at this. If you can have that frame of mind and simply LISTEN to him, you will succeed. He doesn't promote any diets or exercise routines that sell books or require a membership at the gym. He gives you the basic guidelines for eating for the REST OF YOUR LIFE and a simple exercise routine that you should perform FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. His approach is simple. His approach is methodical and many will fear that his methodical approach is somehow fake or rehearsed. Its only appears that way because he has no other way to present it to you. If you are eating the wrong foods, not eating to maximize your pouch, not exercising enough, he will call you to the carpet on any issue. He will tell you before surgery that you will need to continue to see him on a monthly basis for at least the first year. He does this to make sure that you are succeeding in your post op goals. If you are following his directions, you will loose the weight you desire and he can be as kind as any other doctor I have met. If you are not achieving your goals, he will tell you exactly that. He is not rude. He is your doctor and expects that you can follow is directions.

He is not in the business of making your life a cake walk after your surgery. You will be walking around the ICU the same afternoon that you had surgery. You will experience everything that he tells you to expect. He will tell you how you will feel when you are in the hospital as well as at home. He is very good about pain control during post op care. The hospital staff that he uses for surgery and recovery is very good. He insures that you will be taken care of per his orders. He will be the first to tell you that the hospital will take care of his patients per his instructions or he will perform surgery somewhere else. This is the type of surgeon that you want.

His post op care is appropriate and he his always available for consultation and advice. If I call the office and want to speak with Dr. Walters, he gets on the phone and talks. You don't have to worry about a lack of communication with him. Don't mistake his professional advice and care as 'thinking for you' or 'cutting you off'. Be prepared to be told what you need to hear. There is a major difference between what I want to hear and what I actually hear. If you are not a good listener and cant follow simple directions, this is not the surgeon for you. I CANT STRESS THIS ENOUGH.

You need someone to do their job efficiently. Help you recover quickly with good pain management. And most importantly, someone to help guide you through your NEW life. With Dr Walters its not a fashion show nor a beauty contest. Its saving your life.
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How much does he/she emphasize aftercare?


He places all of his emphasis on how you will live your life after your surgery. You will start exercising before surgery. You are required to exercise after surgery. Your diet can be as simple or elaborate as you want to make it. He gives you the simple tools to succeed.

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Does he/she have a structured aftercare program?

Yes, your goal is to loose weight and become a healthier person. His aftercare program is not filled with gimmicks, tricks and ways to get around life's issues. Diet Exercise and your Pouch. If you are not managing all three all of the time, you wont succeed. He has Monthly meetings for his patients. (its called The BAND)

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How did he/she address the risks of surgery?

Yes, Dr Walters answered all questions regarding risk as well as explained in detail the reasons why a particular procedure is better that another in his professional opinion. He is not going to perform a surgery that is more dangerous that another if he can help you achieve your goal in a safer manner. He promotes the VBG. He did not promote a VBG and the Gastric Bypass to me. He explained the increased risks and the vast difference in your eating capabilities after surgery. I followed his advice.

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How would you rate him/her overall?

A fine surgeon and doctor. I would recommend him to anyone needing his expertise. He knows what he is doing and will give you the tools to change your life.

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Which is better, surgical competence, bedside
manner, or both great?

His surgical competence is great. I have not been able to find any problems with his success rate and complication rate. I asked him directly about his success rate as well as checked his professional record online. His bedside manner is appropriate. You will be kept comfortable and will experience everything that he predicts.

I met Dr. Walters on August 20, 2003. The visit went good and he seemed concerned with my health and told me what he could do to help. He did not try to sell his procedure but gave me enough information about VBG and other procedure so I could make an informed decision. He suggested I visit my PCP and get his approval and I did. Dr. Walters staff was very helpful and very friendly. This is unusual for a doctor’s office. The only problem I had was the time it took to get my first appointment. I called in Jan 2003 and my appointment date was set 8 months later. A long time to wait when you are as anxious as I am to get this done.

My first impression of Dr. Walters was that he was a man who knew what he was doing. He took nothing for granted and wanted to know every little thing about my health and eating habits he could before he would consider me for this surgery. He was polite, but very business-like. As time passed, I came to realize that this was only one side of him. He has what my son would call a "corny" sense of humor - very endearing and it helps to put you at ease. Nevertheless, you know he means business and knows what he is talking about. He is definately NOT a salesman for this surgery. Even when you meet the criteria for surgery, the choice to have it has to be YOURS. YOU have to be willing to make the lifestyle changes it will require. Dr. Walters and the surgery are only tools to use to gain the weight loss. He lets you know this right up front. He also lets you know all the risks of surgery and what to expect before, during, and after surgery. I like his frankness. I also like the fact he answers all the questions I ask of him and he even gives me information I don't know to ask for. I was WELL prepared for this surgery. Dr. Walters is very much in favor of post-op/after care and he fully expects his patients to do a lot of walking EVERY day (at least one mile). He wants to see his patients once a month for at least a year following surgery. I like this since it helps to keep me on the straight and narrow. It is also helpful in easing my concerns when I have them since I know my next appointment with my surgeon is just around the corner. He is very prompt about returning phone calls too. The only criticism I would offer for Dr. Walters is that his practice should offer a counselor. Losing weight doesn't happen without going hand-in-hand with having to deal with all the past emotions that got you to the point of being overweight in the first place. It would be nice to have someone to talk to about the emotional part of the journey. Otherwise, I rate Dr. Walters (and his office staff) as among the best! Very professional, very skilled, wonderful personality and great bedside manner. Dr. Walters takes great care with his patients, visits them often, and takes a personal stake in their progress.

My first impression is great. I appreciate his forward manner. I have only meet with him once. The office staff is incredible and knowledgeable. They have made all the difference. Dr. Walters is not for the sensitive souls. He will tell you the facts. There isn't much I remember about structured aftercare, but he did mention periodic follow ups with him to monitor progress. He definitely made clear the risk of this surgery. Overall I am happily satisfied with my experience to this point. Surgical competence is by far the only priority in my eyes. Of course, both would be great.

Allthough I have only had one meeting with Dr.Walters he was very informative and made me feel very comfortable with the decision I had made. I have had several conversations with his office staff and they all have been very helpful and informative.

Dr. Walters seemed very serious, upon meeting him had lots of information to give. seemed very knowledgable.
My impression did not change over time, only to find out he was very humourus.
Annie & Glenda were always available to answer any questions or concerns that I had. I had a very pleasant experience.