Crestwood Medical Center Hospital

I hadn't really told anyone I was thinking of having surgery until I went to Dr Mailapur's seminar with a friend of mine. I had already known Dr Mailapur for 3 years and he was surprised that I had never mentioned having surgery. I had been watching his work and knew that he was a very good surgeon who cares about his patients and their surgery experience. I was very happy with the way he introduced the surgery and that he provided all the information that you could possibly need to make an informed decision. He is very thorough when it cames to doing everything possible to help prevent his patients from having blood clots. For that I am very grateful. You know that he cares about you not only as a patient but as a person. His surgical competence and bedside manner are both exceptional. I don't feel that anyone could go wrong in choosing him as their surgeon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Update: 3 1/2 years out and still doing great.

Dr. Suggs was wonderful. He made sure I was comfortable and had my questions answered. He didn't sugar-coat anything, but he also was very kind - if that makes sense. He didn't want me to have any misconceptions about my surgery, the process, or the work that I would put into the journey. He seems genuinely concerned about each of his patients.
The aftercare is very structured, and his whole staff care about what you are going through. His assistant in the OR for my surgery was named Ty - that's all he would let me call him. He really cared about how I was doing each day in the hospital and explained each little thing to me. Jeannie - the coordinator of my program - really cares about your success, and came to the hospital to encourage me after the surgery and to make sure I was doing what I was supposed to do.
I really cannot say enough about Dr. William Suggs and his entire staff. I would recommend them to anyone!

My first impression of Dr. Mailapur is that he cares about his patients & gives a very informative seminar. I liked the fact that he stayed around after the seminar to meet with you (if you wanted) & answer anymore questions that you might have. On my first visit he answered more questions & he did not seem to mind at all. I did not feel like he was rushing with me to get to the next patient. He told me all appt. I would have to have with different DR. & about all test & that this is a life change not a just a diet. When he was finished with his talk he ask me once again did I have anymore questions. I felt that he was very interested in what I was asking & that all my questions were important.HIS office staff is very nice & helpful, I would always talk to Jessica she is/always very nice about my questions(I have been full of them). As I started getting closer to giving everything to my insurance she has made sure all paper work has been in order. So I'm sure that is why I received a date within a few days of them getting my papers. So far I would recommened Dr. Mailapur & his office staff to anyone. I think that surgical competence is by far more important than bedside manner, but a a great bedside manner is always a big plus, & Dr. Mailapur has a great bedside manner. I had my surgery on 7-12-2010, I met Dr. Mailapur in the hall before I got a room & he still wanted to know if I had more questions & that he would take good care of me, because I was a bit nervious. He then give me a big hug & told me I would be fine. I have also been to my follow up visit he was just as informative as he was the first time I met him. He told me he had given me the tool now it was up to me to use it to my advantage. He told me things I could & could not eat. At the end of my visit he said if I had questions to just call(& I have) Then gave me a big hug , he then shook hands with my husband said I was doing great & we were on our way. I would tell anyone that Dr. Mailapur is the Dr./surgeon to go to I have had no problems & I'm doing great. I know I picked the best Dr. in my area to go to & I'm very happy I found him. There is nothing negative to say about Dr. Mailapur or his staff, they are all wonderful.

I LOVE DR.Mailapur, he is the best. I will be A year out in SEPT 2010. I have lost 123 pounds, 17 pounds from goal. The office staff was very good, alway's took time to talk to you, and keep you up to date.DR. Mailapur's bedside manner's are TOP NOTCH,I ran into him at the geo store, and we both did the High Five, I dont think he ever forget's a face,, really!!!! His biggest thing to say to you is IT'S A TOOL USE IT.I would give him A 10 out of 10. he's just that GREAT... THANK YOU DR.MAILAPUR FOR MY TOOL.... SEE YA AT THE CHRISTMAS PARTY Sandra Denby

My first impression was that Dr. Mailapur is a very busy surgeon and typical of all the surgeons that I've met in the past. I changed my mind about the "typical" when he gave me a "big old hug" and told me that he was going to take care of me. I don't believe that a doctor has ever attempted to make me feel that he cares before. At least, not in such a "human" manner. Dr. Mailapur's office staff is very caring and they convey a feeling of reassurance to the clients.
Future patients should know that when Dr. M says that you must lose weight before he will do surgery, he means it! It is not a control issue, he requires the weight loss to increase your chances of a successful surgery. Dr. M. is very concerned that you follow all of the guidelines: dietary and exercise. He states that he wants to be successful with all his surgeries and that he does not consider the surgery a success unless the patient benefits. Aftercare is emphasized and made simple by the Huntsville Hospital Bariatric Center. The Nurse, the Dietician and all the volunteers are there to help any time you call or email. Support Group meetings held once a month are great! Dr. M. addressed the risk of surgery both during our pre-surgery visit and in the enormous amount of study material that his office provided. You must read the study material or you will not pass the little test that you must "pass" prior to surgery. I rate Dr. M very highly. I have confidence in his surgical skills, he studied at one of the best Colleges of Surgeons in the world. I think that his bedside manner and his surgical competence are equally great!

I first saw Dr. Mailapur in September 2009. He has a short review of gastric bypass surgery and lap band surgery that he requires all patients to attend. Alot of useful information about surgery and insurance were provided. My first appointment with him was then scheduled in Oct. 2009. He was very nice and answered all of my questions. I was given a list of things that I would need to do to prepare for this surgery and to get insurance approval. After my 6 month medically supervised diet which began Dec. 1, 2009 and the 30 pounds that Dr. Mailapur required me to lose, surgery was scheduled for July 19. I had a pre-surgical vist on July 13. At that time Dr. Mailapur answered all of my questions and did something NO other doctor has ever done for me before my surgery. He said here is a prescription of the medications that you will need after surgery. You can go ahead and get this filled so that you don't have to run around after your surgery getting prescriptions. I saw him before the surgery and he again asked how I was and if I had any other questions. The next morning when he came to see me once again asking if I was ok or had questions. Always taking all of the time I felt I needed with him, not rushing me through to get on to the next patient. I told him that morning that I have had a lot of surgeries for different things and he was the kindest most considerate doctor that I had ever had. I have had at least 6-7 previous surgeries, this was by far the easiest surgery I have every had. I was back at work in one week and feeling great. Dr. Mailapur's sugical competence and bedside manner far exceeded my expectations. If anyone is thinking of having this surgery I would HIGHLY recommed Dr. Mailapur and his staff. You could not be in better hands.

My first impression of Dr. Mailapur was that he was a very kind and caring doctor. I had been to several seminars and he was the first doctor that I got a really good feeling about. As time went on, I found out what an exceptional doctor he really was. He has a very professional staff that really gives you all the information that you need to make your decision for surgery easy. They answered all my questions, regarding surgery and also insurance, cost, etc. He really does do a good job with your aftercare by letting you know exactly what to expect and expecting you to do what he asks. He very definitely addresses the risks of surgery. I actually had a problem during surgery because of my diabetics and some problems I had a few years ago with pancreatitis and gallbladder. He took a lot of extra time, making sure that my surgery was done correctly. He is a very competent bariatric surgeon and has a great bedside manner. I do not have anything negative at this time to say about him. I give him a 100% rating overall.

Dr. Mailapur is a great doctor. My surgery was on Feb 22, 2010 and as of today (July 27, 2010) I have lost 70 lbs. I don't feel like I had to try to lose any weight, it just comes off! My start weight was 260, so I didn't have as much to lose as some, but I have made great progress. I had the Roux-en-Y procedure. Dr. Mailapur is very caring and makes you feel very comfortable. Also, he is very good at what he does. I had the procedure laparoscopically, and my procedure was complete by about 2pm on a Monday. By 6pm, I was walking down the hall and I went home the next morning at about 9am. The following day I went out shopping for about 2 hours. That weekend, I went on a small hike on a mountain for about 45 minutes. It was slow going, but I felt fine. I have not had any complications from the surgery and it is one of the best choices I've ever made. I was very afraid to take the leap, and even on the operating table, I was fighting with myself to just jump down and run away. So if I can do it and have such good results, anyone can. I have never felt ill, I've never had nausea or vomiting or any of the other problems I've seen listed online. The only thing I can even come up to complain about is the 7 vitamins I now take a day (hardly anything to complain about)! The best thing is that I have gone from a size 24 to an almost 16 and I have tons of energy and feel like a normal person. I highly recommend the surgery and especially, Dr. Mailapur.

Dr. Mailapur is one of the nicest, caring, and most professional surgeons you will ever meet. When you meet Dr. Mailapur, you will not feel like you are meeting your “typical MD”. Dr. Mailapur is very down to earth and is always willing to answer any question that may come up no matter what the topic. He is a very nice, caring, and well-skilled surgeon who always carries himself in a professional manner. He knows his job well and does it with excellence. Dr. Mailapur has a great sense of humor and he and the staff always make you feel comfortable. Despite all of the medical jargon you may encounter in your Bariatric surgery journey, Dr. Mailapur will make sure that you understand fully what is and will be going on with your body. Before having surgery with him, he has devised a complete learning process that allows the patient to be fully educated and aware of all the necessary information regarding the procedure as well as pre-op and post-op guidelines. Dr. Mailapur is also a very serious surgeon. He will not operate on someone who is not truly serious about dealing with the post operative Roux-en-y issues. He wants to make sure that you succeed. Highly recommended surgeon! I am 1 year post-op and 100 lbs lighter! Dr. Mailapur’s staff has been a wonderful reference during my back. Before and after surgery, you want to know someone has your back. Dr. Mailapur will be there for you!

I am very pleased to have had Dr. Ravindra Mailapur as my surgeon. Prior to my surgery, I had serious doubts about having surgery from some horror stories. However, Dr. Mailapur answered all of my questions and he was honest with me. He explain the risk factors of having the surgery, the risks of things that I must do or don't do after the surgery. He requires that you first attend a seminar concerning the surgery before the consultation can be scheduled to educate you on the risk factor and the side effects of the procedures. Before the surgery, you must have a pre-operative nutrition education class (omg, it is so helpful) that explains what happens the day before the surgery, day of surgery and the eating plan after surgery.

So after a year of going back and forth with my insurance, the big day arrived. After I was admitted and the nursing staff did what they do so well, the first face I saw was Dr. Mailapur. He came to make sure that I was ok and if there was anything that he could do before he gave me a new life. He reassured my family that he would take great care of me. He is very personable and knowledgeable. The next morning (can't remember anything from the day of surgery), bright and early my surgeon was there to make sure that I was walking and not having any complications.

Dr. Mailapur is a wonderful doctor and person who truly cares about his patients before, during and after the surgery. If don't want a doctor who is honest and who will help you along the way in the process of weight loss surgery, this is not the doctor for you. But if you want someone who will be both of those things and more, I recommend Dr. Mailapur to everyone who is doing this for change, not just a band-aid to our problem. His office staff is very helpful with filling out the paperwork, working with insurance companies and answering questions that you may have. They are available and will always return a call.

After the surgery, you have a follow up visit with Dr. Mailapur. he gives you instructions on what is the nest step, fro instance when to switch from liquid to pureed to a regular diet in intervals, when to start adding weights to your work out to maintain muscle mass and questions concerning pregnancy.

I am glad that I chose him to be my surgeon. He is great at what he does. I have not had a negative moment with his office or with him during my process and I been in and out of his office since April 2009. He is a wonderful choice in my book.