Dr. Neal, Olympia, WA

I have my pre-op appointment set with Dr. Neal next Tuesday. I'm very excited!!! I am researching my little fingers off, talking to bandsters, watching surgeries and video diaries, taking notes and saving links like crazy. I will be posting lots of good stuff soon.

I spend time at LapBandTalk every day and have made lots of good friends there. A few of us have even started a local support group. I highly recommend it as a source of information and support.

I was originally going to go to Dr. Patterson in Portland, OR. I even attended their seminar. I have heard a lot of good things about her skills as a lap band surgeon, but my own experience with her staff, as well as other complaints I have heard and read about them, motivated me to find a surgeon that was a better fit for my life and personality. That's how I found Dr. Neal.

I haven't met Dr. Neal in person yet, but LOVE his office staff and he has a fabulous reputation as a surgeon. They are an ASBS Center of Excellence. Chris, a local bandster friend, went to Dr. Neal and has wonderful things to say about her experiences. She even showed me her tiny, pretty little, pink, 5 week post-op scars. He does beautiful work! Thank you, Chris!

Being the researcher that I am, I've done some research on the good Dr.
Their website is very informative and includes credentials, success stories, etc. However I know it could be a bit biased ;-) My favorite outside links are...
Patient reviews: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgeon+reviews+William+Neal+knq.html
News interview: http://www.theolympian.com/456/story/61835.html
Hospital links: http://www.masongeneral.com/lapband.html
Info on other hospital he does lap band at (my fav): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Providence_St._Peter_Hospital
One more patient singing Dr. Neal's praises: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=41861248

I'll keep you posted about my pre-op appointment.

This blog has been continued at our new lap band web site: http://lap-band-weight-loss.com/my-lap-band/

COME SEE ME THERE!