This month I will have my sixth surgery dealing with my massive weight loss and a medical problem. I’ve had eight surgeons throughout my life and Dr. Villares is the best: He’s compassionate, professional, and amazingly talented.
Two of the surgeries (a “tummy tuck†and a pilonidal cystectomy repair—that involves the tailbone) were done in hospital under general anesthesia. The other procedures were done in his OR with degrees of sedation. There have been no problems or serious concerns.
Once I did not listen well to instructions about drain care. I called him late Saturday afternoon. He made sure I was fine but said he’d see me Sunday morning. It would be impossible to have been more gracious or efficient to someone who had interrupted his weekend which he never pointed out.
Every medical person I’ve shown his work to has been impressed, as am I. Hospital staff have the highest regard for him and report his patients adore him.
With the first procedure, I could see he brought his A game, but each procedure from the first one on he does something else proving that the really thinks about each surgery and looks to improve his excellent work and somehow he manages to do that.
First surgery was upper abs. Though as an artist he would have liked to do a more balanced lipo rather than just the uppers, we agreed I would have a “tummy tuck†in a few months and he agreed to do the focused liposuction.
He had options. He could have gone through my belly button to remove the fat in that area without leaving a visible scar. However, he thought of a better way. He made the incisions very low on my abdomen where they’d be removed with the coming “tuck.†That meant that though he lipoed where I asked (there are limits to what can be removed at one time in a non-hospital setting), by putting in the extra work of traveling up through my lower abdominal fat some portion of those fat cells would die and my body would dispose of them. That takes longer and is a lot more work: repetitive, restricted movements are tiring. The more distance and resistance, the harder the task. The results were amazing as has been each surgery.
He is amazingly affordable. Unlike some doctors who have their own OR facility, he does not tack on a facility fee. When a price is quoted, that is the bottom line price—no “surprises.â€
This Board certified surgeon did his residency at the Mayo in MN. He did his fellowship with the Cleveland Clinic in FL, two top tier institutions.
Some surgeons are “cutters:†focused on the technicalities of the procedure more than the patient. Though his technique is excellent and results outstanding, Dr. Villares treats us like individuals that he cares about. He is also fluent in Spanish as are at least some, if not all, of the staff who will also treat you with respect.
There is no one I respect, admire, or trust more and that is hard to earn from me.
He offers free consultations; not all surgeons do.
Besides surgery, he does help people lose weight as a bariatrics doctor. He also does cosmetic procedures such as Botox, fillers, and CO2 laser. There may be more services he provides. I’ve just wanted a surgeon. I got the absolute best. There might be a handful as good as he is out there; I have never seen better.
It is a great blessing to have zero anxiety with actual surgery. I’ve had hospital staff double check my vitals because they’re not sure they can believe how I have no signs of stress about surgery that will occur within an hour. There is no need for worry when I know the outcome in advance.
Now for the criticism: You may have to wait a while for surgery. He’s booked more than a month out.