BENTON - Sharon Pulliam of Benton would gladly drive to Paducah to keep seeing bariatric surgeon Dr. Alex Argotte, but admits it will be nice to have him in Southern Illinois.

Pulliam had bariatric surgery in November. Since then, she has lost 65 pounds but continues to see Dr. Argotte every month. Beginning later this month, Pulliam will go from driving 75 miles for her checkup to a little more than 19 miles.

"I would have driven to Paducah if I had to," Pulliam said.

Argotte will begin operating out of Herrin Hospital and seeing patients Jan. 20. He performs gastric bypass, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomies. While she commends his skill as a doctor, Pulliam said what she really likes about Argotte is his bedside manner and devotion to his patients.

"I just don't have enough nice things to say about him," Pulliam said. "He wasn't one who would do the surgery unless I was ready for the surgery."

Pulliam had six to seven visits with Argotte before having the surgery. Then she met with him seven days later, then every two weeks, and now monthly. Barbara Clemens, practice manager for the New Life Weight Loss Center, said with Argotte's and the Herrin staff's combined efforts, patients will continue to be the top priority.

"He has this distinct idea of how he wants to set up his practice here," Clemens said. "The whole practice is set up with the bariatric patient in mind."

Pulliam said having the surgery was definitely a good move, and the procedure and Dr. Argotte have changed her life for the better.

"It was definitely a life-changing experience," Pulliam said. "It's something that I'm very proud that I did it."

codell.rodriguez@thesouthern.com

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