| Comments From Patients |
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Stephanie S.
Kapowsin, DC
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Very knowlegable, professional, caring. Posted on 05/30/2008 |
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Mary W.
Gig Harbor, WA
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First impression was he was very business like, it did not change over time. Office staff friendly and helpful.
What I likes least was when he asked me if I had cheated when I came in for my first post op appointment. I felt like if he did not have faith in me to follow the program he should of declined to do surgery, also I was so nauseated for months after surgery cheating was not even a possibility! After care could of been emphasized more but it was mentioned, there is no structured program. Very upfront with the risks and he acknowledged that most patients have researched the surgery for a year or so and they are fairly well informed.I would give him 4 out of 5 stars, maybe 4 and a half. I think surgical competence is a bit ahead of bedside manner. Posted on 10/19/2007 |
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Kevin S.
Federal Way, WA
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DR JEFFREY HUNTER - Federal Way, WA;
I have had three ventral abdominal hernia repairs in the last 4 years, all performed by Dr Hunter. While I feel his "bedside manner" is sometimes a bit abrupt, I feel certain that he is a very competent and careful surgeon. His office staff seems to me, to have been a little confused sometimes. Over the past year, while I have been trying to get my fourth hernia fixed, I feel that they have let me fall through the cracks a little.
KAT REDMON - Federal Way, WA;
Kat is Drs Hunter, Paige and Thirlby's PA. Kat has been great. She has patiently explained the options for the repair of my fourth hernia and has worked with the docs and Aetna to try to get several surgical options approved.
She has been my main contact of late since
so many... [Click here for more] drs have been involved in my care.
DR KEITH PAIGE - Federal Way & Seattle, WA;
Dr Paige is my plastic surgeon. He was my
wound care specialist when my last hernia incision opened up and became infected. I feel that his efforts saved my life, as the infection was very serious. He supported both my wife and I through some very hard times. He has a wonderful bedside manner and has shown in many ways over the last couple of years that he truly cares about my health and longetivity.
DR RICHARD THIRLBY - Seattle, WA;
I was referred to Dr Thirlby for an open Roux - N - Y surgery on June 27th, 2006, since Dr Hunter only does laproscopic gastric bypass surgeries. I have only met Dr Thirlby once, but have been impressed with his knowledge of my rather complicated case history and also with the fact that he made a phone call direct to the Medical Director at Aetna and got my surgical denial overturned. I have noticed that he is well published in this field and I feel comfortable that he will do his finest to correct my hernia problem along the gastric bypass. Also, I have been very impressed with the precision of his staff, especially Matthew, his surgical coordinator. I will have my pre-op appt with Dr Thirlby on the 5th of Sept, 2006. Pre-op Appt: My general impression of Dr. Thirlby was that he the time to answer every one of our many questions with clarity. However, it seemed he was a bit pre-occupied. 9/11 pre-surgery visit by Dr. Thirlby: He was very caring. During my hospital stay, while I saw Dr. Thirlby daily, most information was relayed through his surgical associates.
Posted on 03/05/2007 |
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Claudette S.
Ferndale, WA
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Had my first consultation 1-17-2001 I left there feeling more confident than I have been about this surgery. Dr. Thirlby seemed very compasionate,and competant,his staff has already been helpful finding me someone to do the standalone mental evaluation.At this point I believe I have confidence in them.
It is now 5 years since I first met Dr. Thirlby. I feel that I was BLESSED! He is top notch in every respect. I experienced good weightloss. And honestly feel that he and his staff took very good care of me. Posted on 05/08/2006 |
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Kathy G.
Seattle, WA
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Dr. Thirlby is very professional, but friendly as well. He doesn't chit-chat (but in my experience surgeons don't), but will answer any and all questions you have.
He has done many, many of these surgeries very successfully. He is very compassionate about the problems obese people have and dedicated to making a difference. He believes gastric by-pass is the key treatment for morbid obesity.
His office staff is uniformly excellent, helpful, and respond in a very timely fashion. There is a monthly support group.
He has a regular post-op schedule of appointments for all patients.
I rate him the highest! Posted on 04/12/2006 |
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Tina H.
Lynnwood, WA
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Dr. Thirlby is a good surgeon. When I frist met him I wasn't so sure but the longer we talked I felt more comfortable. His staff is very friendly and cool! Of course they all loved seeing my service dog! The only bad thing I have to say is that his appointment person was on vacation and the person filling in didn't inform me that my next appt would be my pre-op appt and that I would be having surgery the next day. Was kinda shocker and was hard to grasp! He was great in the hospital when he came to see me. He also had another surgeon that works with him (I think he was learning still) who was also cool. I can't think of his name right now but he was who I saw when I got my staples out and was really nice and sweet. Posted on 11/16/2005 |
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Chip S.
Marysville, WA
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He was very short, down to business. Gave me the answers that I wanted, but really not talkative. However, I find this true with most male doctors that I've been to in my life. That's one reason why I have a female PCP.
My impression of Doc Thrilby changed, because as I found that I was getting closer to the surgery, he would actually joke a round a little bit.
His office and staff are wonderful. They were very courteous.
Aftercare is very important to Doc Thrilby. You know, no gum, stuff like that. This surgery is a change of life for me, and he knew that. He wanted to make very sure that this surgery was to help lose weight and KEEP it off.
Once again, Doc Thirlby was very blunt about the complications. He told me that 1% of all the patients die in surgery.... [Click here for more] He wanted me to know that it was going to be risky. 1% is still 1%. However, he was very optimistic about my health and age.
To me, I don't care how the doctor treats me after the surgery. He just better make damn sure that he doesn't screw up while IN surgery. I feel that surgical competence is more important.
Posted on 10/09/2005 |
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Lynne A.
Covington, WA
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My first consultation with Dr. Thirlby for revision surgery was on July 11. I heard so much good about Dr. Thirlby and my appointment confirmed all of that - I liked him! He is professional and thorough. Dr. Thirlby has written a letter requesting approval for a revision to my insurance. I have USFHP insurance as my husband is retired from the military. So for now am patiently awaiting the outcome. Posted on 08/02/2005 |
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Melinda J.
Seattle, WA
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I like Dr. Thirlby, he was very straight forward and has extensive success and experience on his side. He has been performing WLS for more than 25 years and often is involved in training new surgeons. He is very business like and obviously committed to the science of the procedure.
There was an intern in my initial interview, which occurred on Valentines Day. The appointment was quick, but I had all my information together and was prepared.
I am highly impressed with Virginia Mason hospital which is where Dr. Thirlby practices. They are rated as one of the best hospitals in the Pacific Northwest, and I know that I can receive the very best in care.
He expects a lot from his patients. A real commitment to life change. There is a tremendous amount of pre work involved... [Click here for more] as well as follow up care and nutritionists, etc.
I know other patients who have had their surgery done by Dr. Thirlby and had fantastic success. One comment is that he is lacking in "bed side manners" meaning he is not very warm and fuzzy, but ever the professional.
The staff seem like typical hospital staff, I can't say that they have been one way or another. However, I do appreciate that they didn't try and sell the WLS like some organizations that pitch it like it is a "used car" - I was so disgusted by the Northwest Weight Loss Surgery Center, they approached me in almost insisting that I try and take out a mortgage on my home and finance the surgery in advance without any attempt of contacting my insurance. The staff at Northwest Weight Loss Surgery were abrassive and insistent and talked down to me when I said I wanted to think about the "Lap Band" - they were awful. Dr. Thrilby and the staff at Virginia Mason approached it like the serious step that it is.
I wish I had more follow up or contact with them, but we will see what happens.
I would rate them so far at a solid 8 out of 10, let's see once I get approval for the surgery.
Posted on 03/01/2005 |
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Kimanne B.
Near The Emerald City, WA
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Dr. Thirlby is the man! I knew it from the very moment I met him at the WLS Seminar. For anyone who is considering using Dr. Thirlby, do a google search on his name and you will find all of his phenominal credentials. I'm completely serious, he has been doing this type of surgery for over 20years. Through my research I've found that people come from states away just to have him as their surgeon. Beyond his surgical competency, he is a very kind and caring man. He takes the time to cover all aspects of this surgery as well as any concerns or questions you may have. It's not just Dr. Thirlby that is this way, its his office. It must be written-in in his Code of Ethics somewhere:) because all of his staff is like this. Dr. Buyers (his head resident) is super caring and competent... [Click here for more] too. Dr. Thirlby's office is top notch in every way possible. On a scale from 1-10, I'd give him, the office and his staff a 9.99 because no one is perfect;)
Posted on 12/31/2004 |
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