St. Joseph's Area Health Services Bariatric Center

I was very impressed with Dr. Smith as well as his remarkable staff. He was friendly, professional and explained this precisely in a manner I could understand although I did have a little touble in the beginning of our consult hearing him as he does speak a little quietly. I asked him tough questions that didn't make him uncomfortable at all in answering. He even chuckled with me at one point. Sandy as well as everyone that I've talked to at Dakota clinic are extremely friendly and will explain things just as thoroughly as you need. The town is a great little country kind of place and makes me feel right at home. Structured Aftercare is VERY important to Dr. Smith and his staff and that was VERY important to me as well. I didn't want to be left out in the cold.
The consult was a half-day sort of conference that was GREAT and informative.
I had heard only very good things about Dr. Smith, the hospital and Dr. Smith's staff from people in my area. At this point in my journey, I would rate them all highly. Surgery on the 24th so will report on that then!

Very nice perswon. Understanding. They didn't. Sandy Jones is his assistant and she is AWESOME! This surgon does alot of surgeries every week and he is very good at what he does. Aftercare is very important. We talked about everything plus he knew that my mom had just had it done 1 year before. I would give Dr. Smith and Sandy a 9. I would give the hospital care a 9 also. Both are great.

I really like Dr. Smith. My first impression of him was that he was a quiet man, but very knowledgable. His office staff was wonderful with all of my questions and concerns. The hospital staff was also great, even though it is a VERY small place!

I met my surgeon on April 15th at the Dakota Clinic in Park Rapids, MN. I had previously been told what a nice, friendly guy he was, and I have to agree. He seemed open and genuine and I felt relaxed in his presence, although he did seem to speak quite fast, and if I didn't know that he was a very busy man I might have thought he wasn't interested in me as a patient. He did offer me the chance to ask any questions, but they had already been answered at my consultation. His staff are VERY NICE and seem to really care about us and our situation. This clinic has given me the best customer service of all that I have ever been to. During the consultations with the dietitian, social worker, physician's assistant, etc. everything you could imagine about the surgery was covered. We were sent a book before we came to the consultation, which was very informative, and then also given another packet at the meeting that further described the surgery and its risks, etc. Overall I would rate Dr. Daniel Smith as an excellent person and I'm very confident that he will be a teriffic surgeon as well!

Dr Smith was very nice and made me feel comfortable. He explained all of my options and was very confidant of my sucsess.
I spent more time with His Staff Sandy, and she was fadulas. I have sent more than a dozen people to see him.

I live 3 hours from this surgen so my follow up with him has been poor. I have seen my own MD for blood test, questions.
I have been very luck and have had no problems. I did what I was told and went from a size 16-18 to a size 4!!! I lost slowly it has been one year so my skin is not as bad as I expected.

I have been contacted by the doctor and have an after care apointment. I had a phone # to them directly and called them often. They always made time for me and ansered my questions.
I didnt drive that far because the first appt all they did was weigh me and ask a few questions, so I wasnt aware there needed to be aftercare.
Because I live so far from them, They sent me to my own doctor for blood work to be sure my levels were ok. Food not absorbing as it use to you have to be careful.

This Doctor has his own wing in this small town of Park Rapids. I was treated very well great hospital staff as well.

I have had my life change and know one of the reasons my story is a sucsess is that I researched and went to a great Doctor with a great staff who's goal was my sucess!!
Thank you DR Smith and Sandy
Cheryl Miller

I have nothing but good things to say about Dr. Smith and his staff. They have a very professional and caring approach.

My experience with them began at the consulation visit. My husband and I were there for a good part of the day. First as a group (4 other potential patients) we met with the dietician and social worker, they had a presentation on the surgery and aftercare. Everything from food, emotions, relationship changes, physical changes--they did a great job of letting you know what to expect. After that you met individually with the surgeon, his assistant and the social worker. Each of them spoke with my husband and myself as individuals, like they really cared about us, our questions and our concerns.

On the day of surgery, the nurse who helped get me ready for surgery came to the waiting room and escorted me to my room. She showed my husband which room I would be in after surgery, she was very pleasant, she had a way about her that put you at ease. I needed to have x-rays before surgery, a technician came to get me, I got a ride down to the lab area in the roomiest wheelchair I have ever seen. All the x-ray technicians I came in contact with before and after surgery were very nice.

When I was taken to the operating room the surgical staff was very professional and at the same time they chatted with me, making me feel as if they saw me as a person not just as the next surgery they had to perform.

The nurses that took care of me after the surgery were fantastic.

I haven't said very much about Dr. Smith but I didn't really have that much contact with him (that I remember anyway, I was kind of out of it when he was taking care of his business). But I think that the team that he has assembled, the before and after program that he has established speaks volumes about him. He is professional, caring and knowledgable and so are the people that work with him.

Dr. Smith is a wonderful man. You can tell that he is amazingly intelligent, but he talks to you on your level. He tells it like it is. He just told me the risks and complications.

My impression over time hasn't changed. He is so willing to do whatever he can to get you into surgery. His office staff is wonderful. They are all so caring and warm. They also will do anything to help you out.

He really emphasizes aftercare. They don't just give you the surgery and you are on your own. They have a wonderful support group and an open-door policy. You can call whenever you need.

Overall Dr.Smith is a wonderful surgeon. I feel the surgical competence is better than bedside manner. Both would be great but I prefer a skilled surgeon when my life is in his hands. This is all just my opinion. If you are in the MN area and are looking for a surgeon, I would highly recommend you visiting Dr. Smith and form your own opinion.

My first impression of Dr. Smith was that he was rushed. They put some many people through, so fast. He did answer any questions I had. From start to finish, I have only seen the man twice. Once for the consult and then on the day of the surgery. That seems a little strange to me.

Dr. Smith's PA, Sandy Jones is a wonderful woman. Answers every question, offers advise and is very encouraging all the way around. She seems sincerely happy when clients show progress and succeed.

Over all I think Dr. Smith and his staff are wonderful. I came out of surgery and have had no complications. I think that they have put together a great program from start to finish.

Dr. Smith is exceptional, as is physicians' assistant, Sandy Jones. They are truly a team. They were very structured, supportive, and caring. They answered all of my questions and really share in my accomplishments. Their office staff has been great. The follow-up care has been thorough and they are able to answer all of my many questions. They expect you to do your part. They have high standards for themselves and their patients.

The financial staff are not as wonderful. There were three of us that had it done over two months time, and one person was required to pay $600 up front; my other friend had to pay $2000 up front; and I had to pay nothing up front. We all work at the same place and have the same insurance--I mean the exact same insurance! Doesn't make sense. Our bills came much later--and they are all generally consistent in costs and what was paid up front. My friend that had to pay $2000 was told if she didnt' pay it, her surgery would be cancelled.

My first impression of Dr. Smith was he seemed very competent and friendly. He looked at my previous scars and knew right away that I would be having an open RNY.

I have not seen him since the initial visit. The 4 days I was in the hospital he may have come in to checkup on me but I don't remember. When I was walking I remember seeing Sandy Jones at the hospital.

His office staff are very friendly and efficient. Whenever I call with a question they either give me the answer or get back to me the same day.

Dr. Smith is a very busy man and with the increased popularity of WLS, he is even busier. They are trying to set up the new bariatric surgery unit to run very efficiently. Sometimes you feel like you are being rushed in and out of the door.

They have a structured aftercare program and also send you home with lots of information. At the initial consult you are given a copy of a book and a very detailed folder that explains everything that will happen before, during, and after surgery.

I would rate Dr. Smith with an 8 because he did an excellent job on my surgery but I didn't see much of him. I would rate Sandy Jones with a 10 because she has really been there through it all.