UW Health Surgical Weight Management Program Bariatric Center

I LOVED DR.GARREN HE WAS GREAT! HE WAS VERY NICE THE DAY OF MY SURGERY AND HELPED ME FEEL BETTER BECAUSE I WAS SO SCARED.HIS STAFF IS GREAT THEY EVEN REMEMBER YOUR NAME EVERYTIME. I WAS WELL INFORMED ABOUT THE DANGERS AND THEY ANSWERED ALL MY QUESTIONS. THE ONLY TROUBLE I HAD WAS THE HOSPITAL AND IT WAS MORE THE STAFF ON THE SURGICAL FLOOR AT MERITER THAN ANYTHING THEY WERE NOT HELPFUL, MY HUBBY HAD TO GO AND GET A NURSE FOR MY PAIN MEDS SEVERAL TIMES.I WOULD HAVE TO SAY DR.GARREN IS GREAT BUT MERITER SURGICAL FLOOR STAFF WAS HORRIBLE.

Dr. Garren is an excellent surgeon and has great bedside manner. In my pre-op appt he explained everything in terms that I could understand and never made me feel like I was a failure and this was an easy way out. Dr. Garren and Dr. Gould take turns running the educational seminars and both are excellent.

Dr. Garren & Dr. Gould at the University of Wisconsin Clinic are wonderful doctors. My first impression was that they really wanted to make me feel comfortable. I was so nervous and hadn't decided if the surgery is right for me. Garren was patient and happy to answer all of the little questions that I had. He was always positive and smiling. rnSince the surgery everyone at the clinic has been very supportive. My most recent appointment was my one year follow up. Unfortunately I wasn't quite on track and he talked with me how I could increase the weight loss and what changes I might make in my life. Since then I have followed his advice and got back on track. Because of his concern he has urged me to schedule an appointment sooner than two years, so I will be seeing him next month to see where I am.rnOverall I rate Garren and Gould a 10. I couldn't have asked for better doctors!rnThe ONLY negative thing that I can think of is that sometimes when I have gone in for appointments I have had to wait for the doctor to come in the room to see me. Last time I waited almost 30 minutes. It's obvious that he's a busy man, but it was a bit long to wait.

He is awesome. The more I see him, the more I like him. His staff is very helpful and friendly. He takes as much time as you need during apt. as you need, and even responds to email. I've also seen him partner John Gould, who is the same. They are both very personable. They have a very involved aftercare program, and I have even seen the dietician, and psychologist more that planned for extra support. They have all been very straight forward with explaining things before and after surgery. I rate the program a 9. out of 10.

I have nothing but positive things to say about Dr. Garren. He did my original lap RNY with his partner, Dr. Gould. He then did an emergency exploratory lap when he was concerned that I might have a leak five days later. I have total confidence in his knowledge and skill. He is very approachable and is willing to answer any/all questions. He even took extra time to explain to my mother, using a diagram, exactly what had happened during my second surgery to ease her concerns. Despite the fact that it was late in the evening by the time I got into surgery, he was cheerful and ready to get on with the show. rnrnHe is part of a program which is designated a Center of Excellence at UW Hospital in Madison, WI. Everyone associated with that program has been helpful and friendly during this process. rnrnI would highly recommend both Dr. Garren and the UW program to any prospective patient.

In My opinion ....The moment I met him at orientation, I knew he would treat me well and by the end of the meeting I knew he was the ONE to bring me to the other side!!rnrnYes my opinions of the surgeon and staff has gotten BETTER!!!rnrnThey are like angels and really show the love and compassion. My clinic visits and hospital staff were always pleasantrnrnrnThere is nothing not to like. ( maybe pre-op I had to wait for a return call on a day they were in a meeting)rnPartly my fault for being anxious.rnrnHe gave me a chance to ask any questions at the end of his explainations on surgical risks.rnrnYes there are steps to follow writen instructions and visits to go to.rnrnVery thourough verbally and written matereials along with it.rnrnTOP of the line Excellent.rnSurgical Competence and bedside mannerrn are great he is a natural.rnrnI felt well liked and comfortable with the entire team.rnrnrnThe only thing I would like better is to live closer.rnrnI am only telling of my expirence, no one ELSE!!.

Dr. Garren seems very nice. I think he will try to help me. The office staff was very friendly and did not make me feel bad about my condition at all.rnThey have you go to a nutrition class and antohter class outlining the surgery choices (Band or Bypass) before you see the doctor, so most of my questions were answered. They stress aftercare, exersize and support. I felt that they really cared about my health.rn10-16-06: I met with Dr. Gould today for my pre-op. He is very nice, and very confident. I feel that I am in the best hands between the two of them. Many of the employees (in all departments) at the clinic made comments about how talented and wonderful they are.rn12-18-06: Drs. Gould & Garren are the BEST!!!! I have recommended them to a few people that have asked me about my experience, and I would not hesitate to recommend their program to all. They are really concerned about our health, not just our money.

Both doctors at U of W are fantastic and make an outstanding team.

My opion of either has not changed since my pre-op apointement thought my 6 month check up.


I would recomend the U of W doctors to anyone

Dr. Garren greeted me with a friendly, "Hi. I'm Michael." He sat down and patiently answered all of my questions in an unpretentious manner. His staff are very respectful and friendly. They all seem to enjoy what they are doing and seem to have a great deal of respect for each other. This is very important to me.

At this point, I feel like I am in very good hands. I went from feeling quite anxious about the process to confident about a very positive change in my life.

UPDATE: 12/24/2005
Since I have gone through the long and challenging hurdles of the lap band operations, I can give potential patients feed back. Dr Garren and his partner, Dr. Gould are extremely competent, kind and caring surgeons. They are confident enough to admit their uncertainties and they are wonderful teachers of what they know. These guys are good! I am also a health care provider. We need more physicians like them!

Wow, what a SUPERB physician A+++ anyone who has UW MADISON as an option for Bariatric surgery, look no further. They are even worth having to drive a ways to get to them. I can't say enough positive about the the program or staff. Although Drs. Garren & Gould operate together, I had the most contact with Dr. Garren. He is not only informative, but down to earth and a "REAL" person. His sense of humor is as great as his bedside manor. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to be his patient. His staff is equally as good. I attribute the ease of the program, surgery, and recovery to everyone involved in the process a MILLION thank yous aren't enough.


If you are considering surgery...check UW Madison FIRST!!!!!