Daniel Smith Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

Dr. Smith is such wonderful person and doctor. His staff is the best and I always feel so welcome and cared for.

10 years post op and I had to have my gallbladder removed by Dr. Smith. He did NO testing before surgery, just assumed it was my gallbladder. When I woke from surgery not only did I have my gallbladder removed, which was not necessary, but I actually had a bowel obstruction. Dr. Smith found a hernia during surgery, did not fix. Said he fixed my bowel obstruction. I was home for less than 12 hours when everything Dr. Smith did came undone due to my intestines spinning in the hernia he DID NOT fix. I was immediately rushed to another hospital and had to have emergency surgery to fix everything he did wrong. My insides were floating in my own feces. I had to intestinal surgeries in four days, was hospitalized for 7 days due to the lack of care by Dr. Daniel Smith. I lost my job, so I lost my health insurance for myself and my son, I was two weeks from taking finals at school, but had to take an F in both classes leaving me to retake the classes at $4000. I would NEVER recommend Dr. Smith for ANY type of surgery again. When you can diagnose a patient without doing any pretesting you should NO longer be practicing. My total for all my losses was approx. $150,000. I did see a lawyer, but do to the laws that protect doctors I was unable to sue for what he did to me. For your own health and well being, NEVER use St. Josephs Hospital or Dr. Daniel Smith in Park Rapids, MN. You are a $ sign! If they mess up, no one cares!

Very good experience the only thing is I have never even spoke to my surgeon

Dr. Smith and his staff are excellent. I couldn't have made a better decision, to have my surgery in Park Rapids.

Hi....Dr. Smith and his whole staff are absolutely the greatest. Very personable and willing to help with issues that seem to pop up. I was so very happy I ended up going there since i had been with another place in Fargo,ND for about 7 months. But .....GREATLY hands down....THIS was MUCH MORE a BETTER CHOICE!!!!!! Glad I took a chance to try them! Since they were farther away from me I thought i should just go where it was closer to go......NOT!!!!!! THis is a MAJOR surgery and should be very important to LOOK at everything involved....even though its farther from me.
I had surgery on Aug. 9th 2011. Stayed in the hospital for 4 days then was able to go home.
Even after I was at home, I had a few questions to ask about......and they were able to help and treat me still like a friend. I am so glad to have met them and now for the rest of my life....they are like family!!!!!! THANK YOU GUYS!!!!!

When I met Dr. Smith my first impression was that he was confident, knowledgable and approachable. He had quick and to the point answers to every question I asked him. My impression of him didn't change after talking to him longer. When I showed up at 5am for my surgery he was basically there making his rounds with other patients and getting ready for me. The staff are AMAZING...the nurses really worked hard for me and would even just come in to talk when I didn't have visitors. I would ask for a popsicle and they'd check quick and bring it..pretty awesome. What I liked least about Dr. Smith was that I really didn't see him much. I think he had the weekend off, but his PA Sandy Jones was in each morning and she really got my rear in gear to drink my fluids. I would recommend Dr. Smith to anyone in my family, he was great. Aftercare with Dr. Smith is pounded in your head before, during, and after you leave. They always make sure you are doing ok. During the first consultation the nutritionist or LSW does let you know there are risks involved with the surgery, leaks, rupturing, and even death. Everyone knows what they are getting into before they have their surgery. If I had to rate him on a scale from 1-10 he would be a 8.5. I would have like to have seen him after the surgery, but after 2 months I've had no major problems and am happy I chose him as my surgeon.

my surgeon was dr smith. i had heard only great things about him so maybe expected too much? i saw him for a couple of minutes the day i drove to park rapids for the seminar (a 2 hour drive each way). and then i did not see him again until a few minutes before surgery and then it was FOR less than a minute. i never saw him again, not even after surgery. my impression was that although he seemed quite capable and competent, that he was EXTREMELY busy and did not have time for me. after the surgery, i had 2 fills and they were both done by a nurse. the first fill was very painful and took 4 or 5 tries. the second was better. overall, i was not impressed by the dr or hospital staff. ALTHOUGH MOST OF THE BARIATRIC TEAM WAS VERY GOOD TO WORK WITH, AND although it was a very small hospital, it was the most impersonal i have been too and i really could not wait to leave. just my opinion but i could not recommend this dr or hospital. i am now at the largest hospital in minneapolis, and the care and attention to my band and my needs has been top notch. smaller does not always mean better. JUST MY OPINION!

Dr. Smith seems like a quiet, reserved and kind man. His staff is kind and supportive. All of the staff and Dr. Smith have a wonderful bedside manner. I am impressed with the after care set up for me thus far. I am very happy I drove to Park Rapids for my surgery and would highly recommend this surgical team to others. I did have to have a dilitation today (Nov. 19th) because food was not able to be digested. I had a lap RNY on Oct. 22nd. I had very little pain, was able to get in my walking at the hospital. I was nauseous in the hospital though. The nurses were great at helping and supporting me through this.

Dr. Smith is a man of few words but he definitely knows what he is doing and has each patient's best interest at heart. rnrnMy impression of Dr. Smith has not changed, I trusted him and his opinions when I first met him and still do. rnrnAll of the staff in Dr. Smith's office are genuine, empathetic, and supportive of each and every single patient that walks through that door. rnrnDr. Smith can be difficult to understand and interpret since he is a man of so few words. It can be challenging trying to decipher what he has said and what he meant. My suggestion is to just ask him and if you are not comfortable ask one of his staff to help explain something to you.

Dr. Smith is a compassionate and understanding surgeon! Would definitely recommend him to anyone considering WLS!!