Daniel Smith Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

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.

Although Dr. Smith is not specifically a bariatric surgeon, he has done many RNY procedures in the recent past and his case load for this procedure is exploding as word gets out that, as I like to phrase it, Dr. Daniel Smith is perhaps Minnesota's best-kept secret, medically speaking.

He is extremely thorough, does not put the patient through any more preliminary hurdles or procedures than is absolutely necessary, and does an absolutely top-notch job all the way around. I cannot recommend him highly enough. It has now been almost 6 months since my surgery and I have had absolutely NO complications or complaints; am feeling FABULOUS; and would do it again in a heartbeat only if I could have Dr. Smith perform the procedure.

Dr. Smith and his nurse, Sandy, have been very helpful and know what put in the letter for the insurance company. I was scared I would not be approved by the insurance company. My first letter worked and I have my surgery coming up March 13, 2003.

I have a consultation set for Feb. 24th 2003. I am sooo excited!
I now have my date after seeing Dr.Smith...May 22nd!!! Dr. Smith and his team were wonderful to work with!

He's a very quiet man, soft-spoken but yet speaks VERY fast. He had no problem answering all my questions, in fact most of them were answered before I even had to ask. He really knows his stuff! His PA Sandy Jones is wonderful as well. There are also several staff members who have personally had this procedure and are more than willing to help answer any questions. I have to say this was the best medical situation I've ever found myself in. I HIGHLY recommend this dr. and this hospital, my experience was amazing.