Michael Hill Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

Dr. Hill seemed very personable and very knowledgeable he answered all my questions and was very candid about his experience and stats. I felt very confident after speaking with him. I truly believe I chose the right surgeon. I was alittle annoyed that it took 2 1/2 weeks to get the request for approval letter sent to my insurance company but I know his staff is very busy and I'm sure I'm alittle impatient as are most people who've decided to have weight loss surgery, patience is truly a virtue. Hopefully I will have an answer soon.

My first impression of Dr. Hill, was OMG, he looks so young! LOL... However cute and all as well, he was very easy to talk to. The office staff overall, is very accomodating. I would have to say there really isn't anything I did not like about Dr. Hill. He has a very structured aftercare and emphasizes that to each and every patient. In regards to addressing the risks of my surgery, Dr. Hill drew me a picture of what it was he was going to do exactly, while I was in the OR. He described everything from start to finish. He made it very understood that of course one of the risks is death. Although the percentage is so very tiny, he still made me understand and was honest, which I liked very much. Both surgical competence and bedside manner are of course very very important to me. I received both and continue to receive positive feedback every time I am up in Saranac at AMC.

Dr.Hill is the greatest.He is full of support and his smile is awesome. He makes you feel good about yourself and tells you how things are.I have no complaints about him at all. The office staff that he has is also great they are very helpful and also full of encouragement. Dr.Merkel is also great I see him also with Dr.Hill and he also is very helpful and listens to what you say not what they want to hear.I would recommend them to anyone. If anyone wants a place where they are heard they are the guys to see.

There are not enough good things that I can say about Dr. Hill. My first impression of him was that he is very good looking and young. My impression did actually change over time, not that I didn't think he was good looking or young, but I really respected him for his patience, knowledge, and bedside manner. He takes the time necessary with his patients so they know all the risks and know what they are getting into.
His office staff has been very patient with me especially since I was there quite often due to strictures. They were always very quick in getting me in to see the doctor even though he is a very busy man, and they also took into account that I live 2 hours away from the office.
I would have no reservations in refering somone to Dr. Hill. In fact I would tell them there is noone else I would see because he is the best.

I haven't personally met Dr. Hill yet, however, he is the Dr. who is doing the surgeries in Saranac Lake now. I attended an informational meeting that he was at where he did a presentation explaining the surgery to us. He seems like a very out-going, energetic, caring, knowledgeable person with a bit of humor mixed in with it all! He explained the surgery very well and has done enough surgeries for me to be comfortable with him so far. I will get to meet with him when the Insurance company give the go ahead for me to have the surgery.

I can't say enough wonderful things about Dr. Hill none of my words would do the man or his amazing gift for saving lives justice.I can only say thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me another chance. The hospital staff and office staff should be praised all of them are very professional and kind and gave me excellent care other facilities could take a lesson from how well AMC is run.

My first impression of Dr.Hill was that he looked so young. After talking with him, I knew that he would be the right one for the job. The staff were always very kind and helpful to me also. The only thing I didn't like was that it took so long to see him because he is such a busy man. Do not hesitate to consider having Dr. Hill as your physician, I am saying this because I had a pretty rough time and almost died, and Dr. Hill took care of me to the best of his ability and brought me back. Aftercare is a big thing with my doctor. It is important to always keep your follow-up visits. Dr. Hill informed he ahead of time that the surgery was risky, he pulled no punches. You see, this was my 2nd gastric bypass. I had the rny this time, and the first time was way back in 1986 when it was still fairly new.
I would definately give Dr. Hill a 10+.
I would have to say that Dr. Hill has both great bedside manner and especially great surgical competence.

I had my first meeting with my surgeon on March 16, 2005. My first impression of him was 'wow'! He is a very nice man, he explained everything very well, answered all of my questions and told me he was going to watch me like a hawk after surgery to make sure nothing goes wrong. He even drew me a picture of the procedure. He said that I will be able to have laproscopic RNY, I am so excited. He is very polite and has a very nice, soothing voice. I felt very comfortable with him. He seems very confident that the insurance will approve this. Not sure how many times it will have to be submitted, but it will happen. I would recommend him to anyone.

My first impression of Dr. Hill was that he was friendly and interested in helping me. He took the time to explain all the risks and even drew me a picture of the prcedure he was going to do. The personal nurses were fiendly,helpful and sypathetic to obesity. The secretary was awesome, alway friendly with a smile. I have nothing bad to say about the other office staff, other than to say the have always appeared busy. I think the thing I like the least about Dr. Hill is ...Well... I was taken a back because he's kinda cute. Dr. Hixson, his partner, is a grandfatherly type. No one likes a decent looking guy checking their staples out. I must say he was EXTREMELY PROFESSIONAL...and this is a hangup of mine but you asked. I recommend this bariatric program for the beforecare and especially the aftercare. I went to an informational meeting with the surgeon and program coordinator. Then I decided I would like to go through with the surgery.( after considering it since 1996) I met with a nurse practictioner who took a thorough history and ordered appropriate tests. I then met with a dietition, a physical therapist, and a mental health professional. I then met with the surgeon and we went over all the tests results with him deciding I would be a good canidate for the surgery. After a few monthly visits (to see that I'm compliant with weight loss and taking my vitamins). Everything was ready to send to my insurance company. So far I would rate the Doctors and the Bariatric program 8 out of 10. I would never give anyone a 10...there is always room for improvment.
I feel surgical competence is better, however, for me personally I would prefer both.

I liked Dr. Hill right away. He was very considerate and compassionate. He really lives up to his first impression. The office staff is excellent. I always feel comfortable. If you have questions ask the Doctor as well as the staff does not know your concerns and will not initiate possible concerns with you unless you ask. The aftercare is most imoportant. They really make sure you know it is up to you to make the changes that will ensure success. The aftercare is very structured. Dr. Hill was excellent in conveying the risks and benefits of the surgery. Overall I would suggest Dr. Hill, the staff, and the aftercare to anyone. Excellent. Both bedside manner and surgical competence is needed when someone has bariatric surgery. The healing process and surger is the easy part. The life time changes is the hardest part. The Doctor has to let the patient know and be able to address concerns as well as encourage.
I have a word of caution to some who are considering the surgery. The aftercare is excellent but critical. The nurses aren't there to baby you. They really make it a point that you move, move, move. If you can't take constructive criticizm then the recovery in the hospital might be the worst. I felt that they were the most helpful because they were tough but they did have compassion.