"Dr. S is a good guy. I've only had one appointment with him so far, but am at month three in my pre-op preparation for the DS. It's entirely possible that I like him because of my training in health... I have a BS in health, sociology, and anthropology, and am one class away from an M.Ed. in counseling. I worked in nursing for about 7 years prior to moving to Arizona, where I was recently referred to Dr. S.
He isn't very personable... he answered my questions but was sort of distant. I understood what I needed going in, and meeting him was, I suspect, more of a formality than anything. He asked me what I wanted, warned me of the risks, and told me what I needed to do in order to make my goal a reality. I don't doubt his surgical competence, but I'm not sure that for those patients who need a touchy-feely warm and fuzzy surgeon, this is the guy.
He cares and he is invested in the well-being of his patients, but he is a surgeon. It is his job and goal to make changes to our bodies to help us live healthier lives, provide support through that experience, and then exit graciously. He provides five years of post-op support... so there will be a relationship developed in the long-run, but at the end of the day, Dr. S is not a primary care physician, he's a specialist and is only there to serve a limited function for a limited time.
He and his staff are remarkably helpful. His staff is very friendly, and Dr. S is nice enough. Soon enough, I'll be in the OR with his hands playing around with my inside parts. I'll come back when that happens to let you know about my surgical and post-operative experience."
