"I first met Dr Thomas at a seminar in Slidell in Feb 2003. He is young and very personable. I met with him in April 2003 for my first visit. I liked him. He was easy to talk to, answered all of my questions and did not seem rushed. Since I was a self-pay and we didn't have an insurance company to deal with I was able to get the pre-op orders for Labs etc. at that visit. At my pre-op visit with him the week before surgery things changed. He was rushed and seemed anxious for the visit to be over. He did answer all of my questions as we were signing release forms, however, I could tell he was in a hurry. I did not see him before the procedure the morning of surgery. I also did not see him later that day. I was seen by an associate of his late in the afternoon on the day after surgery. I was very disappointed in the way my case was handled in the hospital. I did not see Dr Thomas until the morning he discharged me. He entered my room, asked how I was doing, told me he was releasing me and for me to make an appointment to see him in about a week, and then he was gone. I felt no real caring attitude from him at all. He did a wonderful job with my surgery. I had zero complications, so I have to say his surgical abilties are top notch. However, if you are looking for a Dr that shows care and concern even if you don't have complications, I'd have a hard time recommending Dr. Thomas. With me he had little bedside manner. I wanted and needed a doctor that knows how important it is for a patient to feel a bond, especially with such an emotional and life changing surgery. It would have taken him 10 minutes while I was in the hospital to sit on the bed and really look at me and ask how I was doing... to show me that he was there for me. It makes me very sad that he never took that 10 minutes out of his day. He wasn't in the office when I went for my one week follow up appointment. I saw the Nurse Practitioner, Maria. She helped me with every thing I needed. I also made my appointment with her for my six week check-up. I have no idea when I will ever see Dr. Thomas again. My husband has has many surgeries in the last 8 years.. and I've never seen a surgeon handle a patient like Dr. Thomas handled me. It took me totally by surprise.
I am also disapointed with the aftercare program at Southern Bariatrics. At the pre-op class that you are required to attend before surgery you are given a packet of information. It says someone will call to check on you in the days after you're released from the hosptial. No one ever called me. I felt like I was totally on my own. However, the couple of times I've had to call with questions, my calls were answered within the day either by Maria or Laura.
I believe that Southern Bariatric may be bombarded with more patients than they are prepared to handle because of the sudden increase in bariatric surgeries. Perhaps over time things will improve."
"I was so impressed with Dr. Clark I have started seeing him weekly. I think he has a great attitude about the positive results of WLS. He is supportive.. and inspirational."
