Center for Obesity Surgery in Gainsville Bariatric Center

I am scheduled to meet Dr.Thoburn for the 1st time May 25, 2001.I am excited and will update after my meeting with him.

5/4/01-I got in on a cancellation and got to go in today. I really like Dr Thoburn.I think my husband liked him too. Very much to the point and confident. Which is a plus for me since my life will be in his hands.I look forward to having him as my surgeon.

Dr Brient is extremely knowledgeable. He is a very busy man.I was not aware of it until after the surgery but he was scheduled elsewhere during the first 2 weeks of my recovery and therefore I was seen by his colleagues. Once of the colleagues was Dr. Sarantos.Time was always taken to answer all of my questions it is just at the time you are not sure of what questions to ask.
I felt the staff was very competent. From getting me approved with the proper paperwork, to getting authorizations from the insurance company for the many test and surgery. I especially felt the dietician, Pam was the most important person in my recovery. The aftercare is the most important of this surgery and their aftercare is 18 months long. On a scale of 1 to 10 I would rate this Dr and staff an 8. I felt that surgical competence was better than bedside manner although bedside manner was not lacking.

HE IS VERY KNOWLEDGABLE. ANSWERED ALL MY QUESTIONS. I DONT FEEL HE GIVES ME THE TIME OF DAY ANYMORE. YOU ARE PROVIDED WITH EVERYTHING YOU NEED. BUT THE DIETITION IS NOT HELPFUL AT ALL. BED SIDE MANNER IS SHORT AND TO THE POINT. NOT MUCH OF A CHATTER JUST THE FACTS. HE IS VERY GOOD AND I KNOW A FEW PEOPLE WHO HAVE USED HIM AND BEEN VERY HAPPY. I AM AT THE POINT NOW THAT I NEED ANSWERS AND I WILL BE CALLING HIM ON MONDAY TO GET THEM. AT 8 MONTHS I FEEL I SHOULD BE CLOSER TO 100. THEY ARE STICKLERS ON AFTERCARE AND THEY HOUND YOU ABOUT IT WHICH IS GOOD. I WOULD GIVE HIM ON A SCALE OF 1-10 A 7. AFTER MONDAY MAYBE HIGHER. NOW THAT I HAVE HAD THE SURGERY I FEEL HE DOESNT HAVE ANYTHING ELSE FOR ME. I WANT THIS WEIGHT OFF AND I WANT TO KNOW WHY ITS NOT COMING OFF AS IT SHOULD.

He was concerned about my situation.
He seemed knowledgeable, honest and confident.

I have only met with him once at this time.

His office has been compassionate and extremely helpful since my very first phone call. They are absolutely on the BALL.



They strenuously emphasize aftercare( Diet, exercise, daily vitamins and careful attention to protein intakez) He has a dietian on his staff and you have unlimited access to her and you also must meet with her each time you see the doctor.
He was honest with me and explained that mine was a little more risky since it is revision from a 1981 gastric partition.

I need to have more contact before making a overall rating and before judging the level of his skills.
After this type of surgery I believe you strong encouragement and enthusiastic response when you make successful advancement toward your goals. It's my feeling that since Dr. Thobern and his staff see so many people day after day that are successful, maybe they have forgotten that there are those out there that are still are dealing with the battle. It's my personal experience that they seem to be a little blase' about what I have considered thus far to be amazing. I think that their bedside manners in the office need an injecton of enthusiasm.

Working for a hospital I meet Doctors and talk with them daily. Some are very difficult to communicate with. It could be they feel that they are so above every one, I don't know. Few are really down to earth and look at you as an equal.

On my first visit to any doctor I am very careful to observe that doctor's attitude. I wait to see if he or she takes the time needed to address my concerns and learn about me.I also look to see if they will listen to what I am saying and just not blow me off like I don't know what I am feeling.

After my first visit, my wife and I had the impression that Dr. Brient was a doctor that cares for his patient. A man that extreemly belives in what he is doing. A man that makes sure you are aware of your surgery and the fine details of what will happen. A doctor that looked at me as a person not just another case. Someone that did not look at the clock and spent over an hour with us to make sure we were comfotable and had all of our questions answered and understood the answers. After my surgery Dr. Brient really showed an attitude of caring and understanding. He would not get to my room untill 10 pm most evenings because he was helping others. One time when he left my room he was going to perform surgery on someone that needed it. I developed a great respect for this man. He never made me feel that when he came to see me that it had to be rushed because he was so busy. He took all the time I needed to asked any questions I might have come up with.

My first impression was great. I met another patient of his in the waiting room. She really help comfort me. He was really nice, laid back, and very informative. I immediately felt comfortable. I have not been to the office again, will soon. The staff has been really helpful. Anwered all my questions, been very flexible. Least liked... he is SOOOO thin... but shouldn't he be??? You have one year of pre paid support of thier nutritionist.

I haven't met him yet. I have talked with Robin in his office and like her well enough. I just got my package of information in the mail. They require you to fill out about 10-12 pages of information and send it back to them. Once they receive the requested information, they will call you and set up an appointment. They advised they only see new patients on Fridays. I don't understand the necessity for that, but I guess all offices are different.

Dr. Thoburn is very nice but also very blunt and to the point when it comes to the risks involved. He seems very compassionate and that says alot for some surgeons. I am a medical professional and not all doctors are caring and understanding. He listened to me and answered all my questions without hesitation. Beleive me, I drilled him too. I even asked how many years he has been doing this and how many surgeries he has performed. he answered without hestitation again. My husband likes him too. His office staff is very nice and caring too. He made it a point to tell me that this is just a tool to help with the weight loss but that afterwards it is up to me and my change in my behavior and the way I think and eat that will determine if this will be a success. I dont think there was anything thing that I really disliked about him. He seems very understanding and sympathetic to my struggle.

Dr. Thoburn was great before and after my surgery. I was told by several of the nursing staff that he was one of the best and I had an excellent doctor. He joked around a bit with me and teased me some. I like him overall.

Dr. Brient is the great. I asked lots of question including, how many patients have died. I asked about everything and he was very honest and forthcoming. The staff is great also, very helpful and knowledgeable. They are very competent and emphasize that this is tool and diet and exercise are vital in the aftercare. Dr. Thobern's office set up the intial consultation but now Dr. Brient's office is handling it. (Apparently they are in a period of transition) Surgery was approved 9 days ago and still waiting on packet to arrive in mail.

Thought he looked very young; but, his manner was very impressive and gave confidence. His office staff is competent and concerned with the patients. They have great follow-up care. They called me at home each day after the hospital until I had my staples removed (which did not hurt). His dietician was very informative and is available throughout office hours for consultation via telephone. All the issues regarding wls were explained including the emotional ones. His surgical skills were very good as I was out in less than two hours (including gallbladder removal - Open
RNY).