Douglas S. Hess M.D. Bariatrics Bariatric Center

My first impression of doctor Hess was ok, he seemed friendly and more like my granfather then a surgeon. I met him at one of his support groups initially and he was a friendly older gentleman who takes the time to answer every question. I then had my first appointment with him just 10 days later. 1/24/02 he once again answered every question. His wife is also a Gem! His office staff is nice But is very busy and sorta offish on the phone answering questions. Dr Hess seems concerned about aftercare. And he makes sure you come back. he seems to truly care about his patients. He also spends a lot of time saying the same things over and over again. I felt he was making sure I was understanding what was happening. I will post more after my surgery. But I would definietely recommend this surgeon!

Now that I'm 1.5+ years out from surgery (minus 178 lbs) I have a few observations. First of all, Dr. Hess is a good surgeon and he has created a very effective surgical procedure for weight loss for morbidly obese people...HOWEVER...my praise for him stops there. He has absolutely no "bedside manor" and doesn't spend the amount of time I need discussing my blood test results. I will not be going back to see him for any more follow up visits. I have chosen another doctor to take over my post op monitoring and care. In all the history I've known Dr. Hess, he stresses "follow-up" for the rest of your life. Do you know why? He wants your weight loss stats for his medical report about the BPD/DS. It has very little to do with caring for the patient, if at all. I've also had doubts in the abilities of his staff. I personally have had several situations that concerned me on their record keeping, and not notifying me of tests & procedures that I was required to have done before surgery. His nurse S**** is rude and condescending towards patients most of the time and asking her a question is a true interruption in her day. Since this surgery, I've taken charge of my health care, and I'm not letting anything slip by. CONFIRM EVERYTHING WITH DR. HESS'S OFFICE NO MATTER HOW SMALL! Don't assume it's being taken care of.

I will be using Dr. Hess in Bowling Green, Ohio. I had a consult with Dr. Oakley, his partner, on February 18th, 2002. I was denied twice for surgery with him before getting a lawyer involved and getting approved in the external appeals process. Dr. Hess sent appeals letters both times I was denied.
Dr. Oakley was very professional, and took a long time to thoroughly explain the procedure to me. I liked the fact that I was given a surgery date at the time of my consultation, even though I did not yet have insurance approval. Since I didnt' end up getting approved until less than a month before my surgery date this really helped. I had some pre-op testing done the day of my consult at the hospital, and was equally impressed with the treatment I received there. I was also given a video to take home and watch . The video explained about the procedure.
I will add more after surgery

My first Impression was that he was very busy. I went to the office and viewed a video he's made explaining the procedure. He was running behind and I was resceduled to see him the next day. He had been tied up taking care of a patient with complications.
When I returned the next day He was prompt curteous and very friendly and reassuring. I am a nurse and had very many questions. He answered them all. I had researched all the available weight loss procedures and had decided that this was my best hope. Being super morbidly obese many surgeons wouldn't even touch me or even give me an appointment as individuals with this BMI have severe comorbidities and bring down their success rate numbers. Dr Hess reassured me that my comorbidities Diabetes, Hypertension, Sleep Apnea, Asthma, and arthritis to name just a few. Were all the more reason to have this done. If I stayed at this weight my life expectancy was only a few years and I am only forty. My work and my life were severely restricted it hurt to walk I was always out of breath ,I couldn't go to new places or offices or resturaunts worried I would break a chair or couldn't fit at a table. Well he did some job reassuring me and scheduled me that day and worded a well structured letter to my insurance company.
And shortly thereafter I was approved and because of work obligations had to reschedule a month later. I saw him on 9/13/01 and had surgery on 12/17/01. The nurses at the hospital were great his office nurses although busy are great. He saved my life. In 11 months I have lost 216 pounds my diabetes is no longer there my blood sugars and HgA1C are all normal no more pills nor daily finger sticks, My blood pressure is undercontrol and I am off Three of those meds. My asthma is greatly improved as is my sleep apnea my PCP thinks I may soon bee of my Bipap machine I have loads of energy and go and do what and when I want And I can buy clothes off the rack a a normal store no more catalog for 6X and 7X clothes. His partner is also very great he just did surgery on my young nephew 23 with many of the same problems I had and he was excellent

<Font face="comic sans ms"><font size=3><p align="left">I liked Dr Hess the first moment I seen him, he gave me a nice firm handshake.
He took his time and explained everything, asking if I had any questions after each topic. He emphasized aftercare, and told me the risks of the surgery. He's a pioneer in this type of surgery and I have lots of confidence in him!
The office staff was very efficient and friendly!

My first impression was that he explained things fairly well.

Aftercare was not good. I was from Wisconsin and I was sent home and I had massive complications. My dr's back home were in touch with him initially and we've never heard from him again. I was in the hospital 6 months due to complications, I guess he insured me there would be follow up and there has never been any. Very disappointing.

Dr Georgen and Dr Wasco of Neenah WI have taken me in and have given me the care and support I've needed, if it were not for them I would not be here.

MY FIRST EMPRESSION OF DR. HESS WAS VERY GOOD. WHEN I HAD MY CONSULTATION I COULD TELL HE WAS A VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE SURGEON. HE ANSWERED ALL MY QUESTIONS AND I FELT HE TOLD ME ALL THE PROS AND CONS OF THIS SURGERY.

THE OFFICE STAFF PEOPLE WERE POLITE BUT THEY WERE VERY BUSY. DIDN'T HAVE MUCH CONTACT WITH THEM ON MY FIRST VISIT.

FUTURE PATIENTS SHOULD KNOW THAT HE IS A VERY SKILLED SURGEON AND ONE OF THE BEST. AFTERCARE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO HIM BECAUSE HE CARES ABOUT HIS PATIENTS.

I WOULD RATE DR.HESS WITH AN OVERALL A.

I FEEL SURGICAL COMPETENCE AND BEDSIDE MANNNER WAS VERY GOOD WITH DR. HESS.

Dr Douglas Hess Sr. is an absolute Miracle Worker, and it is a loss to the WLS community that he is now retired as of March 2004. With Medical Malpractice Ins. costs so high, it was simply to much for him to stay in practice. But there still is Dr. Oakley in the practice, who I have heard nothing but praise for about him also. All of my office visits since surgery have been with Dr. Oakley, and he is a very caring man, and compassionate about what he does. Be assured that your choice to have Dr. Oakley as your surgeon is a very sure bet, just as much as it would have been with dr Hess.

Dr Hess is a wonderful person as well as skilled surgeon. My impression of him was right from the beginning. He truly wants to help people. The office staff was outstanding also, always there ready to help.
There is really nothing I did not like about them. The aftercare is also the best.

Future patients should really screen their surgeons and talk to people who have gone to them. I was set up with another surgeon but switched hands down Dr. Hess was the man for me.

Dr. Hess had an aggressive after care program and much data to supply to future surgery patients.

I rate him excellent. The best. He was very upfront about all risks and benefits of this surgery. BOth his bedside mannner and surgical expertise were wonderful-top notch.