Kevin Mitchell, M.D. Bariatrics Bariatric Center

My surgeon has been Dr. Yates, but I found out today, 1 week before my surgery he has quit. Yes, I feel like I just ran into a brick wall. I understand things happen, but I can't believe he just left. Thank God for Dr. Mitchell, he is going to take my case. So, I will be having surgery July 27.

I have not seen my surgeon yet. I was very happy that I called on 6-25-01 and my first appt. is on 7-9-01.

Dr.Mitchell is a great Surgeon.He took the time to explain the surgery before hand.His staff is wonderful also.He is easy to talk to.You dont wait forever in his office to see him.He dont rush you in and out.
I think his bedside manner was great.I seen him everyday I was in the hospital.
Everything about him was good.

My first impression was good. He was rather soft spoken and he spoke well in front of a group of people. He was nice and funny.

One on one he is a bit more shy. But he answered all our questions honestly and was upfront about all aspects of the surgery and his personal motivations.

The office staff is very friendly. One of them gave me the wrong directions on how to get away from his office....lol. And they do now deal with the insurance, but were helpful and really nice. I have a letter I just sent in with about 50 questions regarding surgery and aftercare, we'll see how they handle that.

The least thing I liked was that when he had gone over everything and it was time to go, he went. No chit chat or small talk. All business, but that's what it is, so that's ok. I knwo he is very busy and I had to put him 30 minutes behind, but he didn't run through any of our questions and I appreciated that.

He is very soft spoken and I think, a little shy. One girl had a problem that he wasn't looking her in the eyes, but I think that is because he is a bit shy. He did look us in the eyes and anwered all our questions honestly.

They have a program for aftercare and the patient is expected to follow it. They believe in follow-up visits to them then eventually your pcp. The plan is outlined for you in a lot of detail. I have not seen it on paper yet, but someone was reading it off at the seminar I attended.

He addressed the risks of surgery straight on. Told us what they were and what the stastics were. He discussed his personl record and his feelings about that about who he performs surgery on. Why he restricts himself to certain patients.

Overall I would rate him highly. He was honest and has performed hundreds of this type of surgeries. He has a dedicated program and expects certain things. Very professional.

I feel like you have to have both surgical sompetence AND bedside manner, with competence coming in just ahead. You can survive the surgery and do just fine if your surgeon has no bedsise manner, however; I feel a faster recovery will occur if you have a very personable doctor. A lot of recovery depends on your mental state and if you have a personable doctor, I feel it will go that much quicker.

My Wife and I went to see DR. Mitchell on 6-14-2001. He's A nice person and all just a bit hard to talk to. He did answer all of my questions it's I'm not the smartest guy and he talked over my head.I think it is just tough for a highly educated person to comunicate on a lower level. I do think he is a very good doctor.

I think Dr. Mitchell is a great doctor and a wonderfull person. His office staff is always there for you any time of the day. He has a great program all around I would recomend him t anybody!!

He has a quiet manner about him, but is ready and willing to answer any and all questions and his staff is wonderful. I have only seen him twice because my surgery is this Thursday, but I attended a seminar here in my home town conducted by him and learned even more.
I would recommend him to any one thinking about having the surgery.
He stresses all aspects of the aftercare instructions and gives you quite a list of do's and dont's on your second visit.

I met with Dr Mitchell on 2-8-01. We did have to wait for at least 1 hr my appt. My first impression was he seems so young but I was told by the Dr's assistant that he is close to 40. He seemed to be tired and a bit distracted. He did say that I was a perfect candidate and thought it was great that I have recently had a cardiac catherization and he sd it was really good that it was a false positive. He asked me some questions about other health issues ex: sleep apnea which I am not sure that I have he did say I would be tested for that. Everyone has only nice things to say about him so that makes me feel good. I will withold further opinions until after I have my surgery.
I am now post op and I will tell you Dr Mitchell is very dedicated and has proved to be a very good surgeon. One night in the hospital at 3:30 in the morning he made his rounds and visited me. I was wide awake he was surprised I was awake and I was surprised he came in at that time.

4-25-01 Went to meet Dr.Mitchell today. I was just a little early,but I got right in. I didn't even have time to look at the photo album! I liked Dr.Mitchell immediately! My husband has been apprehensive, about my having this surgery, and Dr.Mitchell said all the right things to calm his fears. So, now it is on to the Big Day=Surgery May 1.
I have to go to St.Louis a day early and spend the night(in a motel),so I can be at the hospital at 5:30am.

Thanks to all for the support!! See you on the "other side".

Blessings,Linda

I met with Dr. Mitchell yesterday for my consultation. I was treated very courteously by him and his staff. I was seen very quickly which is a rarity these days. Dr. Mitchell answered all of my questions very thoroughly and was considerate at all times. He assured me that I was a good candidate for the surgery. I can't believe how fast surgery has been scheduled-my date is 5/1/01!