Charles Thomas Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

I love the program in place for bariatric durgery with Dr Thomas, Southern Surgical. From start to finish Judith walks you through the process in a very thorough manner. They don't skip a beat here. They know what they're doing! They received insurance approval without a problem, because they were very prepared. I appreciate all of the \"loops\" you have to jump through. I know that all of it is for my safety and to be sure I will be successful. I am confident that I am in good hands here!

1. my first impression of dr Thomas was the he was a caring indivdual.This has been proven true and his staff is wonderful, Judith, his nurse had her surgery about 9 yrs ago so she really understands the path we are walking. There is a regular support group meeting, however I live about 2hrs away and timeing of work and the meeting don't mesh very well. However we dod have a group here on the coast that meets. Dr. Thomas made sure that I understood all the risks of my surgery and what was expected of me as a patient. West Jefferson Medical was also wonderful. I loved it when I found out that they didn't think I needed the BIG bed for my stay there. All in all, I have been very happy with all aspects of my care by Dr Thomas and his staff.

I liked Dr. Thomas the moment I met him. He is very personable and willing to go the distance for his patients. He has a very competent staff, who will answer all you questions. He doesn't hold any punches. He went over the entire procedure and the risks of surgery. He actually came and took me for my swollow study the next morning. rnThe only disappointment I had was that he didn't take my gallbladder out when I had surgery. I already had gallstones, so I thought it should have been taken out. Four months later, I had to have it removed.rnOverall, he is an excellent doctor who has a caring staff who are all willing to help you!

My first impression was great, interested in you and your situation. Never made you feel be littled because you were overweight.rnWhen he spoke you knew he was truly concerned by your blight. Also upright and honest. I thoroughly enjoy going to see the Doctor and his staff have been kind and thoughtful, never making you feeling out of place. His honesty when he tells you something it is truly being honest. He is concerned about you before surgery and after surgery. I was extremely informed about the surgery through the whole process and continually. The risks of the surgery were explained thoroughly several times.rnDr. Thomas overall rate would be a 10!rnSurgical competence and bedside manner.rnrnI had never had surgery until this surgery and I was totally at peace with the doctor, staff and hospital.

I have known Dr Thomas for some time now he did other surgery for me in the past and he was wonderful, so when I heard he did the gastric bypass I immediately called his office and started the process. When I met his partner Dr Thompson I was just as impressed as I was with Dr Thomas. They made me feel very comfortable and reasuring. The staff at Southern Surgical are great everytime I go into the office everyone wants to know how I am doing. The Bariatric Coordinator Judy has made the surgery so much easier because of the fact she has been there before too and knows just what you are talking about when you have a question. She knows what you are feeling and to me that makes a BIG difference.There is nothing that I have not liked about my experiance with this group.I feel I am going to get my LIFE back now. They are concerned very much of the aftercare Post OP they really made me feel that they care, I did not feel like I was just another patient. They did let me know the risk of surgery, but what surgery does not have risk? I dont know of any but the way I looked at it, it was no more of a risk than me being 356 pounds at 34 years old and in a wheelchair. So it was worth whatever risk it was. I would rate these Doctors on and overall scale pretty high, because I am six weeks Post Op and I at this time have not had any problems that I can complain of. The question which is better surgical competence or bedside manner, I have to say both were great.

Dr. Thomas is a very caring doctor. His bedside manner could not be any better. He is gentle and kind. I have had dealings with his partner Dr. Thompson also. He too is caring and compassionate. You can't go wrong with either surgeon. I feel that there was no other choice that would have been exceptable for me. His staff is professional but very caring as well. Most of his staff no me by name and are alway ready to greet me and inquire how I am doing. His bariatric nurse Judy is a one of a kind lady! I would have not gotten through this with out her help. THANKS JUDY FOR EVERYTHING. She listen to me when i was full of tears becuse I had many denials along the way and rejoiced with me when I finally got approval.Dr. Thomas has a full vitamin and protein program that he expects all of his patients to follow and he provides support group meetings as well. There is a meal plan that starts with of course liquids and gradually increases to a full diet. I was fully prepared for my surgery by Dr. Thomas and his staff all risks were carefully explained to me and my family. Overall i would rate Dr.Thomas and Dr. Thompson at the tops of the chart they are outstanding. They are relatively new to the procedure as is West Jefferson Hospital, there are only a few minor bugs that still need to be work out to make it perfect!!