Daniel Cottam Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

Dr. Cottam seemed very quiet yet confident. I asked Dr. Cottam how many RNY he had performed and he told me over 1,000. My consult appointment lasted about 3 hours. I saw the dietician, the psychologist, the exercise physiologist, the insurance specialist, attended a short video question/answer session and then saw Dr. Cottam. The thing I liked least is I felt each phase of my consult appointments was very rushed so I was unable to absorb as much as I would have liked with regard to information regarding my surgery. Aftercare was never discussed, I hope it WILL be discussed at the time of my surgery? All Dr. Cottam's personnel are great EXCEPT for the office gals that answer the phone. They are rude, snippy and unhelpful, they put so much effort into NOT helping me when I call that they end up making their own jobs more difficult. As an example I made approximately 15 calls JUST trying to get a copy of my labs that ONLY went to Dr. Cottams office. His receptionist told me to contact the lab in Reno. The lab in Reno told me to contact my PCP in Elko, my PCP told me he didnt order the labs so he doesnt have a copy so I should contact Dr. Cottam in Salt Lake City. I again called Dr. Cottam's office and was told that the gal who had my labs was off that day. I called back the next day and she was out of the office. After a few days, I called again and they told me that they couldnt find my file so I should call my PCP. I told them I had already jumped through all those hoops and all I wanted was a copy of my labs, they told me they couldnt give me a copy of my labs (I even offerred to fax them a signed Release of Medical Records Form. Eventually, the best I could get out of them was to have their onstaff nurse read my cholesterol levels to me over the phone. I NEVER DID GET A COPY OF MY LABS!!! There are a couple of days during the week that certain people you may need to speak with are off. I havent figured out exactly what their schedules are but it is tricky trying to contact some of the staff. rnrnAfter surgery I have this to say...anyone who chooses doctor Cottam...I feel he knows his stuff BUT, if you have any questions of this man, you better grab onto his arm and not let loose until you are done because its very difficult to get this man to sit still for a couple of questions. He will literally walk out of the room while you are in mid sentence and not answer your questions. But I have to rationalize that his arrogance, is tolerable since, he is the guy who trains other doctors to perform gastric bypass and he is the goto guy for gastric bypasses that need to be redone.

So far I love him. I chose him because he is nationally known for fixing botched surgeries. My good friend went to him for her RNY and has done great. Also, I had a lap band in Mexico that I need removed. No one else would touch me, but Dr. Cottma said that he had no problem with it. He treated me with respect and didn't criticise me for going to Mexico.rnrnI had my surgery on 3/16 and Dr. Cottam was great. He said my surgery was easy because of my liquid diet and so far I've done well. I'm not doing my follow up wqith him because I live 5 hours away so he's arranged for me to see someone else. That shows his flexibility. He has great bedside manner, really pushes aftercare and was insistent that I call him with any questions or concerns at any time.

My first impression of Dr. Cottam is that he is a really quiet man and I wondered about how is personality would play out in my care, as I am also a quiet and introspective person. However, I quickly began to feel comfortable with him as my physician and do feel that should I have any problems that arise in my journey I would be able to discuss them with him. Only recently did I receive approval for my surgery so I do not have a surgery date nor can I attest to anything pertaining the surgery itself. I can however say that Dr. Cottam and his staff are kind and professional. They have been a wealth of information on all aspects of this journey, the diet, the exercise, the surgery itself, and the dreaded insurance approval process. I look forward to working with them after my surgery.

Don't be put off by his quiet demeanor, his is a great physician.

I have complete trust in my surgeon he is the best in my book. He is well educated and knows his stuff. I am at ease with him. He makes me feel as I am the only patient he has when I have an appointment. If anyone is thinking about WLS and in utah go to Dr. Cottam you wont regret it. The only thing that isnt the best is the length of time it takes the office to return my calls.

I Liked him Right off the Bat. He is very helpfull and answered all of my questions about the procedure.rnI am very thankfull for all he had done for me He Helped me changed my life.rnHis Staff is the Best. They answer all your Questions Even after the Surgery. I am no longer his patient due to moving out of state I still call them now if I have a question and its been over 1 year since the surgeryrnI like everything about him, there is nothing I dont like.rnThat he is very caring and he is always there for you if you need him.rnHe is always there for you,ansers all your questions quickly as so does his staff.rnHe told me all the risks of the surgery and the % of his outcomes of all his surgeries of past patients.rnI would have to rate him out of 1-10 I would give him a 11.rnI find both surgical competence, bedside manner Important.

My first impression of him was, hmmm I like him. He is kind of quiet but really knows his stuff. My impression is still about the same I haven't had much dealing with him. The seminar and a 10 minute office visit, but I feel he is a good dr. The office staff has not been a good experience for me. The office manager is great but I cant really say the same for the rest, well 1 girl in particular that is not compationate at all, and she is the one that deals with all the insurance . She told me they would call me every 5 days for a update and she never did I had to call them. Then she told me my surgery was cancelled because of insurance.....it's a long story I just think she should check on things, before she tells a patient who has been working on this for what seems like forever that the surgery is cancelled oh and did I mention I got that call 6 days before surgery? The surgery is not cancelled and the date has not moved from the original schedule. I am writing this 2 days before surgery and I just cant waite to get it over with and to get on with my life. All the wondering and waiting for another bomb to drop is nerve racking enough.

I met all 3 of the surgeons at the NV SWCC and Dr. Cottam was in between the personalities of the other 2 which is good.rnThe staff at the SWCC were always courteous and helpful.rnThere is not much of an aftercare program. Only your regular checkups (the 1st one I only saw a technician who did a wound check).rnThe risks of surgery are reviewed completely.rnThe doctor came by the day after surgery to see how I was doing. rnHe is very competent, and he is way over his learning curve.rnI felt very comfortable with him.rnI was more nervous about anesthesia then the surgery itself.

My first impression of Dr Cottom was that he was in a hurry through the office visit. He did not explain eveything I need to know. His office staff was good, except when you are dealing with them over the phone. Then you run into some trouble.

He seems totally dedicated to his practice. He is also very personable and put me at ease. He answered questions easily and explained most things even before I asked.rnHe is the newest member of the surgical team at SWCC, but I am confident about Dr. Cottam's skills. rnThere is a structured after care program and he has already told me about. I rate him very high. I am pleased to have him as my surgeon. I think it is great to have both surgical competence and also a good bedside manner. I am happy to say my surgeon seems to have both.rnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrn<a href=\"http://www.mywackospace.com\" target=\"_blank\">rn<img src=\"http://www.mywackospace.com/images/graphics/icons/fantasy/fantasy58.gif\" border=\"0\" alt=\"MySpace Icons\">rn</a>

The program that they have at the SWCC is working well for me. The emphasize the \"Nine Rules\" and Dr. Fisher constantly reminds us to draw a line in the sand and not cross it to be successful. I agree with him completely.rnrnDuring the pre-op meeting, Dr. Fisher looks you right in the eye and describes the complications. He asks you if you can handle it if you have to have nothing by mouth for months in case of a leak. It scared the heck out of me and if I wasn't completely sure of my decision to have the surgery, I would have cancelled right there.rnrnLuckily, the skill and care I received from these doctors has brought me safely through.