David Coster Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

Dr. Coster is a very nice man. He listen
to every word you say. I had some other heath
problems and he explain it to me. They have moved
into there new office in the hospital area. It's
a building by it's self with stairs and a big ramp
with a elevator in it. He does talk fast so you need
to have your question wrote down before you go.
When you are with family members they tend to
want to talk more about you because they care.
He is good at talking to them also. After care was not
talked about as of yet. I have to go back for my pre-op
testing as soon as i hear from my insurance company.
I Highly recomend Dr. Coster. Very nice Staff too

My first impression of Dr. Coster was how completely organized he and his office were. The next thing I appreciated was that there didn't seem to be any judgements or lectures about how I got to this point.
My first impression has not changed in the past year since surgery, with the exception that I love Dr. Coster and his staff even more! They have done everything they said they would and more.
His staff was friendly and professional.
My least favorite thing is that he never had me get any bloodwork done in the beginning months following surgery. I had it done myself with my PCP when I was feeling exhausted and found out that I was dangerously low in potassium.
The thing I liked best was that he actually listened to what I had to say, and made his decisions based on his knowledge and my input.
Future patients may want to know that he and his office are on the ball. Be really ready to go through with this when you go in there, because they will definitely make it happen if it is right for you.
For aftercare I had visits with him every few weeks for the first couple of months, then once a month for the next six months, and then about every two months. Now, after a year, he has released me from his care as my surgeon.
He did explain to me the risks of surgery, and the benefits.
Overall I would rate him a 10 plus! I am so impressed and happy that he will be my surgeon.
Surgical competence and bedside manner are both very important. I would say they go together. They both create trust and success.

I'm hoping Dr. Coster will be my surgeon. I have initial consult with him on June 19, and am praying insurance will see it my way. I hear loads of terrfic things about Dr. C and am looking forward to meeting him. June 19 seems a long way off, but with Easter, Memorial Day, and the end of school to help me mark things off, I think it will be here before I know it. Wish me luck.

I met With Dr. Coster and I think he is the answer to my prayers (their is a GOD)
He is very nice and he really wants to help you.The office staff are very nice. He is very good looking but I think he is married (darn)I think we are going to have a wonderful relationship. LOL.
Joking aside he was very though with me and explained it all to me.

When I walked into the office, I was apprehensive about just being another "fatty" coming in for a quick fix. The waiting room had small chairs with arms that were uncomfortable. I arrived 10 minutes early and didn't get to go back for 25 minutes. I waited in my room for Dr Coster for another 30 minutes, which meant I didn't see him for 45 minutes after my scheduled appointment time.

When he finally came in, he made me feel at ease and spoke to me as an individual, not as a "fatty."

Since I had an approval letter from my ins co, he was ready to schedule my surgery. But since the letter had approval with my 1st doctor on it, Julie, who schedules surgeries, refused to schedule until she had something from the ins co that had Coster's name on it (read my ins co remarks for the entire story).

So far, I really like Coster. I'm scheduled for 3/15/02.

Dr. Coster was absolutely wonderful. He is very honest and thorough with the explanation of the surgery. I love his nurses, they are great. The hospital stay was excellent as well. The one nurse who helped me the most was Heidi. She was so supportive. She would even come in my room and braid my hair for me, so it wasn't in my face. She didn't have to do that, but she did. This was the best experience anyone could have, despite the fact that you are in pain from the procedure. Dr. Coster highly believes in walking. I now do to. Everyday I was in less pain and doing great. After two weeks I lost 14 pounds. As soon as he read that on my chart, he instantly gave me a "high five". How many doctors do that? I would recommend anyone to him. I have had some bad hospital experiences in the past, so I was leery at first. This experience has put those feelings way behind. To Dr. Coster, his staff, and the hospital staff in Grinnell, hat's off to all of you.

Absolutely and fabulously nice - good eye contact and a very good listener which means a lot to me.
I know I can trust him with my life, and not just because I have to! Jackie his nurse is
extremely friendly and helpful along every step of the way, and always returns every phone call.
They seemed very interested in what I wanted and did not make me feel at all rushed.<p>Nothing
I liked least about him at all!<p>Aftercare information was given to me on my first visit,
which is good so that you go in knowing everything to expect. All possible risks were thoroughly
explained (even though I was already aware of most of them!)<p>Will add more information after my
surgery! I honestly believe he is the best kept secret in the Midwest right now, so if you are
thinking about using him get in now before he starts to get a huge waiting list! <p>Both his
"bedside manner" and surgical competence are great, just come visit our message board to check
in on him. We love to have visitors, and are a very active group with people from other states
on with us! Here's the link:
<p><a href="http://www.egroups.com/group/OSSG-IOWA-NEBRASKA">OSSG Iowa/Nebraska Message Board</a>

When I first met Dr. Coster on November 9, 2001 I thought he was thorough and efficient. He seemed nice enough and his nurse was delightful. I was given written information which I think is very complete. Aftercare was not talked about very much but I understand all that info is given after the surgery. He did tell me to find a protein supplement drink that I liked and to get a powerful gel vitamin which I will take for the rest of my life. He listed all risks of surgery as he dictated his office notes.

I went to see Dr. Coster about having surgery to take care of GERD which was no longer responding to medication. Dr. Coster said he could do that surgery but would prefer to do WLS since it would take care of many of my co-morbidities as well as the GERD. He struck me as a no-nonsense, extremely confident doctor at the time. I was however in a bit of shock at his suggestion, since I had always been told I was not heavy enough to consider the surgery so knew absolutely nothing about it. I had already had rave reviews about him as a surgeon from the staff of my family doctor who had referred me to him, so was willing to look into it.
It is now less than 2 months later and I am scheduled for surgery in 13 days. I have faith in my surgeon and have had my impression of him reinforced by all of his patients that I have heard from or read about.
Dr. Coster made it clear that I had to be able to live with the regimen that is necessary after this surgery. His handout covers the diet and exercise clearly. I am informed about possible complications both from the surgeon and my research. I liked the fact that he gave me internet sites to do my own research which has made me better informed. The only member of his staff that I really met was Jackie who was informative and friendly. I have spoken to Sammi on the phone and was impressed with her manner. If all the office and surgical staff are of the same level as the ones I have dealt with, I will be well-served.

So far, I have only had a consultation with Dr. Coster. The office was smaller than I expected, but the staff was friendly. He explained everything very well to me. So far, so good.