David Thoman Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

'Dr David Thoman has saved my life. He is now the head of gastro bypass surgery atrnCottage Hospital in Santa Barbara

Absolutely a very driven surgeon.He actually hand picks his patients(for example he won't take you if he believes you are at super high risk for failure)Harsh to some but he wants to make sure if he takes you on your going to do everything in your power to be a long term success story.The after care is intensive and they don't let you get away with not going to support meetings.He's gorgeous and young(about 35)His nickname is Doogie Howser. He's such a wonderful surgeon and I feel blessed to be able to say he's my D.R.

I meet DR. Thoman on the 6th of July and I was given the green light to get a date as I lost 22lbs only 4 lbs away from my 10% that I needed to loose before the surgery. I had seen him the first time at the seminar at Santa Barbara Clinic so I really was impressed with him before I met him. And of course DR. Thoman is great. I had two pages of Questions and he answered all of them without a problem and took whatever time needed to get everything answered. He's was very patient with me.
I think the thing I was most impressed with is he is very through and when he was talking about the the RNY and that he did double stiching to make sure there is no leeking I was really happy about his being so through with the surgerys. He has never had any deaths or leeks either. And very small amount of any complations. Like two patients who hve constant throwing up in all his patients. So i'm pretty impressed with his stats. There is a new Dietitian, and new Secretary, the last 5-8 months so they are both great!!!!!
They go the extra mile to make you feel comfortable and Karen the secretary is on top of everything to the tee!!!She is very kind and patient too!!!! The Dietitian is very through and very sweet. The whole staff has been so very kind and will do whatever it takes to get things done.Overall I'd give the whole staff and Dr. Thoman a 10+++ score.

All i have to say is Dr Thoman saved my life!! He put me on the track to being well!!! and having my life back and i thank him for that!!

Not very chatty, pretty young, direct and to the point. No, my impression hasn't changed. Office staff try to be helpful but sometimes lack on the follow-through. Like least? Nothing. Aftercare is very important. Has a very structed aftercare program. Addresses the risk of surgery as they are - can be no problems up to death. Rate him overall - as a surgeon a 10 - his bedside manner 5. It would be good to get it all - but surgical competence is the most important.

Dr. Thoman is excellent.

Dr. Thoman is now located in Santa Barbara, CA. I have heard from others that he has a wonderful reputation as a surgeon.

Extremely young! (btw he's no longer in San Diego, he's in Santa Barbara). I found him rather "brief" during my office visit, however he was quite funny at his lecture and seemed very personnable. Extremely helpful. Nurse Barbara Pagett is wonderful. Answers all questions in a timely manner and if she doesn't know the answer she finds it! The only person I haven't liked so far was the nutritionist Gerri French. I found her rude, abrupt, and frankly out of line. She told me that at my age that I shouldn't have the RouxnY, I should have the Lapband, blah, blah, blah. Not her place to push it like she did. Not impresssed with her. There isn't anything that I don't like about Dr. Thoman -- yet! They definately should know that he's young -- I mean like 36 years old young. He just doesn't look like someone that should be doing what he does. He didn't stress it too much, however, additional staff members have talked with me about it. Not a structured aftercare program as of yet, however, I haven't been to all my appointments. I watched a video on the risks, and they had me take a T/F quiz on what I knew before the initial consultation. So far I would have to say a 6. I was expecting more lectures about aftercare, and what to expect, things like that. I feel like if I think of a question they are more than happy to answer it, however, what if I don't think of the question? Oh most definately both!! I've been in healthcare for over 10 years, and I have refused to see doctors or told people I know not to see them if I didn't like them as a person, or I thought their bedside manner was crap. Even if they are the best in the world at what they do, if they can't make you feel at ease before you go under the knife, what have they accomplished? Dr. Thoman's humor really turned the table for me that night at his lecture.

Very young looking. But He knew what he was talking about.

It just made him more appealing.

Ok. It is a Military Hospital.

That he looked so young. It made me wonder if he could do the surgery.He does not have the experince that other surgeons have.

Well he is leaving in Late June. He will be opening his own practice in Santa Barbra. Dr. Edgan will be taking over.

yes

very well.

10 of 10

both.