Douglas S. Hess Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

I have just come home form my initial consultation with Drs. Hess and Oakley. After careful deliberation on what surgeon is right for me, I decided that the reputation of these Drs. and their proximity to my home town (1.5 hours by car) made them the best option for me. I couldn't have been happier with them. Both men were extremely personable, professional and accommodating.rnrnI met with Dr. Hess for an information session and he walked me through the entire procedure from stem to stern, stopping whenever I had a question or an observation. He answered all my questions thoroughly and never once was stuck for an answer. He addressed all the concerns pre-op, during and post-op and was very helpful in the choices I would have to make as far as insurance approval, etc. He was very frank about the risks as well as the necessity for aftercare, both from a medical standpoint and a social standpoint - He stressed the need for supplements and office visits as well as bi-weekly support meetings for at least 2 years post-op.rnrnDr. Oakley, although seeming a little rushed (he had just arrived in the office from a surgery when I was finishing with Dr. Hess) was VERY friendly. He had quite a few questions for me about health care in Canada and how our insurance system worked over here. He also mentionned that if I could get approval fom the government it might open the door for many more people from Canada to have the surgery done in a timely fashion down in the US.rnrnThe office staff was very courteous and friendly. The nurse (Tina was her name, I think) was exceptionally helpful. She took my medical history and gave me all the information I would need about insurance, payment, pre-operative preparations, etc. During the medical history, she asked me about my mother and I told her my mom had died of breast cancer when I was 10. As it turns out, Tina was a breast cancer survivor - I immediately felt a bond with her. We discussed it in some detail. It was nice to talk with a medical professional who is concerned about her patient on so many levels - not just the medical history.rnrnDrs. Hess and Oakley run their own aftercare program, each attending 1 out of the 2 meetings every month. They make their patients sign a form agreeing to at least 2 years of structured aftercare in the support group. As far as office visits go, the surgical fee also covers all your office visits for one year. Their focus on aftercare is admirable.

Dr. Hess is VERY HONEST AND OPEN PERSON, WAS THERE FOR ME ALWAYS, EVEN IF I NEEDED HIM AFTER HOURS. I HAVE EVEN BEEN OUT OF STATE FOREVER AND HE STILL TOOK MY CALLS. I RESPECT THIS MAN MORE THAN I CAN SAY, NEVER MADE ME FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE OR ASHAMED OF MYSELF. hE IS THE BEST, REPONSIBLE FOR THE DUADINAL SWITCH. KEEP UP AFTER CARE, VITAMINS ETC. HE WENT OVER ALL THE RISKS AND THE GOOD THINGS TOO. hE IS AN AAAA++++ MAN AND A SUPERB SURGEON. HE WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR ME, ALWAYS.BOTH ARE IMPORTANT, AND HE HAS ALL THE RIGHT THINGS, TO BE YOUR BEST FRIEND, SURGEON, ETC. AND A GREAT LISTENER, AND HE KNOWS HIS STUFF, BETTER THAN ANYONE I KNOW.


BECKY SHINKLE-ORLANDINI
1991 SURGERY
15 YRS POST OP

AND WOULD DO IT ALL AGAIN !!!

7/26/02
I have not met Dr. Hess in person. I am already impressed with him. My regular doctor called me 7/18/02 and told me she could not approve me for surgery due to the fact I am anemic. She had known this since 5/02. I spoke with Dr. Hess's office on 7/19/02 told them the problem, they asked me to fax the pre-op blood results to them. I called to see if they had received the fax, and they put Dr. Hess on the line. I spoke with him twice that day. He reassured me it was fine, my numberes were workable, and he faxed me a perscription to help boost my iron.

9/1/02 I am back home now after surgery. I am still very impressed with Dr. Hess. He and his staff treated me with respect, and total professionalism. I was kept up to date on everything happening, and how I was doing.

My first impression of Dr. Hess is that he must be very dedicated to his patients to hold monthly meetings, free of charge, to anyone interested in WLS. I went, listened, and came away with the distinct impression that this surgery was a huge step, but also the answer to my prayerss. I called the next day and got an appointment for a consult with the doctor. My husband accompanied me and we spent about an hour with Dr. Hess while he went over the whole procedure again, explaining to my husband exactly what the surgery involved. I think we were well informed about the procedure when we left, although I did feel somewhat rushed as the Dr. was leaving for Florida for a month, on a plane that afternoon and the whole office staff was rushing around finishing up last minute details. After my initial consult, they sent me over to Wood County Hospital to have some tests done. I gave them blood and urine for tests, had an EKG done, and also a Spirometer test,(breathing test). I am scheduled to return to the hospital Mar 16th for a Gall Bladder x-ray and an upper GI. UGH! I dread that! A letter was sent to my insurance company by Dr. Hess and I am still waiting to hear from them. I suppose its time for me to start "hounding" them. My impressions of Dr. Hess?? He seems like a very nice, caring doctor. He does stress aftercare and keeping in touch with him so that he may keep records on his patients and any problems they may experience down the road, for future "switchers". From what I have heard of Dr. Hess from his patients, I feel lucky to have him near enough that I can have him as my surgeon. I am sure that if I was still living in Kansas, I would not be considering this surgery, as I dont think I could travel far from home to go through something like this.

I've heard good things so far about this surgeon. I'm looking forward to meeting him for a consultation visit.

Hopefully I'll be having my surgery soon!

Dr. Hess's office staff, Sandy in particular outdid herself in helping me and working with my insurance Company. I am flying from Boise to Detroit on the 20th and will check into the hospital on the 24th of Nov. The big day that I'll be switched is on the 25th!

Dr. Hess is an incredible man. My first impression of him was that he is full of energy! He also has a great sense of humor, which put me at ease right away.
His office staff is good.. although they are busy and sometimes a little short with answers.
Dr.Hess emphasizes aftercare a great deal. He is a VERY cautious doctor and seems to keep his patients on liquid and pureed foods much longer than other surgeons. To me this is good... better safe than sorry!
Dr.Hess and the hospital staff definitely address the risks of surgery while going through all of the pre-op testing.
At this time I would give Dr. Hess a 10.. on a scale of 1 to 10. He wrote 3 letters to my insurance company, helping me to gain approval. He wrote those letters and faxed them the very day he received the denials.
I would rather have surgical competence than a great bedside manner.. but luckily with Dr.Hess, you do not have to make that choice! He has both!

Dr. Hess is a wonderful doctor. He took very good care of me while I was in the hospital and his follow-up is excellent. He has an outstanding support group which he meets with monthly. I would highly recommend Dr. Hess. He is very knowledgeable about the BPD/DS!

Dr. Hess is very professional. He set my mind at east right away because he handled this matter as if it were an everyday problem (which it is for him) and answered any questions I had. His office staff is small - his wife and one other -- but courteous.
He is very concerned about aftercare. I am 180 miles away but he answered my questions by phone when I had them.
After the surgery I pulled a muscle and had difficulty breathing. He encouraged me to go to the local hospital for treatments (THAT TURNED OUT TO BE A CATASTROPHE! THEY WERE MORE CONCERNED WITH INVESTIGATING MY SURGERY THAN THEY WERE HELPING ME TO BREATHE WITHOUT PAIN). But he was concerned.