Fredrick Harris Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Harris is a typical surgeon -- not a lot of talk, more action. I've worked at Avera McKennan Hospital for over 21 years in the Pathology Department. Dr. Harris is a general/trauma surgeon who has also done bariatric surgery for over 20 years. He is now devoting much more time to it, and has set up a dedicated program in conjunction with McKennan Hospital. I've known him slightly over the years, having seen him in Pathology; mostly I just know of him. He's kind of gruff, and I don't think he's going to win any awards for bedside manner. But I've never heard that he's a bad surgeon; in fact, the doctors I work with seem to feel that I'm in good hands, and they're pretty honest about recommending or not recommending docs when you ask them for their opinions. At this point, I've seen Dr. Harris at his four hour introductory group meeting he does for those thinking about the surgery, and I've met him in a brief consultation at his office. I've had more interaction with his staff, particularly his nurse, Sheila, who is fantastic! She's the one who runs the show,
she knows all the patients, all the insurance problems, the glitches, the scheduling issues, everything. She's great!
The receptionist is friendly and helpful and seems quite efficient. Other than those two, I haven't met other staff members. Dr. Harris' office works in conjuction with the Bariatric Department at Avera McKennan, headed by Dr. Filler, whom I haven't met, since I was referred by my primary physician, Dr. Donelan. Everyone says Dr. Filler is wonderful. Also involved from Dr. Filler's office is Kristen, the dietician, and Nate, who is a nurse practitioner (I think; only met him once at the group meeting, but ever since he's said hello to me in the halls and cafeteria at work, so he seems really friendly). The dietician meeting was with Kristen (four hours), and she, Nate and Dr. Harris will come each day I'm in the hospital to visit and answer any questions. Afterward, there are follow-up visits with both Dr. Harris and Kristen (I think with the dietician for 6 months). There is also a post-op support group sponsored by the hospital, which I intend to make use of. Dr. Harris was very clear about surgical risks when he made his group presentation and answered about two hours worth of questions. Knock on wood -- there have been no deaths or serious surgical complications for any of his bariatic patients to date, but he acknowledges that it's inevitable. So far, I'm pleased with the competence and responsiveness of his office. I think Dr. Harris is a very competent surgeon with a great deal of experience. He has had past experience with many types of bariatic surgery, and has come to the conclusion that the preferred method is the open vertical separated 150 cm Roux-en-Y (the "gold standard"). He will do a lap version, but prefers not to if the patient is around 40 years old or more, for various medical reasons which he explains in his presentation. He's extremely busy and I don't think he's one for chit-chat. I really don't care, as long as he knows what he's doing. He has a dedicated surgical team -- that is, he has an arrangement with the hospital whereby every gastric bypass he does is done by the same surgical team -- anesthetists, surgical nurses, etc. He has his own "ward" for his post-bypass patients, with special equipment for large folks. He has special surgical tools for large patients. He utilizes numerous special methods to minimize the risk of infections, to make getting up and walking after surgery easier, etc. If after I have the surgery I have anything different to say, I'll let you know!! Hopefully my assessment is on the money and everything will go perfectly for me
(and anyone else in his care).

I was a part of a group on Tuesday, Dec 3rd, 2002, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at Avera McKennon. Dr Frederick Harris and his office put it on. Dr Harris spoke first and went through a presentation on the gastric bypass surgery. I am very concerned about how radical the changes they make inside your body in order to do this. My insides will be very different from other people's! I could tell Dr Harris was making a great effort to keep things in layperson's terms, but there was some terms, etc. I did not understand. But I think I got the jist of it. I think he is a very smart man who knows his stuff. I was not very impressed by the disorganization/unprofessionalism of the meeting as a whole...but I'm sure there are reasons for that. I am also working through Dr Filler, bariatric specialist. I have appointment's set up for the dietician and the big, all important, individual appointment with Dr Harris on Dec 21st. It is a leap of faith.

Dr. Harris was great. I was kind of nervous about having the op since I knew it was a major surgery and comes with a certain amount of risk, as does any invasive procedure. When I saw him the first thing that I noticed was that he was a very large man. After talking to him for a little while I got up the nerve to ask him a very personal question. "If this operation is usually as successful as you say it it, why haven't you had it done yourself". (I think I may have planted a seed...when I saw him for my 1 year check up he had done just that. He looked wonderful). His office nurse must have been having a bad day that day. She was quite negative, even saying that I was just wasting my time and hers and the doctor's...medicaid never pays for this procedure and it was my fault that I was as heavy as I was...why should the tax payers help me solve it now. I just stared at her open mouthed. But later I came to like her...she was actually quite helpful and supportive after the approval came back...THE FIRST TIME SHE SUBMITTED THE REQUEST!. Overall, I think they were all great.

I met this Surgeon due to another minor outpatient procedure that I had done. I found him and his staff to be very competent with the possible exception of the staff being somewhat disorganized. To be fair to the office this is possibly due to the fact that Dr. Harris is cheif of Trauma at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls SD and this sometimes creates unavoidable caos in their schedule. The doctor and his nurse have been very good and informative providing a lot of information and the Hospital is starting a Bariatric Center which should improve a very good procedure. They are very friendly and joke around setting you at ease but sometimes do seem rushed. This is my mostly favorable impression of the doctor and staff.

5-28-01 I had my 1st appointment with Dr Fred Harris on 5-24-01 I was kinda wondering why he had a belly (hehehe) He explain everything very clearly and to the point. His staff was wonderful and his office was easy to find. I feel very good about Dr Harris doing my gastric bypass.I can tell you more when I have the surgery.Well it is after my surgery and Dr Fred Harris was so wonderful through the whole surgery and after.He explained everything so well and made sure i understood everything.If I had to have any type of surgery again I would recommend him for it.

Dr. Harris is great! He doesn't have much of a bedside manner, but he is a great surgeon. If you want someone who is going to be straight forward and tell it like it is, he is the Dr. for you.
His nurse is very freindly and helpful. However, she is very slow with your paperwork. It took her 1 month to send my insurance paperwork in. It also to her 3 1/2 weeks to send in my disability paperwork after my surgery.

He was a very funnny and serious person and takes great pride in what he does.
no.
The office staff is wonderful they are there for any questions and you can weight when ever you want to.
I don't have anything i don't like about him.
To list to everything he tells you he knows what he is doing he had the surgery too.
Alot he tells you to follow all directions he gives you to a tee.
They are starting a support group once a week.
Yes he explaines everything to you.
I rate him a 10 if the scale would go higher it would be 100.
Everything is great.

Dr Harris has been the greatest. He was very sincere and explained the surgery process to me very clearly. He answered any questions I had. His nurse has been invaluable to me. She has let me call her at home to ask her questions and etc. I have recommended Dr. Harris to several people thinking about this surgery and all of them have decided to go ahead with their surgery and have been very pleased. Dr Harris is extremely knowledgable in his field and I would recommend him to everyone.

My first impression of Dr. Harris was, he looks just like Santa Claus. He was very informative, and man does he know his stuff. I am friends with one of his other patients that has had the surgery and she has had nothing but good words to say about him. His nurse is superb, also very informative and helpful, and always there if I need questions answered. He went through the pros and cons of the surgery and the risks involved and several different options. I would rate him overall as a wonderful person, although I have have not had the surgery yet, I can't comment on that.

Open and Honest! He stated Do as I say not as I do. ( He is a Short, Obese, man) Who has a heart the size of Alaska.
His Office staff, is friendly, very discreate and caring.
I have no dislikes about him or his staff. He is a very busy person and I don't feel I should bother asking mundane questions, that I can go to the library or look up on the Internet.Unless it is absolutely nessary. I will call and they will answer any questions or concerns I have.
He and his staff were very compassionate and caring and very direct on what you can do and not do after surgery. I would rate Him as a 10 on a scale of 1 - 10, 10 being the best.I feel both Compentence and manner to be important. It effects your overall recovery mentally and physically.