John Wright, Jr. Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

I thought he was te right DR. It didn't I thought they were great. That he is a good DR. he flows up rel good way after surgery. yes He straight up with It and told you what to expect. very good I wouldn't trust anyone else. both are great.

My first impression of Dr. Wright was that he did not want to do the surgery. I had 2 consults, on the 2nd consult my blood pressure was more toward normal.
After the surgery I realized that he is one of if not the best Dr. for this surgery minus the bedside manor.
The office staff, Lisa was proffesional but maybe overworked. My first surgery date I was all the way down to meing admitted only to find out after waiting in the surgery waiting area for 2 hours that there had been a mix up. Yup, the surgery was moved up 3 more weeks. I was heart broken.
He was very upfront on the aftercare. He was always there and I could call and ask questions if needed. He stressed that I stick to the plan after surgery. Aftercare was great.
The risks were laid out in front of me, he was straight foward. However I did have staff infection, due to being a university hospital. More than one person doing the procedure is what I think caused the staff infection.
I would give Dr. Wright a 100% in competence, in my eyes he is the best surgeon. He gets 15% in bedside manor. I will trade bedside manor for competence anyday!

From reading other reviews, I had a preconceived opinion of Dr. Wright....that he was "all business", not particularly sensitive, and very straight forward. I guess those descriptions are accurate, but I was pleasantly surprised with his demeanor.

He wasn't abrasive or uncaring as I half-way expected; he was honest and sincere. Of course, there was an incident that broke the ice and actually got a smile from him - my ink pen had leaked and I unknowingly had smudged ink across my forehead! Talk about embarrassing!

He provided all the risks in great detail. I wish he had covered some of the positives of the surgery, but with his limited time I guess it's more important that the patient knows the risks.

He seems extremely competent. I like that he is a fairly young doctor and I feel very secure and safe with him as my surgeon.

UPDATE 5/30/2002
Had my 2nd post-op visit this morning. Everything is perfect, no complications. I have lost 40 pounds since surgery date a little over a month ago. Dr. Wright told me to begin trying solid foods (chewed well of course) and test things to see what I tolerate.....keep up the plan, and come back in 4 months! I feel so lucky and blessed that things have gone so well for me. There is no doubt that Dr. Wright and Vandy were the best possible choices for me. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE 5/9/2002
I went for my first post-op visit yesterday and got my staples removed. Everything is going perfectly...have lost 27 pounds in 16 days since surgery. I am glad that I get to begin the pureed diet now..... I am still singing the praises of Dr. Wright, Dr. Poulose, and the entire staff and team at Vandy. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE 4/27/2002
I had surgery Monday 4/22 at Vanderbilt with Dr. Wright assisted by Dr. Poulose. The care and concern have been far beyond anything I could have hoped for, both from Dr. Wright's staff and team, and the care partners and nursing staff at Vanderbilt. I was out of the hospital feeling remarkably good on Thursday night. Each day has gotten better so far. I can highly recommend Dr. Wright's group if you are considering this procedure.
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After waiting a year due to changing insurance plans to one that would cover WLS, I met with Dr. Wright in late February 2002. An intern examined me first and answered any questions and asked a lot of questions. He then briefed Dr. Wright about me and Dr. Wright examined me and asked if I had any more questions. I did have a couple, and he answered everything without hesitation. He is a brilliant man, and I am grateful he has agreed to be my doctor. The intern and he detected a slight heart murmur, and he wanted me to have it checked out in more detail, but he went ahead and sent the "letter" to the insurance provider, who approved it very quickly. I had an echocardiogram, and have a slight thickening of one of the heart chamber walls due to my years of hypertension, and some mild aortic valve stenosis, but nothing that should cause any problems during surgery. Without surgery and losing weight, there will certainly be worse problems in the future! Also, Lisa has been terrific as everyone says on their comments. I am scheduled for surgery (Open RNY) on April 22, 2002. YIPPEE!

Met with Dr. Wright at Pre-Admission testing yesterday. I was atypical because my journey for approval began 8 months ago with another surgeon and my research has been relentless since. He did take time to explain everything fully again, however, and seemed both knowledgeable and professional.

I spoke with Dr. Wright about 2 weeks after
receiving the packet of info from his office.
He was quite helpful on the phone, did not make
me feel as though I was taking up too much of
his time, as other Drs. have. Lisa in the office
has been great, working me in for March. I'm looking
forward to that appointment.
The appointment went great, he answered every question I had - which took over an hour - and made sure that I understood the answers. He was VERY straightforward, but I had heard that about him, and I want that in a surgeon.
After surgery care is great, 10 days, 1 month, 2 months, 6 months, and then yearly after that.
I have the utmost confidence in Dr. Wright. He has saved my life.

Dr. John K. Wright, Jr's reputation preceeded him when I went for my first meeting with him.
He is all business; precise and to the point.
He told me all of the risks and possible complications up front. He didn't scare me.
I knew all the risks and problems due to my own private extensive research into the surgery. I didn't have too many questions because I already knew a lot about the surgery. My next appointment with him was my pre-op. Again, all business and precision, no humor or bedside manner whatsoever. This is fine. I would rather have someone in the OR who is serious about the business of surgery, rather than someone who is joking about. His assistant(?) Dr. Benjamin Poulose is a dear person. He is nice and charming and was very helpful when I met him during my pre-op meeting with Dr. Wright. Vanderbilt is a teaching hospital, and it just so happens that Dr. Poulose is on the surgical rotation the day of my surgery. Dr. Wright's staff (and especially his secretary, Lisa) have been so very helpful and comforting, always answering my myriad questions politely and confidently. We have not discussed aftercare in depth, but I am assured an appointment with a nutritionist or dietician.

What was my first impression of him?
hmmm thats a hard one, if I did not know he was rushed cause he was late for surgery, I would have said very short and breif. Hes very direct with a wealth of information though.

How did your impression change overtime?
n/a.. I have only met with him once so we will see.

How would I describe his office staff?
Very friendly and nice. While waiting for Dr. Wright, the answered questions and were willing to offer assistance...

What did I like least about him?
The fact that our appointment was so rushed. Again I understand he was running late for surgery, but I didnt like the fact that I felt rushed and really couldnt ask all the questions I wanted to, I did pay for my appointment (his time) to talk to him about this too, but we will see how things go from here out. *grins*

What should future patients know about him?
hmmm well thats hard for me to say, I have only met with him once, but from my understanding (from others how have had him) hes very direct, to the point, very blunt... but the closer you get to the surgery, the more he warms up to you.

How much does he emphasize aftercare?
He stressed the diet that needed to be followed and how important it was that I could not get pregnant for at least a year after the procedure.

Does he have a structured aftercare program?
Yes, its listed in the intial information he mails you, and I am sure there is much more of it that I will learn the more i meet with him.

How did he address the risks of surgery?
He was very through with the risks and explained all of them.

How would I rate him overall?
Except for the being rushed part i would rate him pretty well... hes very confident and knowlegeable... we will see if he warms up any.

Which is better, surgical competence, bedside
manner, or both great?
Definately both! I like a doctor who is quite knowlegable and cares for his patients, and treats them with respect, understanding and caring, and doenst look at them like a piece of meat, or a paycheck.

Mind you... all that I have written above is my personal impressions of my own personal experience and that I am making no statements about what other people may experience.

I just want to say that Dr. Wright is very matter of fact. He doesnt beat around the bush, and tells you what he thinks, when he thinks it. I think I need to be more like that! I really like his secretary Lisa. There are lots of people who said she is not nice, but I got along with her very well. I told herhow I know her job has to be stressful and I understand her feelings, shes a very nice lady who just gets misunderstood. Dr. Wright was a wonderful surgeon. I haven't had any problems whatsoever since my surgery on Feb 11, 2002. I would recommend anyone to see Dr. Wright!

2/20/02 had my first consultation today with dr wright. everything went very well, not too long of a wait and everybody at the office was very freindly and helpful. i met with an surgical intern first and he went over all the pros and cons to the surgery and all the risks involved. dr wright came in afterward and ask me if he had covered everything and did i have any questions. he answered every question i had without hesitation and never once acted in a hurry to get out of the room. i was very impressed with him and i am glad he is going to be my surgeon. now i am waiting on my insurance to approve the surgery, which im told is the biggest hurdle but i am going to be positive and hope for the best and know that i will not give up till i get approved.