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

I met with Dr. Wright for the first time today. I found him to be very professional and straight forward. He stressed the pros and the cons of having this or any surgery, especially the problems that can occur because of our size. I was very impressed with him and his office staff. A big thank you to Joseph...he was very sweet and curteous. I can't say anything negative about Dr. Wright at this time. Dr. Wright heavily stresses aftercare and has an informative booklet he sends to you before your initial eval. I found this very helpful. 7/30/01 Heard from Lisa today..I HAVE A SURGERY DATE!!! Oct.4th. Lisa was very sweet and informative.

My first impression of Dr. Wright was from a phone call that he returned about 2 days aftet my initial contact with Lisa. Dr. Wright seems to understand what a GUY like me is going through being FAT. I can say that he is very matter of fact and VERY to the point. I will update after my consult with him on 08/03/2001......

08/03/2001
Well, I met with Dr. Wright today and I must say that I feel better now than I did before I met him. I had heard horror stories about his bedside manner, which i found to be completely unfounded. He was very down to business, but at the same time, he was warm and very willing to answer any questions I had plus the hundred or so that my wife had. Well, I'll update after I cross over to the other side on August 27, 2001.
Wish me luck and send a prayer or two.....

He was honest and right to the point.
Lisa in his office has been great.
Dr. Wright tells you exactly the way it is without sugar coating anything.

I have seen Dr. Wright one time so far and I think he was very nice. He seems to be an all business kind of person who is very focused on his job.

My first impression of Dr. Wright was one of assurance, he let me know I was in capable hands!
I have had no complaints about my surgeon!
His office staff is completely helpful and willing to accomodate me in any way possible.
The only complaint I have about Dr. Wright is he is busy, busy, busy...but hey! What do you expect?
I have complete faith in Dr. Wright as a surgeon for this surgery!
The aftercare for the surgery has been extensive...
He has a very good structured aftercare program...with dr. visits and support groups. As well as a therapist and a dietician program.
He laid the risks I was facing about the surgery on the line...no sugar-coating...thank you! thank you! thank you!
I would rate him VERY highly...
Surgical competence was great, he doesn't pull any punches with bedside manner though...and I didn't really want him to. He's completely to the point...

The doctor was very (matter of fact) and told me the tough stuff up front, after surgery I had lots of trouble with my inscision and sometimes found it hard to get questions answered or support, I eventually resorted to my general doctor who took the time and helped out greatly.One problem was that I live over 200 miles from the hospital and doctors which henders the ability to get in to the doctors on short notice. The staff both in his office and at Vanderbuilt Hospital were terrific (especially the hospital nurses) they were supportive and a great help. The doctors were always available and checked in on me several times a day. I strongly recommend Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville,TN

These comments reflect my experiences to date - your results my differ. I spoke with Dr. Wright on the telephone early in February as a "pre-pre" office visit consultation. He was professional and interested. I have researched his credentials and background and am thrilled that he has agreed to be my surgeon. I have spoken with Lisa in the office - she is very busy but gave me clear information. My appointment is June 6th - I'm hoping that my PCP will get my WLS approved before then and everything will move quickly.

6/17/01 My husband and I met with Dr. Wright last Wednesday. Very busy but clear and concise with his information. I'm very confident in his abilities!

My first impression of Dr. Wright is that he was very confident. As a healthcare professional, I was very impressed by his knowlege of not only the prodedure that he does(which is the open RNY) but he was very well aware and explained thouroughly the advantages and disavantages of each. Hispersonal office staff was excellent they worked with me to accomodate all my needs and they showed confidence in DR. Wright. That's important. What I liked least about Dr. Wright is that his hospital priveledges were at Vanderbilt hospital. Nis ability is remarkable, but it got foreshadowed by the horrible treatment I received At Vanderbilt Hospital. Over All I would rate Dr. Wright as an excellent clinician giving him a 9.5

Dr. Wright was very poliet and kind on the phone. From the information I was able to give him he suggested that I make an appointment for my consultation visit. I am very confident in his ability to perform this surgery. My consultation visit is on May 9th, 2001.

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May 9, 2001...
Dr. Wright is awesome!!! Very competent and knowledgable. Very straightforth and very willing to discuss any questions I had. He is matter-of-fact and does not pressure you into anything. He let's you know that the surgery alone is not why you lose weight. He explained all the risks and didn't "sugar coat" them. Very, Very compentent!!!

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Just my personal experience speaking here, so if you wanna hear....here ya go!!!
For anyone wanting to be a WLS patient of Dr. Wright I have 5 words of advice. Don't be in a hurry! Today is June 11 and I am still not sure that his office has sent my pre-determination letter to BCBS. I am very upset with how this has turned out. I was seen on May 9th. As of June 7th his office had still not forwarded my information to BCBS. So, after several phone calls I faxed 7 pages of letters to BCBS, Dr. Wright's office and my PCP's office. My PCP was going to then try to do all he could to help me. The VERY disturbing aspect in this is: Lisa, Dr. Wright's secretary, told me last week that she is clearing the schedule book of all uncomfirmed surgery dates. Grrrrrr. I may lose my date, but not because of BCBS, but because it takes Dr. Wright's office a month to send out a letter!!! I am SO upset. Well, BCBS has taken the stuff I faxed and my PCP's letter.....and hopefully!! Dr. Wright's stuff and it is in reveiw. I need that approval THIS week. I hate to rush BCBS, they have been so helpful in all this....but time is of the essence.

5/30/01 - I saw Dr. Wright today. He and his resident were very nice. Dr. W was very straight forward and concerned. He said after looking over my history that he felt that even though I was a candidate for WLS, that he would not do it. I have CHF and pulmonary hypertension...both at the severe stage. He said that he guessed after looking at the heart cath numbers that my chances were only 50/50 of making it. I was at a loss of words. He was very kind and understanding of how I felt.
05/31/01 - Called my PCP and was shocked to find out that Dr. W had called her the day before with my status. I am so glad to know that he is a caring doctor and not just out looking for a dollar. I still have my faith and hope that soon I can have this surgery.