Michael Hocking Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.
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I've met with Dr Hocking twice and both meetings I felt that he was giving me all the time in the world. He drew thorough diagrams of what he intended to do and carefully explained everything. He gives you a feeling of confidence. The residents he has working with him are good listeners, willing to answer questions and truly make you feel like they care.
His assistant Miriam is very helpful.
He is wonderful! I have his email and any time I have a problem he responds the same day. He took a lot of time with my family before and after the surgery. His office staff is wonderful. I would highly recommend him! WONDERFUL!
Dr. Hocking is very interested in his patients welfare, both pre-op and post-op, and is not afraid to take patients with extremely high risks. My first visit with him was nearly an hour because my wife and I had loads of questions. He answered every one.
His office staff, including his secretary, Miriam, will bend over backward to help, and taje whatever time is necessary to make sure your questions are answered and you are at ease.
Dr. Hocking is amazing. He is honest and caring in every aspect of this procedure. Over time with dealing with Dr. Hocking I have grown to completely love this man. I trust him more than anything in life. He knows so much about WLS and he is so compassionate with his work.
3/16/03 - I had my first visit with Dr. Hocking and LOVE HIM!! He and his office staff are wonderful! He really seems to understand the plight of overweight people and truley enjoys helping them. I feel very comfortable with him.
I liked him from the start. His office staff are very professional and very nice. I have no dislikes of him or his staff. I am post op (10-24-01) and have seen Dr. Hocking for follow up visits every 4-6 months. He explained the surgery to me with great care and drawings so that I could understand what was going to be done. His bedside manner was wonderful. He is a very caring doctor and takes time with each visit.
My only complaint is the distance I have to drive to see him but I would not change anything. I can handle the drive which is 4 hours each way.
I think that Dr. Hocking takes a real interest in his patients, wants what is best for them. I am still very early in the process, but feel support from him and his office staff.
I do not have any negative impressions of him at this time.
New pts should tell him how they feel, not hold back, he can't judge how you will do without knowing the facts
I have done alot of research on him, found former pts. Everyone feels that he "knows what he is doing".
I have not found one person that speaks negative about him
Surgical competence is the most important however, the bedside manner sure doesn't hurt
DR. HOCKING WAS VERY NICE, TOOK TIME TO ANSWER ALL MY QUESTIONS, AND ASKED ME QUESTIONS, DREW PICTURES. AFTER TIME WENT BY I REALIZED HE WAS A VERY BUSY MAN, BUT, WHEN I WENT TO THE CLINIC HE MADE ME FEEL LIKE I WAS THE ONLY ONE THERE. EVEN THO HE MAY NOT HAVE SEEN TO MY APPOINTMENT HE WAS SURE TO CHECK IN WHEN IT WAS OVER. THE STAFF IS VERY NICE AND DON'T LOOK DOWN THEIR NOSE AT YOU, IN THE CLINIC. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR AWHILE, WHILE SITTING WAITING FOR YOUR APPIONTMENT. WHILE IN THE HOSPITAL, YOU DON'T ALWAYS SEE HIM, BUT, HIS STAFF WILL ANSWER ALL YOUR QUESTIONS, OR FIND THE OUT THE ANSWERS. THE AFTERCARE IS COMPLETE MORE THAN IN PAST YEARS WITH OTHER DR.'S, THEY EVEN HAVE A NUTRITIONIST ON STAFF. HE STRESSES THE SUPPORT GROUPS. HE EMPHASIXES THE PROBLEMS YOU *MAY* HAVE ATFTER SURGERY. I RATE HIM (FROM 1-10, WITH 10 BEING BEST)#9 BOTH SURGICAL COMPETENCE AND BEDSIDE MANOR MEAN ALOT TO ME. HIS SURGICAL COMPETENCE AND OFFICE CARE WERE VERY GOOD. HE ALSO LIKES TO RECEIVE E-MAIL FROM HIS PATIENTS, WEATHER THEY ARE ASKING QUESTIONS OR JUST LETTING HIM KNOW HOW THEY ARE DOING. (HE ANSWERS BACK USUALLY WITHIN A FEW HOURS.)
TO BE HONEST WITH YOU I DON'T HAVE MUCH GOOD TO SAY ABOUT THE NURSING STAFF IN THE HOSPITAL, EVEN THO I KNOW THEY ARE OVERWORKED. BUT THIS WAS MY OWN OPINION.
I was searching internet for a surgeon to accept my insurance as to the way - the letter of medical necessity was documented; with no guarantee of payment until after the surgery. Needed a surgeon who would not require any type of payment up front; as 1st doctor-consulted wanted $3,000 up front. Dr. Hocking the day after Thanksgiving-the next day after e-mailing to his web address responded-Personally. A doctor who has time to respond to you-a surgeon no less. I'm a nurse-that was unbelievable. Willing to accept & told me to contact his office staff to become a patient of his. Office staff-great-explained the situation-didn't know how much the surgeon himself actually knew about the insurance issues & read them the letter as well as telling them, did not want to waste their time as well as my emotional situation; did not want to get there & they say sorry we need money up front also. This was not so-told me no problem; we will make an appointment for you. Told them as already determined to be medically necesssary-have all the evaluations, letters etc taken care of & brought all with me. Structured after care with dietitician-plus all that was included in pack that was sent. Due to the fact that he is at Shands/they have something at their hospital that the other doctors don't have that was developed at Shands-they do not separate the stomach; but rather divide it by 4 rows of staples with same effect-it's still Roux-en-Y with the bypass-have four choices - depending on your circumstances. For me I have a choice between distal or proximal gastric bypass. Laporoscopic is not an option for me.
I already knew the risks of surgery from a previous info session by Dr. Marema's practice; so I shared them with him-that I was aware of all of them-he drew a picture of what the two options were & the follow treatment needed-vitamins, calcium B12 injections-better than an oral supplement; etc. Very thorough. I love the e-mailing part. Your doctor is always available for you-this is such an unusual aspect to care-especially long distance; when you can e-mail & your doctor-not his staff responds; How Unique & Wonderful. At this point-I'm thrilled that I was disappointed by one doctor to end up with this one-talk about Divine Intervention. What a wonderful human being & physician. I've read others who have said the same thing about this physician & again at this point & time; have not had the surgery yet and of course this is all my Own Personal Experience - and every person is different-not every one likes a doctor for the same reason; personality issues; an uncomfortable feeling for whatever reason. Everyone has to make their own determination when deciding to have surgery with a surgeon as with anything in life. We all make our own informed decisions and go with it; despite what other people may think. These are just my feelings at this point in the process.