R. Cullen Thomas Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.
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I have not had the pleasure just yet of meeting Dr. Thomas. So far I've met Marilyn Minter, the bariatric consultant who is a super lady and very helpful; I've met the dietitian Stephanie, I've seen the behavioral therapist, I've had the sleep screen and will see Dr. Adler, the pulmonologist, next week. After that, I will get to meet Dr. Thomas. (A co-worker of mine recently had an adjustable band done by Dr. Thomas and has had previous surgery done by him. My co-worker said she would recomment Dr. Thomas to anyone, and I trust her judgment. Of course, I will post more as I find out more. :-)
At this time I have met Dr. Thomas and am really impressed by his knowledge and experience with the surgery. His staff is great and his nurse Stephanie is the biggest help in the world through the insurance appeals and everything. Dr. Thomas explained everything very clearly - pre-op, post-up, complications, everything. He wasn't even evasive when I asked him if he'd ever had anyone die from the surgery. (he hasn't had anyone die or have leaks which impressed me). He has many years of experience with various weight loss surgeries and I have the utmost confidence in his abilities. I will post more after the surgery and after I experience his "bedside manner".
Dr. Thomas came by my room every day I was in the hospital. He answered all questions and concerns. He remembered my husband after only meeting him ONE time many months ago which impressed us. Dr. Thomas is very matter-of-fact and down to earth and seems to really care about his patients. He's a gem.
Dr. Thomas is one of the nicest and most profesional men I have ever met. His staff is also great to work with. Even his wife takes a personal interest in patients (she is a nurse). I would recommend Dr. thomas to anyone and everyone. We liked him from the beginning and not think of him as a friend and not just a surgeon. His afercare is as important as his pre-op meetings. I cannot possibly say enough good things about him. There is absolutely not one thing negative I have about my entire experience with Dr. Thomas and his great staff.
My first impression of Dr. Thomas was his strong desire to make sure his patients are educated about surgery. He also believes strongly in his seminar and support group. His office staff is nice but Marilyn Mintor, his bariatric coordinator is AWESOME. This woman and her assistant Donna, "they got it going on!" Donna had the surgery so she speaks from experience. They coordinate all pre-op tests and Dr. visits and I did everything exactly as they told me. Dr. Thomas's nurse Stephanie is also awesome. She is very supportive, understanding and has loads of patience. I just wish she could be with me all the time in the hospital. Dr's Thomas and Tutoro have a good, solid program at Mercy.
When I arrived at my first appointment with Dr. Thomas he was not even in the office yet. His nurse, Stephanie, gave me all of the information about insurance I could ever ask for. The Dr. Thomas walks in, very handsome,casually dressed with the biggest smile. He was verrrry thorough and informative. Dr. Thomas answered all of my 23 long questions. The office staff knew me before I walked in and were really efficient and personable. Dr. Thomas could be intimidating if you did not know how to take him but he removed my gallbladder so I was familiar with his personality. Dr. Thomas is extremely serious about aftercare and does make sure that you are attending support groups and have the nutrition information. Dr. Thomas knew I was aware of the risks of surgery because of the stack of information and research of my own I brought with me. Dr. Thomas so far is an extremely good doctor and I feel that his surgical competence is really great.
I had heard him speak at the first WLS seminar at Mercy Hospital in OKC. He was very knowledgeable and he has been doing these surgeries since the 70's but due to some bad publicity in Oklahoma, he stopped for a number of years. His office called me the day of my appt and asked me if I could come later in the day because he was so backed up. My appt was at 1:30 and they changed it to 4:30 and I finally saw him at 5pm. His office staff seemed nice. He came in the room and began explaining how the insurance companies work and I felt like it really didnt apply to me but I listened anyway. He asked if I had any questions and he answered them. He seemed like he had a long day and that he wanted to get me out of there. He said he would write a letter to the insurance company and they would probably get back to him 2 weeks and he would schedule surgery after that. He aftercare program is pretty easy, he says whatever works, he did say he wanted me to concentrate on losing as much as I could in the beginning because once the pouch is stretched then I will not lose as much. He was very nice and encouraging. I would recommend him to anyone looking to have this surgery done.
After surgery Dr. T came to see me and was real short, telling me to get my temperature down. Get up and walk and get rid of the catheter in 2 days. He said my pouch was only 20cc and everyone seemed to think that was too small. I dont know, by the amount of food that I am able to get down, it seems bigger too. I have kept a log of all my food to show him next week at my one month visit to see what he thinks. He hasnt really given me any foods to eat or not eat at all, that came fromthe nutritionist and a friend who had the surgery and heads up a support group. She gave me more info than the nutritionist, seems there is a need for follow-up care.
I had already known Dr. Thomas professionally, as he works at the hospital where I am a nurse. My general impression was he is a typical surgeon, based on my nursing interaction with him in the ER. However, as a patient, it is another ball game. He is outstanding!...very kind, considerate and caring. His office staff is very nice, especially his nurse Stephanie. I was told upon my first visit to see him (which was after all of my other physician, dietician, psychologist appointments, that my insurance probably wouldn't cover this procedure. This was very dissappointing, but I didn't listen to that. I knew I had a chance because of all the homework I had done regarding my insurance and this surgery.
His aftercare program includes several appointments with him, the dietician, and he recommends everyone attend support group meetings which are run by members of the bariatric center at Mercy Health Center.
Overall I would rate him a 10 on a scale of 1-10! His bedside manner is great, but I will say when he gets to explaining things he sometimes doesn't make eye contact, but I didnt' feel uncomfortable. His skill as a surgeon is outstanding. I had no negative imput from fellow nursing staff, physicians who work with him nor some of my co-workers in the surgery department.
I would recommend Dr. R. Cullen Thomas to anyone.
