Steven Bock Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

This has got to be the all-time great doctor!!Sensitive-empathetic-easy-going but expects you to be responsible to make this operation be successful. This doctor came to see me on his days off!! and,yesterday just called me at home out of the blue to see how I am doing! They don't get any better or hard-working than this guy. He also just happens to have an assistant, Harriet Straumbough who is very supportive. We were all invited to a all-day class with videos, speakers, education materials question and answer time and visits by former patients.Th Doctor was inattendance to talk to his perspective patients. Part of Group Healths contract for this operation is that you voluntary sign up with a nutritionist and stay with this program for 1 year and you pay out of pocket for this service - the nutritionist calls every week and you have appointments to visit on a regular basis.
This may be suspect, and maybe more shall be revealed but I don't at this time have anything negative to say.

My surgery was 11/20/00 and I since the first time I met Dr. Bock I felt comfortable with him and knew he had my best interests at heart. He's very soft spoken and has a soft smile, but you know right away he means business and expects the best efforts from his staff, the nurses, and his patients. Now over a year since my surgery, my impression hasn't changed, I've just grown to appreciate his skills even more. The office staff (especially Harriet, his coordinator) are great and follow-up quickly to any questions or concerns you have. He emphasizes the nutrition counseling which is mandatory for 1 year (cost about $725) and it has been a good tool for me. Dr. Bock went over all the risks of surgery as they relate to me - nothing was sugar coated and he took a long time to explain everything. On a scale of 1-10, I'd rate Dr. Bock an 11 as he's tops in my book. His surgical competence and bedside manner are also great - you always feel he's thinking of you as his #1 patient. You couldn't be in more capable hands!

I felt comfortable with Dr. Bock from the beginning. He is an easy person to like and trust. His office staff were very helpful. I noticed a few negative comments about the office staff, but I didn't notice that in my case. I live 3 hours from the hospital that I had my surgery, so I was a little concerned about aftercare. That has gone well so far. I had problems with severe nausea in the beginning. Dr. Bock office nurse helped me and was able to call a prescription in for me to my local pharmacy. Dr. Bock called later that day after he got out of surgery just to make sure the medicine was helping and that I was doing ok. That helped me to feel confident that I would get my aftercare needs met, even though I lived far away.

Dr. Bock is a fabulous person and extremely talented and caring surgeon.

The office staff was all very supportive and sweet.

Aftercare is a requirement with Dr. Bock. I am required to pay for a one year program and have a weekly phone visit with a dietician that works with him. This includes food logs.

I will be having my three month post op visit with Dr. Bock next week.


I attended a half day class.

10 !!

All things are great

Dr. Bock is extremely professional, well qualified, and highly regarded by his patients and coworkers. He performs Roux-en-Y as only part of his surgical duties, and has a background of cancer surgery, and is the head of (HMO)Group Health's Breast Cancer department, also. When the contract for bariatric surgery came to the HMO it was first offered to a part of the HMO in another part of the state, and no one there was willing to do them. It was then offered to the Redmond Hospital and I believe it was like the old military joke about asking for volunteers and all the other 7-9 surgeons stepped back when volunteers were asked to take on this surgery. It is a measure of the man that he felt it was a needed surgery for a segment of the population, and as he had performed some in his residency he was willing to take on the surgeries. He is a very special person. Extremely particular with high standards. The Nursing Staff followed his orders to the letter on time. They also respect him. Nice to hear staff all over the hospital say what a terrific surgeon he is.

Some of the administrative staff are a bit disorganized and it's hard to get through the HMO business section. (Next to impossible unless you are clearly covered in your insurance policy.) The staff that works closest with him are great. If you can work with the HMO and insurance system, and separate the "business" aspect from the medical care, then Dr Bock has got to be one of the best doctors you could have. The business aspect of medicine too routinely prevents people from required surgery and HMOs are not in the money-making business in the sense of surgery-for-sale, so this will limit the number of patients for this surgery to those covered by their company group policy (or policy rider).

After care is required. There is the after-surgery visit to have staples removed and lab test results reviewed. Believe there are 3mo, 6mo and 12 mo post-op visits required, with optional visits after that. Plus a mandatory $750 signup prior to surgery with the HMO's Weight Management Program for weekly nutritionist followup over the next year.

Prior to surgery, the patients who have been passed the medical and coverage reviews, are scheduled for a one day education class where there are mini-lectures by a Social Worker, a Nutritionist, a Nurse, a former WLS patient, and others. Dr Bock spends a couple hours explaining the procedure, and answering questions. Patients then go off for some afternoon appointments with anesthesiology and take other medical exams which have not yet been completed. Within 30 days to surgery you have a final exam with your PCP to cover overall health review. 3 days before surgery you have lab slips to use that require a "tube to hold" in case blood typing and blood is needed in surgery. Plus last minute blood results.

Surgical competence is excellent. Bedside manner is kind, but firm. He has high standards which is what we should want from a health care provider, but which are sometimes hard for us to meet. Good man. Good surgeon. You could not ask for better.

Dr. Bock is honest and sympathetic. He's a busy man and that seems to frustrate him but he took his time both in the seminar and in my one-on-one consultation. I'm really excited for him to perform my surgery!!

**on a side note**
I am trying to start a support group for both pre-op and post-op patients of dr. Bock. Please email me for more info [email protected] (put something about Group Health in the topic so I don't accidentally delete it)

I'm meeting Hariet, Bock's director wls, at their orientation this friday, 9-11am at group health redmond wa.

The first time i called his office, his receptionest did not have much info. She was content to leave me inadequate answers as if there was no way to get answers. ie there are no meetings - she wouldn't even suggest that she didn't know. I would have liked her to say 'let me find out.'Instead the answer was: there are none. Wrong. Bock has one/month. This unhelpful person may be new but the frightening thing she doesn't know that there are answers so i suspect she will never be helpful. Maybe i didn't as the right question.

Weber's receptionist volunteer all the info i wanted w/out my asking. So happy i found a knowledgable friendly resource.

Dr. Boch is seemingly very caring and compassionate surgeon. I feel very confident in putting my life and new beginnings in his God given, talented hands.

Dr. Bock is wonderful. I have an advantage
as I work in the hospital where my surgery will
take place. The OR nurses say he his demeanor
is professional and he demands the best for his
patients, but is never unreasonable. I found him
to be kind (unusual in a surgeon!) and non-
judgemental. He expects his patients to be
actively involved in the weight loss process
and not just expect to lose weight without
effort. His nurse, Harriet, is personable and
efficient.
He expects his patients to sign up for a year
with a weight management program (not entirely
covered by Group Health - there is a $900 up
front fee) and to follow their instructions.
He also sees his pts. monthly I think for 6
months and then every 6 months to a year
after that.
He has a class for prospective patients and
does not mince words about the possible risks,
but also believes that this surgery can be very
beneficial for most people.
I would rate him excellent so far and will
update as I go through the surgery and beyond.

Haven't met him yet. Have read a little about him from others on this site and he sounds competent enough. I actually wanted to see Dr. Thirlby but my PCP says I have to be referred to a Group Health Doctor. I am going to check on that because I do have the Options Plan and it was my understanding that I can go to any doctor who participates with Group Health. Nothing personal in regards to Dr. Bock, I've just heard so many good things about Dr. Thirlby.