Alaska Bariatric Center Bariatric Center

If your reading this you want to learn more about Dr Todd. Well I'm here to tell you. Really ....I wouldn't be here to tell you if it were not for Dr. Todd. I was the fine Doctor's first bariatric surgery patient(made famous by the home page of alaskabariatriccenter.com...be sure to visit us). I just knew I could trust this man with my life. I can't say that about too many people and I can't say enough about him. He has "divine suport". Dr. Todd is truly a blessing, his staff is wonderful. Doc really emphasizes aftercare and has a great support group (and I'm not just saying that cuz I'm part of it). His beside maner is unsurpassed, He gave me my life back! Too many obese people have suffered too long in Alaska with little or no hope for a normal future. Dr Todd is a blessing!

He appeared to be well informed and caring. He has an excellent reputation. His staff were helpful and answered many of my questions. He took the time to listen to me.
I was given full information to make the pre op requirements easier to manage.

The impression of Dr. todd the very first time that I met him two years ago was that he was a very caring man and that he really cared about his patients and really wants to see them succeed on their journy to a healther life style. His office staff is just a wounderful group of people every one their is very helpful. He really emphasizes after care the first time I met him he basically said if you are willing to fallow my guidelines then don't waste my time it is like Dr. Todd and all of his patients are one big family cause he truely does care what happens to the people that have the weight lose surgery. He explains the risk of having the surgery right up front when you go to the support group meetings and when you go to the oreintation. Out of a 1-10 one being the worste and ten being the best for his overal care about his patients I would half to say he is a 20. I think he is great in both his bed side and his surgical competence cause from what I have seen of Dr. Todd he knows what he is doing and I personally like a doctor that is straight forward and lays it out like it is and he is definatly like that. I haven't answered all of the questions because some of them I can't answer because I haven't had the surgery yet so I answered what I could.

When I first met Dr. Todd, I felt very at ease and comforted by his gentleness and heart. The man really loves and believes in what he does. I believe he knows he's been given a giftfrom God. His staff is also very kind. They work together as a team and I think that is very important. Overall, Dr. Todd and his staff are very knowledgeable and care greatly about your success. They do whatever is necessary so you are informed and are well taken care of. God Bless you all!

I've met Dr. Todd once so far and he comes across as a personable concerned doc. He's very witty,highly intelligent and I look forward to working with him. I met all his staff members and they speak very highly of him, work close nit and won't let a person fall in the cracks.
He's very efficent both in covering my other medical needs and making sure every precaution is met for my safety before during and after surgery. He seems to know not only about past styles of operation but also future ones as well. he's definately on the cutting edge.
He seems very concerned with my well being and making sure I can handle the surgery mentally as well as physically. He's made every effort to make sure my therapists are involved as well as my local docs. He's working hand in hand with them to ensure my well being.
I wish I lived closer to him and his staff because I'd love my family and friends to have the opportunity to meet him and his wonderful staff. I look forward with anticipation to leanring all I can in the time allowed to learn from him, he's definately a GREAT MAN!
"Which is better, surgical competence, bedside
manner, or both great?"
I'd say both, and he definately fits the bill. He's personality plus. I was made to feel right at home. He doesn't rush thru his patients, but gives each all the time they need to have every question answered, thoroughly and efficiently.

When I first met Dr. Todd at the orentation meeting back in October 2004. I got the impression that this doctor is going to be part of my family, not say Dr. Seales too. In fact I have met with Dr. Seales twice and still not with Dr. Todd, but I have time to do that yet. Dr. Todd has to schedule my surgery date yet. The office staff is great they do a great job. I have not had a problem. TLA

Committed to providing patients with information regarging positive and possible negative aspects of weight loss surgery. Very caring. Excellent surgeon. I would higly recommend him and his associates.

My first impression of Dr. Todd was that he is a caring and knowledgeable physician. At his orientation, he didn't try to "sell" anyone on surgery; neither did he sugarcoat or underplay the risks. Listening to him speak about the procedures and problems, along with the causes of obesity and the reality of post surgery life, I found myself feeling a sense of confidence and trust.

I admit to many trepidations about this procedure, but as time went on, I felt more and more that Dr. Todd and Dr. Searles would do a good job and bring me through surgery safely.

The office staff has been nothing but helpful and friendly. It helps that many of them have had the same surgery. Going into the office is more like visiting friends than going to the doctor. They always seem concerned, and always seem to have some helpful tidbit of news or advice to help me through this uncertain journey.

I suppose what I liked least was how busy the doctors are, and how little you see them. After surgery, you can feel a little deserted just when you actually want more personal attention than ever. I guess we're all just a little selfish after surgery. But thinking about it objectively, after the doctor has done his part, then it's really up to you to take charge of your healing.

Dr. Todd and Dr. Searles brought me though this risky surgery alive, and in fine fashion. Everything went normally and it seemed almost routine. Based on my experience they did an excellent job and I would recommend them to other patients.

Aftercare is one area where I would urge the office to consider some additional procedures/helps.

Everyone on the staff (including the doctors) emphasizes the fact that surgery is just the first step, and careful aftercare is essential in all areas. They work hard and contribute personal time to keep educational support group meeting happening at regular times. They willingly talk to anyone about any problems, and give good advice.

But for someone like me, who doesn't live in Anchorage, to come to the office, or attend group meetings, a well-compiled binder would be nice with plainly written guide lines for many things like:
g-tube; why is is in, and what's that coming out, and when is the best time to drain it,

or sneezing and coughing; I never knew it was best to hold a pillow across my abdomen and did some suffering,

or diet; when certain foods can be tried (as exactly outlined as possible), what foods are safe to try and when.

Although much information was available and given before surgery, and many of the above things and others were addressed, it was pre-op. There's so much information to absorb that it sometimes get confusing. When info overload starts, you just think "Well, I check into that more after the surgery when it's more appropriate to worry about it," but after surgery when you really can relate the information to something real, all of a sudden there's no one there.

Post op it would be nice to have something simple but comprehenive to read through. Something in a 3 ring binder perhaps.

As far as rating doctors go, for me the bottom line is that I'm alive and I still have most of my parts. That's the best anyone can hope for. So how can you not rate that performance as highly as possible? I am satisfied so far with my experience.

As far as the final question goes, bedside manner vs surgical competance, I would say this: Surgical cometance is for the body, it determines whether you live or die, and is the most important. But bedside manner is for the mind, and that determines how you feel about being alive, and that is almost as important.

Dr. Todd came into the room with such a wonderful expression on his face that you had confidence from the start. In seeing him and his associate Dr. Searles, both are so thorough with what was needed for pre-op tests and post-op reports. The office staff are happy, treat you like a person and friend not just another client. Future patients should know that these doctors and their staff are available to help you with your goals to lose weight.
The doctors stress aftercare check-ups and going to the meetings.
All risks of surgery are made very plain every time you see them and again at the meetings. You can ask any question even if in your mind it is one they have probably heard time and time again.
In rating this office I would give it an A+ and am very sure that after my surgery it will still be so.

My first impression was that the office is very busy and the Doctor is in high demand for his work. I then realized that yes the office is busy and the doctor is very involved in the care of his patients, the staff is caring and kind to all the people who come in. They do demand that all paperwork and tests that are to be done are on time and correct, which at first look seems harsh but is truly the way it must be so that the people who truly need and want this surgery will get it in a timly manner.
Dr. Todd is a very caring and he shows it with every visit to his office. The aftercare is well gone over with the patient and is quite helpfull. I was informed of all risks and what made me feel better was the fact that the Doctor prayed with me before I left his office on the day surgery was scheduled and prayed again on the day of surgery with me, I felt much better and was not worried after that. Dr. Todd and those who also work in his office (Dr. Grant Searles) are wonderful docs. Sugical Competence is very important but so is bedside manner the patient should feel that the doctor cares how they are doing and feeling.