Colorado Bariatric Surgery Institute Bariatric Center
Dr. Brown is quiet and thorough. The office staff is great. I have no complaints about Dr. Brown or the office. His fees are reasonable and the office staff is expert at working with insurance companies. There is a formal aftercare program provided as a part of his fees.
I only wish he practiced at another hospital. I have had friends who I could not recommend/refer him because of the hospital he practices at. When he determines that it is costing him a lot of patients, he may change his mind and use one of the more modern suburban hospitals.
He is a great guy and I think the world of him. He was honest, direct and didn't mince words.
The surgery and help from his office changed my life.
Before I even went in to see Dr. Brown, I was impressed. When I made the appointment they were very helpful. They answered all my questions and told me I could call anytime to ask questions as they came up. When I got to my appointment I got to visit with the whole staff. I liked getting to know everybody before I got to visit with Dr. Brown. Shannon the nutritionist was very friendly and asured me that she would always be available to me for help through this big change in my life. Anna came in and talked to me and was very imformative. Dr. Brown was a great guy. He came and told me about what he would be doing to me and was patient with me and all my questions. I thought he would be standoffish but he wasn't at all. It seemed to me that he loves his work and helping people like me, as did the whole staff. He spent some time with me on what to expect after surgery but not too much. Shannon spent most of her time emphasizing the after care with her nutrition class. Dr. Brown went over the risks of surgery, which I already knew due to my research. But he gave me a realistic view on what I can expect to happen or not. I would get Dr. Brown and his staff two thumbs up. Kim was awesome as well. She took care of the insurance and had me approved within a week.
Dr. Brown came highly recommended to me by my primary doctor when I told him that I wanted to have surgery. When I went for my first appointment I met all of his staff for the first time and I can't tell you how nice they all were. Everyone has their special job. I didn't realize that he only did the bypass and not the banding. Dr. Brown was very informative about the risks and described the proceedure that would take place. I found him to be a little shy. My sister and daughter went with me for the second appointment becasue they had some questions of their own. We asked if someone would answer some questions as the doctor was busy and the nurse practioner was glad to meet with us. She answered all of our questions . We all left the office with a better understanding of the surgery and what to expect. When they met Dr. Brown as we were about to leave they thought that he didn't have much of a personality. But I think that he is just a shy person. My primary doctor said that he does things the right way with the pre op and the follow up. I think that it is nice to have a doctor with a great bed side manner but competence is the one thing that most of us are looking for, at least that is what matters most with me. One of the girls in the office said that she thinks of him as her second dad. So I know that he must be a really good guy.
My first impression of Dr Brown was fine, he was VERY nice. I'm one of those people, that try to get a feeling of the person from the very first hand shake on.... When Dr Brown shook my hand it was firm and with confidence, he looked me directly in the eyes, and never ONCE made me feel unfomfortable. He was also VERY clear on the risks, and very clear on what I can expect. As for the office staff, I have nothing bad to say about a single one of them. They were all VERY helpful, nice and just awesome... I think I have a new family... I don't think there is one thing that I don't like about Dr Brown or the office staff. I feel safe with them. Shannon, the NP and the Dr all make it very clear that after the surgery is when the work starts. Shannon will work with me, and help me as I start to eat again, and I honestly feel that I'm not going to be left out in the cold. Overall right now I have to give Dr Brown and his staff a 10++... I feel very comfortable with them....
Dr. Brown is very knowledgeable and very thorough with explanation of the procedure. His staff is incredible. Very professional, sensitive and helpful in obtaining insurance coverages. I could have found a doctor that was less expensive to deal with but the group support and nutritional information he provides with his service will be invaluable. Dr. Brown was also very up front about the risk of the surgery. Let's face it, all surgery has risks, so does being overweight.
I will start by saying Dr. Brown's office staff was teh biggest reason why I chose his office. The first time I called around to surgeons I spoke with Melinda and she took the time to explain how their program works and talk to me about my insurance, she sent me a packet of information the next day! When you call Mary is so personable and genuine that you are instantly at ease. When I got to the office I was about 30 minutes early and Mary carried on "normal" conversation with my husband and I and once again put me at ease. First I met with Shannon, she is the staff nutritionist. I was intimidated when I first saw her because she is so thin and beautiful, she too passed no judgements. She was so warm and explained everything in great detail and seemed genuinely interested in helping me. From there I met with Anna the nurse practitioner, she gave me a brief exam and went over my history. She too gets another five star review. Then I met with Dr. Brown and a medical student Joe. I had prepared about 20 questions to ask him and he answered everyone with detail and ease. We talked about risks and how he would deal with complications if there were any. What's great about his program is that they follow you for five years. They don't just operate and cut you loose. I will be seeing Dr. Brown 6-8 times in the next year not including pre op and surgery. If I was tetering on the fence about this when I woke up meeting with Dr. Brown set my decision in stone. Lastly, I met with Kim to go over my benefits and set a date for surgery. She explained the process for applying for approval and said that she'd get back to me in about 72 hours (that's an average estimate on my insurance companies response time). This was all at noon on July 24th and she called me today July 25th at 10:00am and told me I was approved! I can't believe that this is finally going to happen. I am completely happy with my decision of Dr. Brown. It says on this page I am filing out that no one can be the best in all aspects but so far I am 100% pleases with this office. I will update after surgery and let you know if it changes my tune at all. =-)
POST OP UPDATE!
Dr. Browns office is still AWESOME! I haven't had any problems getting through to Dr. Brown or Anna with questions and they are keeping close tabs on me. There has never been a moment that I felt like a number. I would recommend him to anyone.
Very Good First Impression of Dr. Brown. The medical staff is wonderfull. They make you feel welcome. Dr. Brown and staff have an excellent aftercare program. They take the time to answer every question even if you ask it 10 times. They are all right on top of everything! From your first welcome to getting you approved in no time flat! Kim you rock!! They all truly care about you!
My first impression of Dr. Brown and his staff was a good one!
Melinda & Mary - (Receptionists?)- Very nice
Shannon - (Nutritionist) - Also very nice and full of information - I went to a nutrition seminar that she facilitated.
Anna - (RN) - Informative - Professional
Kim - (Benefits) - Well I got approved in less than a week so I can't be more grateful for that. She also sought out answers to some additional questions I had. Thanks!
Dr. Thomas Brown - Informative - Professional - Good Demeanor - Seemed to know what he was talking about - Draws good pictures.
Well' I've got a date, I start my WONDERFUL journey January 7, 2003 from PSL Hospital, can't wait.
I first met Dr. Brown and his staff Dec. 4, 2002 at a lecture he gave and then again on Dec 5, 2002 and was VERY impressed with his knowledge and care about this subject and surgery, he stated facts, in a no- nonsense non sugar-coated way, which is great, he has a darker sense of humor, meaning, it's not very prominent, but careful not to offend anyone, i found it rather amuzing, had me laughing when others couldn't quite figure him out, his nutrionist (Shannon) and N.P (Anna) and front office gal (Mary) are 3 of the sweetest ladies you could ever meet, the only thing I could see was there was a bit of disorganization, but not interuptive type, they are sooooooo funny!
Dr. Brown and his staff REALLY focus on after-care and from my feelings from hearing them talk, they will BE THERE for you, whenever you will need them,...