Columbia St. Mary's Bariatric Center Bariatric Center

Dr. Regan is very approachable and is surrounding by a wonderful staff of nurses and nutritionists. rnrnMy overall rating for Dr. Regan and his staff so far (1 week out) is a 9.5. I am still hoping someone will connect me with a mentor.

I liked him because he was younger and he had studied exclusively for this type of surgery only. He also is the medical director of the bariatric team at Columbia St. Mary's in Milwaukee, WI. He also was nice to look at. (hee hee) The office staff was caring and continue to this day. He emphathizes the importance of the surgery only being a tool for weight loss and that it is a lifetime commitment. I would rate him a 10 on a scale of 1-10. I wish that he could spend more time with me when I come in for my follow ups year after year. I would have to also say that I like someone with a good bedside manner, good, surgical competence, and a likable personality. It is a scary surgery afterall. I have to say that the bariatric center right now is very busy, so I hope they don't get too busy that they can't provide the best care for people after their surgery as well.

My first impression of Dr Regan was that he was very thorough Dr., a no nonsense Dr., but a very caring Dr.. As time went on I realised that he was also a very careful Dr. Who if he would error it would be on the side of caution first.rnI came to trust him very much over time. Dr. Regan discussed all the different options with me and did not mind me tape recording any of our meetings. I like to tape record things like that so that I can play them back later as there is so much to absorb that it is hard to remember everything you talk about with the Dr and staff.rnHis Office staff is all very professional but at the same time they make you feel very welcome and that they truely care what about you the person and not just that you are another client or patient.rnThe clinic has support meetings twice a month and because I work 2nd shift and will not be able to make the meetings once I am back at work they have arranged for me to have a mentor. There was nothing about Dr. Regan or his staff that I did not like. He does not take risks at the patients expense. Because I had so many health issues he also reguested a few extra things like the surgery report from a abominal surgery done in 2000 and then he wanted a CT Scan of the abdomen so that he would be able to tell more of what he was up against. He discussed with me the options we faced after those two things were completed. So that when I came in for surgery I knew what I might wake up having had done and knew the reasons for it ahed of time.rnI would rate Dr Joseph Regan as a Excellent Dr.. Dr Regan has a good bedside manner, but as a surgeon he is excellent. I found out that I was more difficult than most patients in that he had to put in 7 holes in order to do the surgery Laparoscopic and not open. I teased him after my surgery, that I had just made him a better surgeon. He chuckled and said \" You sure did\".rnMost of the patients in the clinic go back to see their Dr 3 weeks after surgery, but because of all my health issues he wanted me in the clinic after the first week. While I know it may sound like this report is to good to be true Dr Regan is a exceptional Dr. I could not have been more pleased with a Dr. Regan or his staff. At this point I plan on seeing them for the rest of my life time. Sue Ducan his assistant is wonderful she came to see me after surgery just to see how I was doing. Let me not forget Mari, Jeanne the Dietician and Dawn they all were always friendly, helpful and patient with me and all of my questions which never seem to end.rn rn

Dr. Regan is a doctor who seems to be well educated in his work. I saw him 1st at an information class on gastric and thought I hope he becomes my doctor. rnThe 1st office vist I was pleased with his staff, they seem very caring. Dr. Regan came in and voiced his concerns about the fact that I have Bipolar disorder and how that would effect the out come of this. rnAt times over the past 6 months I feltat times like all he could see was the fact that i was bipolar. I don't think he saw me as more then bipolar till I got put on insulin and he knew I really needed his help to gain control of my health. rnI think that he covered all risks and outcomes well, leading to me feeling safe and ready to pursue this round of treatment. rnI think overall Dr. Regan is very good at his job; and I have yet to hear anything bad about him. I know at times I have felt unsettled by his reaction to my mental illness, but I think when all is taken in and looked at he was looking out for what was is best for my case. rn

I frist met Dr. Regan at a seminar at Columbia hospital, I took my husband along because I had already decided to have the surgery. The seminar was very helpful and Nurse Sue was very informative both on the phone and in person. Dr. Regan has done 100 RNY surgeries, almost all laproscopicly. He brings the 'team' approach to the bariatric center and his patients. He is young, and August 29th marks his one year (rny's)anniversary. I did meet another surgon at another hospital and he does only open, was older, and had done over 1000 surgeries, but I did not feel a personal relationship and the same sence of concern for MY well being as I felt with Dr. Regan and his staff. I have attended 2 support meetings that meet bi-monthly and I am impressed that 30 people show up! That is 1/3 of the patients! Nurse Sue is the best, she is easy to reach and is willing to work with me.(I am quite unique and that is OK with her!) My Date 8-30-04rnrnSeptember 2006: Two years past, down 200 pounds. What a blessing! Thank you for this tool!!!!!rn

I had my surgery with Dr. Regan in May, 2006. I first met him in January, 2006, at my first visit. I had originally started planning for surgery with another surgeon, but due to an insurance change, needed to switch surgeons. I have absolutely no regrets! In fact, I feel like it was the best thing for me.rnrnDr. Regan is very nice -- quiet and soft-spoken. I liked him immediately, as he took the time to explain the pre-op process, the risks of surgery, the post-op follow-up, etc. I didn't have many questions, so our appointments were generally pretty short, but I never felt there was a question he didn't answer clearly, and in the most straight-forward way possible. He also stressed that the surgery is a tool, not a magic potion. He and his staff encouraged attending their monthly support group before and after surgery, and contacting the dietician or other staff if I needed assistance. rnrnAdditionally, working with Dr. Regan are his Bariatric Program staff (Sue, Dawn, Mari, Jeanne, Peg & Carol). They are all AWESOME! Every one of them was extremely nice and helpful. They always were able to quickly respond to questions, and were great about checking in to see how I was doing - physically and emotionally - both before and after the surgery. Even though the surgeon handles the surgery, he/she needs to have a great supporting team. The team at Columbia gets an A+. Honestly, I can't think of one complaint for anything.rnrnOne additional funny note: when Dr. Regan came to the pre-op room just before my surgery, one of the nurses said, \"Do you recognize this guy?\" (Without my contacts, it was pretty blurry.) I responded with, \"Absolutely, he's my hero.\" They all laughed, but I truly meant it. Nearly 4 months after surgery, the title still stands. He and his team have given me a whole new life to look forward to. It's been hard work, and I know it will continue to be, but they gave me all the information/tools to be successful. I would highly recommend Dr. Regan and the staff at Columbia to anyone considering WLS.

My first meeting with Dr. Siverhus was at an informational seminar for the Columbia-St. Mary's Bariatric program and I liked him immediately. He seemed very intent on making sure you did not leave there until you knew both the benefits and the risks of surgery. After speaking with a few of his patients I realized they all had a tremendous amount of faith in his abilities.rnDuring my first appointment he immediately put me at ease and by the end of the appointment we were talking like two old friends. Dr. Siverhus is very compassionate and understanding regarding obesity problems and their effects on his patient’s lives. He makes it seem like you are a person worth getting to know and someone he wants to help overcome this monster we call \"morbid obesity\". rnI believe he is an extremely competent surgeon and has a great bedside manner.rn

'Very professional attitude and it is clear from the onset Dr. Regan cares deeply about those he is treating. Dr. Regan left me with a feeling of hope that had long been gone in my life

My first impression of my surgeon is that he is very knowlegable about bariatric surgery. He seems very empathetic and caring. His office staff seems the same. Everyone seemed like they were talking with me; not just at me. The questions I asked were answered in a very straightforward manner and I never felt like my questions were dumb. This made me feel like I was important to them. This is a bariatric center, not just a regular hospital, and the main reason I chose this facility is because of the aftercare they provide. All risks were addressed and questions answered regarding risks involved. I feel very confident that the surgeon and his staff are competent as well as caring, which is a great combination!

The 6 month weightloss checks with Dr. Siverhus has been great. I liked him from the moment I met him, he comes across as very kind and confident the best quality is that he looks right at you and listens.
Before my first appointment I attended a seminar headed by Dr. Siverhus and Dr. Regan where your able to learn about the pros and cons of the surgery and at the end they had a Q&A session which is great because other people come up with other questions that you may not have thought of.
The staff Dr. Siverhus has at Columbia St. Marys has been the nicest group of women I've ever met. They have been encouraging even when I didn't lose as much weight as I wanted.
Overall my expereance has been a 10. I would recommend all of them to anyone that asked.
I'm so glad that I chose Dr. Siverhus the day of my surgery he came to talk to me 3 times and he talked to my family twice and then for the next 2 days while I was there he came to see me twice a day, most doctors only show up once in the mornings I was so greatful that he took so much time to make me and my family feel comfortable. The nurses were also great especially Mark and Lisa they took excellent care of me.