Kaiser Permanente Bariatric Center

1/30/02
I have had an initial consultation with Dr. Baggs. He was friendly, informative, and compassionate. My over all expierence thus far with Mills-Penninsula has been great. I am now waiting for insurance approval.

2/15/02
Today I had a Psych evaluation with Dr. Shirley Waldum. She was great. She made sure I knew what was going to happen to my body how my life was going to change and discussed in depth weather or not this was the right thing for me.

2/15/02
I received a copy of the letter Dr. Baggs sent to Aetna, my healthcare provider. I followed up with Aetna and was actualy instructed to fax them a copy and they would hurry it on it's way.

Dr. Baggs was great! He took time to explain all of the procedures, the risks and benefits, as well as the changes that I will have to make in my life. He was very easy to talk to and he answered all of my questions. His staff is very nice as well.

4/26/01 - After attending 2 support group meetings in the last week, I have met several people who have had the surgery with Dr. Baggs and they are all doing so well and they agree that he is a wonderful man! Thank you Dr. Baggs!

2/19/02 - I received an email message that Dr. Baggs would be leaving this office very soon. I am sorry to see him go as he is a wonderful doctor and he will be missed.

I met Dr. Baggs on October 12, 2001. It took only 2 weeks to get an appointment to see him. He was wonderful. Very easy going and easy to talk to. He asked me a lot of questions after we got to know each other a little bit and we went over the facts sheet and I signed it to make sure I understood the procedure. Dr. Baggs answered all of my questions at that time and examined my heart, lungs and stomach. He was very focused on me as a patient and person. I felt very comfortable with Dr. Baggs and his office staff. After we were finished talking, he took me over to the lady that does the scheduling and works with the insurance people, Terry. I had been in e-mail contact with Terry previously so it was great to finally meet her. She was wonderful and keep me up to date on the process the whole way through. She let the insurance company know she would NOT take NO for an answer :-) THANKS TERRY! It was always easy to get in touch with the office and the staff were always helpful and friendly. They make you feel like an individual and not just another patient. I have been very pleased and look forward to surgery on December 20, 2001.

I was referred to Dr Baggs by a friend who had recently undergone lap-RNY. It took a month to get the appt for my consultation. My first impression of him was a bit reserved. He was rather quiet but very knowledgable and answered all my questions with ease. I was happy to hear that Dr Baggs feels that most surgeries can be done laproscopicly instead of open. I am so happy to hear this as I was dreading having a huge scar and a longer recoup time. I saw the Dr again when he did a presentation at the support group. He is definitely in touch with all the physical and psychological ailments that we MO people go thru. My pre-op consult is on 1/9 so I'll have another opportunity to have a one-on-one with him.

So far the office staff has been pretty good. Terry is the insurace co-ordinator and she is always very friendly but often hard to reach. Ann is the nurse specialist that schedules all the pre-op appts and is the contact for any surgery questions. I've only met her via email but she has been great!

I'm happy with my choice of Dr Baggs so far. I've hear nothing but good things about him from my girlfriend and members of the support group. I'll update as I get closer to my surgery date.

1/9 Update: I had my pre-op testing today which included a visit with Dr Baggs. Although it was a quick visit I found him to be a little more open on this visit. I told him that I trust his skills immensely but my biggest fear was not waking up. I've never been tested for sleep apnea but I believe I have it and I want him to know to tell everyone to monitor me extra close during & after surgery. He assured me I will be well taken care of. I feel much better.

I WAS AMAZED THAT I GOT IN TO SEE HIM SO FAST
I HAD AND APPOINTMENT WITHIN A WEEK OF CALLING. IT WAS SET FOR NOVEMBER THE 29TH. I WEN'T IN TO SEE HIM AND HE WAS GREAT HE WAS REALLY NICE AND UNDERSTANDING. HE SEEMED TO CARE ABOUT WHAT I WAS SAYING. HE ANSWERED ALL OF MY QUESTIONS THAT I HAD FOR HIM. AND HE TALKED TO MY HUSBAND AND ASKED HIS QUESTIONS TO. IT WAS WORTH THE TRIP ALL THE WAY FROM MARYSVILLE TO SEE HIM. I CAN NOT BELIVE HOW FAST IT WAS. HE GOT ME STARTED FOR APPROVAL THAT VERY DAY. AND ABOUT THE DEC 13 I GOT APPROVAL FOR SURGERY. I REALLY LIKE HIM SO VERY MUCH. I HAD TRIED TO GO THROUGH DR. WOLF AT UC DAVIS BUT I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR OVER A YEAR AND A HALF JUST TO GET MY FIRST APPT. AND EVERY THING . BUT I THANK GOD FOR SENDING ME DO DR BAGGS. HE SEEMS LIKE A GREAT DOCTOR. AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WORK WITH HIM ARE REALLY NICE AND UNDERSTANDING.HE ADDRESSED ALL THE RISKS AND THING THAT COULD HAPPEN. I THANK PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW THAT HE DOSN'T MAKE PEOPLE LOSE WEIGHT TO HAVE THE SURGERY LIKE SOME DO. AND THAT HE DOESN'T BELIVE THAT REALLY HEAVEY PEOPLE SHOULD NOT HAVE IT HE BELIVES THAT THOSE THAT ARE REALLY HEAVEY NEED IT WORSE THEN THOSE NOT SO HEAVEY. I RATE HIM A 10. I HAVE NOT HAD SURGERY YET BUT I WILL REPORT BACK.

I'm going to go for my first consultation with
Dr. Baggs on Nov. 29,2001 @ 1:00p.m.I will
update this info. after I meet with him...

Well, I met w/Dr.Baggs & he seemed to be pretty confident in his ability as a surgeon. He was down to earth and had a good sense of humor , he made me feel at ease. He stated that it was ludicrous that I was told by another surgeon to lose 50 lbs. and that those with the higher BMI's need this surgery even more. He agreed to do my surgery and asked if I had any questions. The hospital that he is doing my surgery is San Mateo County and I have heard very good things about it. As a matter of fact, I have a friend who just had gastric bypass surgery w/Dr. Baggs on 12/04/2001 and she said that she was treated very well, and that I have nothing to worry about! So, now I am just waiting for approval and a date...

My first impression of Dr. Debra Davis-Merritt is that she is a highly skilled surgeon. A little clinical, but seems to know what she is doing, and that's what matters to me. Her office staff is very efficient, but since it is Kaiser, who really knows if it's HER office staff? Dr. Davis-Merritt was very good at answering all 20 of my questions. She seemed a tad bit offended by the more serious ones, but answered them just the same. At this point in time I would rate my surgeon as a 7-10. At 9 months out with a horrendous scar and no further contact with her, I would rate her a 4-10. Her anatomical know-how is first rate. Her compassion is nil. I have a massive scar and I think it might be because this is a surgery she does not wish to perform. Otherwise, the close wouldn't have been so ragged. It was not a good job. I thought Kaiser emphasized aftercare quite a bit. I was wrong. Kaiser doesn't even know about the absorption trouble with calcium carbonate and how calcium citrate is much easier on post-ops. Once your surgery is done, it's up to you to learn everything. The only decent aftercare they provide is the monthly support group and your 3 months checkups.

After my surgery I would say, Dr. Davis-Merritt is anatomically accurate, but her compassion, bed-side manner and closing skills leave much to be desired.

Sometimes, it seemed as though I was of less surgical importance because it was WLS. She is not a bariatric surgeon, but a general surgeon and seems to resent having to do such a "worthless" procedure.

Dr. Davis-Merritt definitely has technical know-how on the important parts, her stapling and closing skills are not good. However, the surgery has worked perfectly.

Kaiser has an aftercare program for all post-ops, just make sure to know that you are responsible for getting all the important info.

Dr. Davis-Merritt didn't address the risks until I asked questions. Then she was very good at answering although I got the impression she wasn't happy about the questions I asked.

I would rate her 4-10 simply because she doesn't want to do the surgery and it shows.

Her surgical competence was excellent, but her bedside manner was appalling. And I have a terrible scar left. However, because she performed this surgery for me, I have a life that I never dreamed could happen. For that I have to thank her.

I liked Dr. Baggs right from the minute I met him.

I haven't changes my impression at all.

Office staff is very friendly, very helpful
I couldn't find a thing about Dr. Baggs or the office staff that I disliked.

I would say any future patients are in Good Hands with Dr. Baggs.

He mphasizes heavly on aftercare, and lets you know right away that this is not a "Quick" fix but a life long commetment.

Dr. Baggs tells it like it is the good, the bad and the Ugly.....
Yes in depth!

I have only one word for Dr. Baggs and the entire staff they are GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

I can comment at this time about surgical expertise or bedside manners as I haven't had the surgery yet...

Very nice guy. I liked him immediately. We spoke for a half hour or so. I already knew just about all there was to know about the surgery, so I didn't have a lot of questions. I have no complaints. I haven't had the surgery yet, so I'll update this once it's over.

My first impression of Dr. Baggs was that he was a very nice and calm man. He was down to earth and asked sensitive questions in a sensitive manner. He took the time to talk to me about my concerns and made sure that I was fully aware about the surgery and possible complications. The office staff has been very friendly and helpful. I have a pre-op consultation with Dr. Baggs in July 2001, I will update more then.