Colorado Bariatric Surgery Bariatric Center

Dr T's office staff are all great! CJ (nurse) is so informative and nice, Eileen is awsome in every way. Gina who does the scheduling i havn't really talked to much since I previously had Cigna and they aren't appoving anyone i wasn't able to schedule surgery, but the little bit that i talked to her she seemed really nice too.
As for Dr. T, he is so nice and he really does care about his patients. He makes you feel very comfortable and I have heard great things about his skills and bedside manner. I am truely thankful to god for leading me to Dr. T. He is the best!

1/23/03- Today I had my consult with Dr. Tillquist. Here are my impressions, My appointment was at 3:30pm. I parked in the parking complex on the 2nd level, no charge for that parking by the way. Once you cross over you're on the 3rd floor. Took the elevator up to the 4th floor. Found the office without a problem. Eileen was at the front office, very warm & great sense of humor. I signed in and then Eileen and I went over the packet of information together. From there I was weighed and my blood pressure was taken by Gini. Eileen said I would meet with Dr. Tillquist next. I asked if I could go to the bathroom, "nerves" and when I returned from there Eilene brought my Mom and myself into Doctor Tillquist's office. We did not wait long at all during any of this. The doctor was very warm and explained the procedure to us both. I found Dr. Tillquist to have a nice sense humor, thorough and more than willing to accomodate any of our questions. Intuitively he made me feel as if I was in good, capable hands. I did do my research before I went to see him. I spoke with others who have had surgery with him. Some people I knew and some I only conversed online. I also checked out his credentials and his current standing with the Colorado Medical Board. The Doctor stressed that this procedure is malabsorption and we must take our vitamins and calcium. Aftercare was explicitly stressed. After the consult, the Doctor pleasantly escorted us to see Gini who schedules the surgeries. Gini has the cutest fuzzy pen. I was given a choice between Porter or Swedish hospital, I chose Swedish because I've been there before. I also heard that Porter does not carry the sugar free jello and popsicles.. (hey some things are important) heard Porter also has crappy parking, but other than that Porter is a great hospital. On the other hand, I heard there is a better chance of getting a private room at Porter than at Swedish--Apples and Oranges.. I chose Swedish. I was given my surgery date. From there we left Gini's office and she took us to speak with CJ in the green room. CJ went over a bariatric book with us that they give to the patients. I believe CJ compiled the book herself and is very nicely done. CJ stressed that she welcomes questions and she encouraged us to ask questions now or call her if we thought of anything later. Again CJ stressed the changes that would occur in the surgery, and how important aftercare would be. We are expected to see Dr. Tillquist once a month for 1 year. Also support groups and information regarding them were readily given and covered in the bariatric manual that was given to me. CJ handed me the remote and left my Mom and myself to watch the video. It was a comfortable room. The video pertained to testimonials of other patients who've undergone WLS surgery, the different types of WLS surgeries and the risks, etc. Once finished with that, Mom and I left the room and stopped by Eileen's office to make sure we had everything and said our goodbyes. My Mom was very impressed with everyone in the office and so was I.
I think I have chosen well and I couldn't be in more capable hands. Surgical competence and professionalism are most important to me. I believe I have found both with Dr. Tillquist's office and staff.

Well I have an aunt that works for Dr. Bell, so I was going to try and use my family connection hoping I could get in pretty fast. No such luck. My insurance just went in affect May 1, 2003 so I went to a PCP to get a refferal. She had said that she knew Dr. T was very good so she reffered me to him. And let me tell you that was the only good thing she did for me. I knew at the time that Dr. T was not seeing new people till well into Nov. Six months!!!!!!!! I knew I was on my death bed and could not wait that long. Dr. T's office was great. They called and said that since my PCP said that I need to be seen ASAP they would try to work me in as soon as they could. Well that PCP turned out to be a total flake. She would not help me. I was having some serious issues that need to be dealt with. I will explain this more on my Journal. So I called Dr. T's office to see if they could tell me some Dr.'s that would be understanding to my weight problem. They gave me some names and I checked with my insurance who was on my list. I found Dr. Crockett. Anyways back to Dr. T. When I went to my new PCP they did examine me properly and sent me straight to the hospital because I was in bad shape. I ended up in the hopital for 7 days. Well, my sister called Dr. T and told them what was going on. They said that when I get out give them a call and they would get me in with in 2 weeks. Sure enough they came through. I saw Dr. T for the first time on May 28, 2003. He was great. I really like him. He told me he has done surgery on someone that was heavier than I am. I was amazed. I know he will do great. He wants to see me once a month for the next 2 years post op since I have such a long way to go. I have read so many great things about him and I know that soon he will too be my hero.

6/10/2003: I wanted to update this section because I wanted everyone to know what dedication Dr. Tillquist has. This man walked thru 3-4 feet of snow from his home to get to the hospital to operate on me. And when he couldn't get an assistant in to help him, he rescheduled me for surgery on a Saturday. There was not one person at Swedish hospital that did not say I was so lucky to have the best and kindest man taking care of me. I absolutely agree!

Dr. Tillquist and his office staff are wonderful! He has a great sense of humor (a must in my book) and seems very supportive and interested in me. I originally tried to get in with Dr. Snyder but was told it would be 10 months before I could get in to have a consultation with him. It was a wait of 3 1/2 months with Dr. Tillquist. However, 1 day before my appointment on 1/14 he had to leave town on an emergency. But Eileen and CJ were great! They got me in anyway to see CJ (the nurse practitioner) so that I was able to go ahead and schedule my surgery date and then got to see Dr. Tillquist on 2/20. My surgery is scheduled for 3/19 - a total waiting time from the first time I called for an appointment to surgery of 5 1/2 months. My only worry is that I'm having to wait so long for insurance approval. We couldn't submit to the insurance company until I met with the Dr. and it's been over a week and nothing has been submitted yet.

I MET DR. TILLQUIST TUES APRIL 22,2003 FOR THE FIRST TIME. I WAS VERY IMPRESSED. WE MET WITH CJ FIRST. THE NURSE PRACTIONER. SHE IS A TERRIFIC ASSET. SHE WENT OVER ALOT ABOUT THE SURGERY AND DIET FOR AFTER SURGERY, CJ ANSWERED ANY QUESTION WE HAD FOR HER. SHE WAS PATIENCE AND WELL EDUCATED ON ROUX-EN-Y LAP.SHE IS EVEN GIVING INSERVICES AT SWEDISH HOSPITAL, TO KEEP THEM UPDATED ON CARE AND COMPASSION.THEN WE WATCHED A 30 MIN VIDEO ON TESTIMONIALS AND INFORMATION ON THE SURGERY PRE AND POST. MEANWHILE DR. TILLQUIST CAME IN AND WE MET HIM FOR THE FIRST TIME. HE WENT OVER ALL WE ASK, ANSWERED ALL QUESTION. HE MADE MY HUSBAND AND ME COMPLETELY COMFORTABLE AND TRUSTING.HE WAS NOT IN A HURRY AND TOOK PLENTY OF TIME WITH US. FROM THERE I SAW GINI, WHO HELPED US SCHEDULE MY SURGERY DATE.WHO WAS VERY NICE. I THEN TALKED TO EILEEN TO SEE WHAT ELSE I NEEDED TO DO. I HAVE A 4.5 HOUR NUTRIONAL CLASS SCHEDULED FOR THIS SUNDAY THE 27TH OF APRIL.EILEEN INFORMED ME I NEEDED TO SCHEDULE A PSCH EVAL, MY INS. REQUIRES THAT. SO THAT IS TODAY AT 1PM. THINGS ARE MOVING ALONG WELL. AFTER THIS WEEK. ALL I HAVE TO DO IS WAIT......WAIT....WAIT... FOR THE INS TO APPROVE MY SURGERY. I HOPE THEY DO.MY WEIGHT IS 211, BMI 39.7. I HAVE SLEEP APNEA, I AM USING A C-PAP, HYPERTENSION, ON MEDICATION, MUSCLE AND JOINT PAIN.ON INDOCIN. ETC. SO WE SHALL SEE. WILL KEEP ALL POSTED. THANKS FOR STOPPING BY MY SITE.. TAKE CARE, NAN

My First impression of Dr. Tillquest was that he was a very nice and warm-hearted person. He answered all my many questions; he took his time, and didn’t make me feel rushed. I felt that I could trust my life in his hands. My impression of Dr. Tillquest has only changed for the better. I had a complication that required a second surgery and he was wonderful. I don't know to many people that can take a call at 4am and be friendly and understanding. He sent me to the ER right away and didn’t mess around. He made me feel that I was important and so was my care. His office staff is awesome!!!!! They all work very hard for you. Eileen was great handling the insurance approval. CJ his Nurse Practitioner is wonderful. I called her a least a dozen or more times and she returned all my calls and even has called to check-up on me. She has been very positive and helpful. She is also a good cheerleader, cheering me on through my journey. The one thing that I least liked about Dr. Tillquest was that when I was in the hospital for my complication once he figured out what the problem was he didn’t tell me until the next day. I found out from the nurse on the floor that I was on that I was scheduled for surgery later that day. The nurse nor I knew nothing about it. Although he didn’t tell me right away he did come and see me about 10 minutes after the nurse told me that I was going to have surgery and explained everything. But I felt that he should have spoken to me the day before about what was wrong even if he could only call. I was scared and my mind would have been put to rest if he had talked to me sooner. It takes a long time to get a consultation appointment but surgery is scheduled fairly quickly after that appointment. Lots! He makes you take a bariatric nutrition class and gives you a notebook of aftercare instructions that they go over with you at an office visit before surgery. You also have to see him once a month for a year after surgery. He did a very good job of discussing the risks of surgery he was honest. I asked some difficult questions too. I had cold feet about the risks so I changed my first surgery date to a later date. I needed more time to think about what I was getting into. From my personal experience I would say that my overall rating for Dr. Tillquest is exceptional. He has both surgical competence & good bedside manner. To me both are important. I needed to feel that I could trust the Dr. in both areas. I was giving someone else for a short period of time control of my life or death. Has for any Doctor I need to feel completely comfortable with them or I would never let them touch me, or even operate on me.

Dr.Tilquist, and everyone in his office, have been awesome. He is a great surgeon and I couldn't be happier with the entire process!!!

Is a kind man....He was very nice when I opted to wait and reschedule surgery. Now that it is rescheduled he seems the same as the previous year I met him He explains the risk of surgery he requires 6 week nutritional classes. You answer a questioner understanding the risks of surgery and side affects.

I havn't met Dr. Tillquist yet. I have heard great things about him, and have read many of his patients profiles, and I feel very comfortable seeing him.

Very friendly staff, they seem very organized and experienced with the procedures and authorization process.
I was very nervous, but quickly felt at ease in only a short time. This website and my research on the procedure prior to my consultation helped minimize the number of questions I had, so the visit was short, but very informative. His assistants were very helpful. Everyone in their office emphasized that this will be a lifelong change, and the aftercare was explained thoroughly, even resources were provided for nutritionists, mental, etc. The risks of my obesity far outweigh the potential risks of surgery. The potential risks are minimized by my commitment to the aftercare instructions. I feel that the before prep is just as important as the aftercare, as is the need to be comfortable with the doctor I have entrusted my care in. So far I would give the doctor and his staff RAVE reviews. I was very impressed. Dr. Tillquist made me feel very comfortable.