St. Joseph's Area Health Services Bariatric Center

Dr Smith is a excellent surgeon. He is soft spoken and very informative. I felt so safe knowing he was in control of my surgery. His staff is very professional and informative also. Sandy Jones is so friendly and helpful. I did not have any negative reports. I felt I was in the best hands and everyone knew exactly what to do for me. The staff came in often to check on me and make sure I was ok.

Future patients should know that they can ask lots of questions and they will all be answered with ease. My aftercare is structured and I have certain times I need to see Sandy and the dieticians.

My experience was positive and I'm sure the excellent care will continue.

Dr. Smith and his PA Sandy Jones are excellent. Dr. Smith is quiet and quick... but very gentle and effective. He answered ALL of my questions and eased my mind. Sandy is his polar opposite... louder and energetic... but also sweet and encouraging as they come. The staff at St. Joseph's have been unbelievable to me... all of them extremely knowledgeable in WLS and Oh so very understanding.

Dr. Smith and Sandy Jones PAC are awesome. Dr. Smith is a very soft spoken man, but he does talk a little fast. I would highly recommend Dr. Smith as a surgeon. His whole staff “TEAM” are friendly and very helpful.

Will meet on August 18, 2005

Dr. Smith was very nice and friendly and informative. I was very pleased with him. He checked in on me every day as did his staff. They were very competent and knew what they were talking about. They always had answers to my questions. I was not sent home until they felt I was ready. I have my regular appointments now after surgery so I feel I am being well watched over. I know they are just a phone call away if I need help with anything. On a scale of 1-10...I would say I found myself a #10 doctor. :)

Dr. Smith and his PA Sandy Jones were absolutely awsome! They (and everyone at the clinic and hospital) were very friendly and took all the time we needed to answer all our questions. I can honestly say that I have nothing but good things to say about them. A great big thank you goes out to Dr. Smith and Sandy!!! The nurses at the hospital were the best!

My first impression of Dr Smith was that he was serious but kind and gentle.
After the surgery I never saw him again during my 3 day stay, but I had no complications at all. I see him again next week.

I have to add that I chose Dr Smith after alot of research and I chose him based on 2 things only. His surgical competence and his work/life balance. He actually has a life outside of the surgery room and that was important to me.

My 1st impression of Dr. Smith was he was a nice man but he talked fast and I couldn't understand him all that well as he kind of spoke under his breath, so I needed to slow him down. I felt very confident with him as a surgeon and was thrilled with my results. I was thrilled with the hospital and staff and couldn't believe how smoothly everything went on surgery day. I know others who have since gone to him and have been pleased, but I think they need to educate patients more on needed vitamins and supplements for after surgery care. They do have monthly meetings there that I don't go to as they are far from my home so I go to a support group that is closer to my home. I would recommend Dr. Smith to anyone as he did a great job and had a fantastic staff that answered all my questions. They were able to get me in for my first meeting and surgery in record time as my insurance didn't need to be ok'd first so I was had a surgery date within a week of my meeting with him. This was great for me, but I fear that people that haven't educated themselves very well on this procedure, are getting this done before they really know what they are getting into. It isn't a walk in the park, but definately a place I would go back to.

I really like him. He is quiet but if you have a question ask and he will give you the answers.

My impression has not changed of Dr, Smith he and his team were great.

His staff are great and if you have any questions all you have to do is call them.

Maybe that he was to quiet.

He has a very good bed side manner and he will also let you know if you are not doing as well as expected and find out why. He will also make suggestions.

They have you return first a month and if doing well then every three months. As I get farther out from surgery I am expecting that to change.

He was very frank about the surgery and any complication that might occur.

I would rate my experience with Dr. Smith Excellent as well as his staff.

I would say that both his surgical competence and his bedside manner were great.


On a side note: My surgery was done at the St. Joseph's hospital in Park Rapids. The nurses on the B'ward were very wonderful. Even some of the had had the surgery and were very caring about how you felt and made sure that you were walking and doing what you needed to do right after surgery. If I had to do it all over again for any reason I would not hesitate. I felt they were there to support me in my choice.

My only negative was that you seemed to be checked all the time and that because it was so far away from my home and family they could not come to visit. That I think is why everyone was especially nice to me.

My first impression of Dr. Smith would be misleading. My sister is his physician's assistant, Sandy Jones. I had talked to a few people who had the surgery and were pleased with the results. After thinking about it for awhile, I finally talked to Sandy about it. She did nothing to encourage or discourage me, she simply told me how it was. She left it totally up to me to decide.

It took me close to a year to decide to have the surgery. From there, things went pretty fast. I went to the "marathon" appointment, where they presented the information and answered nearly every question I had, without even asking them. The staff is very well informed.

Dr Smith and his staff have a well defined program before, during and after. They do not leave anything to chance. If you follow their program, you will succeed.

I do not think it would be fair of me to give an overall rating considering my bias. I can just say that I am completely satisfied with the sugery and care I received. I am 11 months post surgery and have lost 103 lbs and am at my goal weight. I feel fantastic.