Surgical Bariatrics Northwest Bariatric Center

Dr. Pennings and Staff were wonderful from the beginning. He explained the risks and benefits completely, at the same time, he had an excellent bedside manner. The entire program is set up with excellent before and after care. The dietician and therapist were both very pleasant and made sure that I knew how to reach them if I had questions at any time. The Post Care was really emphasized to be the key to a success!! I would highly recommend Dr Pennings and staff!

I had a very good experience with Dr. Pennings and his staff.

My first impression of Dr. Pennings is that he seems very caring. Over the coarse of the first consultaion I thought he was pretty kick back and straight forward with what the problems could be. rnrnThe staff at Surgical Bariatrics North West is, well, amazing. They make you feel comfortable, relaxed and important. They are all very caring and friendly. I especially like Sue the nurse. She is an amazingly upbeat and nice person. rnrnI like least about Dr. Pennings, ummmm I didn't really have anything that I didn't like about him. I will have to come back to this.rnrnI think that you should know that Dr. Pennings is considered by many to be the best bariatric surgeon around. He is confident in what he does and if he doesn't feel 100% about something, he will take care of it before going on.rnrnHe emphasizes after care hugely. There are exercise programs, nutritional programs and post op group programs that he has for you.rnrnHe addressed the risks of surgery very straight forward. No candy coating but with confidence in his abilities. rnrnI would rate him overall a 10 out of 10.rnrnI will have to have more time with him to answer anything negative about him.

Dr. Pennings impression was that of a doctor who was very clear how I got obese and how I was going to change that. He made me feel like he understood the whole nasty process of growing into obesity. He was professionally compassionate. I really appreciated that. He also made me feel that he was completely competent without arrogance. That made me feel very safe. My impression of him just kept getting better every time I saw him. In a word I would have to say genuine. In America where everything is about money and people will say anything, I can't tell you how much I appreciate a professional who talks the talk AND Walks the walk. His office is very nice. It is professional with style. His staff were so kind, competent, and took time to hear what I was saying. The aftercare was so clearly taught to me prior to the surgery, I knew exactly what to do for the 1st 3 weeks before my first after surgery appointment. I can't tell you how much I appreciated being treated like a human being and not a big fat lard that had a lot of money to give. I felt like a patient who was being taken care of with genuine care, competence and compassion. I can't say I have been treated that well by any doctor or their staff in years.

Dr. Pennings is very personable. Unlike most surgeons, is very compassionate, he has a great bedside manner, lets the patient have time to get all questions out, even has a sense of humor. He is super positive and believes in what he does.

The nurse who did the initial work up has had the surgery and Dr. Pennings did it. She looks fabulous and is very pleased. If I'm not mistaken, there have been a couple more in his practice who have had it done. His staff is very friendly and helpful.

If you are able to travel to the inland northwest for the surgery, he is the one you want.

Dr. Pennings has a pre and aftercare program. In fact, you have to do the whole program with Dr. Pennings and his staff. He has a Psychiatrist, Dietician, PT staff, a Physician Assistant along with other staff members.

Dr. Pennings did discuss risks and I asked him if he has had any deaths thus far and he has not...which made me feel good. Then we joked around about his number being up and I could be next....luckily I sort of instigated the morbid joke. He did say that I am pretty healthy and young enough to have very little problems with the surgery and that he thinks that I was a very good candidate.

Well at this point, I haven't had but 2 meetings with him. One was an orientation to the program with a room full of people. Then a couple of days later I had my consultation. So my experience so far is 10/10. I only wish I didn't have to drive so far to see him, but it will be worth it...even at $3 a gallon for gas.

In my opinion, surgical competence is most IMPORTANT, but at the same time, the experience is so much better with a doctor who has a good bedside manner. A good bed side manner can compensate for a lot too.

I had a good impression of Dr Pennings from the minute I met him. He is kind, compassionate and has his patients' best interests at heart. He's a cutie too! My impression of him has only improved as I have gone through the pre-op process. The thing I least like about him, is nothing really, except he is 300 miles away from me, but well worth the trip over. Dr P is very concerned with the patients' aftercare and encourages them to participate in the post-op support process as much as possible. There is a structured post-op follow-up schedule as well as bi-monthly post-op support groups. The risks were discussed and in the educational seminar he provided most aspects of surgery were covered in depth. On a scale from 1-10 he is a 20. I am still pre-op but I feel very confident going into surgery with Dr Pennings at the helm.

One of my best friends had Dr. Pennings for her surgeon and credits him with saving her life and being a great man with a huge heart first and a doctor 2nd.

My first encounter with Dr Pennings occured May 6th, 2004 when he took time out of his day to call me on the phone in response to an email I sent to his clinic explaining my situation. All I wanted was general information but when my email was forwarded to him, he took the time to call. We talked in length and he recommended my next step.

I met him in person for the first time on May 18th, 2004 while attending an informational seminar at his office, again he took the time to sit down and talk to me.

Very comprehensive bariatric program from start to finish and beyond. The support you get is invaluable.

Very caring, truly concerned about ME, very loving Doctor.

My impression just got better!

The staff is the same, loving, kind, warm and concerned about us.

I liked everything about the doctor and his staff.

He will help you make the journey and then some!

The after care is really good. It is our resposibilty to follow-up so I do.

We have bi-monthly meetings with the phsychiatrist and the staff.

With Love like all should and butt chewings when needed! lol

A+++++++ rating!

Both were great!

There were no negative things that I can say. My experience was very positive and still is. As a matter of fact more positive than anything that has happened in my life for a long long time.

VERY FRIENDLY AND CARING

DIDN'T

ALWAYS THERE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AND CARING AS WELL
WAS NOT TOLD ABOUT THE POSSIBLE PAIN POSTOP RELATED TO THE GAS
HE IS THE MAN TO GO TO

ALOT, SUPPORT GROUPS, ALOT OF OFFICE FOLLOW UP
YES
COMPLETELY AND HONESTLY

EXCELLENT

BOTH ARE GREAT

Very intelligent Dr., cares about what he his doing and for whom he is doing it for.

Only three weeks post-op but still holding the same impressions.

The office staff I have worked with are fantastic women. They do a good job and are nice to work with.

Not much I can say about dislike, has been very smooth interacting with DR and staff from the begining.

The aftercare plan is well planned and communicated. If anything is weak in the plan at all it is the diet during the recovery stages.

At no time did anyone play down the seriousness of surgery or the potential risks.

Dr. Pennings is a nice guy and his work seems to be top-notch (I am not a DR).