Surgical Group of Johnson City Bariatric Center

Dr. Hodge and his staff have been such a joy to work with. They try everything possible to make this process as smooth as possible. Dr. Hodge is very supportive and understanding and he and his staff know what it takes to get approval from insurance. We both decided on the LAP RYN procedure. They are all angels. The only thing negative I would say is that they have so many patients coming everyday that they are rushed and might not be able to talk to you that long.

I asked him which surgery procure should I do..Dr. Hodge anwser my question with honesty. He said, If I were you I would not choose any and just don't do it. I would not if it were me. It made me think he was not out for the money and he cared about his clients.

The staff is nice and will answer any problems you have with insurance and such. And the surgery also. They go over it with you to make sure you know everything.

He told me also when I asked how many people die from the surgery. He was honest. Three from unknown heart problems and one sucide.

He is straigh forward and will not lie to you. I like the fact he do not hold anything back.

The only negative thing to say about him is that he is not very informed about the insurance companies and their restiction of what doctor or dietion you can see.

I was told by him that I could get a dietion and a doctor to do the psyche evaluations here. You can not you have to go to the one he picks you. Not the one that is closer to you. So I have to drive from knoxville to Johnson City for each and every meeting.

He has a good bedside manner when talking to the clients. Very friendly and patient like a doctor should be in this day and age.

He just does not do the surgery on his own. He and his partner Dr.Waston both work on you too. So you got two good doctors doing the surgery.

My surgeon did a great job. The surgery was very easy. He is a great doctor.

My first meeting with Dr. Watson was very intense, with him going over all that can happen, weightloss goal,foods to eat and not eat,exercise and protein.He gave me a quiz to see how much I knew or didn't know. Then he went over it,he also emphasized aftercare and support group meetings. His staff was very nice and helpful. Dr. Waston has a great bedside manner and his surgical skills are unsurpassed. Be prepared to wait when you go for your visit, he is a very busy man and does get backed up with patients. He does not rush you.

6/24/2005 Today I met the man that will be saving my life. My first impression...I thought to myself that he is just going thru the motions, you know read this, sign here, blah, blah, blah....but he and I had a very serious conversation about a friend who had WLS and had some serious medical problems that occured after the surgery (no fault of the docs) and I told Dr. Hodge that he said he would do it again and the doctor was just so beside himself, it gave him goose bumps. That was when I realized that Dr. Hodge was serious about his patients and somehow; some way he cared about each of us and for that 30/45 muntes he spends with you....you become his only case that matters. I have liked his office staff...they all have been very accomodating friendly, supportive, informative. Everyone in his office that day stressed pre op and post op care. Both sides were treated equally, in the fact you can't have one without the other. I feel perfectly at ease with my choice of surgeon.

Dr Hodge seems to be totally cool. He sat and answered my 1000 questions patiently. His office staff have been wonderful and very helpful.

After my 1st appointment I thought that he was very nice. He had a very pleasant manner and took the time to answer all of my questions. Everyone in his office shares his pleasant disposition. I do not have any complaints thus far. He thoroughly discussed all aspects of the surgery and I felt that I was in good hands. Overall I would give him a 10.

I met Dr. Watson for the first time yesterday. I must say I was very impressed with his knowledge and his treatment of me as a patient. His office staff was very efficient and friendly. They made me feel like an individual instead of just another patient. They have a very structured program both before and after surgery. I feel very confident with his skills. Dr. Watson was wonderful during my surgery and with all my follow up visits. I would highly recommend him.

Had my first consult with him the 28th.. it was a 3 hour drive for me so I was the last patient of the day and when I arrived the office was pretty much empty..felt kinda impersonal at first, however everyone was kind and got me in to see him within about 15 minutes or so..he was very nice looking and younger than I expected but very soft spoken and I felt pretty at ease with him.
He was rather quick in describing what the surgery was and etc..but he was good to answer my questions. ..anyways it was good.. I believe he will be a good doctor and feel confident he is the surgeon for me. He has a great staff from what I saw..very friendly. Will know more in time..right now I have been given the checklist of what to do before the second consult and until that is completed I can't really say alot about them.
What I least liked about him, was maybe the fact that I drove 3 hours for a VERY FAST consultation..
As far as aftercare he did tell me the fact of this surgery being a tool and stressed the importance of knowing it is about a serious life changing decision and that it is for the rest of my life. Otherwise he didn't say alot about aftercare..did suggest a support group before and after surgery.
As far as a structured aftercare program , he didn't really talk about one as of yet.
About risks, he covered the list of possible complications and risks.
To rate him, I would probably say he is a good choice.. he seemed knowledgable and sincere..and I have faith in him.
surgical competence or bedside manner..I will let ya know in time lol.. so far hes been fine with both :).

i,ve only met him once so far and he seems
really nice he talked tom me a lot answered any questions i had and informed me on things.
not seen him again
friendly
nothing yet
that he seems to be a nice guy that will talk with you and answer your questions.
we really have not got that far yet.
I,m not sure
yes
good so far
he is nice but i only spoke to him 1 time this far