Aaron G. Baggs Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

My first impression was that of confidence, it was very easy to talk to him,letting me talk him to him about my concerns and getting honest answers.
My impression of him never changed.
The office staff was great Terry really had to work at it to get my insurance to approve my surgery, it took 4 months to get the approval.
If I have to say somthing about him that I didn't like I would have to say the fact that he moved- the people of Idiho got a great surgeon!! Northern California will miss him!!
What future patients should know is that he knows what he's doing I would recommend him to all of my friends and family without any hesitations!!
Because Dr. Baggs moved I did not use his aftercare program, I live almost 6 hours away from his previous offices. So I used all the info his office and diettion had given to me and a local support group. But if I would have had any problems I would not have hesitated to go back there or to have called him, I know he would have helped.
When It comes to the risks he layed them right out there for me, so that I could could make the right decision for me.
How I would rate him overall would have to be an A++.
Surgical Competence I would have to say is better, so what if a Doctor is nice (and Dr. Baggs is!!) If he can't or didn't do his job right no amount of niceness is going to make up for what you may end up going through.

I am sorry, it says I am supposed to put even the negitive down but to be honest it was everything I had been warned and prepared for and I hate to say it but so much easier my body and system than I could have ever imagined!!

I loved Dr. Baggs the min. I met him. I could tell he was disgusted with the way I had been treated previously. My impression didnt change over time, but he earned a permanant place in my heart. The staff is the best. I could never say enough great things about them. I cant think of anything at all that I didnt like about Dr. Baggs. He is my heart! Dr Baggs is big on aftercare and follow up.. Drink your water is one of his favorite things to get on you about (lovingly of course). Aftercare for me consisted of the follow up appointments and taking care of little things that came up. He allways made me feel like I was his only patient although I know I wasnt. Dr. Baggs talked extensively about the risks and wanted to make sure I was really ready for the surgery. I could tell he truely cared and wasnt just there to get one more patient, one more case for his books, more money for the office. No one can ever replace Dr Baggs. He is one of a kind. Both his gurgical competence and bedside manner are out of this world. As you can tell I am his biggest fan. He and his staff have helped to change my life and add years to my life by being healthier for myself and my children. I love Dr. Baggs!!

What was your first impression of him/her?
Very positive, I am from a medical background and it was obvious he was both very knowledgable and very professional

How did your impression change over time?
Had an even better impression

How would you describe his/her office staff?
Very organized and committed to patient care, a great team.

What did you like least about him/her? I have a very positive impression.

What should future patients know about him/her? They will be treated with care and compassion. The team is very committed to the whole persion and to the individual's overall success not just doing the operation.

How much does he/she emphasize aftercare?
It is a very important part of the program. They have supervised Support groups before and after surgery.

Does he/she have a structured aftercare program? Both a structured aftercare program and a structured preop program

How did he/she address the risks of surgery?
Adequately without instilling fear

How would you rate him/her overall?
Excellent

Which is better, surgical competence, bedside
manner, or both great?
Both are great

I had my consultation with Dr. Baggs on May 18, 2001. I had changed from Dr. Wetter hoping to speed things up a bit. I was told that Dr. Baggs joined the Mills-Peninsula Group and trained with Dr. Wetter and that he was excellent at laproscopic surgery. I felt very confident in my decision to change surgeons. Dr. Baggs is very nice and was very thorough in explaining to me the risks of WLS. The surgery coordinator, Terry, was very nice and answered all my questions regarding insurance, approval time, and scheduling.
Insurance approval was received in approximately one month from my consultation. This wasn't bad considering having to get the pshyc exam results submitted along with meeting with my orthopedic surgeon to get his letter of recommendation. Once Blue Shield had received all the information they required, approval was received in less then one day.
7/8/02 Update: I'm finally getting around to updating my information. I had my surgery on 8/20/01 and had no complications. Dr. Baggs is a wonderful surgeon and did a great job. He has now relocated out of state and I'm sorry for that but wanted to let his future patients know that he is an excellent lap surgeon and I'm glad I chose him to do my surgery.

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...