Bruce MacPherson Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

My first impression of Dr. Mac - well he was gruff and honest. He cares about his patients very much but he is very blunt - at first it was a bit hurtful until i realized he wanted me to be healthy...I needed to learn that the stuff he was saying...i had to hear.

Over time i began to see how much dr. mac cared for his patients...i knew he was the right surgeon for the job. I consider myself very blessed and lucky to have had him as my surgeon!

His office staff is so very pleasant and kind! Any time i've called they were very warm and were willing to do whatever necessary to help me in my goal to have my surgery.

Dr. Mac considers aftercare the most crucial. You must attend bi-monthly meetings for 2 years. This is to help you the patient understand how your body is different than the average joe's as well as learning how you eat different and how you absorb your vitamins differently.

I was advised on all risks of surgery! I was told i would most likely have breathing problems coming out of surgery. I had a ventiatlor in for 3 days after my surgery to help me breathe. I was well taken care of though, i barely remember the first 3 days after my surgery. I was told there was a chance of death as well as blood clots...this is a risky surgery but you out weigh that with possible death as you are...being so heavy and it seems a fair trade :) at least it did for me.

Overall I think Dr. Mac is the absolute best! I feel like he has given me my life back...and i'm only 3 months out :)

When looking for a surgeon i looked for surgical competence...you want a surgeon who is very experienced, who will know what to do should any complications arise. I didn't care about how kind they would be frankly because the supportive stuff you can get from your family...from your doctor you want take charge --- in that room! at least i did.

and having said that....i had an incident at the hospital where i felt i was being treated unfairly...and he found out about it....he got so very angry at the person...and went to the nurse's...he made sure i was taken care of from that point forward!

above all else dr. mac cares about everyone he does this surgery on...and he has the experience to truly take charge and his patients feel very secure that they will get the best medical treatment available.

Initial consult was great! His office staff was pleasant and helpful.

I met with him one-on-one and he was very thorough. He has a sense of humor and really seems to know his stuff! He is also brash and honest. He talked about all forms of surgery, encouraged me to visit other surgeons, and discussed in detail the risks of having the surgery.

Aftercare is a must, a you have to pay a whopping fee (this is challenging) before surgery for the aftercare program, which consists of supports group every other week, which I have been told he personally runs or brings in guest speakers. Insurance does not cover this.

It was helpful that I had a chance to meet Dr. MacPherson during his support group meeting and that I was mentally prepped by others regarding what may be considered brashness. When I met him for the consultation I found him to be straightforward and knowledgeable. He took the time to explain different wls, including risks, in detail. His staff was pleasant and willing to answer all my questions. At times Dr. MacPherson seemed to be rude by not answering my questions or interjecting his own opinions before I could say a complete sentence, but perhaps this was his way of keeping himself on track with his presentation. If you think surgical competence is more important than bedside manner I believe Dr. MacPherson would be a great choice. He has a structured aftercare and support program. At my next appointment I plan to inquire more about after-hours concerns post-op.

He was very open and friendly. Explained different surgeries and how they help. I have seen him twice, and still like him very much. He wants to know about me. His staff is wonderful. They want to help in any way possible. They are also at the support group meetings. He only does open duodenal switch, but explains well why he does this. He has been doing bariatric surgery for many years. He has support groups, and wants to follow your case for years in the future. He has a very structured aftercare program. At the time of surgery every patient has to pay for pre- and post care, support groups, etc. If you miss to many support group meetings you are billed $20 dollars for each group meeting you missed, up to 9. He told me all of the risks, and side effects, of surgery. He told me the general statistics and his statistics. I would rate his as excellent.
I think both are necessary, and both are excellent with Dr. MacPherson. I was told that he was gruff and quiet, but found him not so at all.These were just my impressions of Dr. MacPherson, but I would refer a friend or family member to him.

I found Dr. Mac to be very honest and dedicated to his committment of helping people. He only wants whats best for you. I was very impressed when I was given his home number in case I ever needed to reach him when the office was closed. I don't know of any other Dr. that does that. His staff is excellent. There hasn't been a time that I called that they weren't prompt and very efficient. I have always received an answer that made me comfortable. I would recommend Dr. Mac to everyone. I'm a firm believer that you must have absolute faith in your doctor for your surgery to be a success. Your life is in there hands. At times you might not appreciate what they have to say to you, but in the end you will realize that they are doing only what is best for you. There after care program is the best that I have encountered. Everything is very structured. It is not hard to follow at all. You know at all times what is expected of you. He has bi-monthly support group meetings that are great. From 1 to 10 I rate him a 10.

Dr. Mac Pherson is very forward. But I found that okay since some of us need that.

The office staff is fantastic. I never had to deal with insurance company. Again, they are great.

I didn't not like anything about the doctor.

Patients should know he is a wonderful surgeon.

Aftercare is stressed by the entire staff.

There is a very structured aftercare program of support groups on Monday nights.

He explains all the risks of having the surgery and not having the surgery.

Surgical competence.

I did extensive research on the type of surgeries available and on the surgeons themselves.
Surgeons by nature are very confident individuals...almost cocky. I've learned that's because they need to be in absolute control in the operating roomm---there isn't time for them to get second opinions.
I thought that Dr. MacPherson was gruff but extremely communicative and profoundly sympathetic of morbidly obese people.
His staff were available, approachable and were excellent listeners.
I think any one considering this form of surgery should attend 2 or 3 support groups and visit at least 3 different programs.
IT IS ESSENTIAL that, as patients, we FEEL consumate comfort with the surgeon we chose.
Aftercare is so very important. Again, attend the support groups make friends, ask people questions..be prepared for the very worst and the reality won't be so bad.
Overall I would rate Dr. Mac Pherson an A+...
If you are considering surgery, I would be glad to respond to your e-mails, as my time permits.

DR. MAC as I like to call him, is a wonderfull person as well as a great surgon.

He is very knowledgable and dosen't pull any punches, He will be very frank, and very honest with your situation. You will notice that he will treat you and your situation on an individual basis. He will not attempt to put you in any catagoty as some DR's have.

His staff is wonderfull! Like many healthcare offices they are over worked, yet their desire to help each and every patient is unreal, they make you feel as though they are fighting this battle with you. They make you feel like you are there child or there sister, some extention of their family.

The staff and Dr Mac, helped me with EVERY single step from insurance to recovery. Dr Mac will NOT forget you after surgery, you will become a part of his life forever. He has an extensive maintence program for two years after surgery, He will follow up.

Warning...Dr Mac can be very Blunt! He wont take your crap, or any crap from your family or friends, if you want this surgery he will be adiment that you will need the support of your family and friends and he will stress that prior to surgery. (He will be concerned for your health and safety and does not want to be pre-occupied with your jealous spouse who is pacing in the waiting room.)

I trusted Dr Mac and his staff with my life and I must say..."They did a wonderful job, because I love my life now". Thanks Dr. Mac and staff.

Dr Mac is having some trouble with St Joes Hospital in pontiac, I believe it is a financial issue, Please call Dr. Macs office and see if there is anyway you can help, Maybe write letters or something of that nature, Dr Mac and his staff have helped many people...We need to give back and Help Dr. Mac with these issues at St Joe's or help Dr mac in finding another hospital so he can help other patients. Thank you, Belinda Jones

Dr. MacPherson and his staff is wonderful.
I can't speak highly enough about Dr. Mac.
Unfortunately, St. Josephs Mercy Hospital
has chosen to discontinue the procedure,
due to financial reasons. What will it take
for society and the medical professionals to
stop descriminating against the obese? I
cannot express how sad we feel that others
in my same position will not be allowed the
opportunities that I've received. Dr. Mac
has for several years dedicated his practice
to helping the obese, his efforts should not
be so easly disgarded. Dr. Mac, the office
staff and this procedure has saved my life. \
I will forever be in their debt.

dr mac has a wonderful staff
he is a brillant surgeon
the follow up was as good as i made it
doc is bluntly honest
he was quite honest about the risks of surgery
he was addament about aftercare
surgical competance was better
my hospital care left a lot to be desired but that was not doctors fault-obesite prejudice on the part of the nurses- not really sick ect--