Dennis C. Smith, Jr. Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

I had a BPD/DS with Dr. Smith on 3/9/04. I can not say enough nice things about my surgeon! He is very focused and knowledgeable. He has a quiet, but authoritive and compassionate bedside manner. I was on his waiting list for 11 months to the day, and I am so happy I waited! He did insist that I lose 36 lbs before surgery (I had a BMI of 72 when I started this journey, but was able to reduce it to 65.2 by the day of surgery), and that I have a vena cava filter inserted due to previous episodes of pulmonary emboli. His office set up all the appointments and details for the insertion of the vena cava filter which was done by another surgeon just minutes before Dr. Smith's part of the surgery began. His reputation is sterling and he is very upfront about his statistics. His office staff has been frustrating at times to deal with during the long waiting period, but they do truly mean well. Since the surgery, they have been nothing short of wonderful. I think they just get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of people wanting to schedule surgery with this talented surgeon! I would recommend Dr. Smith highly. Don't be scared off by the waiting list...he's worth it! The best is always worth waiting for. I must add his local support group is second to none. I came in to Atlanta for surgery and not one, but THREE of his patients visited me in the hospital! I could have had another surgeon and had my surgery a lot sooner, but Dr. Smith was the only one I truly felt at peace about when considering surgeons.

Dr. Smith is a lifesaver. He is a very caring and knowledgeable surgeon who has your best interests in mind. His office staff and PA are all very attentive and helpful. He is very concerned about you as a total person - not just a paycheck. He feels very strongly about aftercare and has a wonderful support group that meets once a month. I can not think of anything negative about Dr. Smith or his staff. I highly recommend him to anyone considering WLS. He tries to do the surgery Laparoscopically, if at all possible. I would rate him as a 10+ on a scale of 1 to 10. People from all over the U.S. have come to him for their WLS because he is so competent and caring.

He came recommended by someone who attended a Duodenal Switch Support Group meeting in Dallas. He was on my list of DS surgeons that were BC/BS PPOs.

My wife, Bev, and I first met Dr. Smith in November of 2003. We found him to be very impressive - empathic and knowledgeable. Our impression of him has not changed over time except that we understand that he is not a very good judge of character. See next question.

Office Staff: Borderline Incompetency. Numerous times they would call me to say that something needed to be done only to discover that there it was right there in my file. DUH!

Future patients should know that he has had at least one patient die from the surgery. It is my understanding that it was someone that had had a procedure before and talked him into doing the revision - as he usually does not do revisions as a rule. The person died from complications and now Dr. Smith is more adament than ever that he will not take on revisions.

He discussed aftercare with us at the initial meeting, but was okay with the fact that my Internist [who treats my diabetes] was the person who recommended I get the procedure PLUS he was impressed that I was already a regular member at a DS Support Group. He has conceded to some of the Follow-Up visits being performed back here in Texas instead of there in Georgia; however I am going to attempt to as many in Georgia as possible. I really like this guy.

We both viewed a short video at the initial consultation that discussed the risks and the mortality rate, plus we discussed them in the initial consultation.

Overall --- so far --- I would rate him highly....if you can get past his office staff. HINT: Deal only with Nell if you can. she is extremely pleasant and doesn't seem to talk down to you as some of the others do.

I prefer surgical competence over bedside manner because I am a grouchy patient and can give it as good as I get it.

Mike Womack

My first impression of Dr. Smith was that he was very quiet, but extremely knowledgeable regarding WLS. I immediately felt at ease with him. He explains every procedure outlying the pros and cons of each. Then, recommends a procedure that he feels would be best. I definitely have the utmost confidence in him.

Dr. Smith is excellent. I would highly recommend him. He is so dedicated and highly skilled. I have nothing but praise for this man. Aftercare is extremely important. All patients are expected to see him annually after surgery and more frequently during the first year. He also has a monthly support group and an on-line support group.

I would like to take the time to express my respect for Dr. Dennis Smith and his Staff. He spoke to me regarding me First as a human being that would help him to make the Best decisiions regarding my mental and physical condition. His Staff was very courteous and understanding and I do not feel as if I am on an assembly line.

Dr. Smith is great, he make you feel comfortable. His staff is wonderful. My first impression was that he was quite but confident. As time went on and I asked many many questions He talked more. He is concerned with all phases of the procedure from beginning to end and especially aftercare. His surgical competence and bedside manner are number 1.

My initial impression of Dr. Smith is that he was very calming. He has a very soothing voice. He apparently knows what he's doing and has confidence about whatever you decide upon. We discussed the DS which I had already decided upon before coming to him; and some alternatives to the standard surgery and he was more than willing to accomodate. Some surgeons are "my way or no way". He makes you watch an informative video on all the surgeries he preforms and their risks. So if you didn't know when you got their you know when you leave what your in for. So overall he gets an A in my book. He must, because I'm traveling 5 hours to use him when I have a doctor here where I live that is very accredited.

Dr. Smith is quiet but very nice. I wouldn't have trusted my life with anyone else. I highly recommend him.

Dr. Smith is a low-key, pleasant man who is very reassuring and informative. My husband was extremely unsure about me having bariatric surgery and Dr. Smith answered every question both of us had - even the questions that were not so positive is nature. I highly recommend him for his track record in bariatric surgery as well as his professional, caring manner.