Dennis C. Smith, Jr. Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS
23 yr Experience
19 yr in Bariatrics
26 yr in Laparoscopic Surgery
18 yr in Laparoscopic Bariatrics
100% Practice is Bariatrics
Min Age of Patient is 18
Adjustable Gastric Band
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch
23 yr Experience
19 yr in Bariatrics
26 yr in Laparoscopic Surgery
18 yr in Laparoscopic Bariatrics
100% Practice is Bariatrics
Min Age of Patient is 18
Adjustable Gastric Band
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch
I had the DS with Dr. Smith on 8/29/06. I've dropped from 383 (369 day of surgery) to 193. I've had no significant complications. I take my ADEK and calcium and other vitamins/supplements religiously. I attend Support Group each month as well and this is a key part of his “lifetime of care” approach to this life changing surgery.rnrn Dr. Smith is an excellent surgeon (IMHO) because he was a MIT trained Chemical Engineer before he became an accomplished surgeon. Being an engineer (like myself) makes one better at just about anything that one chooses to do.rnrnMy only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner!rn
Great impressionrnIt changed for the better over time and I felt he was the man for the job.rnStaff is nice.rnI liked his sense of humor and care.rnHe is very meticulous and I loved that.rnAfter care is crutial to him.rnYes after care and seminarsrnPoint blank and to the pointrnI would rate Dr. Smith 100% A+++++rnBoth are great but if i had to chose between the two , I would chose surgical competence hands down. Who wouldn't?rnI also have nothing negative to say. He has the whole package and everything is well planned and together.
He is the most awesome doctor. He pays attention to you and what you have to ask him.rnrnHis staff at the hospital and the clinic are all wonderful and very helpful.rnrnMy impression of him and his staff have not changed. I love them all.rnrnIf you were to get the surgery done, he is a great doctor to go to.rnrnHe emphasizes alot on aftercare and blood testing after the surgery to make sure that you are doing well with all the vitamin issues.rnYou see him while you are in the hospital, 1 week after surgery, 1 month after, then 3, 6, 9, and 12months.rnrnHe covered all the risk of the surgery many times and was very thorough.rnrneverything is great about him, surgically, bedside manner and all.
5 days until my surgery!! Dr. Smith's office is very helpful and knowledgeable in everything I have needed help with. He is a MIT grad and super smart, so he is a little dry. Nice man, but don't go in expecting someone to hold your hand. He has great office staff for the emotional stuff. Dr. Smith is a surgeon and does his job well.
Dr. Smith has been a wonderful Doctor and surgeon. My general impression is that he is shy and reserved, but a very caring and most importantly a very skilled surgeon. His practice reflects his style.... very low key and friendly. I picked him to be my surgeon because I could not find one negative comment about him anywhere! I have to agree - there is absolutely nothing negative that I could say about him or his practice.... everyone involved was/is terrific. I spent two years contemplating and researching this surgery and I really feel I picked the best Doctor that I could have picked in terms of his skill, his practice and his overall program.
I feel so very lucky to have had the opportunity to have my DS surgery with Dr. Smith. He truly is one of the best in the world. My first impression was a sigh of relief. My husband was very uncomfortable with the whole idea of surgery. Although he trusted that I had done my research, he still had serious doubts about the process. After our first appointment with Dr. Smith, my husband's fears were eased and he was just as enthusiastic as I was. Dr. Smith just inspires confidence.
He is extremely thorough and meticulous, and his surgical team works like a well-oiled machine. During our stay in the Atlanta area, each time we mentioned his name to anyone in the health care field, we heard some version of "Dr. Smith??!! Oh, he is wonderful. You are in great hands. His patients always do well."
During my appointments, he took plenty of time to explain everything in great detail, and was very patient in answering all of my questions and encouraging me to ask more. I never felt rushed, or patronized.
His staff was wonderful to work with. They were very patient and encouraging with me as I fought for insurance coverage for over a year. Their recommendation of an insurance specialist is the key that unlocked the whole insurance issue for me and got me covered for DS!
The thing I like least about Dr. Smith? That his practice is 5 hours away and not next door to me as I would like. But I know that he is just a phone call or email away.
Dr. Smith has stringent requirements regarding pre-surgery testing, so pre-ops should be prepared for a fairly long and involved process of testing. All of it has a purpose, and it's all to safeguard your health.
Dr. Smith is very diligent about aftercare. He has a structured program with plenty of support available to post-ops.
His surgical competence is beyond reproach, and his bedside manner is calm and reassuring. He isn't likely to crack jokes or talk about the latest episode of your favorite TV show, but that's hardly the quality I'm looking for in a surgeon.
I would recommend Dr. Smith to anyone interested in bariatric surgery of any kind.