Dieter Pohl Bariatric Surgeon MD

Dr. Pohl is a wonderful Doc. I would recommend him to anyone...I am not very fond of his office staff. A couple of his secretarys need some more training on bedside manners, and office procedures. I do like Carol. There is nothing about Dr. Pohl that I don't like. His assistant Ruth is a wonderful person. But I have not met his other assistants. I have talked to Jeremy on the phone and he was really nice to deal with also. Dr. Pohl is just very understanding and makes you very comfortable to discuss all kinds of things with. Dr. Pohl addressed ALL risks of the surgery...MORE then once. He really makes sure you understand that what you are doing is not a QUICK FIX. On a scale of 1-10. I would give him a 10. He is just a wonderful Dr who has helped me change my life.

Dr. Pohl is such an amazing man. His bedside manner can't be touched by anyone. I've had many doctors, and I'd be the first to say he's the best I've met. I'd refer anyone, even my closest family, to him. He is very sincere, but doesn't give you the run-around. I appreciate that.

As I update my profile I wanted to condense and update my review as well. rnrnWhat can I say about Dr. Pohl ..... he is absolutely wonderful and not only would I recommend him to anyone, but I trust him 110% with helping me decide the best options for my health.rnrnI have had 4 surgeries with Dr. Pohl and my husband has had 1. I had gallbladder removal 6/06, band 9/06, port replacement 6/07, band removal & RNY revision 10/08; my husband had gallbladder 10/06. Dr. Pohl is straight forward and doesn't sugar coat anything, but still delivers the message with a great bedside manner and never makes you feel like your bothering him with questions he must hear 100 times a day. rnrnDr. Pohl's office staff are wonderful and if they say they will get back to you they do. You don't find that too often. Carol is my health insurance angel, I have read nightmare stories about getting approval and prior to each one of my surgeries and my husband's she has made sure everything is all set and approved and I've had no issues at all with the insurance company after surgery. rnrnDr. Pohl has a physician assistant named Jeremy and he is wonderful as well. Very patient and the same great bedside manner as Dr. Pohl. He came in to remove my drain after my RNY and I didn't even feel it - and I was petrified of having it removed. On several occassions with my band, Jeremy came to see me in the ER when I was having issues while Dr. Pohl was in surgery. rnrnDr. Pohl, Jeremy, and the entire office staff are a great team who work together to make sure each patient's needs are met, and they never make you feel like your burdening them. The staff gets to know you and your family if they come with you to visits and they recognize your accomplishments and encourage you during the periods when you struggle.rnrnI couldn't imagine going to any other doctor.

My first impression of Dr. Pohl was he seemed kinda shy, but was right to the point. I was having alot of difficulty getting an ok from my lung doc and he helped me out with that. I am truely grateful that he actually took the time to listen to me after hours and give me advice on what I needed to do. I love the staff they are all great very friendly. I have nothing at all negative to say about anyone The Dr. is great and the staff is great! I would recommend him to anyone even my own family. The aftercare has been great. I am almost 4 weeks post opt. I have been to the office twice since then and the hospital once. My first post opt visit was my regular appointment. The second was for dehydration and for a hematoma. The hospital visit was the next day for dehydration. The one great thing I can say was when I was at the hospital for dehydration one of the doctors from Dr. Pohls office came to see me in the ER. I have never had a doctor do that before. So far so good with Dr. Pohl and his staff. I couldn't ask for a better doctor.

Dr. Pohl is an exceptional doctor. He answered all of my question with patience. I feel like he took his time with me and helped me start my life over!

Wonderful Dr. - Takes the time to talk to you when you have your appt. even though he is extremely busy.

Dr. Pohl did my Gastric Bypass surgery on June 3, 2008. He was soooo nice. Answered all my questions when he came to see me (everyday) in my room. And believe me, I had a list on 2 different days. It didn't matter if it was 4:30 a.m. or not, he was patient and answered every question and concern that I had and didn't make me feel like I was asking stupid questions.rnrnDr. Pohl was the same way when I went to see him for my two week check up. My husband went with me and likes the doctor too. If I had never ever had GBP surgery done, I would still recommend Dr. Pohl as a surgeon. He is very thorough. I am also happy with how my incisions look, no stitches to be removed as they are all internally done. Just tape over them, and that falls off by the 2 week mark.rnrnHis staff is great also. They are right on top of the paperwork for FMLA & TDI. All are very helpful and understanding.rnrnI have a list of what I should do next, including going to the Support Group for GBP at RWH on the 4th Thursday of the month. It is at 6pm in Kay Auditorium in RWH. I am looking forward to going.rnrnDr. Pohl was worth waiting for and I would highly recommend him to others.

My first impression of Dr. Pohl was at one of his monthly seminars. He seemed straight and forthcoming with a sense of humor. My impression over time was the same but with more confidence in his abilities. I learned a lot about him through online research, as well as, questioning other bariatric patients of his. I knew he was the surgeon for me. His office staff is very patient. I called daily during the insurance approval waiting period and they were nothing but patient and kind to me. If you have chosen Dr. Pohl, be ready to have all your ducks in a row. Get all your recommended appointments done prior to your first visit with him. He will have more confidence in your ability to do well after the surgery if you show him you will be compliant with diet and determination. Dr. Pohl does not have a 'structured' after care program as some surgeons do. He leaves the structure to his patients. He highly recommends going to support groups (one is at Roger Williams) and he advocates ObesityHelp.com. Dr. Pohl let me know all the possible complications of the surgery. Still, I had complications (a twisted/obstructed bowel) five days after RNY. Dr. Pohl was immediately right by my side quickly and competently handling my situation. My second surgery was a success and I owe it all to Dr. Pohl. I RATE DR. POHL AMONGST THE HIGHEST!!! His surgical competence, bedside manner and caring heart are all the best ingredients to making an A1 Surgeon. I recommend him to anyone having either Bariatric OR general surgery! I have no regrets!

Original message posted 2004rn(My last message was posted wrong)rnrnMy Doctor was great. He took time to talk to my family and me about the surgery. He cares about you and how you are doing. He is very positive about my results. He always has great advise on how to take care of yourself after surgery. He gave me my life back. rnI can never thank him enough for what he has given my family and me.rnHe has taught me to be my own caregiver. rnrn**************rn5/29/08rnrnMy first impression of Dr. Pohl?rnI was too scared to even think.rnHow did my impression change over time?rnAs I got to know him and attend his seminar I became more comfortable.rnHis office staff is extremely busy but they are very knowledge. rnWhat I liked least was the fact that I got myself to be there. I was not sure that he could help me. rnSpend the time with him. Ask all the questions you can ask.rnHe believes a great deal on the aftercare and it really is important for you to mentally believe and put yourself in the place where you can help yourself. The doctor does his job after it is you and only you that can maintain your life not him.rnI talked myself into doing my own aftercare that yes I listened and asked questions and asked for help when I needed it.rnHe was very honest with me about the risk of this surgery, which I appreciate.rnI will not apologize. I love him and he is great.rnrnI believe that surgical competence is more important then bedside manner but when a doctor has both it is wonderful.rn

Dr. Pohl is very straightforward and sincere. I should have listened to him last year and I could have saved myself a hospitalization this year due to severe gastric reflux. I'm now on a pre-op diet (planning a revision from VBG to RNY) and doing much better this time around than I did when I tried this liquid diet out last year. As an RN I fit the typical mold of nurses making the 2nd worst patients when it comes to compliance until now. Now, it feels like life or death. My impression with Dr. Pohl is the same as last year only better because he prescribed Carafate during my hospitalization which seems to have made all the difference in the world with my gastric reflux OR is it the fact that I am not eating solid food?? Either way, his way seems to be the right way. I have always been impressed with the friendliness, courteousness and professionalism of both he and his office staff. Last year when he went over my radiology films with me, Dr. Pohl pointed out every little detail but unfortunately I heard him but didn't listen like I should have. I feel confident knowing that when I've lost enough weight to have the revision done that Dr. Pohl will be the one performing the surgery and follow up care. I am looking forward to both my follow up appointment with him as well as joining the group sessions he has recommended.