John Baker Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

I thought he would be kind of stuck up. And a hard ass. Because of what some people say about him.


He was a great Doc. He has a since of humor. But he can also be real serious.

They are real sweet. They help you out in on what ever you need help with.


May be by the way He makes you realize what's going on with your body and face your problem. But that is also good.

Well he is defanily one of a kind and he real cares about his patients .

I thought that I was in for a chastisment. Boy was I wrong. Dr Baker was very professional, knowledgable,thorough, and caring. He even joked (even if it was dry) and laughed with us. From my understanding, that is uncharacteristic. Yes, he is specific in what he wants you to do but I can totally understand why. Don't be the one who screws up his statistics because you chose not to do as you were told. To be successful, you are going to have to do everything he wants you to do to a tee. Christy, Becky, and Michelle were helpful yesterday in making sure we had all the paperwork filled out correctly. Dr Baker's questioning was to really make you realize that success is all up to you...He is just giving you a tool. If you are a future patient, know that this is only a tool. Dr Baker expects nothing less than TOTAL COMPLIANCE! If you are not going to comply, do go to him. He highly emphasizes aftercare. And if you don't comply and have problems, you are going to wish you had complied when he tries to help. Overall, I would rated him the tops in his field and definitly in the state of Arkansas.

Dr Baker was very thorough. He went over every aspect of surgery and all the risks. He asks questions to make you think, they don't always have an answer. I was expecting a very different man than what he was. He was soft spoken, gentle and seemed very concerned about the welfare of society when it comes to health. He was approachable, and I did talk to him during breaks. He answered all my questions. The consult was lengthy, I had read his packet about 50 times, so his presentation was somewhat monontonous, but I understand he does that for people who may think this is just a fix all. He lets you know that aftercare is a must and if you aren't willing to accept that responsiblity, you need to reconsider surgery or another doctor. I think his bedside manner was fine. No, he is not a cuddle bunny, but he is an awesome surgeon and a kind man. There was nothing that sent up a red flag about him, I think he is very competent and I couldn't be in better hands!

I had a review of my surgeon but due to the "Warning" below I reserve comment on my surgeon. I say go see for yourself.

I did a lot of research before making the final surgical decision. I know that I made the correct decision by choosing Dr. Baker as my bariatric surgeon. He is precise, detailed and organized to succeed. His after care is top notched and he is so centered on the health of his patients. His staff is also tops...and a team. Do the research for yourself, then choose the surgeon for you.

I met Dr. Baker at a WLS Support meeting that he spoke at in LIttle Rock at Baptist Hospital. I took my husband, Dave and my mother, Bonnie with me. He was a bit cool and detatched...but that is not a bad thing. He is very matter of fact and direct. He answered the questions that I asked, and his presentation was informative to me as a pre-op patient.

My insurance letter was sent out on Wednesday, April 2, 2003. We shall see......

6/10/03 I actually had my consult today with Dr. Baker. My first impression of him being somewhat cool and detached was WRONG! After my husband and I sat through Shari's( the dietician) presentation and Dr. Baker's presentation on the actual surgery itself, we met with him in an exam room. He is very, very nice. We actually joked around a bit-I am a jokester especially when I am nervous. He asked me when I was going to start helping myself. He is a very personable man. He has a very dry sense of humor. My husband and I both were very please with him manner and his expertise. He actually tried to talk me out of the surgery. He really emphasised the after care visits, vitamins, diet and exercise. He told me that this is a life change....not just another diet that I can go off of if I don't like it. His office staff were very helpful and well-informed. Becky, his office manager, had the RNY with Dr. Baker and has lost 200lbs. She is a big help in answering questions. Now, I just pray that our insurance will approve the surgery for me. I would recommend Dr. Baker to anyone without reservation.

First off,let me say that I had mt initial interview with Dr.Baker just one week before my surgery which was April 2001.His demeanor has probabley changed a bit since that time....I was cash pay(up front)and didnt get to meet him but one time before the surgery...His little lecture was meant to challenge,and inspire I guess but I got the impression I was being talked down to the whole time I was at his office...I chose him for two very simple reasons..He was the cheapest and had a good track record at that time...Over 1000 bariatric surgeries and had lost only one patient at that time...I have not been overweight my entire life,actually for the most part of my life,I was always the most fit/best physique of my peers.After getting married,settling down and starting a family I decided to also quit drinking and drugging.This created food and carbohydrate cravings I had never had.I also changed jobs which had me driving 50,000 miles a year(eating fast food)..I ballooned to over 350 lbs. at 6'2"...I tried getting rid of the weight several times with different exercise/diet plans but it just got worse...So I came into Dr.Baker to have my surgery...I believe after reading these other testimonials that we as fat people have trained ourselves to "expect too little"from others that we hire to provide services i.e. Dr. Baker...As long as we are not made fun of,all is ok..I was not fat long enough for this to develop in me,and in addition to this I owned a couple of different business's and have always been in charge...I had been obese for about 10 years when I came to Dr.Baker....The kicker for me came after my surgery...He approached my wife and kids(waiting frantically in the surgery waiting room,hoping their Daddy is ok)and proceeded to repremand my wife for allowing me to have a milkshake the night before my surgery...After he finished this outburst,in front of all the other families waiting there,my wife asked him,"If you are finished could you please tell me if my husband survived the surgery" ??? I think it may have dawned on him what he had done at that point and he did explain that all went ok...We all need to remember that just because we have been overweight or are overweight does not make us less of a person,and we cannot allow our "paid help"which is all a Dr. is...Just like a plumber,a pilot,or a lawyer..He is being compensated very fairly for his services,and it is not too much to ask for a little common courtesy...I explained this to him in terms I think he understood and I believe a few other patients have done the same . I imagine Dr. Baker has a much better attitude than when I first met him...One thing I have not understood though is, Where is all this follow up I hear about?? I have been invited back twice...Once to take the drainage tube out of my stomach and one other to make sure my incision was healing properly??? I guess maybe he doesnt like me very much...Oh yeah,this was just my and my wifes personal opinion about our experience with Dr. Baker,and I need to add that he did a great job with my surgery and I had no side effects,chances are,after reading all the more glowing recent reviews,the Jug-Eared Bully# has improved!!! # Jug-Eared Bully is an affectionate term not meant to imply anything about anyone's actual appearance or demeanor...

Dr. Baker is a top-notch surgeon. He is very good about educating his patients before and after the surgery process. I recommend him without reservation.

My first impression of Dr. Baker was that he is very professional and good at what he does. The quality of his work is very important to him, and he takes his work very seriously. I had heard he was very gruff, and could be brutal verbally, but I have never found him to be that way at all. He is very busy, but works very hard to take care of all his patients and to provide excellent follow-up care. Christy who handles the insurance paperwork was so awesome, and was so wonderful to talk to. Shari, the nutritionist is helpful but not very warm and fuzzy, but I think that is just her personality. The thing I liked least about Dr. Baker is that you don't know what is going on sometimes, and he may be thinking something, but doesn't always share it with the patient. Future patients should know that he is very strict and you have to understand that is how you will succeed, is following his instructions to the letter. He emphasizes aftercare greatly. He is very thorough in explaining all risks/possible complications, and what to expect after surgery. I think he is an excellent surgeon and I am glad that I selected him, I could not be in better hands. Surgical competence is the key for me, but he has good bedside manner too when you get to see him.

Dr. Baker and his staff are all just wonderful. They are swamped with work and new people calling every day so sometimes you have to keep on top of them to get everything done in a timely manner. My consultation began at 7:30 am. Myself and 2 other patients met with the nutritionist(Sherri) for about 2 hours, then Dr. Baker met with us about 2 hours then took each of us separately to give us a physical and talk one-on-one. He is very professional, thorough and seems genuinely concerned about your emotional health as well as your physical health. I know that I have the best Doctor for the job!