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

I first met Dr. John Gens in 1989 when I needed my gall-bladder removed. He was a top-notch surgeon and a warm and friendly person. In spite of complications after the gall-bladder surgery, I completely trusted and thoroughly respected him.
When I began my research into having bariatric surgery I first contacted Tufts. Then I learned that Dr. Gens was involved in starting a bariatric program in Portsmouth. Furthermore, he had trained in the procedure at Tufts. I immediately chose to apply to the program at his practice.
I believe that I became patient #25, in their new program. However, you are not just a number with Dr. Gens. He makes you feel as if you are his only patient, and he has all the time in the world to address every little concern.
His fellow surgeons are just as competent and reassuring. The professionals on the team involved in physical therapy, nutrition, and behavior modification, and the office support staff, are all great.

I liked him from the first moment. I have not had much contact with him personally yet but his staff is wonderful. Nancy has helped and walked me thru alot and Kim has helped let me know what I should and shouldn't eat. Mark from PT is very considerate. I love them all and can't wait to get a set date and go thru the process. Oh and Dr Wagner is such a hoot. Very down to eartha nd explains why we might have some of the feelings that we do and that it is okay and not to think of ourselves as bad if we make a mistake and to get back on track.
I have not had the surgery yet so I will update as the process goes on.

I was very impressed with Dr. Gens and the Atlantic Surgical Associates. Fortunately, Dr. Gens had performed a gallbladder removal on me a few years ago so I was already comfortable with him. When researching options for WLS, my PCP advised me that Dr. Gens had spent the past few years researching the WLS and was planning on opening a bariatric practice on the seacoast. I was very fortunate in getting in on the ground floor of the practice & I believe I was surgery #3 or 4. I wasn't nervous because this was a "new" practice. Dr. Gens already had a reputation as the best larascopic surgeon on the seacoast & he had spent much time researching the surgery and had "interned" & performed this surgery at other WLS centers before bringing it to us at the seacoast. What really mattered to me was that Dr. Gens & his associates spent alot of time looking into the issue of obesity - I was told that at first he did not necessarily think WLS was an answer for obesity but with the time he spent on researching the issue, he became more convinced that WLS was a viable solution for this issue. His practice spent several years researching & traveling to other WLS centers to determine what really worked best & to help them bring the best practices back to use in setting up their own program. I can appreciate a practice that takes that kind of time & commitment to what they are doing before implementing their program.

The program at Atlantic Surgical Associates is a multi faceted program consisting of mandatory support group meetings (pre-op), classes with a pschologist, meetings with a nuitritionist & meetings with a physical therapist. There is a large, active support group for post ops that everyone is encouraged to attend & there is a structured monthly meeting for pre & post ops that has a featured speaker that addresses any number of subjects related to WLS. Patients are closely monitored for the first year, then taper off to a yearly exam; you don't "graduate" from the program until you are five years out.

The Portsmouth Regional Hopsital was great. The staff that cared for me were attentive and very helpful. My nurses were wonderful; they didn't baby me or pamper me (the sooner you move, the better). Physical therapy was right there and you weren't released until you could show that you could meet basic daily needs (walk, climb stairs, shower, etc.). My pain issues were well addressed & when I developed complications the first night, the staff was immediately there for me. I required a second operation but at all times I felt everyone was concerned about my status and I strongly felt I was well cared for.

I believe there was at least one patient who didn't feel as positive about Dr. Gens; felt she didn't get the personalized care or attention she needed but that wasn't my experience or impression. I have no problems with Dr. Gen's manner; he is factual & keeps you informed on what's going on. Not a warm and fuzzy hand holding kind of person but realistically I don't expect that kind of thing from my surgeon & don't need it. What I look for is someone who is highly competent, thoroughly informed, honest & upfront & who shares information with you; someone who understands that I have a right to know everything I need to know before making a decision that affects me; after all, this is my life and my body we're discussing. Dr. Gens does all of that. Even when I was experiencing extreme nausea for months after surgery & required several hospitalizations, Dr. Gens was honest; they didn't know why I was so sick but I got alot of follow up care & tests and eventually it all worked out.

Dr. Gens & the Atlantic Surgical program strongly endorses the support group meetings & attend the mixed group one themselves every month. I've seen all three doctors associated with Atlantic Surgical in relation to my WLS and would highly recommend any of them. I strongly feel that all of the surgeons are totally commited to each and every patient and I believe they have worked very hard to educate patients on all aspects of the surgery, the risks involved, expectations, etc. I'm impressed with the follow up programs & from what I've seen, the vast majority (if not all) of Atlantic Surgical WLS patients are VERY successful. We're all very supportive of each other & we're open and honest in our post op group meetings. Our goal is to help each and every person out there in any way we can.

Overall, I would obviously strongly recommend Dr. Gens personally, and the Atlantic Surgical Associates to anyone looking into this surgery. I recommend anyone researching this to attend the open seminar they hold periodically (generally advertised locally & on their website I believe) as well as attend as many support group meetings as they can. This is a great group of people & we all want to help those looking into this surgery.

For anyone interested, my statistics are: 16 months post op. Previously weighed 285 pounds at 5'2"; weighed 165 at surgery and now weigh 135. Went from a size 24/26 to a size 8. I feel better than I have in years. No acid reflux; no sleep apnea; asthma dramatically reduced (only one incident in the past 16 months when I was cleaning & raising up alot of dust); cholesterol down from 200+ to about 150. I exercise moderately & more importantly, eat moderately. Am in control of my eating for the first time in decades without the use of drugs or diet aids. Would recommend this surgery to anyone who is truly obese and would do it again in a hearbeat.

My first impression of Dr. Gens is that he is very knowledgable and excited about being apart of the Bariatric program. His office staff is very pleasant and easy to talk to. The only negative I have, which is very minor, is he did talk alot before giving me the opportunity to ask questions. Dr. Gens is very passionate about the importance of aftercare. The progam requires you to stay connected for 5 years (unless geographically impossible). The hospital has a very structured aftercare program and believes the aftercare is the reason for surgery success. Dr. Gens is very open and honest regarding the risks involved with WLS. Overall, I loved Dr. Gens. I left the consult feeling very confident and comfortable with him.

With all of that said, let me also say to all those who chooses Dr. Gens, he VERY strict about his weight loss requirement. I was 2 days away from surgery and he made me reschedule because I was 4 pounds away from my goal.

Dr Gens is a very pleasant man. He has a wonderful bed side manner and he really listens and understands.I have not had the surgery yet, but I feel confidant that Dr Gens is the best surgeon for me.
I was so nervous about having the surgery until I met him. I walk out of his office knowing I was going to get the best care.
He was very careful to explain all the risks to me but at the same time he had a positive attitude. After care is critical with his team. I feel like I am not in this alone. I was told about what I can expect and what is expected of me.

One of three of a team. Of the two male surgeons, he had the kinder eyes and compassionate smile.

Over time, find my first impression was right. He's very professional, but with a no nonsense type of kindness. Truely out to help where he can. A man with a mission.

Office looks like they get paid VERY well. Staff is very professional and acommodating.

No problem with them, just have trouble with appointment timing. Have to balance it with a work schedule

Aftercare is 5 years. From physical, phsycologigal, nutritional...about everything.

He/they did not sugar coat the risks of surgery. From dumping & depression, infections to death. Even down to the infection I got in one of my lap wounds.

10+ for the whole team, competence, & bedside manor

Okay so I met Dr. Gens on 5/26 and I love this guy!!!! He is so caring about my situation. He is so supportive and it is so obvious that he crosses all his I's and dots all his T's to be sure that you have a safe surgery and a successful journey. He even said to me that not until five years out does he call this a success. He said that I will probably see that my date will be around end of August or end of September. He has a very very structured aftercare program. I have to commit to it for five years. The office staff is awesome too. I don't have anything bad to say about him. My next visit with him is with my husband. He said that he needs to meet him to be sure I have a strong support system.

Hi,
My surgeon was Dr. John P. Gens, Jr.
my first impression of him was that he was very nice. I also thought he was very knowledgable. he talked right to me and answered any questions i had. he made me feel like he really cared about what i was going through and i felt totally at ease. his office staff is very nice and they also put you totally at ease. i must say that the bariatric program at Portsmouth Regional Hospital is excellent. the care you get before, during and after your surgery is the best. they check everything out 110 percent before the surgery, then you have a surgery team who is excellent operate on you, a post-op team in the hospital who knows all about bariatric paitients so they know how to cater to your specific needs. and the support and follow up after your surgery is the best i have ever heard of. i was explained in detail the risks of surgery,and we do have a structured aftercare program. i would rate Dr. Gens and the team at Atlantic Surgical Associates a 10++++
and for which is better, both his surgical competence and bedside manner were excellent!!!
i really can't say anything bad about any of my experiences from this surgery except i hated the sleep test. not because anything bad happened or because anyone wasn't nice but simply because how can you sleep with all those wires hooked up to you in a place your not familiar with!!! arrgh!! other than that it was great!!! A++++