Kenneth G. MacDonald Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS

My first impression of Dr. MacDonald 5 years ago was, this is a serious physician who knows his stuff and he has lived up to that notion every since. I work in the hospital setting so I'd seen him in action with other patients prior to my seeing him personally in 2013. His office staff are very friendly and had the most patience with me when I kept calling everyday to see my authorization had cleared. I was very anxious because there were other factors involved in my situation as I was getting married and needed to know prior to making honeymoon plans. I love his bedside manner because he cuts to the chase and doesn't leave any question unanswered regarding my converson from realize band to RNY in April/2014. I have no complaints regarding Dr. MacDonald's competence or professionalism. The only change I would like to see made is the policy Physician's East has wherein I had to pay $10.00 to have forms filled out to be taken out of work and to be released to go back. I work multiple jobs and needed simple forms filled out with dates and a signature. I can understand the complicated disability forms requiring a charge but having paid close to $50.00 for ink-stamp signatures was a bit much after having to pay out-of-pocket for deductibles, supplements, protein powders etc. However, with the state of the economy I can understand the need for any office to attempt to supplement the lack of reimbursement by insurance companies. My suggestion would be to have one fee that includes the release from/return to work signatures needed because you can't have one without the other.

My first impression of Dr Macdonald as the spouse of one of his patients was, he was willing to say the things that I, as the spouse, could never say to my beautiful wife. He was very serious and very straight forward. There is a time and place for fun and jokes, and clearly, if you were in his office, that time had passed. My wife was 328 lbs at her heaviest. She has always been on the heavy side her whole life. Although she was heavy, she never let it stop her from doing things that she really wanted to do. She had her surgery in 2007, in spite of the fact that she had heard many stories about the downfalls of bariatric surgery. ("you'll gain it back and more" "you'll grow facial hair""you'll never be able to have sweets again" "you could die"). Although "some" of these things may be true, it is entirely up to the individual as to what happens after the surgery. It is a life changing choice that only the individual should make and not one for someone else to make for you. Now my wife had already had by lateral knee surgery, and had a very serious condition of asthma, which are now gone thanks to this surgery. Dr Macdonald will keep you on the straight and narrow path IF YOU LISTEN TO HIM AND DO AS HE SAYS. Many people have the surgery, thinking that it (the surgery) is going to take the pounds off all by itself. Unfortunately, that is not true. The surgery, is simply a very aggressive TOOL in helping an individual to lose weight. You must be willing to give up certain foods, and you must EXERCISE.
Now it has been over three years since my wife had her surgery, and just so you don't get discouraged, she does not spend anywhere near the time exercising, that she did in the beginning, and she eats anything and I mean anything that she wants, (in moderation) and she still has not gained any of the weight back.
I am very proud of my wife, and I wish I could give her everything she wants. Such as cosmetic surgery for the unwanted excess skin that she still has, and breast implants, but I can't and she is very understanding about that. We have been married for over 27 years and three children. But I loved her the same before we were married as I do now. When we talk about her remarkable weight loss to people, I joke and say "yeah shes less than half the woman I married."
Now for those of you that can afford the cosmetic surgery, I say go for it. But for those who can't, there are many ways to conceal this unwanted appearance. The right clothes,for one thing, and for those that like to show off their legs in a dress, try something like the panty hose that the girls where at certain restaraunts. (*oot*rs)They are wonderful tools. And as for those that lose an enormous amount of breast tissue, theres always that place that has a "V**t**ia secret" . My wife was a 38DD before surgery, but now she is much much smaller than that. But thanks to the secret bra, no one that sees her in public will ever know that.
Public image can be a big deal to some women, and I understand that. So don't be afraid to conceal as much as you want. After all, the only one that really knows what you look like, should be your spouse and your doctor.
If you are considering bariatric surgery, please don't get discouraged about the horror stories. Do your research, and get the facts. Then make a personal decision. However; be sure to include your loved ones in your decision and get their opinions because you are going to need a certain amount of support and care immediately following your surgery.
I am extremely proud of my wife, and I would highly reccomend bariatric surgery to anyone that is considering it. I'm glad that she chose to have the surgery, because if she had not, she may not be here today.
I LOVE YOU SHIRLEY. YOUR PARTNER FOR LIFE STEVE.

Dr. Macdonald is very nice, very professional and courteous.I He was chief of surgery at ECU school of Medicine for years and trained other surgeons to do the lap RNY before going into private practice 3-4 years ago. He has loads of experience and his office and the hospital are designated center of excellance. I have been nothing but happy so far.

Dr. MacDonald was a very informative and very nice when I first met him. He was not very "warm and fuzzy" but I appreciate his knowlege and expertise in this field. He made me very comfortable and that is what really mattered to me.

My first impression of him was that is was a serious professional. We sat down and he talk to me and my mother about the surgery risks, he gave some stats about a couple of the batriactric surgery. he was really thoughtful and knowledge and i loved him for that. i thought wow.

Dr Mac is a great surgeon. I am very please he performed my surgery. He is not much of a joker however, he knows his business:)All risk are completely explained. The program is very structured in followup care. I would definitely recommend Dr. Mac and his team!!

My doctor was great! He wasn't what I would call the life of the party in terms of personality but he was direct and full of knowledge. His staff handled everything efficiently and professionally. I would suggest him to everyone!

My first impression of Dr. MacDonald was oh my goodness this doctor has no sense of humor what’s so ever, and I’m the person that cracks jokes when I'm nervous lol. I quickly learned that Dr. Mac is extremely knowledgeable, and cares endlessly about each one of his patients. He is not the doctor that will just rush thought everything to get another surgery done. If there is something that he thinks needs to be handled he will handle it first. I needed to have a second scope don't because he thought my ulcers “looked funny”. Everything turned our normal, but the fact that he was genuinely worried about me made an impression on me, a big one. When I had my second scope done he remembered me from our previously meeting. While we were in the surgical room he actually cracked a joke, and made me very comfortable, so I was wrong about him not having a sense of humor lol. With out a doubt I would have to say that Doctor Mac is one of the most amazing doctors I have ever met. His staff is amazing as well. They really seem genuine, they return all the calls in a timely manor, and are extremely knowledgeable, and friendly! I'm looking forward to having this surgery, and I know that I'm in extremely good hands! I'll be sure to update more when I'm home, and recovering.

My first impression of my surgeon was that he was very serious and he was straight down to business. Since I just had my second visit with him I seen a little more personality this time around. He smiled at me and I managed to make him laugh and to me that was very important because I need to feel comfortable with him. I think the office staff was okay; my husband didn't too much care for them. I think he did a great job explaining after care and he answered all of my questions and concerns. He did go over the risks of the surgery and overall I think he is okay.rnrnUpdate:rnThe surgeron was great and he was so professional and curtious while I was in the hospital. He came to visit me everyday, asked me did I have any questions and I think he have answered my same questions over and over again and gave me the same answer. He really eased my mind right before surgery and everything he said he would do, he did and overall I am proud that Dr. MacDonald is my surgeon.

Dr. MacDonald is a very competent surgeon, who has been doing bariatric surgeries for over 17 years. He has may awards, one being BCBSNC surgeon of excellence. I would recommend him and his office staff to anyone. They are very informative and organized. I felt all along it was my decision and I was not pressured to rush into anything. He's asked for several post-op visits along with 1 annual the rest of my life.