Kenneth G. MacDonald Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS

My mother and I met with my surgeon on Tuesday October 7, 2008. He was very knowledgable, answering most of my questions before I even asked. I won't say I detected the best bedside manner. But hey, as long as he performs my surgery correctly I'm good. Also, if needed after surgery he said he would be available. I'd take surgical competence over bedside manner anyday.

Dr. MacDonald was great. During my first visit with him he started poking (probing) me in the stomach. I am VERY ticklish and started laughing like crazy. Apparently, he thought this funny and started laughing too. I found him very professional but personable too. rnrnThe office staff at Nash General were great. They were very good about returning my calls and answering my questions. All very nice and professional.rnrnI didn't see the doctor but 3 times from January- September. The first time for my endoscopy, second time right before surgery and the last time before I was released from the hospital. He is a very busy man.rnrnDoctor was very up front about the risks of the surgery, but at the same time made me less anxious about having it.rnrnI would give my doctor and the staff a 10 out of 10. They really were great and I felt comfortable talking to them.rnrnBoth surgical competence and bedside manners are important, but for me, I would take surgical competence first. Bedside manners are a nice to have only.

I absolutely love Dr. Mac. He is a complete professional. I have enjoyed getting to know him through the pre-op appointments and felt completely confident in my decision to have WLS. After my surgery he came out and spole with my sons and they feel the same as I do - HE ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! His whole approach to WLS is superior to any other surgeon that I've heard of. He stresses the importance of the pre-op testing and post-op continued education, monitoring and care. At this point he is my surgeon for life. I'm forever greatful for the 2nd chance he's given me to live a normal, healthy life free from obesity.

My first impression of Dr. MacDonald was average. Nothing really stood out about him. He was very professional and that's pretty much it. I saw him for my Endoscopy, my pre-op and my surgery. I did not see him after my surgery, I saw his PA. I'm sure he is a busy man, but I would have liked to see him before being discharged out of the hospital. Anyway Shannon, the PA, had already given me the book that told me everything to prepare for from start of WLS journey to end. So I was kept very informed. rnrnThe office staff was very busy, it seemed to be hard to get in contact with the coordinator at times. When trying to find out what date my surgery would be on I felt like I was getting the \"run-around\". I had to stay on top of them. But they are a very friendly staff.rnrnOverall I would rate Dr. MacDonald on a scale 0-10 an 8, because he was not very personable and didn't follow up with me after my surgery I thought that was not good bedside manners.rnrnTo me surgical competence is better than having bedside manners because you want your doctor to know what the heck he is doing, but when it comes to an overall score if your doc doesn't have the manners it is reflected on the score.

I loved my doctor from day one, he made me feel like there was nobody more important than I was at that moment. He is a very knowledgable doctor and trains other doctors to preform WLS. I had to have gall bladder surgery in 2007 and went back to him to have that surgery, I would trust him with my life (well I guess I did, twice).

Dr. Ken MacDonald in Greenville, NC is one of the best surgeons out there if you are considering WLS. He is extremely knowledgeable and will go to great lengths to insure the safety of his patients. It was very evident that patient safety was his first concern as we went through the first doctor/patient consult. He told me and my wife all of the risks involved with WLS and explained in great detail his planned approach to aid in mitigating the risks. rnrnMy first impression was here is a doctor who knows his business. Over time, I realized just how great of a doctor he is as he would recount personal information about my particular case with ease and without referencing any of his notes. Given the number of patients he sees, I was very impressed. rnrnDr. MacDonald and his entire staff, especially Bobby Lou, are very caring, especially during the aftercare phase. They are always willing to discuss issues or answer questions you might have. They constantly stress that you should contact the office if you ever have any concerns whatsoever. rnrnOverall, on a scale of 1 to 10, I'd rank him a 9. No one ranks as a 10 in my opinion, but Dr. MacDonald does come close. One piece of advice, don't be put off by his down to business bedside manner. He warms up over time as you build the doctor/patient relationship. As for his surgical ability, he can't be beat. If you are considering WLS, do yourself a favor and schedule an appointment with Southern Surgical and Dr. MacDonald. The only negative I can think of, they are an extremely busy office. Appointments sometimes are weeks out and they do run behind schedule at times. On the flip side, once you make it through all of your preops, you will be amazed at how quickly you will get a surgical date.

Straight-talking no BS type of guy. An absoulte leader in his field. He and his office are top-notch!

Dr. MacDonald is a recognized expert in the field and he has made me feel very comfortable about him and the procedure itself. The entire staff at Southern Surgical is excellent!

RNY 10-18-2007

The first impression I had of Dr. MacDonald was not too good. He did my endoscopy and he kind of seem stand offish- but it could have been that I was half way out of it. He spoke more to my husband than me. Then on the second meeting, Dr. MacDonald seemed a little nicer. He was even making jokes. I think he is a very competent doctor and I am looking forward to him performing my surgery. He was very interested in making sure that I understand the risk and about my after care. He seems sincere about me as a patient. I have a ulcer and he made sure I was taking my medicine and he also asked me about my hernia that I had repaired in 2004. I have not had the surgery yet. So hopefully more good things are to come from Dr. MacDonald. rnrn11/30/2007 was the day I had my surgery. Dr. MacDonald was great. He came to see me and explained everything that would take place before and after the surgery. He is an excellent doctor. He also spoke with my husband and explained everything to him as well. Great surgeon. If I had to do it again, I would want Dr. MacDonald as my surgeon.