Kenneth G. MacDonald Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS

I really like my surgeon. He is very professional and has a good personality and made me feel at ease. I am looking forward to my surgery.

I was scared to death the first time I met Dr. McDonald. I found him to be a no nonsense type of person and I knew I wanted him to perform my surgery before I left his office that first time. He spent a lot of time answering my questions and explaining the pros and cons of the surgery. His office staff, Bobbie Lou and Shirley, are terrific and extremely supportive.

I was disappointed at the long waiting period, but on the other hand, it told me that he had to be a great surgeon or he wouldn't have such a long waiting list. I called for an appointment in January of 2001 and had my first appointment in May. He performed my procedure on September 20, 2001.

I would recommend Dr. McDonald and Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville to everyone. I realize I only had my surgery 2 months ago, but I'm 70 pounds lighter already and I have Dr. McDonald and his staff to thank for giving me a new lease on life.

Dr. Macdonald is a brilliant doctor. He is very thorough and straightforward.He makes the risks involved very clear, and he has to be absouluty sure that you are 100% committed to following the aftercare procedures before he willing to agree to perform the procedure. His nurses are wonderful, and they work very hard in helping in any way to get you prepared to have the surgery. ECU Pitt Memorial Hosp. has a very structured aftercare program, that is why I choose to have my surgery in Greenville, Nc.

Met with Dr. MacDonald on June 18th. I had heard marvelous things of him and he seems to be very knowledgeable and professional. HIs staff is very friendly and I am sure very busy, but they are always very polite. He emphasied adtercare and an exercise regimen to be in place. I like the fact that they are on top of their patients with aftercare. This gives them a 10 overall.

I had my meeting with Dr. McDonald on 8/20/01 and it was a very pleasing experience. I have to admit that I was very impressed with the doctor. He was very nice but frank about the risks and what to expect out of this procedure. He explained that he could only do so much the rest was up to me. He is confident in what he is doing and I am not hesitant to put my life in his hands. If you are looking for the whole procedure to move very quickly, then he is not the surgeon to seek out. If you want excellence and experience, then this is the surgeon for you and the cost you pay is having to wait. He is in real demand because he is that good. You also have to be ready to commit to being followed after the procedure, this he requires.
Bobbie Tripp, the research nurse is a sweetheart! She is so caring she treated me like a friend not just a patient.

1. Dr. MacDonald was an energetic and positive
force in my surgery. His expertise and experience
are undoubtedly a big part of the reason for
the success and strength of the operation.

2. My impression didn't change. I already knew
that surgeons tend towards a certain ego type.
After all, you wouldn't want someone who didn't
know what he was doing rummaging around inside
you? It can make it difficult to communicate
though.

3. The staff were uniformly cheerful and positive.
They were helpful when I had questions and they always
treated me with respect. The only difficulties I ran
into came, again, when I no longer fit the compliant
role into which I should have fit.

4. As time went on, and I began to have problems
with regaining some of the weight, instead of
understanding and dealing with me as a person I
noticed a tendency to treat me the same way
every cheap, manipulative, self-serving "weigh -
loss" gimmick did -ie:as long as you're losing the
program is GREAT! The minute YOU're notlosing -
YOU are the problem.

5. The guy IS good. And with the experience
the whole hospital has in dealing with the surgery
it would still be my choice if I were going in
for the first time today. You have to go with
experience, and Dr. MacDonald and the team know
what they're doing.


6. Follow up is EXTREMELY important, and the
team at ECU did a great job for the first 3 years
after surgery. Once I began having problems with
my weigh starting to creep back up I began to feel
less and less welcome - as if my mere presence
would be enough to contaminate everyone else.
My reception got colder, especially after my family
doctor sent me down for another type of surgery.
I am in the process of trying to remedy this
situation and have an appointment set for August
of 2001.

7. Yes, the aftercare program is quite structured
and complete. But as stated above, if you start
having problems regaining weight, you may feel like
a government mule. This may have changed in the
last couple of years, but I know a couple of other
locals who have been through a similar experience
have the same feelings.

8. Thoroughly and completely. This is MAJOR
surgery and not to be entered into lightly. I
was advised on all possibilities and given all
answers to the questions that I asked.

9. As stated above, the team at ECU is extremely
experienced in doing this surgery AND caring for
overweight patients. This experience and ability
MUST weigh heavily in anyone's choice of inpatient
facilities. I would rate both Dr. MacDonald and
ECU HIGHEST in their ability.

10. Surgical Competence and bedside manner are
both GREAT.

He seem to be a very caring person.He is a good listener and gave enough information that I felt I understood the procedure. He answered my questions especially my concern as for not accepting a blood transfusion. He reasured me it has not been necessary in the past, but as a precaution to submit the papers indicating other alternatives .He did not challenge my preference.
He was the same caring friendly person each time I saw him at my appointments.
The office staff is fantastic.They know you by name. You are not just a chart. They have the same caring manner all the time no matter ow busy they are or how many times you ask the same question , they never seem to run out of patience.Kim is a true asset to his offfice.
At first I felt uneasy about the blood issue,because he made it quite obvious he does not share my concern about the matter, but right away he put his personal feelings aside and gave attention to my concerns.
Dr. mcDonald let you know right up front that if you will not or cannot exercise, he will not do the procedure. He also stresses the importance of following the program exactly. no shortcuts.
He aalso requires that you do all your follow up and sugesst the group support.
He let you know the risk right up front. and does not minimize that all surgery can be life threatening.He discussed some complications he would be particularly concerned about by inactivity such as blood clots ect.
I rate him as one of the best in that he is on staff a the hospital that invented the procedure and was trained by the person that invented it.
surgical competence is my highest priority,though bedside manner is a plus.








June 7 2001
Dr. Mcdonald is a outstanding surgeon.He showed such care for me and was very kind though he did make sure I understood the risk and emphasized that I was in a higher risk catergory.
He talked to my wife right after surgery and assured her the surgery went really well
. He later came to my room to alk to me and let me personally know that there were no other things that needed to be done once he got in theere. I had signed aconsent form for them to take a liver sample, but He said as a precaution to not risk me doing any extra bleeding he decided against doing that since I don't take blood transfusions. He did not want to take any un-necessary risk .
I appreciate the care he and the staff at Pitt Memorial gave me. My stay there could not have been more pleasant. All the nurses on the floor were very caring and made me belive I was their favorite patient

Dr. Mcdonald was very professional and courtious.He was very direct as to what the surgery was intended for,to help commited persons to achive weighr loss. He expect his paitients to take him and the surgery serious.In fact he said if a person was not able to exercise he would not perform the surgery.He expects you to give 100%. I got the feeling that is what he will contribute as your dr.
He did seem a little annoyed about the fact that I do not accept blood transfusions,but did listen respectfully.He also assured me that even though he does not share my thoughts on that issue, He would do all that he could to save my life if I had any blood-related complications,though he had never had any before. That was appreciated.
His staff is exceptional. they are so patient and tireless of our many questions.
Kim and Bobbie are a lifeline,and are always ready to assist.
Competence is my uppermost concern,though I can appreciate good bedside manners too.

I feel confident that Dr. mcdonald is one of the best and will give excellent care.

Dr. McDonald seems very serious but competant. I have alot of faith in him because he has a wonderful reputation. He is to-the-point from what I gather from him so far.

Dr. MacDonald and his staff are extremely knowledgeable and very professional in every sense of the word. I am extremely pleased with every aspect of treatment I have encountered with this office. There is a rather lengthy waiting period, but it was well worth it. Luckily I live here in the same town with Dr. MacDonald and Pitt County Memorial Hospital so it has been very convenient. I respect a doctor who does not "beat around the bush" but talks to you as an intelligent individual and gives you answers "straight from the hip." He makes it clear that this is s serious surgery and expects you to take it seriously and to do your part (i.e., following instructions, exercise, etc.). Every aspect of the surgery was addressed and all my questions were answered. I knew what I was involved before I had the surgery. I especially like the fact that this center considers you a "patient for life." You will be monitored here for the rest of your life. That is very comforting for me. Also, the support group meetings that are held each month were of tremendous help during the months prior to surgery as well as after surgery. We're able to share our questions and answers and find out from those who have been through it what life is really like.

I would whole-heartedly recommend Dr. MacDonald to anyone who is looking for the top-of-the-line, excellent, caring surgeon committed to helping us combat this disease of morbid obesity.