Michael A. Snyder Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

From the minute I walked into Dr. Snyder's office, I had a positive feeling. His staff was very friendly and knowledgable. The office furniture was comfortable and big enough to accomodate his patients. Dr. Snyder was energetic and very positive. His primary concern was the health of his patients. He answered all questions. I didn't feel uncomfortable at all. He loves his job and it shows. He is very competent and caring. He told me exactly what to expect post op and of the risks and benefits of the surgery. He makes himself available to his patients. I feel like I can call with any questions. Furthermore, his aftercare program is awesome. He is a wonderful surgeon and person!

I first meet my surgeon in 2002 when I needed my gall bladder removed. He was so nice and really informative. I appreciated his honesty, kindness, and of course his confidence. Of course I realized he was also a bariatric surgeon and that caught my eye. I thought about it for a year, and I found myself back in his office. I just couldn't imagine going to another surgeon.

My impression of dr. Snyder only changed for the better. I came to realize he really cared for people and there health, and that was really nice and definitely re-assuring about the whole process.

His staff is definitely great. They are very nice and very helpful, but also very busy. I couldn't imagine doing what they do, there great!

The only thing future patients should know is that the office staff and the surgeon are very busy. But they do care about every single one of there patients and if you need anything they are there for you the minute you need them. Sometimes they are not able to get to the phone when you call, but if you leave a message they will definitely call back. Just understand he has a lot of patients, and a lot of responsibilites.

Aftercare is definitely a major keypoint in his process. He does have a structerd aftercare program. Don't be dissapointed when you don't see Dr. Snyder for follow-up appts. I think a lot of people expect to see him. Patrick Sawyer will be seeing you. Patrick is awesome, hes nice and great. He is Dr. Snyders PA-C. Along with Patrick, you will see Connie, the head of bariatrics at Rose Medical Center. And between them all they lead a great aftercare program to follow your progress and help you in anyway they can.

Dr. Snyder is very blunt with the risks of surgery, he lets you know all the risks from the very beginning and continues to let you know. I think he just wants everyone to make there own descisions, knowing all the risks and of course the pros.

I would definitely rate Dr. Snyder as an excellent surgeon. If I could go back in time and do it all over again, I would definitely not hesitate to go back.

I definitely feel that surgical competence and bedside manner are important, and I think Dr. Snyder has both.

My first impression of Dr. Snyder was that he made you feel at ease & I liked him very much. My impression did not change over time. His office staff is very courtious and helpful and responded very professionally to my needs.

Future patients must realize he is a very busy man but he is a very responsive Dr. and if you have any questions about anything he will answer them for your. Doesn't make you feel like he is in a hurry. He has a very good aftercare program which continues for a year or longer if needed. His staff helps with diet you need to be on and assists with any questions you might have. Can contact them day or night.

He was very frank that this type of surgery sometimes has complications.

I would rate him overall as excellent. I would highly recommend him to others.

Both surgical competence and bedside manner is great.

My first impression of Dr. Snyder was back at the end of June when I first attended his seminar.He was very profesional, curtious and funny. ( I really appreciate a good sense of humor. He can laugh at himself too.) My husband and I had our consults together. Dr. Snyder was informative and friendly. By looking at him you would have never guessed he had a weight problem at one time. Although it was the first time I met him in person, I felt like I was visiting an old friend.

I am a bit late with this. I first saw Dr. Snyder in February 2003. My surgery date was May 13, 2003. I returned to the hospital with complications via the ER May 29, 2003. At this time I am ~3 months out and have lost ~60 pounds. I wrote a little more detail at the message board postings. I wish to say that it was worth the wait to have Dr. Snyder perform my surgery. That both Dr. Snyder and Patrick are absolutely the BEST!! That I am still here because they are that good and they care. I would not trade for any other surgeon, Dr. Snyder is wonderful. Hope all your surgeries and recoveries go well. This surgery definitely makes a positive difference.

Very good first impression - responded quickly to all of my e-mails and was very willing to work with me to accomodate my schedule. My impression has only become better has time has gone by...he really cares about people, even before they become 'patients'!

Dr. Snyder totally believes in aftercare... he stated that he practically becomes a part of your family after surgery...

I would rate Dr. Snyder on a scale from 1-10 as an 11....

6/11/03 I know I have made the right choice...he is very caring and concerned about his patients. He is also working with me to get this completed in a timely manner due to my circumstances. I would recommend him to anyone.

First impression - very caring, knowledgeable and understanding. I've since come to know that he IS all the above and more. He truly cares/loves his patients!! His PA, Patrick is also wonderful and is a great asset because he has also gone down this road personally. His staff, who one (Louann) has also had the procedure, are kind, considerate, warm and very thorough! Dr. Snyder is very thorough, before, during and after and, unlike is asked about this survery - there is NOTHING negative about him, his staff or anything - Face it - he's a God-send and anyone that has him as their surgeon, is blessed!!

My first impression was that Dr. Snyder was awfully tall and thin, and that he looked like he really enjoys working with people and is committed to helping the MO to achieve better health. He is really serious about education and long term follow up for his patients. This impression has only strengthened as I have seen and heard him work with preops and postops. He is very frank about the risks and commitment that this surgery requires. At this time I rate him as excellent, his staff as well.

Dr. Snyder is so professional and competent, and yet so empathetic and warm with obese people. He knows our suffering and he is on our side. His training and experience are impeccable. I trust him with my life. I know no one is perfect, but I really don't have anything to say negative about Dr. Snyder. Even his office staff are all helpful and kind.

April 27, 2003
Wow - its been a long time. Well my struggles with my foot gractures continued - GOt the cast off the end of May - foot began hurint again end of September. Contacted my "foot" doc in Oct. - - resceduled - rescheduled - had to find new doc - my had developed severe MS - had to close his practice - - new doc - cast back on - 7 weeks - when off - told LIMIT excercise! Had qualitative CT - osteoporosis - had Dexascan - "normal bones" - QCT is to be more definitive - then my gen. pract. doc had QCT - showed him as OP - he believes "operator error". . . so the saga continues.

I will be 21 months pos-op on May 14, 2003. I should be to goal weight (150) by then. I hope to reach 130 or so.

I do have lots of hanging skin - still on "light exercise orders" due to foot - (esp. since I'm a nurse and walk alot at work.)

I will be moving to the other end of the state in 5-6 weeks. Have not sold current home - - daughter is graduating - - long-distance relationship with husband (he moved in Jan. 2003) - - father-in-law still fighting lung cancer - - etc.... lots of stressors going.

Otherwise life is great!. I have gone from a snug 28/30 down to an 8 in relaxed fix jeans - sometimes a 10. If dresses are cut real snug through hips sometimes a 12. I am in "medium" uniforms and almost to "smalls". Less than 2 years ago I couldn't hardly find uniforms because 3x were way to tight!

I will never be able to thank Dr. Snyder enough for this change
in my life. I can go anywhere and "fit" into any chairs .....

My only problem is adjusting to being thin . . . I still have a hard time realizing I can get between close setting chairs in restaurants. . . If climbing over chairs. or up/down bleachers - I still have a hard time balancing - I want to balance my movements as though I still weigh over 300 pounds.

I really have a hard time when co-workers state - How does it feel to be wearing "skinny jeans?" I still do not think of myself as being thin (I not not heart healthy BMI yet...)

Again, thank you to Dr. Snyder - You are my lifesaver!

I met Dr. Snyder last week. He was great. He truly is empathetic with those of us who are obese. After reviewing my paperwork, he stated he believes I have six or seven co-morbidities which may be improved or completely eliminated with weightloss. He is very active in the bariatric society, which to me is a plus since he keeps current on the most recent trends and information out there. I appreciated the fact that he treated me with respect and dignity - - which is not always the case when dealing with surgeons. My husband went to the appointment with me. We both felt like he was quite knowledgeable and self assured without being on the God ego trip. In fact, he told me husband about a book which he recommended to help my husband shed some of his extra pounds (we did purchase the book). Dr. Snyder spends alot on pre-op education - he sends you a book to read, you must attend one of his seminars, and I've been told there is test you must take before you actually have surgery - he reviews the tests and discusses any questions you miss so you are well informed. He states he consideres us part of his "family" and gives each patient his office number and his personal pager number - WOW! He does anticipate a lenghty follow-up program because as he says - he's our coach and he's responisble to "coach" us through the difficult times and to give us the game plan so we can all be winners.

Dr. Snyher's staff is wonderful also. Brenda and Beth both were in attendance at his seminar. He picks a great office staff and he hand picks his OR team so patients are only worked on by the best. I think Dr. Snyder is just great. (By the way, one of surgery techs who works at St. Anthony's was there with her Surgery Tech students, she also thinks Dr. Snyder is wonderful.)

The way negative - he's waiting for new office chairs - the current ones are not exactly comfy for his bariatric patients.