Michael Kia Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

This was one of the best experiences of my life. Everyone at the McLaren Bariatric Center was WONDERFUL to me, from beginning to end. Just amazing.

My first impression of Dr. Kia was that he was very positive, personable, and sensitive to my feelings about myself. My impression didn't change over time, as I only saw him again at my endoscopy and then surgery (this was by choice, as McLaren asked me if I would be okay seeing the PA instead of him at subsequent visits, and she was very nice as well, so I said whatever is easiest for the doctor). He was very sweet to me before surgery, as well. I have zero complaints about Dr. Kia or any of the staff at McLaren Bariatric. Aftercare was emphasized strongly, there were tons of resources available to me, risks of surgery were discussed, but as I was/am very healthy, there was little risk involved.

The only complaint I have about the entire experience was that my pain was not managed well by the hospital during the first night after surgery. I was on a morphine drip, and I've always been able to sleep through pain very well, so when I woke up in the early morning after a night of not clicking the button every fifteen minutes, I was in excruciating pain, and I had to get up and do a barium swallow, which made it worse because I had to sit in a wheelchair for a half hour waiting, and I just felt like no one really cared about how much pain I was in. I felt quite pitiful trying not to sob, to prevent any more pain, while people walked past me in my wheelchair. It was kind of traumatic, and the pain was very difficult to get back under control. Once I was on Lortab, it was fine. I think it would have been better if I had switched to Lortab BEFORE going to sleep on day 1, or if I had had a family member there to push my button for me, as the hospital is not legally allowed to do so.

That explanation of my pain management sounds very negative, and while it was really hard on me, I do not "hate" the hospital for it, nor do I hold it against anyone or the hospital. I understand that they have laws and regulations to follow, but I do feel like it could have been prevented. Other than this issue, I feel like everything went perfectly, my needs were promptly attended to at all times, my nurses were AMAZING, and I would highly recommend McLaren to anyone. I would just definitely address the pain management issue before going to bed on night 1.

Dr. Kia and his staff are absolutely AMAZING. I can't sit here and write enough good things about them to do their program justice. The office staff treat you like you are their only patient, the most important patient they've ever had. Dr. Kia came in and sat down on a couch and just 'chilled out' in the room with me, it didn't feel like a Dr's appt. It felt like I was very important to him, and he had all the time in the world to talk to me.

The office staff is very organized and completely on top of everything. It's amazing how quickly they get things moving and how great at communication they are with the other doctors you need to work with. I've read nightmares from other bariatric institutes over and over again about awful office staff, losing paper work, not submitting insurance information or scheduling appointments with the surgeon isn't in the office. But with Mclaren Bariatric you will never have to worry about anything like that!

Again, I really can't say enough good things. This program, the staff and especially Dr. Kia are all amazing. IF you're a nervous patient, they'd be amazing to go through!

So far...my experience with my surgeon has his staff has been very positive. They have been very professional, attentative, freindly and caring. They definately discussed in great detail my surgical options and what each entails pre & post operative. The support group has been wonderful.

I AM GOING TO THE MCLAREN BARIATRIC INSTITUTE IN FLINT,MICHIGAN.DR.KIA SEEMS VERY KNOWLEGEABLE ABOUT THIS SURGERY.HIS STAFF IS GREAT,ANSWERING ANY QUESTIONS.THEY HAVE A GOOD PRE-OP PROGRAM OF CLASSES,WHERE YOU GET TO TALK TO PSYCHOLOGIST,DIETICIAN,AND BARIATRIC NURSE.THEY ALL EXPLAIN DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF YOUR JOURNEY TO HAVE BARIATRIC SURGERY.THEY SEEM TO HAVE A GOOD AFTERCARE PROGRAM IN PLACE,AND OUR AVAILABLE 24/7 BY PHONE.DR.KIA HAS ALL PATIENTS COME TO A SEMINAR FIRST,WHERE HE EXPLAINS THE PROCEDURE,RISKS,AND BENEFITS.AFTER THAT YOU CAN MAKE APPOINTMENT TO SEE HIM.HE HAS A GREAT BEDSIDE MANNER,AND ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS COMPLETELY.I WOULD RECCOMEND THIS PROGRAM TO ANYONE,AND THIS DOCTOR.