Michael Thomas Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

First impression..knowledgable,informative,young but experienced @ seminar re: WLS..(I went w/my sister for her)..2nd & 3rd time for myself..I found Dr. Thomas to be very eager to inform the audience about the unhealthy disease that plagues us..'obesity'..I noticed a genuine compassion for his craft..I have not had my surgery just yet..(March 21,2006 is my date)..I chose Dr. Thomas because of the above mentioned reasons and because I believe the Surgical Specialist of Louisiana have an excellent reputation of caring for their patients during and post-op..UPDATE!!!
On 3/20, my husband and I met with Dr. Thomas for the pre-op visit..we left his office feeling 'lifted' and excited about the choice of surgeons we had made..We floated out to our car, to ready ourselves for our trip home..One thing stuck in both our minds..He made the comment.."I have a lot of talent but this talent's not mine, it's God's".....Ok, we were for sure going to make it thru this..
3/22 Surgery was 'textbook'..I was released at 3:30 on 3/23..and doing great today!!!!!!!

MICHAEL THOMAS WAS MY SURGEON. HIS INITIAL AND SUBSEQUENT PRESENTATION WAS IMPRESSIVE. HE MET WITH ME ON TIME AND TREATED ME WITH RESPECT AND AS AN INDIVIDUAL. DR. THOMAS WAS VERY DETAILED AND HONEST AS HE GAVE ME THE INFORMATION ON THE PROCEDURES AVAILABLE. WHAT WAS BEST FOR ME, WHY IT WAS BEST AND THE RISKS INVOLVED.
THE STAFF WITH WHOM I INTERACTED BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE SURGERY WERE INFORMED AND RETURNED PHONE CALLS IN A TIMELY FASHION. THESE THINGS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. I NEVER FELT THAY I WAS ON A CONVEYOR BELT ON ON AN ASSEMBLY LINE.
DR. THOMAS IS LIKABLE AND SHARES LITTLE PERSONAL THINGS THAT LET A PATIENT KNOW THAT THERE IS A MAN UNDER THE SCRUBS. HE HAS BEEN KNOWN TO LAUGH! HIS DESCRIPTION OF JUST HOW HE DOES HIS WORK PROMPTED TO STATE"YOU REALLY LIKE DOING THIS, DON'T YOU?' TO WHICH HE ANSWERED--'YES!'
THE DOCTOR STRESSED THAT THE SURGERY IS ONLY THE BEGINNING. HE MAKES IT CLEAR THAT THERE ARE NO MIRACLES HERE, ONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE STORY IN THE LONG RUN. AFTERCARE IS THE KEY.
I WAS PROVIDED WITH DETAILED WRITTEN INFORMATION AND A CALENDER ADDRESSING THE DAY BY DAY GOALS POST-OP. THE 3-HOUR PRE-OP CLASS WAS EXTRODINARY AS WELL AS A LOT OF FUN.
AFTER RESEARCHING BOTH THE SURGERY AND THE QUALIFICATIONS OF DOCTORS IN SEVERAL STATES FOR TWO YEARS, I AM SATISFIED THAT THE TEAM I SETTLED ON WAS THE RIGHT CHOICE. DR. THOMAS RATES AN A-PLUS WITH ME!

My first impression of Dr. Thomas was how nice looking he is...lol, and how nice and kind and intelligent. He was very patient with me and explained everything completely. He told me he would go quicker with me than others, because I am a nurse. The Surgical Specialists of Louisana are awesome! They are so helpful, and Danielle, my insurance advocate is so caring and sweet. The only time he was quick with me was when he discharged me, but he knew I already knew what I needed to know. They have an extensive education before surgery. He emphasizes aftercare, as very important to keep me on the right track, and said to call if I had any questions. I did have to call him three times in the same day, and he was so patient and helpful. His aftercare program consists of support group meeting, and set times of follow up for the rest of my life. I rate him overall as a 10 on a 1 to 10 scale. Out of bedside manner or surgical competence, I definitely think he is equal in both areas. As a nurse, I know what is important to tell patients and what is not, and he has it down pat. He definitely is one of the best surgeons I've ever met.

I first met Dr. Thomas about 2 weeks pre-op. He was exactly as I had heard. Informative, patient, and very kind. He and Chris put me at ease immediately. They never made me feel rushed or silly for asking the same questions I'm sure they've heard a million times. The same goes for the entire staff at Surgical Specialists. I cannot say enough about the courtesy and concern and kindness (hmmm, there's that word again. See a pattern here?) they exhibit in each and every contact I have with them. My fondness for this practice grows with each interaction. Post-op, I met with Dr French and then Dr Thomas on my release day. It is a priviledge to be able to have this group care for me. Let me now explain my fascination with the word kind. I feel that in life, daily we meet people who are mean, and people who are nice. This is common. But only once in a while do you meet people who are truly kind. Not just nice or plesant, but kind. I believe you can then know you have met someone who is just out of the ordinary and will take that extra little step or say just the extra something to make you feel special and important, and let you know they care about your feelings too. And most often this person will have the most amazing positive impact on your life in ways that you may never realize. Dr. Thomas and the staff at Surgical Specialists are these people. I cannot thank them enough for bringing me into this new and better life that lies ahead.

Dr. Rachel Moore is my surgeon and after our intial consultation, I knew I had made the right decision! She is wonderful!!! I can not say enough about her! The office staff st Surgical Specialist are awesome also! I have done a lot of research and made my choice based on many things. Itis clear to me that Dr. Moore is surgeon of choice!

Since Dr. Moore is very pregnant - Dr. Thomas will be "pinch hitting" for her and performing my WLS! I have not met him but I was satified with all the comments from past patients!!

My first impression was one of complete faith. He did seem to be in a hurry on our first visit, but that did not change my mind about him. I knew of tw people that had surgery and recommended him completely.

I did not see Dr. Thomas before my surgery. I was on the table and everyone was laughing about him not being there yet. At 0730, I heard someone say, "He is here. Let's go." I don't remember anything else except waking up in recovery feeling fantastic. I did not see Dr. Thomas or anyone from his office until the next day, late in the afternoon. My family was quite upset. Being a nurse, I know how busy physicians can get, but I do think he could have had someone see me in the hospital.

The people in his office were fantastic. Anytime I had a question, all I had to do was call. Chris Nelson, NP was very helpful.

Thus far, I have no complications. I can only say that if I had it to do over again, I would have Dr. Thomas do it, however if someone is looking for a physician with a bedside manner, he is not the one. I am a nurse, so I understand, but others may not.

Dr. Thomas and Chris have both stressed the importance of after care and following the rules to the "T".

I knew of all of the risks since I had checked into this for quite sometime, however Dr. Thomas and also my primary physician emphasized all of the risks.

Overall I would rate Dr. Thomas' surgical competence A++++++ and his bedside manner A. I do think that someone should see the patient the evening of the surgery and the morning after without fail.

As I stated, I would go back to him because thus far, I have had no complications.

Dr. Thomas and his staff are very caring and dedicated people trying to help us out any way possible. They inform you from the start all complications and risks of the surgery. They have a planned aftercare program to give you all the tools and care you need to get 100 percent out of this drastic step. Dr. Thomas in my opinion is a excellent surgeon. I did't get to see him much to rate his bedside manner. I met him once before surgery for the pre op visit and once day of discharge. He came in said everthing was good and I could go home. It was fast but I already had all the info and it was New Year's Eve, so I guess I forgive him. I would recommend him in a heartbeat. They also have a wonderful insurance advocate named Danielle working for them. She will help you all she possibly can.

Dr. Michael Thomas is very caring and concerned about getting you throug surgery the most healthiest way possible!

The more I got to know my doctor the more I know he is the right doctor to perform the most sucessful surgery with no complications!

His staff is very helpful and they just put you under your wing as if you were their child!

I can't say that i dislkie anything about him! I knew about his sucess and back ground he has performed (3) of my friends surgery and they have been very sucessful with NO complications!

For future patients they must follow all of his rules to the T to go into the surgery and come out sucessfuly!

My doctor emphaize the afercare at the upmost as a matter of fact he has to see you (1) week, (1) Month, (3) month, (6) month, and (1) year and annualy for the rest of your life!

My doctor has went through the risk of surgery very intense!

I would have to rate Dr. Thomas with a 10 being the higest!

I was very impressed with Dr Thomas. He spoke to us at the seminar I attended.

After my first visit with him I was very comfortable with him. I haven't seen him since 1/04. I have been trying to get all the other necessary evils done.

Very helpful & understanding.


He addressed all the risks. He let me voice my concerns & let me tell him what procedure I wanted to do before he voiced his opinion. I liked this because then I knew it was my discission & didn't feel like I was being pressured.

I only met with him once. So it's hard to say.

Surgical competence is the very most important thing to me. But the bedside manner is ranked high up there with me. I think having both is what makes you a great doctor.

I first met Dr Thomas at a seminar in Slidell in Feb 2003. He is young and very personable. I met with him in April 2003 for my first visit. I liked him. He was easy to talk to, answered all of my questions and did not seem rushed. Since I was a self-pay and we didn't have an insurance company to deal with I was able to get the pre-op orders for Labs etc. at that visit. At my pre-op visit with him the week before surgery things changed. He was rushed and seemed anxious for the visit to be over. He did answer all of my questions as we were signing release forms, however, I could tell he was in a hurry. I did not see him before the procedure the morning of surgery. I also did not see him later that day. I was seen by an associate of his late in the afternoon on the day after surgery. I was very disappointed in the way my case was handled in the hospital. I did not see Dr Thomas until the morning he discharged me. He entered my room, asked how I was doing, told me he was releasing me and for me to make an appointment to see him in about a week, and then he was gone. I felt no real caring attitude from him at all. He did a wonderful job with my surgery. I had zero complications, so I have to say his surgical abilties are top notch. However, if you are looking for a Dr that shows care and concern even if you don't have complications, I'd have a hard time recommending Dr. Thomas. With me he had little bedside manner. I wanted and needed a doctor that knows how important it is for a patient to feel a bond, especially with such an emotional and life changing surgery. It would have taken him 10 minutes while I was in the hospital to sit on the bed and really look at me and ask how I was doing... to show me that he was there for me. It makes me very sad that he never took that 10 minutes out of his day. He wasn't in the office when I went for my one week follow up appointment. I saw the Nurse Practitioner, Maria. She helped me with every thing I needed. I also made my appointment with her for my six week check-up. I have no idea when I will ever see Dr. Thomas again. My husband has has many surgeries in the last 8 years.. and I've never seen a surgeon handle a patient like Dr. Thomas handled me. It took me totally by surprise.

I am also disapointed with the aftercare program at Southern Bariatrics. At the pre-op class that you are required to attend before surgery you are given a packet of information. It says someone will call to check on you in the days after you're released from the hosptial. No one ever called me. I felt like I was totally on my own. However, the couple of times I've had to call with questions, my calls were answered within the day either by Maria or Laura.

I believe that Southern Bariatric may be bombarded with more patients than they are prepared to handle because of the sudden increase in bariatric surgeries. Perhaps over time things will improve.