Michael W. Johnell M.D., F.A.C.S Bariatric Surgeon

My first impression of Dr. Johnell was he is very straight forward, tells it like it is, seems like he wants everything to be perfect. I lkie him because of those reasons. He tells you exactly what to expect and throughly explains what the complications could be and how to help from any of them happening. He has a great staff and they have returned my calls in a very prompt manner and have been great to talk to. The pre-op appointment Dr. Johnell seemed more relaxed but still straight forward. Will see how his bedside manners are in a few days. Thanks Dr. Johnell for not giving up on us patients who never thought we would see light at the end of the tunnel.

I am now 4 months post-op and weigh 85 pounds less than I did when I first saw Dr.
Johnell. I don't normally share my personal life with others but I just want to let anyone in Northeastern Colorado know that if
you are looking for a skilled surgeon with a top notch staff who operates out of a first class hospital, then Dr. Michael Johnell is
the ONE!

From my first visit, to my latest check-up and the continuing support group meetings, I feel like a member of a big family.

Going down this path to better health has been so exciting! Each day is a new beginning and as you get closer to your goal you will bless the day that you found Dr. J and his staff.

Don't be afraid! The worst part is the anticipation. The BEST part is the quality of life you will have AFTER your surgery.

VERY!! Serous.. No Joking extreamly professionall.. Straight to the point.. ask questions of your decession.. Wants to make sure you are straight in what you want..
He tells you in full lenght of the death rate for the surgery. express aftercare to the fullest.. And lets you know they are all there for the use.. and wants you to use ALL of them..
I would say that this is an all professional group.. and rate them ALL a #10.. Bed side manner is not inportant to me, I want a Professional Staff.. I want to know I am who they are seeing and what I am being seen for is a searious decission a life long commement.. I would say that Dr.Johnell is the most Surical Competence.. He is for you !!!

Dr johnell is wondeful he and his team literally saved my life. I will be eternally greatful to the entire staff at dr johnells office and northern colorado medical center for the positive and life changing experience
they have giving me the tools and a second chance now its my turn and i intend on success! They stand by you from first initial consult to goal with support groups and follow ups. Thank you north colorado center for bariatric surgery and supporting staff!

1st impression -- very "cold," seemed as if he was trying to discourage me from having surgery but very professional and informative.
Impression totally changed over time. I had severe complication and needed to be hospitalized 4x after the surgery (pulmonary embolism, abdominl abcess, bleeding ulcer + severe dehydration). He turned out to be very compassionate and caring. Bedside manners were excellent and so are his surgical skills.
Office staff very nice, especially Connie, his nurse.
Really don't have anything negative to say about him. Future patients need to know that he will try to make sure that one knows what one is getting into.
Excellent aftercare and support group.
Makes very sure that everyone knows about the risks of surgery, even though I didn't think it would be that bad.
Overall rating : excellent
probably surgical competence but he really cares and it shows when you have complications.

First impression was that he was all business but overtime I have come to respect and really like Dr. Johnell. His office staff is top notch and returns your calls quickly.

Dr. Johnell is an excellent surgeon and I would highly recommend him to anyone who is having or thinking of having a lap band or bypass (he does both).

The staff really emphasizes the aftercare portion of the surgery, they have you attend support groups (very important and helpful) as well as special diet classes.

Dr. Johnell thoroughly explained the risks and possible complications of the surgery and was very clear how important attitude is in the process of healing.

Overall I would give Dr. Johnell and his Staff a 8 1/2 out of 10. Ten being perfect!

In my care I wanted a very competent surgeon and as a bonus I found a nice guy who came along with the Skill!

I was pretty embarrassed the first time my Doctor advised me to have the surgery. I have been heavy since a child but have become way beyond just "heavy" over the last five years or so. Tried diets never long-lasting results........I was ready to give up.

I was dealing with extreme back pain from a work injury even after twelve physical therapy sessions. One of the clinchers for me was when my PT suggested I have an MRI done to research exactly what damage I had done when I injured my back (back strain). My Doctor informed me that at my weight I would not fit on the MRI machine and, even if they found damage, at my weight surgery was not advised. I have been involved with Twelve Steps of Recovery for many years and I recall one particular thing (amongst all the wonderful information I was given) I was told that "...when it hurts bad enough you will do something about it" also, "if nothing changes, nothing changes".

I was extremely concerned about $ matters being sole support of family and, typical for me...telling myself that the $'s spent on ME to have this surgery could be well used for my Son, etc. I talked to my wonderful Son, Jess, who said he wanted me around more than he was worried about how we would make it financially. My awesome Daughter, Sharla, after talking to folks who had friends or had personally had the surgery and researching it, she and my Son by Marriage, Jeff, encourage me.

So, I DID IT. I scheduled the initial appointment with Patrice...she is awesome. I filled out the profile?? information best I could and we went over that and then Patrice ... who is very knowledgeable, encouraging and supportive and non-judgmental...gave me a list of vitamins/supplements she wanted me to begin taking. Because I have stuggled with depression over the years, it was suggested as part of my preparation for surgery that I go back on anti-depressant which my Doctor was supportive of. Patrice told me that some folks struggle with depression for a while afterwards (lifestyle change, body changes, just post-surgery depression) and that it would be more effective for me to already be taking the meds beforehand because more effective that way than waiting till I might be in midst of depression and having to deal with it cold.

I want to stress the non-judgmental way Dr. Johnell's entire staff treated me. I have grown up thinking if I just try hard enough/pull myself up by the proverbial "bootstraps" I should be able to do anything on my own....well, experience has shown me that I cannot....learning the hard way most of the time. I know the looks and the only term I can describe some of the attitudes and looks is disgust or embarrassment for me and it like I can read their minds like "how could she ever allow herself to get that way, that is just pure laziness..." Well, whether true or not, blaming myself, feeling guilty about how I might have let myself go gets me no-where.

I was reading on this site where someone termed bariatric surgery as a re-birth. That is profound!!! I look at this surgery as a wonderful, exciting, hard-work road to a better life where I can fit in restaurant booths, breathe and walk at the same time, have relief from back pain every time I try to even walk or get in and out of a chair, fit in a seat on airlines and greyhound bus, not have to break down furniture just from sitting in it, being able to find clothes locally that fit and catching more of the bargains. (when doing PT i needed a swimsuit for North Colorado Physical Therapy Center's warm water therapy pool, "good luck", i finally found one on fluffyladies.com through ebay that would fit and for a reasonable price. (by the way, I cannot stress enough how much "dangling" and walking back and forth in that pool helps pain and I am told exercising in water is even more effective. their pool goes to six ft.)

anyway, i digress....
I am so encouraged by the many pre-op and post-op classes available for nutrition/dietary, behavorial modification, and the Support Group....I have already experienced the effectiveness of support groups and even though I have just attended the first two (every other Monday night) I am so inspired and encouraged how folks share and are giving of what they have learned, etc.

I have had one or two remark how "drastic" this surgery is but mostly the comments are: "life-saving" "courageous" "wise"
"a new journey to a better life". I don't look at it as so "drastic" , the alternative for me is very possibly early death and/or at least not being mobile on my own two feet, etc. I am "psyched" for the journey ahead even though I know it will be hard work and there will be low times, I have had those times before in my life and weathered them with God's help as well as knowledgeable medical assistance, supportive/encouraging friends and family and support groups.

Dr. Johnell was quite professional with me when I went to see him. He inspired confidence and knowledge and I felt at-ease with him. He was direct and to the point but not in a way that I felt like just a "number" to him.

Thank you for providing this site, and thank you, Bryan for mentioning it to me at our first "Behavioral Modification" class on Monday, the 3rd.

Happy Health Journey, Folks!!!!
Thank God, Dr. Johnell and his Staff are here in Greeley!!!!!!!

I am pretty new at this, but I am happy to share whatever tidbits I pick up through the classes and experiences I have with this ongoing lifestyle change...you are welcome to email me at : [email protected] and i hope to be a very active participant in the chat group offered on this site.

The office staff was very friendly and accomodating around my schedule ie: scheduling all my appts on one day. Patrice was very knowledgeable and caring. Dr. Johnell was professional and supportive. I'm very happy that I chose to go with Dr. Johnell and his staff. All of your comments on the board helped me to choose a great team!! The program is very structured and recommendations are given to you about what vitamins to take, exercise, etc, before your surgery so you can get prepared. My surgery date is set for April 1!

For my first visit he and Patrice are just awesome and very informal
, friendly kind, well you get teh picture so far but that is just the start I hope it continues for me and good luck to you all that read this and when you are down read on for you will find a rainbow that carries less wiegt in the end AND GOD BLESS :0)~

I'm very happy with Dr. Johnell and his staff. The surgery went very well. He always responded to my questions quickly and with a smile. His nurse Patrice is wonderful and has a lot of knowledge to share. Connie also has since started working for Dr. Johnell, and they are very lucky to have her. She's a very understanding, caring person. The office staff is one of the nicest and most helpful staffs I've met. I've recommended Dr. Johnell and his staff to patients in the medical practice I work for without any hesitation and will continue to do so. They have good before and after programs. They are very good.