Michel Gagner Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

As I understand Dr. Gagner is one of the best in his field.
I was recomended to him by a friend who is nurse and does extensive research on surgeons.

I was also recomended to him by a well known surgeon at the Cleaveland Clinic.

At first I thought he was dry and direct, he
explained the procedure carefully. He seem to think that complications are not very probable. He made me feel secure.

4/22/-2
I found Dr. Gagner to be extremly nice.
he is gentel and caring.
I had my lap. rny 4/15/02 he came to visit every day and even stayed and chatted. I liked him very much.
the surgery took 2 hours and the scars are very clean.
I recomend him highly.`

1. He is really nice and he made me feel at ease!

2. so far still the same!

3. Really nice and helpful

4. He didn't smile that much.

5. He's the best!

6. Very much so.

7. yes but I haven't gotten that far yet.

8. on a scale of 1-10 - ummmm, 10!!!!

9. he's there to do a job, he could be a little funnier- but all in all, He's not my friend - he's the man who's going to change my life! I like him just the way he is!

My first impression of Dr. Gagner was very positive. I had heard so many wonderful things about him that I felt a great sense of anticipation. He shook hands with my husband and I and asked what surgery I was interested in. I told him my thoughts and how I arrived at them but that I wanted to hear his advice. He agreed with my choice and explained how he would do the procedure. He explained the risks of the surgery and what I could do to improve my chances; breathing exercises, walking as much as possible... He asked about my health backround and did a brief exam. Dr. Gagner stressed the importance of aftercare and said I could feel free to email him with any questions post-op since I'm from out of state. He said it would be really good to find or form a local support group. Ivonne, his nurse came in first and went over my questionaire with me. After meeting with Dr. Gagner I went with Yvette to schedule my surgery.
2/4/02 My surgery is over and I couldn't be more pleased with Dr. Gagner. The office is way too busy and they are not the most pleasant to deal with. You really need to keep on top of them, however, they aren't the ones performing the surgery, so it's a small price to pay.

I was impressed by his credentials and reputation. The personality part is not important to me. I have no comment on his office staff.

I wanted to have the most competant surgeon working on me. I did not care about his personality or his bedside manner. However, I did find that Dr Gagner answred any and all questions to my satisfaction. I describe my interactions with him as minimal; I had a brief pre op meeting; met him prior to surgery for a few minutes and post op he showed up the first day after surgery with the followups left to his fellows.

Because I felt great almost from day 1, I rate his ability and skills highly and would recommned him to anyone. I waited 6 months for an appointment and am happy I did.

His office staff is very efficient and he normally runs on time. I had seen another surgeon prior to Dr Gagner, and was totally turned off by the way this office ran

Dr. Gagner's (GAHN yey)first name is not Michael, but Michel, in case anyone on the site wants to make the change. He's French-Canadian. He's a little brusque, talks without really listening, and is not the most personable Dr. I've ever met. In my personal opinion, don't pick him for bedside manner, but others have had a different experience.

However, he has the best numbers in New York, and that means the best numbers in the World. By numbers I mean that he has performed more laparoscopic procedures (He is Chief of Laparoscopic Surgery at Mt Sinai) than most surgeons, and that his mortality rate in bariatric surgeries is vanishingly low (0.2% - *NOT* 2%: 0.2%!)

If you saw on TV or read about the remote laparoscopic gall-bladder surgery that was preformed with the Dr. in NYC and the Patient in France, that was Dr. Gagner operating! People who have had a chance to observe the entire Mt. Sinai bariatric service have told me confidentially that he is by far the best surgeon, and that's what I care about. I'll leave bedside manner to the nurses.

His front desk people leave a great deal to be desired; you will notice the same commment over and over again if you read these journals. I encourage all of you who have had bad experiences with the reception desk for this service (Herron, Gagner, etc) to complain. The medical staff never hears this stuff and they want to know. They do not want their patients subjected to idiocy.

The aftercare people associated with his office (primarily the nutritionists) are extremely good - knowledgeable, affable, kind, helpful, professional and thorough. I have already been called back by the woman I spoke with (Liz) about a very minor issue I wasn't even sure she had heard me mention. I was quite impressed.

He is a quiet man and sticks to the bare bones facts. He did a great jon (so far. He has been featured on MSNBC and works out of Mt. Sinai in NYC. He is very hard to get an appoinment with. I had to make my appointment two months (almost three) in advance just for consultation.

January 24th, 2001
This is my first appointment with Dr. Gagner. Dr. Gagner appeared to be very knowledgeable and professional. He explained the procedure to the very last details in a clear and precise manner. He answered all my questions with no rush and I felt comfortable asking them. I am happy with my choice after researching and looking for a surgeon for so many months.

1/11/01
Originally, I was supposed to have the Lap RNY performed by a local bariatric surgeon. I researched WLS further and came to the conclusion that the Lap BPD/DS will be a better surgery for me. I will have my surgery by Dr. Michel Gagner in New York on January 25th. I have been approved yesterday and I am excited and scared at the same time. Please, I really need some moral support from anyone.
1/25/01
I was told to be at Mount Sinai at 9:00 AM and I was there at 8:30. I was at peace with myself but the waiting was really wrecking my nerves. It was close to 1:30 PM when I got on the operating table.
1/26/01 Post-Op Day 1
Thank God! Everything went well! When I got out of surgery, I was in pain but was medicated right away. I am very grateful I had no complications. I went for the swallow test on Friday and I passed with flying colors. God is so good! I want to thank everybody for their support. God Bless You All!
10/24/01 One day shy of my ninth month anniversary.
Sorry if I have not updated sooner as I rarely visit the internet. God has been good to me. My health is much better and I feel good about myself. As far as the weight loss, I can't complain about it. To date, I have lost a total of 131 pounds from a BMI of 43 to a BMI of 25 which is ideal for my 5'11" frame. I hope not to lose anymore at this point. This surgery is just a miracle and a life saving. God Bless Dr. Gagner and all of you on this site. I hope you get your miracle as I did mine. Love You All!

I finally got to meet "the man" in live nad in person. He lived up to what most people say on AMOS. He is quiet. Dont know if this is being shy though or he is just so damn smart God did not have enough room for ougoing personality too! Well overall I liked him and he answered my list of questions , except when i started asking questions that he felt the nurse could handle. At first I did not like that but when I started to think of all the others he had waiting to see him he was gracious. I am just not sure of why it takes so long for his office to get approval others who have my insurance who live near me said it only took a day( phone call)and they did not have to have all these test before surgery approval. I am very happy with my choice. After finding him I don't think i would want to go to any other Dr. on the northeast corridor for lap DS. The office staff was okay, I cant say nogthing bad nor extremely good. just okay. The thing liked least was that he could of explianed the procedure like what will he do. but i have researched it a lot and have the jist so I did not insist for more gory details. Future patients should know he is quiet and not too talkative. You can tell this is just him, don't take it personal. He did not talk alot about after care, but nutrionist sure did! He listed the risk and then answered my questions about the ones i was concerned about: leaks and bloodclots. he shared he has only had one leak out of 200 DS'es. and told me afew other things to help w/ bllod clots. Overall I would rate his surgical skills "the best" bedside manner i really cant because i dont know what he looks like standing over the side of my bed yet! But I must make special note that he gave me a warm smile upon meeting me and a warm smile when i told him i was afraid, and that tells me he is a good person. trust me I have met some dr.s who smile and grin and joke with you and when things are not going their way they are some nasty cusses.

My first Impression of him was ok, he put me in the mind of some one that is shy, every few words. He get to the point. He Impressed me. I feel like I will be In good hands. He know what he is doing. Well his office staff Is very very busy they have a lot of people to deal with. there Is nothing that I dislike about him or his staff If you do not know about new yorkers by now let me tell you they are aways on the move, so think of the office as on the move helping you get and feel better. DR GAGNER IS THE BEST IN MY BOOK. For aftercare It is a must for all to keep up your health. WE went over a few things at the time of are meeting but i had done a lot of homework on my own. I still look up on the Internet for anything that will help me. I think he is one of the best in his field.