Michel Gagner Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

THIS IS THE WORST PLACE TO HAVE SURGERY. I HAVE BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL 4X SINCE MY SURGERY IN APRIL. I DEVELOPED A BLOOD CLOT 4 DAYS AFTER SURGERY. I WAS READMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR 5 DAYS IN WHICH I SAW DR. GAGNER 1X. A FEW WEEKS LATER I WAS UNABLE TO EAT SO I HAD TO BE ADMITTED FOR A SCOPE AND ANOTHER SMALL SURGERY TO STRETCH THE POUCH A LITTLE. NEXT DAY I DEVELOPED ANOTHER BLOOD CLOT,WAS READMITTED AND PAGED THE DOCTOR ALL DAY HE NEVER ANSWERED. I WAS ADMITTED BY A RESIDENT AND HAD ANOTHER BLOOD CLOT. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS DOCTOR. HE IS TOTALY UNINVOLVED WITH HIS PATIENTS. THE CARE IS HORRIFIC AND NOT CAREFULL AT ALL.

An excellent Surgeon. He's a bit quiet, but he does have a sense of humor to help lighten things up a liitle. He is also very compasionate. His staff has been pretty good to work with. They try to help you in any way they can.

Dr Ganger is the best!! He has changed my life forever. His staff is always there to answer any questions and to guide me to a fast solution to any problem. Dr Ganger has always been there for me. I am now almost 1 year post-op and would highly recommend Dr Ganger and his staff as the only way to go for weight loss surgery. His methods work when you follow all of his guidelines. It's not too late to start now!!!!

I was not thrilled to say the least. However when I got to the other side things
got a lot better. Doctor Gagner was very much to the point and didn't try
to make me jump through hoops. He answered my questions. I wouldn't say that
he is the hugging type but he is reasonable personable. The staff were so friendly.
The absolute shocker was that the terror nurse I
spoke to on the phone was really quite nice.

When I left I was even more committed to surgery than
before I arrived. Not thrilled about a surgery date that is
4 months away. However that is what you get when you pick the
best surgeon. In reflection I realize that the wait wasn't
all that bad when I compare waiting hours in my PCP's office
to be seen for 2 minutes.

2. Ask for the phone # of the psychiatrist and the nutritionist. Schedule your appt's
immediately.
3. Be Prepared to pay cash for the psychiatrist and nutritionist. $200 each.
4. Be aware that your surgery will be scheduled for atleast 3 months in advance.

I had a lap BPD/DS. It was not even a decision I thought I would have to make. All I had ever heard of was the roux-en-y. I am so glad I had my heart set on getting the surgery done by lap. Otherwise, I never would have found Dr Gagner or had the BPD. I'm now 15 months post-op and down 162 pounds.I can not put into words how much I respect Dr Gagner.He has hands that were given to him by an angel.His nutritionist Niccole is the best.To have the surgery & with Dr G was THE BEST decision I ever made.All of his associates (Dr Pomp & Herron)are fabulous as well.The office is a little disorganized but they are sooo busy.Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

I was very impressed with his quick response to my request for an appointment, and his very wonderful manner in handling my questions, and getting me an appointent quite quickly. His staff is incredible, and I was really impressed. My Mother was with me and she was just thrilled (and as a Doctors wife that is not easy to do).
I got a call yesterday (Friday) telling my my insurance approved and would I be ready for surgery Tuesday? So off I go, on Tuesday. I am nervous but thrilled, I have read only the best about Dr. Gagner, considering the Lap BPD/DS is his procedure I know I am in great hands. I will write more post op, but I can't say enough wonderful things about Yvette, and Ivonne, and the rest of his staff.

6/5/01 - Now that I am officially one week post op (I was in surgery this time last week), I have to say Dr. Gagner's whole team is amazing! Dr. Quinn is delightful and very wonderful to deal with, Al (the Anesthesiologist) was terrific and made me feel so comfortable (way to administer that valium Al! I don't remember a thing after that!), and the rest of the "A" Team. Surgery went well, although they encountered adhesions from my previous gallbladder removal, they cleared it all up well. I am so glad I had Dr. Gagner, and Dr. Quinn, and the rest of the team, really the only choice out there as far as I am concerned.

Excellent surgeon. Bedside manner not as excellent. The stapler malfunctioned during my surgery, it stapled 2 double rows instead of four. Dr. Gagner had to sew by hand. most surgeons would have opened me up and finished the surgery in 5 minutes, but Dr. Gagner kept the surgery laparoscopic. I think he is the best surgeon in the world! The surgery took 4-5 hours.

Mt. Sinai hospital nursing staff was pretty horrible though. But you can hire private nurses or private companions which are MUCH needed! The companions are pretty cheap and dont do any less than the private nurses.$135 for a 12 hr shift. Otherwise I dont think i would have gotten a new robe or new sheets the entire time!

Competent, not a warm fuzzies approach. Clear and intelligent yet well understood. He is very busy and that makes follow up questions hard.

His Staff- some are a bit abrupt, some nice, like with anywhere,

The Btritionist he uses looks like she is ill with an eating disorder. I asked her if she has the surgery. On leaving a friend said she looked unhealthy... rail thin and taller than me.

I was having troubel getting 2 tests and cancelled last test cause my questions went unanswered by his staff and finally ny him in an email.


Form after care and testing plan in the area where you live and get answers released to him. No talk of after care structure. I do not live in NYC and so that would be determined later.


risks- I will lose my hair and vomit and have soreness and one ounce meal size. but asthma, stress incontinence, osteroarthritis back pain stroke etc eill be less dangerous for me if I am 120 140 lbs.

Most of that is in literature, the surgical risks are there- he may have to go from lap to open etc

So far I have not ditched him.

Both.

My first impression of Dr. Gagner was that he is ONE OF A KIND in his field! He has knowledge very few posess and hands of a God. I found him to be kind, quiet and generous with his time. My impression of him remians to this day. I am post-op 1 1/2 years and still going strong. I would highly recommend him to any future patient looking to have obesity surgery. You will not find a more capable Doctor. Dr. Gagner puts much emphasis on after care. -
vitamin supplaments,excersise, blood work & nutritional needs. If you are to be successful, you need to take this seriously. This is a life altering decesion to have Bypass Surgery. You must be sure you are ready to do this. There are many things to learn to keep your weight loss on track. It has enhanced my life in ways I never knew possible! I have more confidence and energy than ever before. I can actually look at myself in the mirror and like what I see. I feel as though all those ugly, sad, and lonely feelings have been lifted from me. There isn't a day that goes by and I don't think of how wonderful life really is. I was on the road to many health problems and now, I can actually plan for the future without reservation. Thanks to Dr. Gagner and his very competent staff, I am a very happy woman living her life like there is no tomorrow! He truly is "MY HERO".

I scheduled my appt for first thing in the morning and everything
ran like clockwork. Felt that Dr. Gagner was very competent and caring,
but he is a surgeon - not a warm and fuzzy kind of guy - which is okay with
me. Staff is all helpful and encouraging.

He emphasizes aftercare by requiring a dietician (not on insurance), but
she (Niccole Siegel, MS, RD) is wonderful.

I sent an email to Dr. Gagner figuring he would have his
staff respond 2-3 days later, but got a response directly
from him the same day.

My surgery is scheduled for 1/23 - but everything so far has
been handled in a superior manner.