Michel Gagner Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

When I met Dr Gagner he was very professional & answered all my questions.He said I was a perfect candidate for WLS.I researched a few surgeons,but wanted Dr Gagner, since he does lap BPD/DS. His expertise and skill outweighs the fact that he's not very outgoing. After all, I want a good surgeon, not a comedian!
I had my surgery 3/19/2011. I had a great result & would highly recommend Dr. Gagner. I was seeing Dr. Gagner on a yearly basis at Mt. Sinai & NY Presbyterian until he left in 2007. I wish he was still in NYC.

****************************************************************************************** NOTE: I inially spoke with Dr. Hocking in Florida bu switched to Dr. Gagner in New York City for my operation.
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I met with Dr. Michael Hocking at the University of Florida. My first impression was positive, he smiled, sat down and proceeded to apologize because he was late. That said, the rest of my interaction with him was so atypical of my dealings with every other doctor in my life except one. I kept waiting for him to interupt me-he didn't. I kept waiting for him to get up and have one hand on the doorknob to leave-he just sat there. I wondered if he was going to make me feel like a failure and ignoramous to even consider surgical intervention-he didn't. He treated me with respect, with genuine interest, he did not speak in medical mumbo-jumbo nor did he talk to me like I was an idiot. He answered all my questions to my satisfaction, and I also asked him why he performed these types of proceedures. He said that he genuinely liked people and found that working with obese people and seeing positive motivations and positive outcomes was very rewarding to him. Just an aside (and I know it is silly) but he wears eyeglasses and he had the type of frames with the antireflective lenses. He maintained eye contact with me the whole time and I never felt like I couldn't maintain eye contact with him! I would rate my entire experience an A+ but do have one small disappointment to relate. His personal office assistant had recently resigned so there wasn't someone directly and exclusively handling the subsequent paperwork at the office, submitting medical records to the insurance company, etc. This will probably slow down the authorization/approval process, but Dr. Hocking told me to keep on top of things myself to speed things along, ie: the squeeky wheel gets the oil. Also, he is part of a large surgical service for the university so there are always a lot of people everywhere-it's not a cozy atmosphere (but I didn't care)
UPDATE I did not use Dr. Hocking for my surgery. I continued to do reasearch while waiting for insurance approval and changed my mind to have the Duodenal Switch which Dr. Hocking does not do. Also, I became very frustrated and (angry) with the office staff as they seemed not to really be interested in following through with my insurance company. The office did not fax the information which could have speeded up the process, did not follow thru after I asked them to check with the insurer, and then did not return my calls and when I did contact them, began to treat me in a very patronizing way. I don't need that and so switched completely. Even though the doctor is most important and I liked Dr. Hocking, I won't deal with an office like that.

I am very impressed with Dr Michel Gagner, he answered any questions that I had and was patient when I had my appointment with him.


I was happy with the insurance approval, Daryl really wored hard to get that approved.

Update the rest after surgery!!!

I thought he was cold and business-like, no sense of humor but he appeared extremely competent. Over time I find that he does have a sense of humor although he is reserved and he is not cold as I originally thought. I now know that he is the best in his field. Office staff is busy but will answer questions and call you back if you request. Future patients should know that they are in the best hands possible with Dr. Gagner. After care is stressed by him as well as the nutritionist and average follow-up visits are 3weeks, 3months, 6 months eventually leading to once a year. Protein and supplement upkeep are highly stressed. Risks were explained and I was asked to get thoroughly checked out before the procedure was done. I would overall rate him as wonderful and highly competent. Surgical competence is more prevalent than personality.

I heard about Dr. Gagner's extraordinary skill at www.duodenalswitch.com.
I decided to consult with him when he answered an e-mail question
within 24 hours! I met Dr. Gagner for the first time on May 17. He is quiet and intense, but very
knowledgable and I feel quite confident in his ability. Dr. Gagner
performs both the DS and the RNY laparascopically and he
agrees that the DS procedure is the best for me.

At 3 months post-op I have to say that I am very pleased that I chose
Dr. Gagner. His skill is remarkable. He even managed to remove my
swollen, enlarged gall bladder without converting to an
open procedure. I have had zero complications and for that I am
truly grateful.

When I first met Dr. Gagner, I was impressed with his knowledge and his
obvious intelligence. I also was impressed by his reputation. I was
concerned, however, that he seemed cold and clinical. I was wrong, however.
Dr. Gagner is somewhat shy and very quiet - and so he gives an initial impression
of coldness. In the hospital, he was very kind and caring. And he has been
terrific at every subsequent encounter. He takes enormous pride and pleasure in
his bariatric patients and their weight loss.

What is most important about Dr. Gagner, however, is his skill. There is, in
my opinion, no lap DS surgeon who has Dr. Gagner's skill level. Knowing his
reputation and his ability made the whole process much easier for me.

He is very nice, and mild manner. He explained everything in a straight forward method. He put all the options out on the table, And explained the pros and cons of everything.

The offfice staff is very helpful everyone seemed so happy to see you. But you can never get any one on the phone you always have to leave a message unless it is an emergency.

Hello everyone!
I have an appointment with Dr. Gagner in New York City on November 29. I have been researching the possibility of having this surgery done since November 1999. I have decided to see Dr. Gagner based solely on his credentials, experience, and excellent reviews he has received from so many of his patients (and former patients). I would also like to have the surgery done laparoscopically and he is truly a pioneer in this field. I will be going to one of his support group meetings in October to learn more - and talk to some of the others at the meeting that have had the surgery. Im really looking forward to this change in my life and I hope my insurance will approve the surgery! Will update when I get more info.

11/29/00
I had my pre-op with Dr. Gagner today - the whole office is a whirlwind of activity but they take very good care of you - I had a very long wait - I was there three hours - but enjoyed talking with other patients in the waiting room, getting their imput (about 1/2 were post-op and doing great)- Dr. Gagner is very reserved but pleasant - He is a confident man and has a great staff working with him. I am now going through alot of pre-op tests (endoscopy and colonoscopy because I have irritable bowel). I am tentatively scheduled for the end of January - beginning of February. I am more eager than ever to have my surgery done - I feel I am in very capable hands. Will update as info becomes available!

10/5/2000
I had my consultation on 9/27 with
Dr. Gagner who seemed very distant; But as the consult went on he became more friendlier and his office staff is quite organized and can offer you the same tests you would need to get the ball rolling. So, make sure that if you decide to use them you have everthing done on the same day, if you are traveling. They will in return have all your test results the next morning in your file and they can then apply to the insurance company. Therefore, the next time you see them, will be to have surgery. Ex.( make sure all your appts. are all on the same day to keep down travel expenses: dietician, endoscopy, pyschologist, consultation and blood work as this will be easier for you.)

I actually started this journey using a different surgeon..i wont mention any names but i just didnt feel comfortable with him and i knew i just had to have this done with someone i completely trusted.
i searched the internet and found what i believe is the most incredible doctor ive ever known..dr gagner although quiet and seemingly shy is the most knowledgable doctor on this subject that ive heard of..he spent alot of time with me and even when my husband (who went to the first doctor we saw) had post op problems he called my cell phone personally and said he would be glad to answer any questions my husband may have had.
the office over there is unorganized to say the least..you just have to be a pest..but every minute of that time is worth it..youre ultimately getting the best care around..
i would definately give dr gagner a 20+ out of 10!! hes the best in his field by far!

DR GAGNER WAS EXCELENT AND I NEW FROM THE START HE WAS THE BEST AND CONTINUE TO THINK SO I HAD MET WITH OTHER SURGINES WITH DIFFERENT RESULTS HIS MEDICAL STAFF WAS GREAT THE OFFICE STAFF SURE DID GET THE JOB DONE BUT A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO CONTACT DR GAGNER AND MT SINAI HOSP DOSE HAVE A AFTER CARE PROGRAM ALTHOUGH I HAVENT HAD MUCH EXPERIENCE WITH IT. DR GAGNER WENT OVER ALL THE RISKS AND DISCUSSED THEM FULLY AND I THOUGHT HE WAS JUST GREAT