Neil Hutcher Bariatric Surgeon M.D.,F.A.C.S.

Dr. Hutcher is a really down-to-earth man that encouraged me to ask questions about the procedure. I've seen Dr. Hutcher twice to date -- once a consultation with a group of people and most recently privately. I sought him out due in larger part to his expertise in GBS.

The only problem that I've had so far is with his staff. I saw Dr. Hutcher for a group session in early December of 2001. I wasn't able to schedule an appointment for a private consult until early Feb. 2002 -- almost two months later.

When I did see Dr. Hutcher for my private consult, I told his nurse, Hilarie Surratt, about my need to have the surgery scheduled in late March. Well, it took Ms. Surratt two whole weeks to fill out my paperwork to send to my insurance company.

The first week after my private consult, I called my insurance company myself and they said that all she would need to do is call them. I fit the medical criteria and now they just needed some med info from Ms. Surratt. I had to call Ms. Surratt everyday for a week for her to fax my med info to my insurance company. I found out later that Ms. Surratt could have called Trigon the day of my private consult with Dr. Hutcher and I would have been approved.

Since I was not able to have the operation in March, I'm waiting until June.

My husband, youngest daughter and I met with the surgeon first time Sept. 27,2001.
I found him to be kind, considerate, very professional, neat , clean, handsome, to the point, answered all my questions. (I took a list). He lightly joked and made me feel very comfortable. When I told him he looked just like his video (duhhhh) he said..WELL I COULDNT GET ANOTHER GUY TO DO IT!!!! ha
The office staff was very friendly and kind. They even complinted me on having my files well orgainized and typed out and a nice photo to compare for later on.
They even have an email set up so if I have any questions which i forgot to ask, i can email them and they answer within the next few hours!! Wonderful!!!
He put emphasis on after care and said he was giving me to TOOL TO MANAGE THE CAR. HOW I DROVE IT WOULD BE UP TO ME.
He addressed the risks of surgery and the reasons he does his paticular type of surgery (open rny)
On a scale of one to ten..i give him a 20. No other Dr. in all my life has taken this much time to talk to me.

I was refered to Dr. Hutcher by a friend who
had undergone bypass surgery about three years ago, his sister also had the procedure done
by Dr. Hutcher as well. To date I have only
met with him twice, once in a group
information meeting and once for a physical
and brief information session. His staff has
been quite helpful,however. You are
provided with a video tape of the surgery as
well as an extensive survey and information
packet. Dr. Hutcher did a good job of
covering the need for and the benefits of the
surgery. You must attend support group
meeting as well as many informational classes
prior to the surgery. Some of the classes
include behavioral modification, dietary
changes, and psychological effects. He also
was up front about the risks of the surgery
and informed us of his personal mortality
rate. We were also shown how he would
perform the procedure. Overall I would say
that he instills confidence in his abilities
to do the surgery and his level of knowledge.
I am not sure why but I do get a little off
set by his manner. Perhaps it is just that
he has done so many of these and worked with
so many obese people but I kind of get the
feeling that I am being talked down to
sometimes. I am however quite pleased with
my choice of surgeons.

I met with Dr. Hutcher on Feb. 25th. I found him to be very friendly and warm with a good sense of humour. He made me feel very confortable and at ease. He set aside time to answer any questions I had. I feel confident with him and his staff.

It took me 3 months to get an initial consult with Dr. Hutcher but I had been told by many people in my pver 500 lb weight category that he was worth waiting for. His demeanor was professional and pleasant enough, and he has a good sense of humor. I am interested in a first rate surgeon and not so concerned that he be a warm and fuzzy person; Dr. Hutcher is a good combination of both I am happy to report. He has done 3000+ gastric bypass surgeries over the years and has modified the RNY by using a double row of staples to prevent leakage. He removes the gall bladder as well. I told Dr. Hutcher that another surgeon I consulted in NC was to do a Panniculectomy on me at the same time, as I probably have 40+ pounds on my apron at this time. Dr. Hutcher said he does not do that routinely but will in my case. The open incision for the RNY is limited to 5-6 inches below the breastbone and is cosmetically closed using no staples. A similar closure with drains is used on the hip to hip Panniculectomy incision. Dr. Hutcher insists on his patients agreeing to aftercare for life before he will agree to operate on you. His office staff is competent and responsive.

Dr. Hutcher is a wonderful man and surgeon. He truly cares about his patients and is sympathetic to our situation. He has a Christmas party every year in his home for his patients!!!
He is very conscientious in his work. He doesn't do this surgery on anyone and he has been a leader in this area in bariatric surgery.
I would recommend Dr. Hutcher to anyone in the area interested in wls.

(NOTE: I haven't actually had surgery yet, I am relying on my office visits and his reputation mostly)

I just got a revision. It was a really tough decision after I had become complacent after my initial surgery 7 years ago. My healing is far superior than the last time. I'm so glad that my doctor requires classes and more when it comes to agreeing to do the surgery. I feel that I didn't know enough the first time. Dr. Hutcher has a fabulous nurse (Barbara) who never fails to answer questions when I call and leave her a message. The support group is highly recommended. Since this was a revision, Dr. Hutcher highly recommended a private consultation with an LCSW and follow up group support meetings (thank heavens, also covered by insurance). Dr. Hutcher is a superior surgeon and has a fantastic staff.

my first impression came by way of the mail, a package arrived from his office complete with video on FAQ'S. at my initial meeting with dr. hutcher, i was relaxed, because he made me feel that way with his gentle demeanor. the staff was very friendly which allowed me to open up and be my friendly self. there is nothing i least like about my dr. i highly recommend the entire team. dr. hutcher is a pioneer in his procedure and has perfected it over the many years he has been assisting us to a better quality of life. the aftercare is wonderful. after seeing dr. hutcher initially and during the 3 day hospital care, you are turned over to barbara who oversees your care for the next 18 months....i just finished my 6th month checkup and will return for a visit at the 9th month....the risks of surgery were addressed, but i had already addressed the risks of dying if i continued at the rate of decline in health. i felt quite assured of placing myself in dr. hutcher's care and i am extremely glad i was given his name and number...surgical competence is superb, bedside manner is caring and warm...no matter how many times i called the office they were never too busy to get back in touch with me in a reasonable timeframe...the first few months were an adjustment, but i am certainly glad that with this teams help, i am 80 pounds lighter as of december 12th...6 months after surgery...i have reached a platoo since my 4th month, but it will take time for my body to adjust to the change...in the meantime...thank god for the 80

I finally met with Dr. Hutcher on Nov.5th. I was very impressed. He said he won't do a lap, because there are too many things that could be wrong inside me that he would not be able to see if he did the lap. I may have a hernia, and if I do he will take care of that at the same time. I felt more sure than ever that this is the right thing for me to do.

I love this doctor and I love his staff. Dr. Hutcher's bed side manner is wonderful. And of course his knowledge is great.I saw him every morning when I was in the hospital.He was just checking up on me to see if I was okay. He made me feel that I was his only Patient. When i got home and was all upset the Nurse wanted me to come in a week early to see her so we can talk face to face. She fit me into her schedule. I thought it was wonderful. I would recomment Dr. Hutcher before anyone. He has an eye for detail and a kind heart and will see you thru the surgery.