Ninh Nguyen Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

Dr. Nguyen is very professional and focused. When I went in to see him he was very to the point and a little quick, it could be misunderstood and unfriendly, but he's just a busy man. Knowing how hard it is to get an appointment, it doesn't bother me. He addressed the risks and talked about the Lap Band and RNY. Asked a LOT of questions. Ana in his office is great, she laid it all on the line and offered a lot of advice. She won't submit for approval unless she's sure she will get one, so she wants a lot of info. She offered me some advice on additional things I could do in the meantime to help my case. The office has moved from the Irvine Campus (which was easier to park and better managed) to the UCI Medical Center Campus. The parking is terrible. He is very competent, but wasn't very forthcoming with information or discussion until I got mad. I am very happy with my surgery, and would choose him again.

My first impression of Dr. Nguyen was that he was friendly, straightforward, non-judgemental and very, very professional. His patients at the support group love him, and respect him greatly.

His staff is very friendly and very busy. I've had good luck communicating to Ana, the surgery coordinator via e-mail.

So far, there's nothing I don't like about him. He's not a cozy, comfy kind of man, but I appreciate the fact that he is professional and straightforward. I'd much rather that he be truly professional with lots of expertise than comforting and non-knowledgeable.

Aftercare is emphasized greatly with Dr. Nguyen. He requires that you commit to the support group follow-ups and follow the regimen to a tee.

Dr. Nguyen addressed and ensured that I understood the risks of surgery. He was very thorough in his descriptions of possible complications. He emphasized that surgery is a very drastic measure not to be decided lightly.

So far, I rate him a 10!

Dr. Nguyen's surgical competence is much better than his bedside manner. His bedside manner though, is very professional, never rude.

Note: The above has been my personal experience. I am making no statement about what other people have or will experience with Dr. Nguyen.

I was really impressed with Dr. Nguyen's honesty and time he spent with me to make sure I understood all the risks involved in with the surgery. He is strictly to business, so if your looking for a friend I would tell you he isn't your doctor, but if you are looking for a skilled surgeon he is your man....I had very little pain, have had no complications related to the surgery. The Hospital wasn't all that great, was pretty hot and needed a fan. But all in all was good.

I first met Dr. Ninh T. Nguyen on June 3rd at UC Irvine. He was very Professional and somewhat stiff. He spent about an hour and a half with myself, my husband and my daughter explaining the procedure and it's risks and answering our questions. I was really impressed with the time he spent with us and his knowledge. He appeared to be very good at what he does but not arrogant at all.

At my pre op visit on July 1st He was a lot more personable and again was willing to spend time answering questions and being reassuring. I felt very comfortable with him and he gave me a confidence in him that I didn't have anything to worry about. I felt I would be in good hands. He seemed very meticulous which is what you want in a doctor.

His office staff is great. Anna is always willing to help and answer questions. She did a great job in getting my surgery approved. She kept up with it and got a hold of me immediately when she needed something and as a result I was approved in a week!

I had my surgery on July 5, at UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange CA. He did an excellant Job. I doubt I'll even have any scars! I would highly recommend him to anyone considering this surgery and would do it again in a heartbeat. He is very big on you understanding what you are doing and what your aftercare is. He gives you an outline for aftercare and he told me in the hospital he hoped I was reviewing it so I would know what I was supposed to do when I got home.

Starting on July 22 there will be a support group for those who have had and those considering the surgery.

Overall I would say he is the best!

Dr. Nguyen is now at University of California-Irvine. I was first interested in him because he does both Lap Band and RNY. I read about him on this site and did other research. He is one of the most respected laproscopic surgeons in California. I read on some of the posts here that his bedside manner is not warm, but that he is an incredibly capable surgeon. I sceduled my first consultation with him keeping those comments in mind. I actually found Dr. Nguyen quite warm and approachable. He also has a good sense of humor. I came away from the consultation with absolute confidence in him as a surgeon. My insurance did not approve him as he was not in my HMO. They told me I would have to see another doctor (name withheld). I chose to use a more expensive insurance option to ensure that Dr. Nguyen would be my surgeon.

UC-Irvine is a very reputable hospital and their staff is very helpful.

I guess I will have more to say about Dr. Nguyen after my pre-op tests and the actual surgery.

Dr. Nguyen is now practicing at U C Irvine in Southern California. I am lucky, I have a PPO so I just called and made an appointment, didn't need to hassle with referrals. The appointment was set for me within 2 weeks to meet with the Dr and discuss my options.
The staff was very friendly and everything moved pretty smoothly. The entire visit did take around 2 hours, but I was happy with that bcause it was not rushed.
When I met wth Dr. Nguyen I had nothing but questions and he answered each of them and actually asked me questions in return. It was informative and really helped me to undestand. Of course I came up with tons of qustions afterwards, but I am scheduled to go to a meeting July 22 to meet with the Doctors, patients and people like me who are waiting or interested in the surgery.
I then met with Nutritionist, who gave me even more information, and was helpful.
Last I spoke with Anna, part of the Doctors' staff nd she was very helpful and nice.
I think I'll know more after the meeting....so I'll post more then.

My appointment ended up being with Dr. Nuygen instead of Dr. Wolfe. I'm sure he is a great surgeon by reputation but I have to admit he was not very personable to me and I'm not sure I said what "he" wanted to hear. I really like the Physicians Assistant. She was great! I know Dr Nuygen is a good surgeon and I don't have to be impressed with his personality, just that he can do a good job! He did discuss the fact that they would be doing trials on the gastric banding now that it has been approved. Matilde, who does the scheduling is a cutie and I really liked the person who registered me. 10-29-01 Experience and a true skill for this surgery can sure make up for anything else in the end! Dr. Nguyen is leaving UCD later this year for UC Irvine.

My first impression of Dr. Nguyen was short without any bedside manner...or so I thought. I realized after reviewing my first visit with him that he was just trying to do his job.
I started to notice a change in our relationship during my next visits.
After surgery I soon realized that what I was reading as "no bedside manner" was actually Dr. Nguyen's attempt to give me a "true" picture of this surgery - but of coarse I had a one track mind then.

His office staff was very kind and helpful and quick to respond to questions both before and after surgery. I never felt as if I was rushed through.

After surgery I came to realize just what the Doctor was trying to tell me...This surgery is NOT for everyone. You have to be mentally prepared and even then there still lies many changes and challenges.

I would rather have a GREAT surgeon (which I did) than a Doctor with terrific bedside manner. After all bedside manner was not going to preform surgery!

I have not met Dr. Wolfe yet. His office sent me the paperwork to fill out and I am waiting to hear back from them. It has been a month and I'm getting antsy.

6/2/01
I finally called my surgeon's office and they gave me my first appointment for October 2001.

09/14/01
I recieved a phone call from Dr. Wolfe's office she moved my appointment up to 09/19/01.

09/19/01
I had my first appointment. There are 2 surgeons in the office and I found Dr. Nguyen is going to be my doctor not Dr. Wolfe.
My first impression of Dr. Nguyen was he is very abrupt,but I am not realy concerned about a Doctor's personality.
My PCP is part of the UC Davis Medical Group so my appointment included a medical student doing the physical exam, which I didnt mind. The medical student was so sweet and so thourough.
The office staff was very helpful and pleasant, I had no complaints.
If you are going to the UC Davis clinic be aware that Dr. Nguyen is pushing the gastric vertical band. He was pretty persisitant,and was trying to pursuade me to get the band instead of the RNY procedure.
I have an appointment for a gallbladder ultrasound and a 2nd appointment with Dr. Nguyen in October.

The office does have a structured aftercare program because they scedule you for a suport group meeting at the same time they set up your first appointment.

Dr. Nguyen has little bedside manner. If you are looking for hand holding-he is not your Dr. If you are looking for a perfectionist and from speaking to several of his patients after surgery an excellent and gifted surgeon he is your Dr. I have been a nurse for over 20 years and I have found many fine physicians such as this. When I have gone to my appointments the wait has been minimal. The real wait is for the appointment and or surgery date-each tipically 3 months away. Miltilde his coordinator is a likable person. She just needs to be reminded by frequent phone calls. I highly reccomend the pre-surgery information meeting for all considering this procedure. The Dr., diatician and a patient all explain the risks, details, and benifits in a honest straight forward manner.
I would suggest that anyone having surgery at UCD be sure to have a family member-preferbably a pro-active one be with you as much as possible. The nursing service was very poor (overworked and in many cases just didn't care). Don't expect hands on nursing care such as assistance with bathing, changing of linens or assistance with walking in most cases. I write this not to be critical, more to help you be prepared.