Thomas Clark Bariatric Surgeon MS, MD, FACS

My first impression of Dr. Clark was a very good one. I saw him at a support group and thought he was one of the patients. I wondered how heavy he had been. I then found out that he was the surgeon who had operated on all those people in the support group! I like the fact that his policy is to make you read materials and wait one month before scheduling your first appointment. He was not at all pushy but was very informative, straightforward, honest, and patient. I liked him immensely! He gave me alot of information and answered all of my questions. He addressed all of the risks and emphasized the surgery was a TOOL not a CURE. He addressed all of the risks of surgery. I feel he took very good care of me in the hospital. I have been readmitted twice, once for bronchitis and once for vomiting and dehydration. He was always very attentive and patient and came to see me every day. He ordered tests and checked out all of the possible problems. Also, he reassured me that this was an awful thing and I would get better. I was impressed with his surgical competence and bedside manner. My husband also really likes him. I had been to see Neil Hutcher in Richmond and did not like him at all. I found him to be pushy and impatient. It was a very bad experience. When I mentioned this to Dr. Clark, he said he knew Dr. Hutcher to be a fine doctor and was surprised I had that experience. I liked his response - it was very professional. I am 5 weeks post surgery and have been very pleased with Dr. Clark. I would recommend him as a surgeon. ALSO, very importantly, he has a WONDERFUL office staff. They are very responsive, prompt, patient, reassuring, competent, and understanding. They are also friendly, pleasant, warm and funny. I believe good support staff are very important and Dr. Clark has surrounded himself with excellent people.

Finally had first consultation with Dr. Clark on 1/9/02 nearly two and a half months after scheduling appt. He has changed his procedure from one-on-one consultation, to a small group seminar in an effort to see patients in a more timely manner. I thought I wouldn't like that very much, but really didn't feel cheated, after the fact. All my questions were answered. In fact most of my questions were answered without my even having to ask them.

I feel he is a competent surgeon. He outlined what I could expect, what the real risks are, and stressed that WLS is just a tool. He also emphasized that WLS is a life-changing event, and its impact shouldn't be underestimated.

Since there were 8 of us at this initial consultation, and he does a number of surgeries each week, I worry about how much time he will have for me individually both pre- and post- surgically.

Thus far, I'm impressed with his knowledge, skills, and statistics. He seems to be compassionate, too.

Dr. Clark is very thorough. He explained all of the risks as well as the benefits of surgery. The first time I saw Dr. Clark, he had been on a scavenger hunt and gathered all kinds and brands of protein supplements. We had a taste testing party which was very beneficial to actually taste some of the many products available. He sampled the products along with everyone else at the support group. My first impression was that he was very caring to go to such lengths to better inform all that were present. I have attended two other support group sessions and have had my initial consult with Dr. Clark and find him to be very concise about what to expect. He makes you feel comfortable when he talks with you. He stressed the fact that WLS is just a tool. Shawn and others at his office have been very helpful and I feel that I am in very good hands.

I waited ten weeks to see Dr. Clark for the initial consultation, but after meeting him I believe the wait was well worth it. He spent over an hour with me explaining in detail the risks of the surgery. He also explained what results I could reasonably expect. He encourages patients to ask questions and he is more than happy to answer them. He wants his patients to make the decison wether to have surgery or not with as much information as possible.
Dr Clark does have a structured aftercare program. Actually, before the initial consultation, his office sends out two packets of information to bring with you. Some of this is to be filled out by the patient and the other parts are explained by Dr. Clark. I felt very confident in Dr. Clark's surgical competency. He is very passionate about his work and his patients and it show in his caring bedside manner. I would not have a problem recommending him to anyone considering surgery.

July 3,2001
Today was my frist appt. with Dr.Clark. He
was very easy to talk to. He talk about the
surgery and the risks of it. He also talk
about the after care and to go to a support group.He has a support meeting once a month, I have found it to be very helpful. His office staff is great. Shawn is
the ins.coordinator. I call her all the time to see if I could get in sooner.She didn't mind at all.I have Trigon PPO, it took only about 2 weeks to hear from them. The only thing so far that I can say negative about Dr. Clark is it take to long to getr in to see him.

Dr. Thomas is very friendly, takes lots of time, and answered all my questions. I tend to jump in and ask questions as they occur to me, and I got the impression that he would have preferred that I wait until he was finished. I kept asking questions that he was going to cover in the next section of his talk. That irritated me a little, but was no big deal. My impression of him improved from good to great after I went to one of his support groups (required, BTW). I think he's really committed to helping his patients succeed. He's completely committed to aftercare (eg support group) and he wants a committment from the patient that they will see him or another physician yearly for life. Before my meeting with him, I got a great deal of information, which he went over during the meeting. He covered all the risks that I had uncovered with my research (and I'm a professional researcher). Overall, I rate him qualified to take my life into his hands. I think surgical competence is most important, but being able to interact with the patient and provide support is also important. I like Dr. Clark because he does this surgery several times a week, but he isn't a WLS factory. Also, he seems to recognize the life changing aspect of the surgery and the need to provide care for that as well. Now that I've had the surgery, I'm so glad I picked him. I had some problems with pain post-op (I'm a whimp) and he always called me right back. They'd beep him and he'd call in a few minutes...even the time I called in the middle of the night. Dr. Clark is wonderful!

I work in the hospital and I had seen some of Dr. Clark's patients after surgery Iwas very pleased to see how he cared for them and the relationship he had with his patients. When I went for my first meeting with him I found Dr Clark to be very plesent and welling to answer any questions my husband and I had.
My impression of Dr Clark it that of very high standers how ever as for the surgery I have gone from "OK I CAN DO THIS' to 'I AM SCARD TO DEATH' I have seen and heard god stories and some not so good.
Dr Clark's staff has been very professional and attentive to my needs.
Dr Clark made sure you understand that the surgery is not a quick fix but a tool to help in the weight lost and he explains in detail the aftercare.
Dr Clark also explained in details the risk of the surgery and this is no different then any other surgery.
I find Dr Clark to be a fine surgen if I thought any less I would still be looking for a doctor. I also find Dr Clark to be very surgical competent and to have very good bed side manner. I find both of these qualities to be a "PLUS"

DR.CLARK IS VERY GENUINLY CONCERNED
ABOUT HIS PATIENTS, I KNOW THIS BECAUSE HE ALSO TOOK OUT MY GALLBLADDR 2 YRS AGO, HE WAS GREAT THEN AND STILL IS. HIS OFFICE STAFF IS WONDERFUL, ESPECIALLY SEAN THE INS. COORDINATOR, SHE WAS VERY PATIENT WITH ME BUGGING HER ALL THE TIME ABOUT TRYING T GET A SOONER APPT. DR CLARK IS VERY INFOMATIVE, HE SITS YOU DOWN AND EXPLAINS EVERYTHING SO YOU CAN UDERSTAND IT, HE EVEN GIVES YOU A QUESTIONAIR THAT YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO ANSWER AL THE QUESTION ON TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING.ICANT SAY ENOUGH ABOUT HIM HEIS GREAT, IF YOU WANT THIS SURGERY AND YOU AREIN MY AREA CALL HIM 757-873-3743..ASK FOR SEAN......

My first impression of Dr Clark was a ery soothing one. Hes a very gentle man and never once did I feel insecure with him.

My Impression of Dr Clark has not changed.

His office staff and assistants are as wonderful as he is!

Theres nothing I dont like about him.

Future patients should know they are in excellent hands!!

He STRONGLY emphasizes aftercare.

Yes, his aftercare program is very structured.

He addressed all the risks and benifits very carefully and I did not leave his office until all my questions were answered. He didnt rush me out like some Drs do!

On a scale of 1-10. Id rate Dr Clark a 20!

Dr Clark was wonderful all around. I couldnt have asked for a better, more caring surgeon!!

Dr. Clark was very patient, knowledgable, kind, answered a lot of questions, mostly from my sweet but concerned husband. He does mail out the packet before he will see you and it did take over 2 months to get the first appointment. My primary care doctor had already given me the packet so what I recieved in the mail was redundant but that's okay. He went through the surgery step by step, explained all of the after effects, never seemed rushed or impatient. I think he would have sat there until 6:00 if my husband had kept asking questions. After meeting Dr. Clark, my hubby, who wasn't sold on this idea, felt 100% better about me having this surgery. Definitely feel like I am in good hands!