Thomas Magnuson Bariatric Surgeon M.D.
WELL IT TOOK SOME TIME TO EVEN GET AN APPOINTMENT WITH "DR. MAG" HOWEVER HE IS A VERY NICE MAN WILLING TO ANSWER ALL MY QUESTIONS. I NEVER FELT RUSHED, AND HE LEFT ME WITH A LOT OF INFORMATION, HIS PHONE NUMBERS AND HIS EMAIL ADDRESS IN CASE I THOUGHT OF SOMETHING ELSE.
ANDI IS DR. MAG'S SECRETARY. SHE IS WONDERFUL. SHE KNOWS WHAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY NEEDS AND SHE HANDLES THIS WELL. MY SURGERY WAS APPROVED AFTER THE FIRST LETTER, THE ONLY ADDITIONAL INFO NEEDED WAS A DIET HISTORY.
I THINK WHAT I LIKED LEAST IS THE WHOLE PROCESS HAS TAKEN QUITE SOME TIME. MY FIRST MEETING WITH DR. MAG WAS 10/8/02 AND MY SURGERY IS 4/28/03. I THINK FUTUR PATIENTS SHOULD KNOW THIS IS NOT A QUICK AND EASY PROCESS. HOWEVER I AM GREATFUL TO HAVE MY TURN COMING UP SOON.
I found him to be very pleasent and easy to talk to. He doesn't make you feel guilty just because you're over weight. He appears to really care for his patients. I'm still in the initial stages and have only seen him once. he gives you his e-mail and encourages you to e-mail him and he stated he will answer your questions. His office staff has only been helpful and informative. The only negative I nhave is how long I had to wait for an appointmet (8mon) and it may be another 7 mon before I can exspect to have the surgery schediled if and when the insurance company agrees to it.
I HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING DR.MAGNUSON ONCE BUT MY FIRST INPRESSING WAS ENOUGH TO MAKE ME FEEL VERY CONFORTABLE .HE EXPLAINED THINGS TO ME VERY WELL GAVE ME THINGS TO READ OVER TO HELP ME UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THE SUGEREY. HIS OFFICE RETURN EVERY ONE OF MY CALLS AND ANDI IS A DOLL. SHE IS SO FRIENLY AND SHE ALWAYS SAYS IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION PLEASE FEEL FREE TO TALK TO THE DOCTOR. SHE KEEP ME INFORM ON WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THE INSURENCE AND WHAT TO EXPECT. TODAY WHICH IS FEB 11 2003 WAS THE FIRST SUPPORT MEETING I ATTENED ,WHERE I RECEIVE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS WEB SITES. THE PEOPLE WERE FRIENLY AND WERE ALSO PATIENTS OF DR.MAGNUSON AND SPOKE VERY HIGHTLY OF HIM AND HIS STAFF. I WOULD NOT HESTATE TO SPARE THIS WITH ANYONE THAT IS THINKING ABOUT HAVING THIS DONE.
I met Dr. Magnuson in Sept. of 2002. He was very nice and took the time to answer 2 pages worth of questions. Andi, his assistant, was very helpful, and never made me feel like I was pestering her. I had read some negative things about her, so I tried a different approach with her. Every time we moved from one stage to another, I always asked her it would be good for me to call her back. This seemed to work very well for both of us. For example, she told me it would take about 2 weeks to get the notes from the hospital and then to type the letter to the insurance. So I called back in two weeks and found out what the next step was, and called back in another week.
<p align="left">Dr.Magnuson is a very kind,soft spoken man,that never once made me feel ashamed or embarrassed. My total expierience has been great so far. Dr.Magnuson really takes a personal interest in my well being,as he does all of his patients.For me,He has been the answer to my prayers.(Someone that really cares)The aftercare is great and the support is phanominal. Very structured program.It took me a very long time to get my initial consult with Dr Magnuson,but let me be the first to say(he was definately worth the wait)Only downfall has been the office staff. Andi which is Dr.Magnusons secretary is totally overloaded with paper-work,but I must say ,she is very helpful and relly knows her stuff,shes just overworked.I would surely reccomend this wonderfull Doctor to all of you just starting to research Gastric bypass surgery. His surgical competence and bedside manners are excelent. If I can be of any additional help,please e-mail me and never give up your dreams.
Dr. Magnuson was very professional throughout my sojourn. He addressed all the surgical risks thoroughly etc but also was very optimistic about how well I would do and he was right! His office staff is very helpful(thank you, Andi) as were the staffs of all the support personnel involved(Connie in Psychiatry particularly)! There is an aftercare program/support group and continuing help is available through the dietary service. Dr. Magnuson sees his patients at regular intervals after surgery. The best thing he does is make himself available AT ALL TIMES - nights, weekends, you name it. He is very supportive in that way and has always responded within an hour of my calls to his office or service. And I mean he responds himself, not an office person or a resident. I really appreciated this. He has a very reassuring and positive bedside manner and is an excellent surgeon. I would give him an A+++!!