Thomas Sonnanstine M.D. Bariatric Surgeon M.D., FACS, FASMBS

I don't know that there is much that I could say about Dr. Tom that isn't mirrored by most, if not all of his patients. The instructions for completing this section say \"No person can be the best in all aspects.\" but that just isn't true because in my opinion, Dr. Tom simply IS THE BEST! rnrnI had \"interviewed\" three other doctors in our area about Lap Band and never felt just right with any of them. There was one that kept pushing me towards bypass even though I knew without a doubt that wasn't the right choice for me, another was fairly new at performing lap bands and I didn't really want a \"newbie\" practicing on me, and the third believed in getting you in and out in within just a couple of hours even going so far as to boast about how his patients often return to work the same or next day. I simply didn't want to feel like I was going through drive-thru with something as important as this. Then, we met Dr. Tom. My husband and I left his office, turned to each other, and almost at the exact same time said \"he's the one\". rnrnAs I went through the pre-op process my positive opinion of him only grew stronger. His availability to answer all my questions, his fight on my behalf with my insurance company, his constant words of encouragement, the wonderful staff, every step of the way, every challenge we conquered together, just reiterated that we made the right decision in choosing him as my surgeon. He is the most supportive, caring doctor I have ever encountered. To say he has a fabulous bedside manner doesn't seem to do it justice. He has a way of making you feel like you are the only patient, the only thing that matters when you are with him.rnrnThe time and effort that he has put into creating a top notch pre-op and post-op care program for his patients seems to be unprecidented. Never have I felt like just another patient, just another dollar in dollar out. The tools that he's created for us shows that this man TRUELY, DEEPLY cares for each and every one of his patients and he wants nothing more than to give us every possible tool in the toolbox to help us succeed and reach our goals. rnrnYou always feel like Dr. Tom is by your side as your own personal cheering section and without a doubt I believe that he always has been and always will be one of my biggest advocates. I have even recommended him to several close friends and family members, something I wouldn't do if I didn't believe whole heartedly that you couldn't possibly go wrong if you choose him as your surgeon.

He is a very dynamic, skilled, and trustworthy doctor. His staff is exceptional. this man is caring, endearing, and very gifted and sets a gold standard for everyone around him. his aftercare is excellent. His surgical competence and and bedside manner are unmatched not just in bariatric medicine, but among all physicians I have dealt with.

My first consult with him and I knew immediately that he was the one I had to have do my surgery! I feel he is not only a brilliant surgeon but when he talks to you he doesn't talk down to you. He treats you like a person not just another body coming through. He makes it clear he is your bariatric doctor for life. He genuinely cares about his patients and their well being. He explained all the risks and took as much time as was needed to make sure everything was understood. He recently accepted a position at another hospital because he was not willing to compromise the way he runs his clinic. And for him to do that speaks volumes on his character and his professionalism. He has gone all over the world training other surgeons to do the lapband and bypass. He has an awesome bedside manner, better than any doctor I have ever gone to. That is very rare in todays society and that is one of the reasons he is so popular with his patients. He is truly a blessing to his patients! I would HIGHLY recommend him to anyone considering bariatric surgery. Thanks Dr. Sonnanstine.

\"Dr Tom\" was the most personable and understanding physician I have ever seen. When I first met him, I was worried he would say I was not \"fat enough\" and that I should just \"try harder\" like my family MD did. For once, though I found someone that really understood and knew there are more obstacles than \"not trying hard enough\" to losing weight. My impression has not changed; he is one of the most understanding and proactive and realistic doctors I have ever met. Office staff is cool too, although they are very busy! The program is VERY structured and VERY thorough and I went into my WLS educated, aware and ready. I think their program and my friends are why I haven't struggled (yet...I know I will, but not yet). Competence can not be beat! Bedside manner....wonderful!

Dr. Thomas Sonnanstine

He is young, very intelligent, and dedicated.
Most of his office staff is awesome. The only thing I do not like is how pretentious his on staff pyschologist is. Overall I would give him an excellent rating since he has both surgical competence and an inviting personality.

The first time I met Dr. Sonnanstine I thought to myself he wasn't like any other surgeon I had met. He put me right at ease. I felt like I could trust him with my life, and that is what I did. He was outstanding he is a master a what he does. My impression of him only got better and better over time, if that is possible? His office staff is great they are really helpful and are always there for you with whatever you need. I think future patients should know they should have no worries about the surgery or Dr. Sonnanstine like I said he is a master of his skills. Dr. sonnanstine and the whole staff really emphasize how important aftercare is you have to do what they tell you and you will know that by the time you go in for surgery. The aftercare program is very structured out of all of his patients he treats you like you are the only one! He gives you all of his attention and gives you all the time needed from him. At any time. Basically he goes through the whole process of the surgery with you,makes sure you understand all of that and then he goes over all the risks, yes some things are scary but he does a good job at making you feel at ease about any concern you have. and believe me he won't do the surgery if he feels you are not completely committed to it. I think that surgical competence and a great bedside manner is the whole package and he has it!!!

Dr. Tom is very approachable. He answered all of my questions. I was well taken care of by his staff and the nurses on the floor after my surgery.rnI had gastric banding on June 16th with absolutely no problems at all.rnI look forward to the next few months of losing and better health.rnrn

Dr. Sonnanstine is the best! He has a compassion that is hard to find in a bariatric surgeon, and he is on top of his game. He is confident without being arrogant. His bedside manner is phenomenal. He truly cares. I saw him for my final pre-op on a Friday he let me know if I had any questions over the weekend to call him. How many doctors want to hear from you over the weekend? My surgery was on a Monday, he came back before the surgery to make sure I was okay, to see if I had any questions, and let me know about how long before I would be in the OR. After surgery he checked on me several times and he kept my family updated. I don’t remember that evening very well because I was so tired. Tuesday morning he was in checking on me around 8am, again around 1, and then again around 6:30. This man’s dedication lets you know that helping people is his passion. I am so thankful I found Dr. Sonnanstine! My husband is always impressed when we meet with him, and my sisters, mom, and mother-in-law think he is gorgeous.

He is very good at explaining procedures. His intoductory sessions were very informative and he seemed like he really cared about you and making you a healthier person. What really attracted me to the program, be sides his personality, was the after surgery programs. I need suooort and hearing other patients express how they got through a difficult time helps tremendously. The post-op meetings really are great.

My first impression: positive. He was honest and blunt yet tactful. rnMy impression over time: Even better; he was ALWAYS willing to take patients calls. I never had to call him for anything, but I did witness calls from other patients. Some of the calls were for silly things that could definitely have waited until normal office hours but he handled it all with kindness, patience, and grace.rnOffice staff: I actually had no problem with them. They did what they were supposed to do which I'm sure is a major pain when dealing with deceptive insurance companies.rnWhat did you like least: Honestly nothing. I have never witnessed him being anything but honest and patient. He will not tell you which surgery to pick, but you have to be honest with yourself.rnFuture patients should know: I chose Dr. Tom even though I work at another hospital that is a Bariatric Center of Excellence; I trust him THAT much. I knew if ANYone would be able to do the RNY laproscopically on me, it would be him. I have a prior history of colon cancer and if I EVER need another abdominal surgery, I would pick him in a heartbeat. (He is also a general surgeon; he specialized in WLS.)rnAftercare: They definitely emphasize this. He says he is your doc for life. If you have to post to the boards after surgery saying \"I am home now, what should I eat?\" then you just were NOT listening! Their pre-op program is thorough and complete. rnAftercare program: Yes; visits w/doc & they have a support group online & at St. Luke.rnHow did he address risks of surg: Honestly. People do die. But people die everyday. Fat people have higher risks just due to the nature of obesity; immobility causes lots of problems such as cellulitis, lung problems, and blood clots. The mortality rate of WLS is NOT astronomical. It is probably higher than say, knee surgery due to the patient population. Obviously the risk is greater to operate on someone who is 400 pounds than 200 pounds. It just is. That is why it would be better if people would have WLS surgery sooner than later; then they have youth and probably a lower body weight on their side.rnRate overall: I can not speak highly enough of Dr. Tom. On a 1-10 scale he is a 100. rnSurgical competence or bedside manner: He honestly has both. The little note on the bottom of this page says\" No person can be the “best” in all aspects. Completely 100% positive reviews are generally less informative or even suspect.\" Well that is too bad. I would give him 100%. ANY frustrations I experienced were MY OWN in dealing with the Insurance company and really had nothing to do with the office staff and DEFINITELY not Dr. Tom. I would recommend him 100% (and do) as a patient AND as a RN.