Thomas Umbach Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS, FASMBS

My first impression of Dr. Umbach and his staff is that he cares a lot individually about his patients. He has a solid background with a family-based practice. rnrnMy impression has not changed. If anything it's grown stronger.rnrnThe staff is excellent. He and his wife Holly described in the seminar that I attended, they have a 'Bulldog' in the office (also named Holly) that is excellent at getting insurance approvals. They were right! 30 days later I was approved and ready to go! She is unbelievable!rnrnI wouldn't say that there is anything I disliked about Dr. Umbach. rnrnFuture patients should know that Dr. Umbach is still growing his practice, but he has also obtain the 'Center of Excellence' recognition for Bariatric surgery thru his affiliations at the Valley health systems of Las Vegas.rnrnDr. Umbach's strongest trait is the aftercare. I noticed right away while attending my first support-group meeting that Dr. Umbach is really big on the aftercare. He's obtained many clients from other bariatric surgeons because of his aftercare program.rnrnDr. Umbach has always been upfront about ALL of the risks involved in all of the surgeries. rnrnI would rate him an A+ overall.rnrnI believe that in the case of Bariatric surgery, surgical competence and bedside manner are both important. Dr. Umbach clearly has both.

Dr. Thomas Umbach did my gastric bypass surgery in Eugene Oregon on July, 11, 2007. He is wonderful. He is relaxed, confident, caring, and compassionate to the problems of obesity. I am so grateful for this whole experience. I am sure his technical skill combined with a compassionate nature made a huge difference in how I have felt since surgery. I was presented honestly with the risks and expected outcomes from the surgery. I was re-admitted to the hospital the day after going home (post-op day 2) because I was dehydrated. I called Dr. Umbach's office that day with really vague complaints. They got me right in to the office and then admitted me to the hospital. I was given IV's and went home in 2 days. That is really the only problems I have had in over a year. I especailly appreciated how Dr. Umbach really listened to me about how I felt that day and discussing the traetment options. I would highly recommend Dr. Umbach. The pre and post-op programs in Eugene were thorough and felt like what I needed both physically and mentally. This forum asks us to rate him overall - I give him a 10.

Dr. Umbach and his wife, Holly, who is the office manager, are very warm and inviting. They never made me feel awkward during any point in the process. I am one week post-op now and Dr. Umbach gave me his home phone number to use for any questions I've had over this past week, which was very helpful as things did come up that I was not sure how to handle. I have a 2 week post-op follow-up with him next week.rnThere were 3 online videos called \"Emmis\" that I had to watch prior to my surgery that did go over the benefits/risks about the surgery as well as anesthesia and how to handle my hospital stay.rnDr. Umbach is new to the Las Vegas area so the program he is running out here is very new (although his background in laproscopic gastric bypass is extensive in San Fran and Oregon- 2 places he had worked in other bariatric centers). He doesn't have a support group set up just yet in Las Vegas, but as he gets more clients I'm sure it'll grow.rnI would definitely recommend him to other people.

I have just recently moved to Henderson, NV from Washington and needed to find a new doctor. I had issues with my previous surgeon and was unsure what to expect in Nevada. I picked Dr Umbach because his office was in Henderson but will keep him, and Holly, because they listen and they are genuinely supportive and caring.

At my preoperative appointment I did my true confesision to Dr. Umbach following his instructions of no fast food. I have followed his recomendation to date and decided this last saturday that I was going to try my good ol favorite Big Mac from McDonalds. When I got home and smelt it, it did not smell as good and when I went to eat it, it did not taste as good as it used to. This was good-bye to my Big Mac and knowing that I really was not going to miss it like I thought I would. rn

I decided to go with Dr. Umbach after attending several seminars by other surgeons, because he seemed to be more personal and direct in his explanation of the pros and cons of each type of surgery. I didn't get the feeling he was trying to \"sell\" me something. rnrnHe is easy to talk to, and has given me a great deal of personal care and attention after my surgery. rnrnHis office is great and his wife Holly has also been very helpfull and supportive. rnrnI can't think of anything I like the least about him, but it was tough to get my initial appointment because their new office wasn't open yet. rnrnI feel that future patients should consider Dr. Umbach if more personal attention is important to them. rnrnHe seems to be doing an excellent job in regards to aftercare so far. He stresses the fact that having the necessary fills are mandatory for success.rnrnHis method for aftercare is made very easy with online access to all of your pre and post surgery information, tracking, and appointment scheduling. rnrnHe addressed the risks of surgery several times with me and made absolutely sure I understood them and knew what my other options were.rnrnI would rate him as excellent overall and recommend him highly.rnrnI feel his surgical competence and beside manner are both great and have no complaints.

My first impression of Dr. Umbach was that he was able to get to the point and was eager to get you on your way to an healthy lifestyle once again, not to mention that he most likely hears this all the time that he has the most beauitful blue eyes. It throughs you off abit.rnrnMy impression of him did change after I got to know him more, he is very sincere and has no problem answering any questions or fears that you have. I definitly felt more connected with out feeling like I was just another patient. rnrnHis office staff is always pleasant and happy to see you, and are very informative as well.rnrn I think that future patients need to about him that no question is a dumb question. He is there to answer all your concerns and fears and don't hold anything back.rnrnDr. Umbach does stress how important it is on how you take care of your pouch, and if there is any questions or concerns that you have, he informs you not to hesitate on calling his office.rnrnI would rate him overall,as one of the best doctors, and he has truely saved my life and has helped me more than any other doctor that I know. I think that it is important to really have a connection with your surgeon before you go through something like this. Dr. Umbach is wonderful.rnrnI think that surgical competence and bedside manner go together I have met surgeons who are great at what they do, but the have the worst bedside manner ever. Dr. Umbach how ever has great bedside manner and takes his time if you have any questions or concerns after the surgery. Thank you Dr. Umbach

My recommendation for Dr. Umbach comes not from my first impression of him as he is very reserved initially which can be mistaken as disinterested, but rather the result of the on-going care I have received from him which reveals him to be a highly-educated and truly concerned healthcare provider. Every Doctor cares in one way or another about each patient they have; however, Dr. Umbach shows true compassion to all of his patients, even for issues that are not related to the weight loss surgery itself, because he is ultimately interested in the total well-being of each person. I am very sorry to see him leave our fine city of Eugene, but wish him luck wherever his path may lead him. I am excited for all of the patients that he will be seeing, because I know that they will be treated with the utmost care and professionalism.rnrnI am not surgeon, so I truly cannot rate Dr. Umbach surgical skills; however, I can say that every other doctor and every other hospital staff member I have spoken to has had nothing but the highest level of respect for him as a person and a surgeon. I can tell you that I have had no complications and the success I have enjoyed in shedding the pounds is unparalleled. While Dr. Umbach has reservations about the efficacy of the gastric banding procedure, he respected my wishes and has been continuously supportive and impressed by the results.

Oregon Bariatric Center is Eugene, OR is a department of the hospital I work for. I first met with Neal Gorrin MD and was so comfortable with him and with Kathy Andrews, the nurse. Unfortunatly before I had surgery, both had left the Center. They both were a big part in my comfort the the OBC.rnEverything to do with the procedure, all preop and postop expectations was explained to me in depth and no question was considered stupid by them. I have a great handbook documenting everything about the surgery and a year later, I still refer to it from time to time. rnrnDr Tom Umbach did my surgery and has done all my followup. I am thrilled that he is my surgeon. He is a kind and relaxed person to talk to and I never felt rushed in my time spent with him. rnrnUnfortunately, is is leaving our area and I understand is going to LasVegas.rnrn LasVegas, you are gettting a wonderful surgeon and a wonderful man. Feel confident that he is your man for bariatric surgery.rnrnrnCindyrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrnrn

My first impression was he's very good looking!rnHe was the most honest and forthright doctor I had met. He was the first to not sugar coat the surgery and risks which I, working in health care appreciated but he scared my daughter to death :) over time and now being so well with not a single complication I think he is by far the best in his field. His office staff has been under alot of change since the day of my surgery so unfortunally I don't use the office staff except for Karlyn, who is an excellent dietican. His aftercare is pretty typical and he does expect you to follow up.rnI would rate Dr. Umbach a 15 on a scale of 1-10!!! His surgical competence is beyond reproach and for a surgeon and everyone knows their reputations he is very warm and friendly and caring. He's my personal superhero