Timothy Custer Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

May I frist say this is ALL IN MY OPINION. This is based on my personal experience during my long medical ordeal. I can speak for no one else and of course each medical case is different.

My first impression of him was good - I had checked him and the practice out, his stats, internet, etc. I felt I was in good hands. I spoke with people who he had already done surgery on. They were fine.

My impression has GREATLY changed, NO I would not recommend him to ANYONE. His bedside manner greatly changed toward me over time - I was a BIG problem patient to him. He told me more than once that he didn't even want to do more surgery on me - but he had no choice and I had NO choice. Some of the time I wasn't even aware of what was going on! He is currently practicing at Fairfield Medical Center in Lancaster, OH.

What others should know about him - STAY AWAY - think it over very carefully - have greater confidence in your doctor than I apparently did!

He did address the risks of surgery - but I was SO anxious to have it - and thought I knew everything - that I felt I was in good hands. But now feel I wasn't.

It took my family months to get me out of his care - I eventually got transferred to Dr. Bradley Needleman (OSU) and even though he did not have to more surgery on me his manner of treatment, the number of times each day he was in my room, his care and treatment of me while I still had open wounds - is what has kept me alive today.

I met with Dr. Custer and was overall impressed. I have heard good things about him from others that I work with. Things can be frustrating when you play phone tag so much, but with some patience, all works out well.

Very knowledgable and friendly. Opinion never changed about the doctor. His staff was very helpful and friendly. There was nothing I didn't like about him. He's the best I've seen. He emphasized alot on after care and how important it is. They have a very structured and good after care program. They addressed every risk of surgery and made sure that you understood. Overall he is a great surgeon and doctor. both bedside manner and surgical competance were great.

I was very comfortable with Dr. Custer and Nurse Kathy.They seem to be genuinely interested in their patients.I have had no problems with any of the office staff at Mid Ohio Surgical.I think like many buisnesses they could use a larger office staff but that would be my only suggestion.Overall I have been very satisfied with them throughout the process.

I was very impressed with Dr. Custer from the first meeting. He is a young guy and not so formal. He discussed in great depth the risks and percentages of how often they occur. He truly does this surgery to help people I believe. His office staff, with the exception of the girl who coordinates the insurance, are very kind and prompt to return calls. To be fair, the insurance girl just needs an assistant and that I think would greatly improve her personality :)
The only thing I did not like very much about Dr. Custer was that I was paranoid about med students doing my surgery. Did not want to be a guinea pig. He could not guarantee he would be the only one with the knife so to speak.
They have an aftercare program that consists of meetings with nutritionists and monthly support group meetings with clothing exchanges and they try to have protein samples available at the mtgs too.
I think anyone going to Dr. Custer will find him attentive to their needs and very understanding. He is a good surgeon with an excellent record and very personable. Overall I'd rate him a 9 out of 10. :)

The first time I saw Dr Custer I felt old, he is pretty young but extremely qualified. If I had this to do all over again, I wouldn't change a thing. He is very personable and caring. He came in everyday to check on me. His office staff that I have had to deal with are incredible. Kathy, his nurse is very nice and extremely knowledgeable and Carrie who is the bariatric coordinator is while extremely busy, always took the time to get back with me on things I had questions about. I consider them all lifesavers. I would recommend Dr Custer to anyone in the central Ohio area. The only negative aspect is how busy they are. I wanted everything done yesterday but we all know that isnt possible with this type of surgery, things happen slowly sometimes for a reason. I would highly recommend Mid Ohio Surgical to all.

I like Dr. Custer right away. He was very straight forward but still friendly. He told me all of the risks and made sure I understood what I was getting into.
I really like Kathy, his nurse, so far I've only met with her once but she seems very direct and funny.
I did not like the answering service on the weekends or the fact that when I called with a problem I had to wait for the doctor on call to call me back, and he happened to be one the of doctors who doesn't perform the gastric bypass. I would have rather talked with Kathy than him, and the answering service was extremely rude.

10/16/03 Initial Visit
Very nice, straightforward doctor. Genuine concern in making sure you know what's going on & answers all questions in plain language. Nurse Kathy is very nice and cordial. Carrie who does the approval paper work is efficient & helpful.
Hand-out information is complete and detailed. If you follow their direction, process will go smooth. My initial consultation was 10/16/03, surgery is sceduled 1/30/04 !! From what i've read this is quick! Just follow the directions they give you, & gather the correct information, & it'll go smooth.

1/22/04
Pre-Op meeting with Dr. Custer. (surgery sceduled 1/30/04)
This was with two other patients and ther families. first nurse Kathy went over some stuff, what to expect at the hospital, some dos and don'ts, pain management, etc.
Then Doc Custer went over some stuff, including everything that can go wrong! Mainly, if you don't follow directions, you can cause BIG problems. I knew this from my research, no big deal.

2/10/04
I had my first post op visit. The staples and drain tube were removed. Dr. Custer said I'm doing great. He told me the hospital staff were talking about me and how well I did while there too. Then we talked a little bit about motorcycles! This guy is great, very professional, but personable too.

Dr. Custer is wonderful. The entire staff at Mid Ohio Surgical is great. The gastric bypass coordinator is Carrie. She is friendly and always returns your calls. I feel very confident with Dr. Custer. He knows what he is doing and cares about his patients. Don't be intimidated by the "time line" It can take a while to get through the process, but it is worth the wait. /// Now that I am post op and have spent more time with Dr. Custer, I think that he is even more wonderful. As close to a saint as possible. He treated me well, he came in every day that I was in the hospital, and at my post op visit I saw that he is genuinely concerned in his patients future and success. Kathy, Dr. Custer's nurse in amazing, and she REALLY cares. I feel blessed that I was able to find such good care for this very important time/event in my life. My rating 10+++++++++.

I THOUGHT DR. CUSTER WAS VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE. MY IMPRESSION STAYED THE SAME ABOUT HIM. THE OFFICE STAFF SEEMED VERY HAPPY FOR MY SUCCESS. I LOVED THE FACT THAT HE WAS VERY STRAIGHT FORWARD AND HE DIDN'T BEAT AROUND THE BUSH ABOUT THE RESULTS. HE IS VERY EASY TO TALK WITH. HE IS VERY SERIOUS ABOUT AFTERCARE. HE DOES HAVE AN AFTERCARE PROGRAM WHERE YOU GO AND SEE HIM AND THE DIETICIAN. HE WAS VERY OPEN AND HONEST ABOUT THE RISK OF HAVING THE SURGERY AND EVEN THE RISK THAT COULD TAKE PLACE AFTER THE SURGERY. I BELIEVE THAT HE IS ONE OF THE BEST PHYSICIANS THAT I'VE ENCOUNTERED IN A LONG TIME.