Kaiser Permanente Richmond Medical Center Hospital

What was your first impression of him/her?
Very positive, I am from a medical background and it was obvious he was both very knowledgable and very professional

How did your impression change over time?
Had an even better impression

How would you describe his/her office staff?
Very organized and committed to patient care, a great team.

What did you like least about him/her? I have a very positive impression.

What should future patients know about him/her? They will be treated with care and compassion. The team is very committed to the whole persion and to the individual's overall success not just doing the operation.

How much does he/she emphasize aftercare?
It is a very important part of the program. They have supervised Support groups before and after surgery.

Does he/she have a structured aftercare program? Both a structured aftercare program and a structured preop program

How did he/she address the risks of surgery?
Adequately without instilling fear

How would you rate him/her overall?
Excellent

Which is better, surgical competence, bedside
manner, or both great?
Both are great

I had my consultation with Dr. Baggs on May 18, 2001. I had changed from Dr. Wetter hoping to speed things up a bit. I was told that Dr. Baggs joined the Mills-Peninsula Group and trained with Dr. Wetter and that he was excellent at laproscopic surgery. I felt very confident in my decision to change surgeons. Dr. Baggs is very nice and was very thorough in explaining to me the risks of WLS. The surgery coordinator, Terry, was very nice and answered all my questions regarding insurance, approval time, and scheduling.
Insurance approval was received in approximately one month from my consultation. This wasn't bad considering having to get the pshyc exam results submitted along with meeting with my orthopedic surgeon to get his letter of recommendation. Once Blue Shield had received all the information they required, approval was received in less then one day.
7/8/02 Update: I'm finally getting around to updating my information. I had my surgery on 8/20/01 and had no complications. Dr. Baggs is a wonderful surgeon and did a great job. He has now relocated out of state and I'm sorry for that but wanted to let his future patients know that he is an excellent lap surgeon and I'm glad I chose him to do my surgery.

1/30/02
I have had an initial consultation with Dr. Baggs. He was friendly, informative, and compassionate. My over all expierence thus far with Mills-Penninsula has been great. I am now waiting for insurance approval.

2/15/02
Today I had a Psych evaluation with Dr. Shirley Waldum. She was great. She made sure I knew what was going to happen to my body how my life was going to change and discussed in depth weather or not this was the right thing for me.

2/15/02
I received a copy of the letter Dr. Baggs sent to Aetna, my healthcare provider. I followed up with Aetna and was actualy instructed to fax them a copy and they would hurry it on it's way.

Dr. Baggs was great! He took time to explain all of the procedures, the risks and benefits, as well as the changes that I will have to make in my life. He was very easy to talk to and he answered all of my questions. His staff is very nice as well.

4/26/01 - After attending 2 support group meetings in the last week, I have met several people who have had the surgery with Dr. Baggs and they are all doing so well and they agree that he is a wonderful man! Thank you Dr. Baggs!

2/19/02 - I received an email message that Dr. Baggs would be leaving this office very soon. I am sorry to see him go as he is a wonderful doctor and he will be missed.

I met Dr. Baggs on October 12, 2001. It took only 2 weeks to get an appointment to see him. He was wonderful. Very easy going and easy to talk to. He asked me a lot of questions after we got to know each other a little bit and we went over the facts sheet and I signed it to make sure I understood the procedure. Dr. Baggs answered all of my questions at that time and examined my heart, lungs and stomach. He was very focused on me as a patient and person. I felt very comfortable with Dr. Baggs and his office staff. After we were finished talking, he took me over to the lady that does the scheduling and works with the insurance people, Terry. I had been in e-mail contact with Terry previously so it was great to finally meet her. She was wonderful and keep me up to date on the process the whole way through. She let the insurance company know she would NOT take NO for an answer :-) THANKS TERRY! It was always easy to get in touch with the office and the staff were always helpful and friendly. They make you feel like an individual and not just another patient. I have been very pleased and look forward to surgery on December 20, 2001.

I was referred to Dr Baggs by a friend who had recently undergone lap-RNY. It took a month to get the appt for my consultation. My first impression of him was a bit reserved. He was rather quiet but very knowledgable and answered all my questions with ease. I was happy to hear that Dr Baggs feels that most surgeries can be done laproscopicly instead of open. I am so happy to hear this as I was dreading having a huge scar and a longer recoup time. I saw the Dr again when he did a presentation at the support group. He is definitely in touch with all the physical and psychological ailments that we MO people go thru. My pre-op consult is on 1/9 so I'll have another opportunity to have a one-on-one with him.

So far the office staff has been pretty good. Terry is the insurace co-ordinator and she is always very friendly but often hard to reach. Ann is the nurse specialist that schedules all the pre-op appts and is the contact for any surgery questions. I've only met her via email but she has been great!

I'm happy with my choice of Dr Baggs so far. I've hear nothing but good things about him from my girlfriend and members of the support group. I'll update as I get closer to my surgery date.

1/9 Update: I had my pre-op testing today which included a visit with Dr Baggs. Although it was a quick visit I found him to be a little more open on this visit. I told him that I trust his skills immensely but my biggest fear was not waking up. I've never been tested for sleep apnea but I believe I have it and I want him to know to tell everyone to monitor me extra close during & after surgery. He assured me I will be well taken care of. I feel much better.

I WAS AMAZED THAT I GOT IN TO SEE HIM SO FAST
I HAD AND APPOINTMENT WITHIN A WEEK OF CALLING. IT WAS SET FOR NOVEMBER THE 29TH. I WEN'T IN TO SEE HIM AND HE WAS GREAT HE WAS REALLY NICE AND UNDERSTANDING. HE SEEMED TO CARE ABOUT WHAT I WAS SAYING. HE ANSWERED ALL OF MY QUESTIONS THAT I HAD FOR HIM. AND HE TALKED TO MY HUSBAND AND ASKED HIS QUESTIONS TO. IT WAS WORTH THE TRIP ALL THE WAY FROM MARYSVILLE TO SEE HIM. I CAN NOT BELIVE HOW FAST IT WAS. HE GOT ME STARTED FOR APPROVAL THAT VERY DAY. AND ABOUT THE DEC 13 I GOT APPROVAL FOR SURGERY. I REALLY LIKE HIM SO VERY MUCH. I HAD TRIED TO GO THROUGH DR. WOLF AT UC DAVIS BUT I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR OVER A YEAR AND A HALF JUST TO GET MY FIRST APPT. AND EVERY THING . BUT I THANK GOD FOR SENDING ME DO DR BAGGS. HE SEEMS LIKE A GREAT DOCTOR. AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WORK WITH HIM ARE REALLY NICE AND UNDERSTANDING.HE ADDRESSED ALL THE RISKS AND THING THAT COULD HAPPEN. I THANK PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW THAT HE DOSN'T MAKE PEOPLE LOSE WEIGHT TO HAVE THE SURGERY LIKE SOME DO. AND THAT HE DOESN'T BELIVE THAT REALLY HEAVEY PEOPLE SHOULD NOT HAVE IT HE BELIVES THAT THOSE THAT ARE REALLY HEAVEY NEED IT WORSE THEN THOSE NOT SO HEAVEY. I RATE HIM A 10. I HAVE NOT HAD SURGERY YET BUT I WILL REPORT BACK.

I'm going to go for my first consultation with
Dr. Baggs on Nov. 29,2001 @ 1:00p.m.I will
update this info. after I meet with him...

Well, I met w/Dr.Baggs & he seemed to be pretty confident in his ability as a surgeon. He was down to earth and had a good sense of humor , he made me feel at ease. He stated that it was ludicrous that I was told by another surgeon to lose 50 lbs. and that those with the higher BMI's need this surgery even more. He agreed to do my surgery and asked if I had any questions. The hospital that he is doing my surgery is San Mateo County and I have heard very good things about it. As a matter of fact, I have a friend who just had gastric bypass surgery w/Dr. Baggs on 12/04/2001 and she said that she was treated very well, and that I have nothing to worry about! So, now I am just waiting for approval and a date...

I liked Dr. Baggs right from the minute I met him.

I haven't changes my impression at all.

Office staff is very friendly, very helpful
I couldn't find a thing about Dr. Baggs or the office staff that I disliked.

I would say any future patients are in Good Hands with Dr. Baggs.

He mphasizes heavly on aftercare, and lets you know right away that this is not a "Quick" fix but a life long commetment.

Dr. Baggs tells it like it is the good, the bad and the Ugly.....
Yes in depth!

I have only one word for Dr. Baggs and the entire staff they are GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

I can comment at this time about surgical expertise or bedside manners as I haven't had the surgery yet...

Very nice guy. I liked him immediately. We spoke for a half hour or so. I already knew just about all there was to know about the surgery, so I didn't have a lot of questions. I have no complaints. I haven't had the surgery yet, so I'll update this once it's over.