David Spencer Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

my dr.is dr. moore of portsmouth va..
he is very personal,caring...cares about what i think...how i feel...one on one...my impression has not changed over time..it has just gotten better...i trust him....the office staff are very professional.
my surgery date is march 11,03
so i will let every one know how i am treated.i rated him a 10...i felted he really cared...and he address all of my concerned...and told me all the risk...and told me this surgery would be good for me...
he let me be emotional...cry....then help me understand things in a differnt light...saving my life....

MY OLD DR. DR. MOORE...GOT SENT OUT TO SEA..I WAS SAD BUT THEY REPLACED HIM WITH ANOTHER GREAT DOCTOR...DR.SPENCER...
MY SURGERY HAS BEEN CHANGED 3 TIMES AND NOW I ALSO HAVE A NEW DOCTOR...DR. SPENCER...
I HEARD HE IS THE BEST ....SO I AM HAPPY!!!

MY PREADMIT. DATE IS APRIL 3RD...AT THE NAVAL HOSPITAL....I AM SO EXCITED!!!TIME IS MOVING SO SLOW NOW....

My surgeon was DR Moore however he has been deployed and now DR Spencer will be doing my surgery. From what I have met of him he is very blunt and to the point but very educated on the procedure. He is very good at what he does so I don't care what his bed side manner is like.

i think he is a very careing md. with a very broad understanding of obesity. i have only seen him one time in a nutrition class. his staff was very kind and helpful. as i have only one encounter with him, i have no further opions, except i think he is a doctor who listens to his patients. after care is a must, not an option. his after care is very structured and detailed. the risk are spelled out so any one can understand them, and question time was not rushed. i think he is going to do an excellent job at keeping me in optimal health and help me reach my goal. his bed side manner is great. if i didn't trust him he would not operate on me. i just hope i can have my surgery before he retires in may.

Good first impression, very funny guy.

No Dr. Spencer and his staff are fantastic and go the extra mile.

Wonderful staff, Janet is the best case nurse around as she has gone through the surgery herself.

He's very frank and upfront about things.

Nothing, I love the program.

Be honest and realistic, this is what Dr. Spencer looks for in a patient.

Aftercare is a huge part of the program.

Risks are addressed from day one.

I would give Dr. Spencer a 15 out of 10.

Both are excellent.

Seemed a little arrogant, but told you straight up, if you didn't think you could handle it, don't do it.

Love him, he gives everyone the same attention and cares for his patients. Sits and talks with you about concerns and worries. He is an awesone surgeon.

Jan is the main coordinator of everything. She is great. Answers your calls and really cares for the patients. The rest of his staff is also great, friendly, warm and compassionate.

There is nothing that I don't like about Dr. Spencer.

He is a truly caring physician. He treats each patient as an individual. And truly cares about each one.

Aftercare is very important. Support groups, dietary help. Follow up appointments are very important.

Yes, before and after care. The first Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. there is a support group meeting. He highly emphasizes that you attend before surgery as well as after.

With the risks, he tells you straight up. Goes from the smallest of risks to the ultimate risk. And you have to decide if it is worth the risk.

Dr Spencer is an outstanding surgeon. You couldn't ask for a better caring physician.

Both his bedside manner and surgical competance are great.

My first impression of Dr. Spencer was that he was a caring and thoughtfull man.
My impression has not changed.
His staff was great and it was even more special because his PA (nurse)has had the bypass herself.
If I must pick something not to like it would have to be the fact that he seem to repeat things over and over. Though after my procedure I understand why, it was a big change in my life.
To futre patients I say listen to what he says, it's true and for your own good.
Aftercare is emphasized more than anything. It does matter.
Because my husband is in the Navy I left VA and moved to CA three months after.
I do think that it was structed nicely.
Over all I had a great experience with Dr. Spencer and his staff.

Actually I have 3 surgeons that I have met with. I am not for sure yet which one will be doing the surgery. Dr. Spencer is the primary surgeon. I have met with them all and they are wonderful. They have made sure that I am totally comfortable with the decision I have made. His case manager is Janet Johnson and she is an angel. She has had the surgery herself so she knows the anticipation that everyone has. I am looking forward to my surgery and I am pleased with the staff that will be caring for me.

I had my first consultation with Dr. B today and I couldn't be happier. I arrived 30 minutes early, and that gave me time to do the paperwork. I was seen right after my paperwork was reviewed. It was great that the first person to see me was a post op herself. After the vitals were taken, I was shown to a waiting room and I think that was the longest 5 minutes of my life. Dr. B came in and I liked him right away. He gets an A++ for eye contact, approachable demeaner, and openness. I was not a patient being seen by a doctor, but a person having a conversation with another professional person. He was great about listening to me ramble on and on, never looking bored (or at his watch). He explained everything to me in detail, with humor and candor. The office staff was very professional and personable. I had no problems with waiting to be seen. I would have to say the thing I liked least about my visit is that the office was very plain. It was kept very neat, but I worry when I don't see plants or flowers in a doctors office, even fake ones.
The complete process from insurance approval to 1 years check up as explained in great detail, with all the negatives and positives.
The thing I liked best about Dr. B is that he passed my "magic cure" test. When I made the comment that all this seemed too good to be true, like "magic", he said "This is surgery. I make the change, you make you progress." There were no false promises or sales pitches. This doctor is top notch as people go in my book, and the added bonus is that he seems VERY happy with what he does, for a living and for others.

Update 10/5/01
I now have been aproved by my insurance and am waiting for a final surgery date. I want all who read this to know that they MUST BE VERY PROACTIVE in this process from beginning to end. Keep a folder with all records and phone numbers and a call record of who and when you talk to some one. Things are VERY SLOW and is it up to you to keep it all on track. Everyone is always nice and tries to be helpful, but keep your eye on your goal and push things foward. Just tell yourself that your doctor and his staff will get their paycheck that much quicker!!!! This has just been my personal experience, but I am sure that may have gotten the run around on the phone about waiting for this test result or that file to show on the computer. Just keep postive and keep calling!!!!

Update 7-21-02
Its been awhile since I have been here, and alot has changed. I have a new doctor now, and the differance is amazing. The doctor I was seeing the first time I went through this emotional rollercoaster was apart of a large surgical center. Not so much his office, but who they were linked to. Much like McDonnalds. Every chain is individually owned, but they are all apart of a whole big corperation. I am sure that my doctor would have been fine, but the racket he worked for was awful. Noe that I have been to another doctor, I can truely see the differance. Dr Spencer is beyond words. As I reread what I wrote before, about Dr B I am ashamed of how easily I gave my self up. I thought he was great because he said yes. Yes I could have this procedure done. He was very informative and what he said was true, but I now know that there is so much out there that I wasn't told before. My Dr now borders almost on information overload. And I like it. In speaking with him, I got the complete history of WLS and about every method that is currently being done today. I saw more diagrams of disected stomachs than I every thought possible. He also uses a team method. He does send you out for tons of tests, but also requires that support meeting are attended, regular dietian classes, heath psychologist, case manager (post op patient herself) who is a nurse, and more packets of quizes and information than you can shake a stick at. I can honestly say that I am glad that the money grubbers shot me down one week before my procedure before. This will be so much safer and healthier for me and my family.

Dr Spencer has been very supportive. He is very optimistic about the benefits of bariatric surgery. At no time has he appeared to be condescending. He is very interested in his patient's support system and ensures that all questions are asked. The office staff is supportive (2 have had the surgery) and the support group is wonderful in that the physicians, nutritionist, office staff and various other health professionals involved in the surgery are present during meetings.

Dr. David Spencer and his staff are very professional, compassionate and knowledgable. Their program has all the components you'll need to prepare you for both surgery and what to expect afterwards. All the surgeons, including Dr. Moore and Dr. Newman are highly skilled and well trained in this procedure. Their support staff is also excellent. With Janet Johnson as your patient coordinator, you'll know what you should be doing and when you should be doing it! Also, Janet has been through the surgery herself and knows what you will be experiencing. (I think she must have been a drill sargent in a previous life!)

You are told from the beginning that the surgery is only a tool for you to use to lose weight. It is stressed that you must include excerise, a well-balanced eating plan, 3 meals a day, 3 protein snacks. Vitamins for the rest of your life...

Dr. Spencer (and his fish!) is very personable. He and his fellow surgeons make it a point to attend the support group meetings - something I didn't expect a surgeon to do.

If you expect pity for being in pain after the surgery - save yourself the complaint time - Dr. S. will tell you he can take you back to surgery and do an "open" on you, then tell him how much it hurts! No compassion there!