Robert E. Cole Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

I am so glad that I chose to see Dr. Cole. I have never felt comfortable with male physician's before, but Dr. Cole is one of the nicest doctors I have ever met. He was very upfront with me, but at the same time, very kind. He also had a female student with him. She also was very nice. Dr. Cole explained the surgery to me in great length, even by drawing me pictures on paper of how the procedure was done. I have only seen him once so far, but am eager for my next appointment. The office staff was very polite to me as well. You could feel the pleasant atmosphere as soon as you walked in the door. I would recommend Dr. Cole to anyone! I have the utmost confidence in his ability to help me get healthy again!

Post-op: I am so glad that I chose Dr. Cole to be my surgeon. He is the most caring physician I have ever met. I had a problem with one of the nurses in the hospital when I was in ICU. He hugged me and made me feel so much better about things (after he had a "chat" with the nursing director regarding my care). He cares a great deal about his patients and I recommend anyone to Dr. Cole who is considering this surgery. Thank you Dr. Cole for all you have done for me! Your the best!

Met with Dr. Cole on 2/9/04. He was very nice and informative. Meeting went very well. I had done quite alot of reading & researching on my own prior to my appointment. I was pretty sure that this surgery was what I needed to get my health & life back on track. I left Dr. Cole, knowing that this is the answer I have been searching for. My intake appointment is scheduled for 3/24. I can't wait.

I can't say enough about Dr Cole and his staff and the care that they give to you. My first impression of him was that he wants to make you aware that this surgery is not an easy way out by any means and should be seen as a lifestyle change. He was very thorough and explained how as time goes on that obesity & its co-morbities that I suffered are more of a risk than this surgery itself is. But when talking about risks which are there with any surgery, he was very thorough with my husband and myself about all things that could happen. When I was in the recovery room, he went out and spoke to all my family members personally and reported on me and the entire surgery itself. I must say my family really appreciated that. When considering this program, the surgery itself is just the beginning of the journey and the aftercare program is where you learn how to use your new tool that the surgeon has given. This program is very structured and important to your overall success. I have to say that overall I have been very pleased with the entire group within Dr. Coles office and I would recommend him to others.

I met Dr. Cole for the first time on Jan. 16. My first impression was that this was a man who knew how important the decision to have surgery was to make. He explained in great detail the surgery and it's pros/cons. He spoke in easy to understand terms and answered all questions thrown at him (and there were quite a few!). Dr. Cole does not take the surgery lightly. He emphasizes the importance of the patient's compliance to their new diet. He is simply providing the tool in which we use it correctly or not. Our success is based on how well we conform to our new lifestyle. I would highly recommend Dr. Cole to anyone searching for a bariatric surgeon.

So far I have only met with Dr. Cole once, for my consultation, but I have an appt. with him next week after my pre-op tests. I like Dr. Cole, he seems very knowlegable and confident in what he does. Right now I think of him as the key to my good health in the future and am looking forward to him doing my surgery on January 28th! Everyone in the office has been very nice and great to deal with. They are very patient and understanding. Dottie, Joann, Peggy, Colleen,Sandy, and Debbie are the ones I have talked to and they are all very nice and so understanding they are great people!

My first impression of Dr.Cole was wonderful.He is one of the kindest,caring Dr's I have met.He took time to expain everything and answer all my questions and concerns.He gave me his email address and cell phone #s incase I needed him.He helped me move up my surgery date by giving me a cancellation date.He always emails you at least by the next day.
His office is a fine group of professionals.They listen to you and help you through the whole process.
His staff has a great aftercare program.They are available for help with food questions or if you are having depression.
I would definately rate Dr. Cole and his staff a 10.
I believe that surgical competence is most important,but it's great if you can have good bedside manner also.

I have known Dr. Cole for several years. I really like him a lot. He is a very good surgeon and has a wonderful bedside manner. My mom and dad have had him as their surgeon for different things in the past. I have a lot of respect for Dr. Cole.
I went to see him at my 4 month post-op appt. and he didn't even recognize me. He told me he was proud of me, and then gave me a hug. His office staff is wonderful. His wife Joanne is his nurse and she is a peach. Dottie, the receptionist, is the best. There is absolutely nothing about Dr. Cole that I dislike. He was very thorough in discussing the risks involved. He even drew me a picture of what he was going to do inside me. It was pretty cool. I couldn't have asked for a better Dr., but I think I would have done just as well with the assisting Dr. also. Dr. McKane has been doing this surgery longer than Dr. Cole has, and they assist each other everyday they perform this surgery. They both have wonderful bedside manners and awesome surgical competence. I want to thank both of them for the terrific job they did in taking care of me while I was in the hospital.

Dr. Cole is a well respected surgeon, and one of the best men i have ever met. I worked under Dr. Cole as a RN in an area hospital for years, and my respect started there. When i went to see him for a consult i had to push myself into my truck, about 5 mins. after being there he had made me feel like he really understood my shame,pain and health issues and truly wanted to help me. He also was concerned for my life and also told me this risk over and over. He has stood beside me through thick and thin and im 17 days out post op Distal RNY, ive had a couple hard days but im sure the best is yet to come. Dr. Cole has saved my family members also from obesity and mva accidents, and we will always love him and his staff. The dietician and social worker have been there for me from day one and i have follow up appt. to attend i don't feel alone by any sense.

I love Dr cole. He is the best surgeon ive met with. His staff are so caring. I cannot wait untill this gets going. woohoo. May GOD watch over me and all the other patients. GBU ALL

I LOVE Dr. Cole! I've only met him once so far but he is already a GOD in my eyes!! He really took the time to explain everything and he even laughed at my jokes. He has a flip chart that shows the stomach before and after surgery. I told him "This is your stomach, this is your stomach on staples"... he thought it was great! He was just so caring and confident I really don't think it's possible to not like him. He is totally awesome! He does take his work very seriously and you will be aware of all the risks and what he expects you to do before, during and after the surgery. He puts a huge emphasis on aftercare and the program that is set up is great. The support group is wonderful! The whole team is great! Overall... I give him a 150+. He is just that good. I think surgical competence and bedside manner are equally important. Obviously you want the best skilled surgeon to work on you but if you don't feel comfortable talking to them or asking for help then their skill is worthless. I feel 100% comfortable telling Dr. Cole anything and I know his skill is the best that I could ask for. Future patients should just keep in mind that the Doc is very busy, as well as his team, so bring a book to read in the waiting room... it can be a little bit of a wait.