"Dr. Barker was very friendly. I didn't feel ashamed (for once) about being morbidly obese in front of a doctor! He took time to answer all my questions. His office staff is great: helpful, friendly, cheerful, always there to answer any questions and to help organize, for me, a second procedure to take place during the same surgery so I wouldn't have to have 2 surgeries. I think he may take on too many patients as he seems so busy. Surgery scheduled for Aug. 6, 2007. I will be back with more post op. Here I am again, 13 days post-op. Unfortunately, the second surgery was not performed at the same time as my RNY so I will have to go under the knife again in a couple of months (not looking foward to that!). Got my staples out -- what a relief. The nurse was gentle and I didn't even realize she had finished even though I was sitting up and chatting to her. That's GOOD! Dr. Barker came in for a visit and took his time to make sure I was ok (I had some serious breathing problems post op and had to stay from Monday till Friday, instead of going home on the Tuesday). He was very attentive and answered all my questions even though there was pandemonium in the office outside the exam room. He is a great surgeon and has a terrific bedside manner. He is easy going, genuinly interested in the wellbeing of each and every one of his patients, all of whom seem to adore him. He is overworked but has hired Dr. Thompson to help and Dr. T. is a wonderful, calm, kind, understanding person -- a natural extension of Dr. B. They have worked together in several other offices and are a great combo. Dr. Barker's father is even involved and very helpful. He gave me some chewable iron supplements to try since I was not taking any and it is very important to take it. Billy, who also works in Dr. B's office, also visited with me to see how I was doing post op. I can't reccommend the whole medical and office staff enough. I knew I could put myself in their hands and be alright. Dr. Childs, the doctor at the hospital, took great care of me when I was experiencing breathing and bladder problems. If you are looking for a trustworthy, experienced, cohesive and caring team, these are the people to see. Dr. B. is the best in the entire U.S.A., I have no doubts! I guess the only negative thing I could say is that Dr. Barker tends to over work himself -- that's just my opinion -- but he is so giving and caring that it really is difficult to find something negative to say about him and his colleagues. "
